Arthur Upfield created a truly original character in Detective Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte, or Bony as he was often known. This half-Aboriginal detective solved crimes in the harsh yet beautiful Australian outback.
Upfield’s books are more than just mysteries; they offer a real sense of place and explore the complexities of identity in Australia.
For readers who enjoy this blend of detective work, vivid settings, and insightful character studies, there are other authors who provide a similar experience.
Tony Hillerman is an author worth exploring for fans of Arthur Upfield’s vivid crime fiction set in distinctive landscapes.
His mystery novel, “Dance Hall of the Dead,” introduces readers to Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn of the Navajo Tribal Police, who must solve a puzzling disappearance and murder case on Navajo and Zuni lands.
Hillerman skillfully weaves elements of Navajo culture and tradition into the investigation, guiding the reader through tense desert landscapes and intriguing clues.
Through Leaphorn’s eyes, readers experience not only the suspense of solving a mystery, but the rich atmosphere of Southwest Native American life. If you enjoy the atmosphere and cultural details in Upfield’s novels, Tony Hillerman offers a similar satisfying experience.
Readers who appreciate Arthur Upfield’s mysteries set in Australia’s rugged landscapes may also enjoy Nevada Barr’s novels. Barr writes suspenseful tales featuring Anna Pigeon, a tough and resourceful park ranger stationed in various national parks across the United States.
In “Track of the Cat,” the first Anna Pigeon mystery, a colleague is suspiciously killed in the remote backcountry of Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Texas. Authorities blame a mountain lion for her death, but Anna isn’t convinced.
She sets out to uncover the truth behind the suspicious circumstances, risking her own safety in a thrilling investigation. Barr vividly captures the wilderness environment, creating a rich backdrop for a tense, character-driven mystery.
Books by Colin Cotterill offer a fascinating look into crime-solving set against intriguing cultural backdrops. Readers who enjoy Arthur Upfield’s blend of mystery and unique settings may find Cotterill’s style thoroughly engaging.
His novel “The Coroner’s Lunch” introduces Dr. Siri Paiboun, Laos’s only coroner in 1970s communist Laos. Dr. Siri is an elderly physician thrust into solving murders in a role he never sought.
He tackles cases not just with science but with wisdom and wit, often aided by unexpected supernatural influences.
The story captures both the complexities of post-revolutionary Laos and a refreshing detectival approach, making Colin Cotterill an appealing author for those who appreciate unconventional mysteries steeped in historical context.
Peter May is a Scottish author known for atmospheric mysteries set in striking locations. Readers who enjoy Arthur Upfield’s blend of rich settings and insightful detective work may appreciate May’s novel “The Blackhouse.”
The story takes place on the rugged Isle of Lewis in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides. Detective Fin Macleod returns to his hometown after many years to investigate a brutal murder.
The investigation forces Macleod to reconnect with people and memories from his childhood, exposing secrets that have lingered for decades.
The novel skillfully combines crime-solving with vivid descriptions of island life and culture, creating an absorbing atmosphere similar to Upfield’s imaginative settings.
Readers who appreciate Arthur Upfield’s vivid portrayal of rural settings and smart, relatable detectives will likely enjoy Craig Johnson’s novels. Johnson is well-known for his Sheriff Walt Longmire series, set in the rugged landscapes of Wyoming.
In the book “The Cold Dish,” Sheriff Walt Longmire tackles a complex and emotional case rooted deep in a past crime.
The story introduces memorable characters, authentic Western culture, and weaves in themes of friendship and redemption through a murder investigation that tests Longmire’s sense of justice and loyalty.
Kerry Greenwood is an Australian author known for her lively and atmospheric detective novels set in 1920s Melbourne. Readers of Arthur Upfield who enjoy Australian mysteries rich in local flavor and sharp characterization may find a great match in her Phryne Fisher series.
In “Cocaine Blues,” the first of these novels, Greenwood introduces us to Phryne Fisher, a stylish, confident, and adventurous heroine. Phryne crosses oceans and social boundaries to unravel a complex case of theft, murder, and drug trafficking.
Fast-moving plots, vibrant period detail, and Phryne’s sharp wit make this series a memorable read.
James D. Doss was an American author known for his mysteries set in the American Southwest, featuring Charlie Moon, a Ute tribal investigator who brings a distinct cultural perspective to each case.
Readers who appreciate Arthur Upfield’s blend of cultural depth and intriguing mysteries will enjoy Doss’s novel “The Shaman Sings.”
In this story, Charlie Moon investigates a series of puzzling deaths on the Southern Ute reservation, accompanied by his aunt Daisy Perika, who is a Ute shaman with visions that hint at the truth behind these tragic events.
The story combines elements of folklore, suspense, and subtle humor as Moon untangles clues tied to both modern and traditional spiritual realms.
The mix of mystery with native traditions and captivating Southwest settings creates a great read for fans of Arthur Upfield’s Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte series.
Books by Anne Hillerman often follow threads similar to Arthur Upfield, blending intriguing mysteries with vivid, atmospheric descriptions of landscape and culture.
