Anne Perry is known for writing historical mysteries. Her novels are often set in Victorian England, and they feature smart characters like Thomas Pitt and William Monk who solve complicated crimes in the fog-filled streets of London.
If you enjoy her books, you may want to discover other authors with a similar love for history and a talent for mystery.
Readers who enjoy Anne Perry’s historical mysteries may also appreciate Elizabeth George, an author known for her Lynley and Havers detective series.
Her novel “A Great Deliverance” introduces Inspector Thomas Lynley and his partner, Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers, as they investigate a brutal family murder in the English countryside.
The case uncovers dark family secrets and psychological complexity, blending thoughtful character studies with a twisting mystery.
George skillfully creates tension not only from the puzzle itself but from the compelling and sometimes tense partnership between Lynley, an aristocratic detective, and Havers, his working-class colleague.
It’s a novel that sets the stage for a series with depth, atmosphere, and satisfying crime-solving.
PD James was a master storyteller known for mystery novels filled with intricate characters and detailed police procedures. Readers who enjoy Anne Perry’s Victorian settings and thoughtful detective work might appreciate James’s precise plots and psychological depth.
In “Cover Her Face,” her first novel featuring detective Adam Dalgliesh, James introduces a seemingly quiet English village. The murder of a young maid shatters the village calm and uncovers hidden tensions beneath the surface.
Dalgliesh—careful, observant, poetic—methodically builds the case, exploring the suspects’ complex lives and motivations. James reveals human nature and hidden motives, crafting a detective story rich in detail and atmosphere.
Jacqueline Winspear crafts engrossing historical mysteries set in post-WWI England, filled with rich characters and authentic period detail.
Her novel “Maisie Dobbs” introduces us to Maisie, a young woman who begins her career as a maid but eventually becomes a skilled detective and psychologist.
When Maisie opens her own detective agency, her first case seems straightforward—following a woman suspected of infidelity—but soon leads her into deeper mysteries connected with the lingering consequences of war.
Through Winspear’s careful storytelling, readers explore themes of trauma, healing, and recovery, similar to Anne Perry’s layered and thoughtful plots that balance mystery with vivid historical settings.
Charles Finch is an author known for his Victorian-era mysteries that vividly capture historical London. Readers who enjoy Anne Perry’s atmospheric settings will find a similar experience in Finch’s work. A good book to start with is “A Beautiful Blue Death”.
Set in Victorian London, this novel introduces Charles Lenox, a gentleman detective who enjoys solving complicated cases for leisure. When Lenox hears of the suspicious death of a maid named Prudence Smith, he sets out to uncover the truth behind an apparent suicide.
Through a maze of secrets, social tensions, and far-reaching intrigue, Lenox untangles a web of mysteries involving powerful aristocrats and loyal servants.
Charles Finch’s richly detailed storytelling and engrossing mystery provide a satisfying experience for readers who love Anne Perry’s historical detective stories.
Readers who enjoy Anne Perry’s historical mysteries might appreciate the novels of C.S. Harris. Harris creates vivid characters and atmospheric settings from Regency-period London.
In the book “What Angels Fear,” Harris introduces Sebastian St. Cyr, an aristocrat accused of a brutal murder he didn’t commit. To prove his innocence, Sebastian must navigate the treacherous world of politics, class conflicts, and family secrets.
Harris combines historical details with suspenseful storytelling, making the mystery feel real and immersive. Fans of thoughtful plotting and vibrant historical settings will find plenty to enjoy in C.S. Harris’ engaging series.
Readers who enjoy Anne Perry’s atmospheric mysteries set in historical settings may find Maurizio de Giovanni equally appealing. De Giovanni is an Italian author well-known for his historical crime series featuring Commissario Ricciardi, set in 1930s Naples.
In “I Will Have Vengeance,” Ricciardi investigates the murder of a beloved opera tenor, found dead in his dressing room moments before a performance.
Commissario Ricciardi is not your typical detective; he possesses a unique gift that allows him to sense the lingering emotions of victims at crime scenes.
Against the lively backdrop of Naples, filled with colorful characters and shadowy secrets, Ricciardi must navigate suspicion and superstition to unravel the murder.
For readers fascinated by detective work intertwined with historical detail and vivid character portraits, Maurizio de Giovanni offers a rich reading experience.
If you enjoy Anne Perry’s atmospheric mysteries set in historical London, Andrea Penrose offers another excellent option. Penrose writes compelling historical mysteries filled with vivid characters, rich historical detail, and intriguing puzzles.
In “Murder on Black Swan Lane,” the first novel in her Wrexford & Sloane mystery series, the rebellious Earl of Wrexford becomes the prime suspect in a shocking murder.
He forms an unlikely alliance with a clever artist named Charlotte Sloane, whose sketches satirize London’s upper class. Together they unravel dark secrets hidden within London’s elite circles, facing threats at every turn.
