If you enjoy reading novels by Benjamin Wood then you might also like the following authors:
Readers who enjoy Benjamin Wood’s atmospheric and thoughtfully constructed novels may appreciate the work of Jess Kidd. Kidd, an Irish author, creates mysterious stories that blend elements of the supernatural with insightful explorations of human nature.
Her novel “Himself” offers an intriguing narrative set in a small Irish village. Mahony, the protagonist, returns to his childhood home to uncover the truth behind his mother’s disappearance.
The village, filled with hidden secrets and quirky inhabitants, comes alive through Kidd’s vivid and lyrical writing style. As Mahony searches for answers, he encounters unexpected clues from the supernatural, giving the book an eerie yet captivating charm.
Jess Kidd’s storytelling brings readers into a richly layered mystery, balancing darkness, humor, and wonder.
Readers who enjoy Benjamin Wood’s thoughtful exploration of psychological suspense will likely appreciate Patrick McGrath. McGrath is known for novels that combine dark atmospheres with deep character analysis.
His novel “Asylum” follows Stella Raphael, the restless wife of a psychiatrist. Stella becomes dangerously involved with Edgar Stark, an enigmatic patient who is also gifted as an artist.
Set in a remote mental institution during the 1950s, the story examines obsession, madness, and forbidden desire. The chilly setting and tense plot of “Asylum” create a vivid, unsettling tale that grips readers until the very last page.
Andrew Michael Hurley writes atmospheric novels that unsettle and fascinate in equal measure. Readers who enjoyed Benjamin Wood’s exploration of characters in mysterious and thought-provoking settings may appreciate Hurley’s storytelling.
In “The Loney,” Hurley introduces us to two brothers who journey annually to an isolated coastal spot known as the Loney, hoping to find a miracle cure for one brother’s muteness.
But this particular trip turns strange and haunting, as the landscape itself hides beliefs, secrets and unsettling events from long ago. Hurley captures a dark, gothic mood that seeps into every corner of this book.
It’s eerie and absorbing, just the kind of story Benjamin Wood’s readers may find fascinating.
Sarah Perry is a British author known for atmospheric novels that blend historical fiction, mystery, and evocative storytelling.
Her book “The Essex Serpent” takes place in Victorian England and follows the story of Cora Seaborne, a widow fascinated by science and natural history. After moving to the Essex countryside, Cora becomes intrigued by rumors of a mysterious creature reported in the area.
She meets William Ransome, a local vicar who holds contrasting beliefs, and together they explore science, faith, and friendship against the backdrop of rural superstition and fear.
Perry weaves elements of history, myth, friendship, and beautifully drawn relationships, appealing to readers who enjoy Benjamin Wood’s thoughtful and character-driven stories.
If you enjoy Benjamin Wood’s thoughtful storytelling and strong sense of place, you might also appreciate the novels of Graham Swift. Swift is a British author whose writing often explores how small, personal events intersect with larger themes of history and memory.
His novel “Waterland” tells the story of history teacher Tom Crick, who returns to the Fenlands to make sense of his family’s complicated past.
The Fenlands themselves become almost like a character in the story, full of mystery and emotion that blends seamlessly with the family’s secrets and experiences. Swift reveals how history shapes personal lives, using natural settings rich in atmosphere and symbolism.
If you like Benjamin Wood’s careful exploration of characters and their connection to place, “Waterland” by Graham Swift offers another meaningful reading experience.
Readers who enjoy Benjamin Wood’s atmospheric narratives and the psychological depth in his novels might appreciate Tana French.
Known for suspenseful mysteries that explore complex characters and rich emotional layers, French often sets her novels in realistically detailed Irish settings. Her book “In the Woods” introduces detective Rob Ryan, a man troubled by a haunting memory from his childhood.
Partnered with detective Cassie Maddox, he investigates the unsettling murder of a young girl near the same forest where, decades earlier, Ryan underwent a traumatic event that he cannot fully remember.
French crafts a thriller full of tension, suspicion, and psychological insight that keeps readers guessing until the very last page.
Books by Louise Doughty often blend psychological depth with suspenseful storytelling, similar in style to Benjamin Wood.
In her novel “Apple Tree Yard,” Doughty introduces readers to Yvonne Carmichael, a respected scientist whose life takes a dangerous turn after an unexpected affair.
Suddenly, Yvonne finds herself caught in a complex legal drama, where secrets and betrayal push her into unthinkable territory.
The book combines courtroom intrigue, personal crisis, and incisive character study, making it absorbing for anyone who enjoys Benjamin Wood’s approach to morally ambiguous situations and tense atmospheres.
If you enjoy Benjamin Wood’s thoughtful explorations of characters and community, then Jon McGregor’s novels might speak to you as well. McGregor is a British author known for quietly powerful storytelling that pays close attention to the everyday details of human lives.