In “Spider Woman’s Daughter,” Anne Hillerman continues the beloved series her father Tony Hillerman created, featuring Navajo police officers Bernadette Manuelito and Jim Chee.
When a violent shooting puts a respected investigator’s life at risk, Officer Manuelito finds herself deeply involved in a difficult, personal pursuit of justice.
The search for motive and culprit leads the officers across the vast deserts of the American Southwest, carefully balancing Navajo tradition and modern detective work.
Like Arthur Upfield’s mysteries, Hillerman’s novel thoughtfully combines rich cultural insights, memorable police work, and absorbing storytelling.
Elly Griffiths is a British author best known for her mystery series featuring forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway.
In “The Crossing Places,” Ruth finds herself pulled into an investigation when ancient bones are discovered near a remote Norfolk marsh, close to where a child had gone missing ten years earlier.
Griffiths pairs intriguing archaeological mysteries with sharp detective work and atmospheric coastal landscapes.
Readers who enjoy Arthur Upfield’s detailed settings, careful plotting, and unique characters might also appreciate Griffiths’ engaging storytelling and the thoughtful way archaeology weaves into her mysteries.
Readers who enjoy Arthur Upfield’s detective novels might appreciate Sue Grafton’s works. Grafton created the character Kinsey Millhone, a private investigator based in Southern California, who stars in her popular alphabet mystery series.
In “A is for Alibi,” Kinsey takes on the case of Nikki Fife, recently released from prison after serving eight years for the murder of her husband. Nikki insists she’s innocent and hires Kinsey to uncover the true killer.
Kinsey digs into the past, sifts through misleading testimonies, sorts conflicting evidence and explores tangled relationships, all to piece together what actually happened.
The story moves quickly, with sharp dialogue and interesting, believable twists that keep readers guessing until the end.
Patricia Highsmith is an American author famous for her psychological suspense and memorable characters. If you enjoy Arthur Upfield’s skillful storytelling and intriguing mysteries, Highsmith may capture your interest as well.
Her novel “Strangers on a Train” shows how a chance encounter can lead two ordinary men into shocking circumstances. Guy Haines meets Charles Bruno on a train, and during casual chatting, Bruno proposes exchanging murders to avoid suspicion.
Guy dismisses it as a foolish joke, yet soon finds himself dragged into a web of manipulation, guilt, and crime. Fans of clever plots and tense atmosphere will easily get drawn into Highsmith’s unsettling and fascinating storytelling.
John D. MacDonald was an American mystery writer known for strong characters, vivid settings, and suspenseful storytelling.
Fans of Arthur Upfield who appreciate realistic detective work and richly drawn environments might find something enjoyable in “The Deep Blue Good-by,” MacDonald’s first book featuring Travis McGee.
McGee is not your typical detective; he’s a self-described “salvage consultant” who lives on a houseboat and recovers stolen property in exchange for half its value.
In this novel, McGee sets out to track down a raw, brutal opponent named Junior Allen, who has stolen a fortune and left a trail of damaged lives in his wake.
The engaging Florida coastal setting and McGee’s practical, thoughtful approach to solving the mystery should appeal to readers who like Upfield’s atmospheric and methodical storytelling.
Garry Disher is an Australian author known for his crime novels set in vibrant, well-crafted landscapes. His book “Bitter Wash Road” introduces readers to Constable Paul Hirschhausen, transferred to a remote outback town after exposing corruption within his own police unit.
Once there, Hirschhausen faces suspicion and hostility from colleagues, locals, and superiors alike. When a young girl is found dead on a lonely country road, Hirschhausen is determined to find answers despite limited resources and mounting obstacles.
The story masterfully blends careful plotting with authentic portrayals of small-town tensions typical of the Australian countryside, reminiscent of Arthur Upfield’s Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte mysteries.
Fans of Upfield’s stories, rich in setting detail and complex characters, will find Disher’s work equally satisfying.
Books by Adrian Hyland offer engaging stories set against the rugged Australian landscape. Readers of Arthur Upfield will feel at home with Hyland’s vivid sense of place and sharp storytelling.
In “Diamond Dove,” we meet Emily Tempest, a spirited young woman who returns to her remote Aboriginal community after years away. When a close friend is found murdered, Emily finds herself drawn into an investigation that is deeply personal.
Hyland weaves a suspenseful plot and authentic cultural detail into a narrative that brings Australia’s outback to life.
If you enjoy Arthur Upfield’s atmospheric Australian mysteries, Michael Robotham might appeal to you with his psychological thrillers set in similar compelling locations.
In Robotham’s novel “The Dry,” readers meet investigator Joe O’Loughlin, a skilled psychologist drawn into a tense case involving family secrets and hidden motives.
The story unfolds in a small Australian town hit by a severe drought, where simmering tensions and suspicions bubble under the surface. Robotham creates believable characters and weaves complex plots, offering readers vivid glimpses into human emotions and motives.
This blend of sharp storytelling and strong sense of place could make Robotham’s novels a rewarding discovery.