Arthur Upfield was an Australian writer recognized for detective fiction. Most notable are his Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte mysteries, including The Bone is Pointed.
If you enjoy reading books by Arthur Upfield then you might also like the following authors:
Tony Hillerman writes detective mysteries set against the vivid landscape of the American Southwest. He skillfully blends mystery plots with Native American culture, creating authentic and atmospheric stories.
Readers who enjoy Arthur Upfield's cultural insights and unique settings may enjoy Hillerman's book Dance Hall of the Dead, featuring Navajo police officers Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee.
Peter Corris captures an Australian voice through his tough, down-to-earth detective, Cliff Hardy. His stories offer a gritty and realistic look at Australian life, often exploring corruption and crime within cities like Sydney.
Fans of Upfield's distinctive Australian perspective may appreciate Corris’s novel The Dying Trade, the first novel of the Cliff Hardy series.
Kerry Greenwood is known for her detective novels set in 1920s Melbourne featuring the intelligent and adventurous Phryne Fisher. Her writing is witty, stylish, and full of historical detail, bringing the Jazz Age vividly to life.
Those who appreciate Upfield's engaging detective and strong sense of place might enjoy Greenwood's Cocaine Blues, the opening novel in her series.
Garry Disher crafts carefully plotted crime novels that highlight Australia's rural and suburban settings. His style is spare, realistic, and evocative, capturing ordinary lives disrupted by crime and tension.
Readers who value Upfield's evocative locations and detailed storytelling could find enjoyment in Disher’s book Bitter Wash Road, featuring rural detective Paul Hirschhausen.
Jane Harper brings modern Australia vividly to life through sharply observed characters and moody natural landscapes. Her mysteries are suspenseful, psychological, and atmospheric, often highlighting isolated settings and hidden secrets.
Readers who appreciate Upfield's attention to setting and character development might want to check out Harper’s acclaimed debut, The Dry.
If you like Arthur Upfield's atmospheric Australian mysteries, Adrian McKinty might hook you as well. McKinty sets many of his stories in Northern Ireland, blending gritty realism with dark humor and vivid characters.
His Sean Duffy series captures life amid the Troubles with sharp wit and an authentic voice. Check out The Cold Cold Ground, which introduces Detective Sean Duffy as he investigates murders in a tense and uncertain Belfast.
Fans of Arthur Upfield's meticulous plotting and sense of place will likely appreciate Peter Temple. His crime novels have a distinctly Australian setting and focus on complex moral questions and character depth rather than just action.
A great place to start is The Broken Shore, which explores violence, corruption, and redemption in a rural seaside community.
If you're drawn to Arthur Upfield's sharp observations and local color, Shane Maloney's books might be your style. Maloney has a sardonic, humorous approach, focusing on Melbourne's political scene through the eyes of the reluctant investigator Murray Whelan.
Stiff showcases Maloney's ability to blend comedy, Australian politics, and crime into an engaging read.
Michael Robotham offers compelling psychological thrillers that might interest readers who enjoy Arthur Upfield's insightful approach to criminal psychology. His style is emotionally intense and full of unexpected twists.
Try The Suspect, the first in Robotham's Joe O'Loughlin series, where a psychologist suddenly finds himself suspected of a brutal crime, forcing him to unravel the puzzle himself.
If Arthur Upfield's dark atmospheres appeal to you, Paul Cleave could be a great discovery. His books are intense psychological thrillers set in Christchurch, New Zealand, blending chilling suspense with sly black humor.
The Cleaner introduces readers to Joe Middleton, a serial killer who maintains the façade of innocence to hide from authorities in a cleverly grim narrative.
Craig Russell writes crime novels that pull readers into atmospheric European settings. Like Arthur Upfield, Russell carefully blends detective storytelling with a rich sense of place.
His book Blood Eagle introduces readers to detective Jan Fabel, who investigates dark crimes while navigating Hamburg's hidden layers of culture and society.
Qiu Xiaolong offers intriguing mysteries set in modern China, highlighting both crime-solving and cultural exploration. Fans of Upfield's thoughtful detective fiction might enjoy Xiaolong’s insightful look into the complexities of contemporary Shanghai.
In Death of a Red Heroine, inspector Chen Cao solves a politically delicate murder case, revealing tensions between tradition and modernity.
Georges Simenon created memorable detective stories built around complex human emotions and psychology. If you appreciate how Arthur Upfield develops compelling detectives, you'll likely find Simenon's Inspector Maigret equally enjoyable.
Maigret and the Yellow Dog showcases Simenon's precise prose, depth of character, and vivid French atmosphere.
Andrea Camilleri charms readers by mixing witty dialogue, clever puzzles, and lively Italian atmosphere.
His Inspector Montalbano series, especially The Shape of Water, provides humorous yet intelligent detective adventures, similar to the engaging and vibrant stories of Arthur Upfield.
Nicolas Freeling crafts thought-provoking crime novels set around Europe, often emphasizing the subtleties of character and atmosphere.
His series featuring Inspector Van der Valk, particularly seen in Love in Amsterdam, offers intriguing mysteries rooted firmly in European culture and introspective storytelling. Those who enjoy the depth and atmosphere of Upfield's fiction will appreciate Freeling's style.