Barbara Mertz was an American author known for mystery and suspense novels. Under the pen name Elizabeth Peters, she created the adventurous archaeologist Amelia Peabody in works like Crocodile on the Sandbank, blending humor and Egyptology in engaging mysteries.
If you enjoy reading books by Barbara Mertz then you might also like the following authors:
Amanda Cross writes engaging mysteries featuring intelligent female protagonists and academic settings. Her witty and insightful narratives explore themes of feminism and social issues, often set within university campuses.
In the novel Death in a Tenured Position, Cross skillfully blends academic satire with a sharp and thoughtful mystery, making her novels very appealing to fans of Barbara Mertz's smart, independent characters.
Mary Stewart effortlessly combines romantic suspense with vivid storytelling and atmospheric settings. Her novels feature strong, resourceful heroines facing unknown dangers in exotic locales.
In Nine Coaches Waiting, Stewart creates a beautifully balanced tale of romance, danger, and intrigue, set against the backdrop of the French countryside.
Readers who appreciate Barbara Mertz's blend of mystery, romance, and vivid historical settings will thoroughly enjoy Stewart's work.
Victoria Holt's novels offer suspenseful plots with gothic atmospheres and historical backgrounds. She crafts engaging romantic suspense stories that blend dark secrets, intriguing characters, and richly detailed settings.
One of her standout novels, Mistress of Mellyn, immerses readers in a mysterious Cornish mansion filled with secrets, romance, and suspense. Barbara Mertz fans who enjoy history, mystery, and atmospheric locations will find Victoria Holt's novels captivating.
Phyllis A. Whitney creates suspenseful, romantic mysteries set in vivid and immersive settings. Her novels often revolve around heroines caught in intriguing family mysteries, hidden motives, and deep emotional conflicts.
The Singing Stones beautifully demonstrates Whitney's style, weaving together suspenseful intrigue and romance against an atmospheric setting. Her storytelling approach, strong female leads, and sense of place resonate with readers who love Barbara Mertz.
Aaron Elkins is well-known for intriguing forensic anthropology mysteries that combine fascinating science, engaging characters, and absorbing plots. His novels feature Gideon Oliver, a likable forensic anthropologist who solves mysteries by interpreting bones.
In Old Bones, Elkins crafts an intelligent and entertaining story set near a French archaeological site, blending science with mystery seamlessly.
Readers who enjoy Barbara Mertz's archaeology-centered mysteries and insight into history and artifacts will appreciate Aaron Elkins' work.
Ellis Peters is famous for her mystery novels featuring Brother Cadfael, a medieval monk who solves crimes. If you enjoy Barbara Mertz's blend of history, mystery, and vivid characterization, you'll likely appreciate Peters' thoughtful pacing and intricate plots.
Try starting with A Morbid Taste for Bones, the first book in her Brother Cadfael series—it weaves historical insight smoothly into an engaging mystery.
Dorothy Gilman is best known for her delightful Mrs. Pollifax series about an adventurous elderly widow turned international spy. Readers who enjoyed Barbara Mertz's engaging heroines, humor, and adventure will appreciate Gilman's writing style and relatable characters.
You could begin with The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax, an entertaining introduction blending suspense with warmth and wit.
Anne Perry writes historical mysteries set mostly in Victorian England, often highlighting complex characters, moral themes, and intricate plots.
Readers interested in historical atmospheres similar to Barbara Mertz's work might appreciate Perry's vivid descriptions and thoughtfully crafted puzzles.
The Cater Street Hangman, the first in her Charlotte and Thomas Pitt series, is a good starting point that combines suspense with fascinating historical detail.
Agatha Christie is the queen of classic detective fiction, known especially for her ingenious plots and memorable characters such as Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple.
Fans of Barbara Mertz's meticulously drawn settings and clever mysteries may enjoy Christie's keen observation of human nature and her careful storytelling.
Consider reading Murder on the Orient Express, a masterful puzzle that showcases her sharp plotting and intriguing characters.
Ngaio Marsh, among the great mystery writers of the classic detective era, blends detective fiction with an appreciation for theater and art.
Similar to Barbara Mertz, Marsh creates engaging, witty protagonists and a sense of atmosphere that draws readers comfortably into her mysteries.
Try Artists in Crime, a memorable Chief Inspector Alleyn mystery that combines an elegant detective with a theatrical setting and well-crafted plot twists.
If you enjoy Barbara Mertz’s lively mysteries blended with humor and historical charm, Georgette Heyer is an author well worth exploring.
She is celebrated for her clever dialogue, witty banter, and vibrant characters, especially in period settings full of charm and authenticity. Her mystery novel Behold, Here's Poison showcases her talent for crafting intriguing plots and sharp comedy that keeps readers hooked.
Laurie R. King writes intelligent mysteries with detailed historical settings and strong, complex protagonists, similar to Barbara Mertz’s style.
Her Mary Russell series, beginning with The Beekeeper’s Apprentice, reimagines Sherlock Holmes in retirement, mentoring and partnering with a brilliant young woman. King's stories blend clever deduction, vivid period detail, and engaging dynamic characters.
Deanna Raybourn offers atmospheric mysteries with adventurous women as leads, rich historical settings, and intriguing storylines—much like Barbara Mertz.
Her novel Silent in the Grave, featuring the captivating Lady Julia Grey, introduces readers to a suspenseful Victorian world filled with secrets, romance, and humor.
Susan Elia MacNeal’s Maggie Hope series appeals to those who appreciate witty, resourceful heroines caught up in historical intrigue.
Her novel Mr. Churchill’s Secretary brings WWII-era London vividly to life, mixing espionage, thrilling action, and well-researched detail in a fashion reminiscent of Barbara Mertz’s blend of smart storytelling and historical depth.
Carola Dunn’s cozy mysteries and charming historical settings will satisfy readers who enjoy Barbara Mertz’s engaging narratives.
Her Daisy Dalrymple series, particularly Death at Wentwater Court, follows an active and independent young woman who stumbles upon mysteries in polite society during the 1920s.
Dunn’s approachable storytelling and likable characters offer just the right dose of mystery and charm.