If you enjoy reading books by Brian McGilloway then you might also like the following authors:
Tana French writes layered mysteries with a strong focus on characters and how their lives intertwine with the crimes they investigate. One of her standout books is “In the Woods.”
The story follows Rob Ryan, a detective working in Dublin who takes on a murder case involving a young girl. What makes it haunting is Rob’s own childhood connection to the place where the crime occurred.
Years ago, he was found in the same woods, terrified and blood-covered, while his two friends had vanished. Questions about his past surface as Rob faces the case, with the tension building between his memories and the present investigation.
French keeps her characters grounded and their struggles personal, which creates an engrossing read.
Stuart MacBride writes dark crime novels set in Scotland, filled with gritty realism and sharp dialogue. One of his books, “Cold Granite,” introduces Detective Sergeant Logan McRae as he returns to work after recovering from a serious injury.
The story follows him as he investigates the murder of a young boy, only to find other children going missing in Aberdeen. The freezing Scottish weather and the city’s grim atmosphere add to the tension.
MacBride’s writing keeps you focused on the twists and the challenging life of his flawed but determined detective.
Adrian McKinty is an Irish author known for crime and thriller novels, often set in Ireland or featuring Irish characters. One of his standout books is “The Chain”. It starts with a parent getting a devastating phone call.
Their child has been kidnapped, and the only way to get them back is to pay a ransom and kidnap someone else’s child to keep the chain going. The story moves quickly, showing the lengths people will go to when their families are threatened.
Ian Rankin is known for his crime novels set in Scotland, often following Detective Inspector John Rebus. In “Knots and Crosses,” the first book of the Rebus series, the story revolves around a series of murders in Edinburgh.
Rebus, a former soldier turned police detective, is drawn into the case when cryptic notes start arriving that seem linked to his past. The tension builds as he works to connect the clues, uncover secrets, and stop a killer targeting young women.
The gritty atmosphere of Edinburgh and the complexity of Rebus’s character make it unforgettable for fans of layered crime stories.
Jane Casey is a crime writer who creates tense mysteries with sharp characters. In her book “The Burning,” Detective Maeve Kerrigan investigates a gruesome series of murders, where women are killed and then set on fire.
While hunting for the killer, Maeve uncovers secrets about one victim that lead her on an unsettling path. The story blends the personal and professional challenges of a detective working a harrowing case, which keeps the narrative focused and fast-moving.
Fans of Brian McGilloway’s darker themes may enjoy Casey’s approach to police procedurals.
John Connolly is known for blending crime fiction with a touch of the supernatural. One of his books, “Every Dead Thing,” introduces Charlie Parker, a former detective haunted by the brutal murder of his wife and daughter.
Parker is drawn into a chilling investigation that leads him to a serial killer known for leaving behind grotesque crime scenes. The story weaves dark mysteries as Parker’s hunt for justice uncovers secrets that go beyond the natural world.
Fans of Brian McGilloway’s atmospheric and intense storytelling may find Connolly’s work equally engaging.
Ann Cleeves is a British crime writer known for creating stories with a strong sense of place and characters that feel real. In her book “The Crow Trap,” you meet three women brought together by an environmental study in the North Pennines.
As tensions rise and a body is found, Detective Vera Stanhope steps in. Vera is sharp, blunt, and unafraid to face uncomfortable truths. The story unfolds within a remote, atmospheric setting, where secrets and motives slowly come to light.
Fans of Brian McGilloway’s thoughtful, character-driven mysteries might enjoy the way Ann Cleeves builds her world and unravels a case.
Peter May is a Scottish author known for his atmospheric crime novels. One of his standout books is “The Blackhouse,” the first in the Lewis Trilogy.
The story follows Fin Macleod, a detective who returns to the remote Isle of Lewis to investigate a murder that mirrors a case he’s working on in Edinburgh. As Fin digs deeper, he confronts long-buried secrets from his past and the harsh, unforgiving landscape of the island.
Tension builds through the interwoven history of the community, where every character seems tied to the bigger picture. Fans of dark, character-driven mysteries will find this an immersive read.
Val McDermid is a crime writer with a knack for creating tense and smartly plotted mysteries. If you enjoy Brian McGilloway’s work, you might like her book “A Place of Execution.”
The story focuses on a journalist researching a decades-old case of a missing girl in a small English village. The deeper she goes, the more questions arise about what really happened, testing the boundaries of justice and truth.
McDermid weaves together a tale filled with twists, keeping readers hooked to the very end.
Louise Phillips is an Irish author known for her gripping psychological crime thrillers. One of her standout novels, “Red Ribbons,” starts with the discovery of a young girl’s body, found with ribbons tied in her hair.
The story follows criminal psychologist Kate Pearson, who is called in to assist the investigation. The tension rises as another girl goes missing, and Kate must race against time to understand the mind of the killer.
Fans of Brian McGilloway’s sharp storytelling and layered mysteries will easily find themselves drawn to Phillips’ work.
Benjamin Black is the pen name of John Banville, who writes crime novels with a dark and atmospheric tone. One of his books, “Christine Falls,” follows Quirke, a pathologist in 1950s Dublin, as he uncovers secrets tied to a woman’s mysterious death.
The story weaves through corruption, family betrayals, and smoky backrooms, painting a vivid picture of a morally complex world. Fans of Brian McGilloway might appreciate Black’s layered characters and the slow unraveling of secrets in a gritty setting.
Mick Herron writes smart, sharp spy stories with a lot of wit and memorable characters. His book, “Slow Horses,” introduces readers to Slough House, a dumping ground for MI5 agents who have messed up badly.
These agents, led by the blunt and messy Jackson Lamb, are stuck doing menial tasks until they stumble upon a dangerous plot involving a kidnapped man. The story combines dry humor and tense moments, making it hard to put down.
If you enjoy crime stories with layered characters and twists, this might catch your attention.
William Shaw writes crime fiction with a strong sense of place and characters that feel real. One of his books, “Salt Lane,” introduces DS Alexandra Cupidi, a detective in a quiet corner of rural England.
The backdrop might seem peaceful, but the story begins with the discovery of a woman’s body in a marsh. As Cupidi investigates, secrets from the area’s past come to light, showing how dark and tangled small communities can be.
If you enjoyed the way Brian McGilloway explores local settings and tight-knit relationships, Shaw’s work might appeal to you.
Denise Mina is a Scottish writer known for her crime novels that often explore human nature and tense situations. In her book “The Long Drop,” she tells the real-life story of a serial killer named Peter Manuel, who was active in 1950s Glasgow.
The story follows a night when Manuel meets a man named William Watt, who is accused of a crime Manuel claims he didn’t commit. It’s set over one evening, full of dark conversation, heavy drinking, and chilling confessions.
The book paints an unsettling picture of both men, showing how guilt, lies, and desperation can twist lives. Mina’s writing is sharp and keeps you deep in the mystery.
Graham Hurley is an author known for gritty crime novels that explore complex characters and their choices. In “Angels Passing,” Detective Inspector Joe Faraday investigates the mysterious death of a teenage girl.
The case twists into unexpected places, exposing lies and hidden secrets. Hurley’s ability to draw readers into the darker side of human nature will appeal to fans of Brian McGilloway’s stories.