In his book “Reservoir 13,” McGregor crafts a subtle yet absorbing story set in a rural English village shaken by the disappearance of a teenage girl.
As the years pass, the novel captures the rhythms of rural life, the changing seasons, and the way ordinary people move forward—with or without closure.
It’s a deeply reflective story that doesn’t solve mysteries in conventional ways, but captures life itself with honesty and grace.
Readers who enjoy Benjamin Wood may find Laura Purcell’s work equally intriguing. Purcell creates eerie historical fiction with vivid settings and haunting narratives.
Her novel “The Silent Companions” tells the story of Elsie Bainbridge, a young widow who moves to her late husband’s family estate. Soon after her arrival, she discovers unsettling wooden figures called “silent companions” scattered throughout the house.
As Elsie investigates their past, secrets emerge that blur the line between the supernatural and madness. Purcell’s atmospheric style and chilling storytelling can resonate strongly with fans of Benjamin Wood’s thoughtful and immersive novels.
Francis Spufford is a British author known for thoughtful novels that explore human relationships, moral questions, and historical settings.
His book “Golden Hill” is set in 18th-century New York, where a curious stranger named Richard Smith arrives carrying a mysterious bill of exchange.
Smith’s presence stirs suspicion, fascination, and intrigue among the locals, and the story unfolds through a series of dramatic twists, secret dealings, and complex relationships.
Spufford vividly captures the setting and era, portraying a young New York full of secrets and evolving identities.
Readers who enjoyed the atmospheric storytelling and layered characters in Benjamin Wood’s novels will likely appreciate Francis Spufford’s rich and thoughtful approach in “Golden Hill.”
Diane Setterfield writes mysteries with deep character studies and atmospheric storytelling, making her books appealing to readers who enjoy Benjamin Wood’s layered and richly detailed narratives.
In “The Thirteenth Tale,” Setterfield introduces readers to Margaret Lea, a quiet biographer who receives an invitation to interview Vida Winter, a famously reclusive author with a mysterious past.
Setterfield weaves an intense story filled with family secrets, hidden identities, and the tangled bonds between sisters. As Margaret unravels Vida’s past, readers uncover dramatic twists and buried tragedies that echo long after the book ends.
Books by Kate Atkinson often explore family secrets, chance events, and how the past reaches into the present. If you’re a fan of Benjamin Wood’s atmospheric storytelling and careful character exploration, Atkinson’s “Life After Life” may appeal to you.
In this novel, Ursula Todd is born on a snowy evening in 1910, but her life doesn’t follow the usual path. She dies and is reborn repeatedly, each time experiencing her life anew with small but impactful differences.
The story moves through two world wars and reveals how small moments shape larger events, highlighting the endless possibilities within ordinary lives. Atkinson portrays Ursula lovingly and thoughtfully, making her repeated journeys through life meaningful and vivid each time.
Sebastian Faulks is an English novelist known for his insightful explorations of character psychology and emotional depth.
His novel “Birdsong” revolves around Stephen Wraysford, a young Englishman caught up in the brutal realities of World War I. Faulks skillfully intertwines vivid scenes from trench warfare with moments of tenderness and humanity.
Through memories of a passionate love affair from Stephen’s past, the novel reflects on love, loss, and resilience amid devastation. Fans of Benjamin Wood, who appreciate thoughtful storytelling and rich characterization, will find Faulks equally rewarding.
Books by Kazuo Ishiguro often explore memory, identity, and the quiet tensions beneath ordinary lives. If you enjoy the atmospheric style and thoughtful narratives of Benjamin Wood, Ishiguro might appeal to you.
A good starting point is “Never Let Me Go,” a story set in England that follows Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy. These three friends grow up at the secluded boarding school, Hailsham. At first glance, their lives seem comfortable and sheltered.
But as they get older, they begin to uncover the unsettling truth behind their upbringing and the future waiting for them. The novel thoughtfully examines love, friendship, and acceptance with gently-building suspense and a lingering sense of melancholy.
If you enjoy Benjamin Wood’s thoughtful exploration of place, memory, and personal relationships, Julian Barnes might be a writer you’d appreciate. Barnes is a talented author known for his reflective stories and sharp understanding of human emotions.
His novel “The Sense of an Ending” revolves around Tony Webster, whose peaceful retirement is shaken up by the arrival of a surprise note. This message forces Tony to rethink the memories of his youth, his former friendships, and a romance that ended long ago.
Barnes explores how our recollections shape our identities and questions whether our past choices can ever truly be understood.
The narrative feels gentle yet powerful, leading readers through twists hidden in everyday interactions and offering deep insights into the quiet dramas of ordinary life.