If you enjoy reading novels by Ben Creed then you might also like the following authors:
Philip Kerr is known for his historical crime novels, especially the Bernie Gunther series. Bernie is a sardonic private detective in Nazi Germany, navigating a world where danger lurks around every corner.
In “March Violets,” Bernie is hired to find a stolen diamond necklace and ends up unearthing secrets tied to the rise of the Third Reich.
The book moves through smoky bars, shadowy backstreets, and the tense political climate of 1930s Berlin, creating a vivid backdrop for the investigation. Fans of gritty historical mysteries with flawed yet sharp protagonists might find Kerr’s work worth exploring.
Tom Rob Smith is a writer known for crafting thrillers with sharp tension and bleak atmospheres. His book “Child 44” is set in Stalin-era Soviet Union, where even investigating crimes is dangerous.
The story follows Leo Demidov, a state security officer who risks everything to uncover a streak of brutal child murders. The book brings you into a world of fear, secrecy, and mistrust, where doing the right thing could cost your life.
If you enjoy historical mysteries with a dark edge, this might catch your interest.
Martin Cruz Smith is the author of sharp and atmospheric novels, often blending mystery with historical or political backdrops.
One of his most well-known works, “Gorky Park,” introduces Arkady Renko, a Soviet detective tasked with solving a brutal murder in Moscow during the Cold War.
Renko uncovers a case involving corruption and power, leading him to navigate treacherous alliances and dangerous secrets. The book paints a vivid picture of Soviet life, full of tension and moral dilemmas, which adds depth to the central investigation.
Robert Harris is known for writing historical and political thrillers with sharp attention to detail and a knack for creating immersive settings.
In his novel “Fatherland,” he imagines an alternate history where Nazi Germany won World War II and Adolf Hitler is still in power in the 1960s.
The story follows Xavier March, a detective working in Berlin, who stumbles upon a secret that threatens to unravel the regime’s control. It’s a mix of mystery and suspense with a smart twist on history that keeps you turning the pages.
Joseph Kanon is an author known for writing gripping stories set in historical settings, often involving espionage and moral conflict. His book “The Good German” takes place in post-World War II Berlin, a city struggling to rebuild from the war’s devastation.
The story follows journalist Jake Geismar as he searches for a woman from his past, uncovering secrets tied to corruption and war crimes along the way. It paints a vivid picture of a fractured city, pulling you into its shadows and tangled alliances.
Fans of layered mysteries and atmospheric Cold War settings would find this book absorbing.
David Downing is an author known for creating atmospheric and suspenseful historical fiction. His book “Zoo Station” is the first in the John Russell series, set in 1939 Berlin as World War II looms on the horizon.
The story follows journalist John Russell, a British ex-pat who finds himself entangled in espionage and political intrigue. Russell is caught between the Nazis, Soviet agents, and his own moral dilemmas.
The book paints vivid scenes of a city under pressure, with tension building as the threat of war grows. For readers who enjoy historical thrillers with rich detail, this might be a great fit.
Alan Furst writes historical spy novels set in Europe during the tense years leading up to World War II. His book “The Spies of Warsaw” follows Colonel Jean-François Mercier, a French military attaché stationed in Warsaw in 1937.
Mercier uncovers secret German plans while navigating a world of political betrayal and covert operations. The story moves between shadowy meetings, dangerous missions, and moments of quiet personal reflection.
The atmosphere is thick with pre-war uncertainty, and the characters feel grounded in their time. It’s a gripping read for fans of historical espionage.
John Lawton is known for writing historical crime fiction packed with rich atmosphere and smart plots. One of his books, “Then We Take Berlin,” introduces Joe Wilderness, a young cockney thief turned British intelligence agent.
The story moves from the rubble of post-war Berlin in 1946 to the Cold War tensions of the 1960s. Joe uses his street smarts and charm to navigate black markets, espionage, and shifting alliances.
The book is filled with fascinating details about life in Berlin after the war and the shadowy world of spies and smugglers. Lawton’s style captures the grit and danger of the time, with characters who feel authentic and bold.
William Ryan is an author known for historical crime fiction set in vivid and atmospheric settings. His book, “The Holy Thief,” is the first in a series featuring Captain Korolev, a detective in 1930s Soviet Union.
The story opens with the discovery of a murdered woman in a deconsecrated church. As Korolev investigates, he uncovers connections to powerful figures within Stalin’s regime.
The novel combines the tension of political paranoia with the danger of uncovering secrets in a time when trust could cost someone their life. Ryan weaves a tense and immersive tale of survival and loyalty in a brutal era.
Chris Petit is a British author and filmmaker known for his dark and atmospheric crime fiction. One of his standout books is “The Psalm Killer,” a thriller set during the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
The story follows a detective investigating a string of murders connected to an elusive figure who goes by the name of the Maestro.
As the detective uncovers clues, the political unrest and shadowy manipulations of intelligence forces loom large, creating a tense and layered backdrop. Petit’s writing captures a sense of dread and mistrust, weaving a world where no one is truly safe.
If you enjoy chilling stories with historical weight, his work might pique your interest.
Sam Eastland is the author of a series of historical crime novels featuring Inspector Pekkala, a Finnish detective working for Stalin in Soviet Russia. In the book “Eye of the Red Tsar,” Pekkala is tasked with uncovering the fate of the Romanov family after their execution.
Set against the brutal backdrop of early Soviet rule, the story follows Pekkala as he pieces together secrets that others want buried. The mix of political intrigue and tense moments makes it a gripping tale.
Readers who enjoy mysteries with layered settings and characters will find a lot to like here.
Simon Scarrow writes historical fiction that pulls you right into the action of the past. One of his books, “Under the Eagle,” is set in ancient Rome and follows two soldiers, Macro and Cato, as they march with the Roman army through dangerous and unpredictable territories.
Macro is a grizzled veteran, while Cato is a young recruit with a lot to prove. The story mixes military battles, political schemes, and survival through brutal conditions, all while exploring the bond between these two very different characters.
If you enjoy tense, character-driven historical stories, his work is worth checking out.
Luke McCallin is known for his historical crime novels that combine atmosphere and mystery. His book, “The Man from Berlin,” introduces Gregor Reinhardt, a former intelligence officer turned military policeman during World War II.
When a journalist and a German officer are found murdered in Sarajevo, Reinhardt is ordered to investigate. The case pulls him into a world of lies, betrayal, and danger.
As he searches for the truth, he finds himself tangled in events that test his loyalty and force him to confront his own past. The story captures the tension of war and the weight of personal choices.
C.J. Sansom is known for historical mysteries that are rich with detail and atmosphere. One of his best-known works, “Dissolution,” is set in Tudor England during the rule of Henry VIII.
The story follows Matthew Shardlake, a hunchbacked lawyer sent to investigate the murder of a royal commissioner at a monastery. Tension builds as Shardlake uncovers dark secrets among the monks, and the looming threat of religious reform creates an unsettled background.
The mix of intrigue, danger, and richly drawn characters makes the book hard to put down.
Andrew Williams writes historical thrillers that pull readers into secretive worlds where danger and loyalty collide. His book, “To Kill a Man,” takes place in 1920s Russia and follows a British agent sent to infiltrate Lenin’s Russia during the early days of the Soviet Union.
The story weaves tension through the agent’s mission and the threats he faces as he uncovers plots that could change Europe’s political future.
The book captures the paranoia and high stakes of espionage in a turbulent era, and fans of richly detailed historical settings and tense plots might enjoy his work.