Penrose brings Regency London vividly to life, from glittering ballrooms to shadowy back alleys, delivering suspenseful mysteries and engaging characters.
If you enjoy historical mysteries by Anne Perry, Tasha Alexander is an author worth exploring. Her novel “And Only to Deceive” introduces Lady Emily Ashton, a recent widow in Victorian London who discovers secrets about her late husband.
Through his journals, Emily uncovers an unexpected obsession with Greek antiquities. This leads her into hidden corners of society where art, intrigue, and danger intersect. Richly detailed settings and memorable characters keep the story suspenseful from start to finish.
Fans of Anne Perry’s thoughtful mysteries set in historical London may find Alexander’s storytelling equally absorbing.
Books by Rhys Bowen offer suspense and historical intrigue that fans of Anne Perry would enjoy. Bowen is known for her engaging historical mysteries with vivid settings, strong characters, and well-crafted plots.
One notable book, “Her Royal Spyness,” introduces readers to Lady Georgiana, a young noblewoman navigating London’s high society in the 1930s.
Although she’s thirty-fourth in line to the throne, Georgiana finds herself penniless and undercover, tasked by the Queen to secretly investigate scandals and crimes within the upper class.
Her adventures blend humor, mystery, and historical atmosphere, keeping readers entertained from start to finish.
Deanna Raybourn crafts historical mysteries set in Victorian-era England with lively characters, witty dialogue, and intriguing detective work. Her novel “A Curious Beginning” introduces Veronica Speedwell, a spirited, independent woman passionate about science and exploration.
After narrowly avoiding an abduction, Veronica teams up with the reclusive and sharp-tempered natural historian named Stoker. Together, they unravel buried family secrets and scandals hidden beneath Victorian society’s respectable appearance.
Fans of Anne Perry’s atmospheric storytelling and carefully developed characters will find a similar enjoyable adventure in Raybourn’s clever mystery series.
Victoria Thompson is an author known for historical mysteries set in vibrant, carefully crafted settings. Readers who enjoy Anne Perry’s vivid portrayal of Victorian society and intricate plots may find Victoria Thompson’s “Murder on Astor Place” particularly appealing.
Set in late 19th-century New York City, midwife Sarah Brandt is drawn into a baffling murder case involving a young woman from a wealthy family.
With engaging characters and an absorbing depiction of social classes, Thompson builds suspense through clues scattered amid scenes of bustling city life.
If you appreciate historical mysteries with intriguing social dynamics, Victoria Thompson offers plenty of depth and entertainment.
Books by Barbara Hambly offer historical mysteries rich in detail and atmosphere. If you enjoy Anne Perry’s Victorian England settings, you’ll likely find Hambly’s “A Free Man of Color” appealing. This novel is set in 1830s
New Orleans, a city of vibrant culture and shadowy intrigue. Hambly introduces Benjamin January, a free man of color who returns home after studying medicine in Paris.
But January soon finds himself implicated in a murder mystery that explores the complex dynamics of race, class, and power in pre-Civil War America. Hambly weaves careful historical research into a narrative filled with suspense and strong character development.
Readers who value Anne Perry’s thoughtful storytelling may appreciate Hambly’s vivid recreation of historic New Orleans and compelling detective plots.
Carola Dunn is a British author best known for her Daisy Dalrymple mystery series set in the lively 1920s. If you enjoy Anne Perry’s atmospheric historical mysteries, you might appreciate Dunn’s “Death at Wentwater Court.”
In this cozy yet intriguing novel, Daisy Dalrymple visits Wentwater Court, a stately home where a fatal accident soon turns suspicious. Daisy is smart, resourceful, and unafraid to challenge societal norms as she pieces together clues.
Dunn captures the charm and social dynamics of post-World War I England while keeping readers engaged with a puzzle worth unraveling.
Readers who enjoy Anne Perry’s atmospheric mysteries and historical detail may find Sarah Stewart Taylor worth exploring. Taylor is known for her Maggie D’arcy series, which begins with “The Mountains Wild.”
In this novel, detective Maggie D’arcy returns to Ireland years after the mysterious disappearance of her cousin Erin. New evidence surfaces, making Maggie revisit painful questions from the past.
The narrative smoothly shifts between timelines and vividly recreates the lush Irish landscapes. Taylor captures her characters’ emotions authentically, building a story full of suspense, emotional depth, and unexpected twists.
Laurie R. King is an American author best known for her historical mysteries featuring nuanced characters and intriguing plots.
If you enjoy Anne Perry’s Victorian atmosphere and thoughtful storytelling, King’s novel “The Beekeeper’s Apprentice” is a great introduction to her work.
Set in the early 20th century, the story introduces Mary Russell, a spirited and intelligent young woman who meets the retired Sherlock Holmes. Drawn together by their sharp intellect and determination, they soon join forces to solve a dangerous mystery.
The book blends classic detective fiction with engaging historical settings and strong character relationships.