If you enjoy reading books by Alan Bradley then you might also like the following authors:
Louise Penny writes mysteries centered around the small village of Three Pines and its residents. Her books often feature Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, a thoughtful and kind detective.
In “Still Life,” the first book in the series, Gamache is called to the village when a beloved artist is found dead in the woods. As he investigates, he uncovers hidden truths about the locals, their friendships, and their secrets.
Penny’s stories focus on characters and their relationships, making her a great pick for readers who enjoy Alan Bradley’s Flavia de Luce mysteries.
Jacqueline Winspear writes historical mysteries that often center on strong, thoughtful characters. One of her most well-known books, “Maisie Dobbs,” introduces Maisie, a former maid who becomes a private investigator after serving as a nurse in World War I.
The story follows her as she tackles her first case, which starts as a simple investigation into a woman’s secretive behavior but uncovers something far darker tied to the war.
Winspear brings post-war Britain to life, focusing on how the trauma of war affects ordinary people, including Maisie herself.
Rhys Bowen is an author known for writing lighthearted and engaging mysteries. One of her most popular books, “Her Royal Spyness,” kicks off a series set in 1930s England.
The story follows Lady Georgiana Rannoch, a penniless member of the royal family who finds herself solving crimes while navigating life in high society. With a mix of humor and clever twists, the book offers a charming look at a young woman caught between duty and adventure.
Fans of Alan Bradley’s Flavia de Luce mysteries may enjoy the quirky characters and fun investigative style Bowen brings to her stories.
C.C. Benison writes mysteries with a cozy, small-town feel. Fans of Alan Bradley might enjoy “Death at Buckingham Palace,” the first in the Her Majesty Investigates series. It follows Jane Bee, a housemaid working at Buckingham Palace, as she stumbles upon a palace murder.
With the Queen herself taking an interest in the investigation, Jane must uncover secrets hiding behind the walls of royalty. The charm of the royal setting and clever twists will keep readers turning the pages.
Ellis Peters is best known for her historical mystery series featuring Brother Cadfael, a Benedictine monk living in 12th century England. Her writing combines a love for historical detail with engaging puzzles.
In “A Morbid Taste for Bones,” the first book in the series, Brother Cadfael is tasked with helping bring the relics of a Welsh saint to Shrewsbury Abbey. What begins as a holy mission takes a darker turn when a local landowner objects, and murder follows.
The story mixes small-town feuds, religious politics, and a clever investigation led by Cadfael’s sharp mind and grounded personality.
Alexander McCall Smith is known for creating warm, character-driven stories. His book “The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency” introduces Precious Ramotswe, a charming and resourceful woman who opens the first detective agency in Botswana.
The book follows her as she solves local mysteries, like uncovering a missing child and exposing con artists, all while showcasing the beauty of Botswana and the kindness of its people. The story feels cozy, with a focus on relationships and small, meaningful discoveries.
Fans of Alan Bradley’s inventive sleuthing and inviting worlds might enjoy this too.
Agatha Christie is a well-loved author known for her clever mystery stories and unforgettable detectives like Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. If you enjoy the clever sleuthing in Alan Bradley’s books, you might like Christie’s “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd.”
In this story, a wealthy man is found dead, and Poirot, retired in a quiet village, is drawn into solving the case. The twist at the end is something no one sees coming, and the small-town setting feels both cozy and full of secrets.
M.C. Beaton is known for creating cozy mysteries with quirky characters and charming settings. In her book “Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death,” the story follows Agatha, a sharp and witty former PR executive who retires to a sleepy English village.
To fit in, she enters a baking contest but cheats by using a store-bought quiche. When the judge dies after eating her entry, Agatha finds herself as a suspect and decides to solve the mystery herself.
It’s lighthearted but full of twists, making it an easy and enjoyable read for fans of Alan Bradley’s Flavia de Luce series.
Ann Cleeves writes mysteries that focus on layered characters and vivid settings. Her book “The Crow Trap” is the first in the Vera Stanhope series. It starts with three women working on an environmental survey in a rural village, where a shocking death disrupts their plans.
Vera, a sharp and unconventional detective, steps in to investigate, unraveling secrets that tie the women to the local community. Fans of Alan Bradley may enjoy Cleeves’ skill at blending clever puzzles with unique characters.
Dorothy L. Sayers is a classic mystery author best known for her Lord Peter Wimsey series. If you enjoy clever detectives with a touch of wit, you might want to try her novel “Whose Body?”.
In this story, Lord Peter investigates the discovery of a naked corpse in a bathtub while unraveling how it connects to a prominent financier’s sudden disappearance.
The book combines sharp dialogue with an intricate puzzle, offering readers plenty of twists to keep them guessing. Sayers creates a world that feels alive through her attention to character and detail.
G.K. Chesterton was a writer known for his clever storytelling and sharp wit. One of his most beloved works is “The Man Who Was Thursday.” This book starts with a poet being recruited into a secret group of anarchists, though nothing turns out to be what it seems.
It’s packed with twists and eccentric characters, making it an entertaining mix of mystery and humor. Fans of Alan Bradley’s quirky and unpredictable tales might enjoy discovering Chesterton’s unique approach to storytelling.
Kerry Greenwood is an Australian author best known for her delightful Phryne Fisher mysteries. Set in 1920s Melbourne, these stories follow Phryne, a glamorous private detective with a sharp mind and a love for adventure.
One of her books, “Cocaine Blues,” introduces Phryne as she investigates a mysterious case involving a poisoned wife, a shady drug ring, and a missing girl. With wit and style, Phryne navigates smoky jazz clubs, opulent parties, and dangerous situations.
Fans of Alan Bradley’s Flavia de Luce series might enjoy Greenwood’s lively storytelling and her focus on strong, clever heroines.
Charlotte MacLeod wrote light-hearted mysteries with a quirky charm and memorable characters. Her book, “Rest You Merry,” introduces Professor Peter Shandy, a reserved academic whose quiet life at a small New England agricultural college gets disrupted by murder.
After putting up a hilariously over-the-top Christmas display to avoid the town’s holiday committee, Shandy stumbles across the body of a neighbor in his own home. The mix of dry humor and clever twists makes this a fun mystery with a unique setting.
Fans of Alan Bradley might enjoy the similar blend of wit and eccentricity in her writing.
Carola Dunn is known for her delightful historical mysteries, often set in 1920s England. In “Death at Wentwater Court,” readers meet Daisy Dalrymple, a spirited young writer with a knack for stumbling upon murders.
In this story, Daisy visits a grand country estate to write about it for a magazine. When a guest is found dead under suspicious circumstances, Daisy teams up with Detective Inspector Alec Fletcher to untangle the secrets of the household.
The book blends an engaging mystery with the charm of its period setting, making it a good pick for fans of Alan Bradley and his Flavia de Luce series.
Sarah Caudwell wrote witty mysteries filled with clever twists and eccentric characters. Her books follow a group of young barristers in London, with an enigmatic narrator named Professor Hilary Tamar.
In “Thus Was Adonis Murdered,” a charming, but hapless, lawyer named Julia gets tangled in a murder investigation while on a holiday in Venice.
Letters and conversations reveal the story, packed with humor and sharp observations, as her friends back home try to piece together what really happened.