If you enjoy reading novels by C. J. Sansom then you might also like the following authors:
Hilary Mantel is known for her historical novels that bring the past to life with vivid characters and detailed worlds. Her book “Wolf Hall” tells the story of Thomas Cromwell, a man who rises from a blacksmith’s son to serve as a key advisor to King Henry VIII.
The novel follows Cromwell as he navigates the dangerous politics of Tudor England, dealing with figures like Anne Boleyn and Cardinal Wolsey. The way she writes makes you feel the tension in the court and the weight of Cromwell’s decisions.
If you’re drawn to C. J. Sansom’s exploration of Tudor intrigue, Mantel offers a rich and fascinating perspective on the same era.
Ellis Peters is best known for her historical mystery series featuring Brother Cadfael, a Benedictine monk in 12th-century England. Her books blend medieval life with murder investigations.
In “A Morbid Taste for Bones,” the first in the series, Brother Cadfael finds himself involved in a community dispute when his monastery’s effort to acquire a saint’s relics leads to a man’s death.
With his sharp mind and experience from his pre-monastic life, Cadfael pieces together clues that uncover secrets buried in the small Welsh village. It’s the kind of story that pulls you into another time, centered around a character with both wit and wisdom.
Umberto Eco was an Italian author known for blending history, mystery, and philosophy in his novels. One of his most famous works, “The Name of the Rose,” takes readers to a medieval abbey where a monk, William of Baskerville, investigates a series of murders.
The story unravels against a backdrop of religious tensions in the 14th century, with secrets hidden in a labyrinthine library. Eco fills the narrative with rich details on monastic life and medieval thought, creating a world that feels both realistic and mysterious.
Fans of C. J. Sansom might enjoy the intricate historical settings and intelligent protagonists Eco brings to life.
Robert Harris is known for writing historical fiction that pulls readers into different time periods with detailed settings and clever plots. One of his standout books, “Fatherland,” is set in an alternate history where Nazi Germany won World War II.
It follows an investigator named Xavier March as he uncovers a dangerous secret on the eve of Adolf Hitler’s seventy-fifth birthday. The story weaves a murder mystery into the chilling backdrop of a re-imagined world, making it hard to put down.
Ken Follett writes historical novels that pull readers into richly developed worlds. One of his most well-known books, “The Pillars of the Earth,” is set in 12th century England.
It revolves around the construction of a grand cathedral and explores the lives of the people connected to it—priests, builders, and petty nobles. The story balances personal struggles, political rivalries, and the dangerous workings of a corrupt church.
Fans of C. J. Sansom might enjoy the way Follett brings history to life through intense drama and detailed settings.
Bernard Cornwell is known for writing historical fiction that brings past eras alive with vivid details and strong characters. One of his books, “The Last Kingdom,” is set in ninth-century England during the Viking invasions.
It follows Uhtred, a young nobleman who is captured by Vikings and raised as one of their own. He struggles with his loyalties, torn between the people who raised him and his Saxon heritage.
The story moves through battles, betrayal, and moments of personal conflict, taking readers straight into the brutal and chaotic world of early medieval England. If you enjoy historical settings and layered stories, his work might pique your interest.
S. J. Parris writes historical mysteries set during the turmoil of the 16th century. Fans of C. J. Sansom’s Shardlake series might enjoy Parris’s books, especially “Heresy.” The story follows Giordano Bruno, a monk who flees the Inquisition and ends up in Oxford.
While there, he gets caught up in a murder investigation that is tied to religious tensions and secretive groups. The vivid setting reflects the danger and intrigue of Elizabethan England, and Bruno’s past makes him a unique protagonist with secrets of his own.
The mix of mystery and history makes it hard to put down.
Andrew Taylor is a skilled writer known for historical crime novels with rich settings and intricate plots. One of his standout works is “The Ashes of London,” set during the aftermath of the Great Fire of London in 1666.
The story follows James Marwood, a reluctant government informer, as he becomes entangled in a web of political intrigue and murder.
With the smoldering ruins of the city as a backdrop, Marwood and Cat Lovett, a woman with dangerous secrets, navigate a world of betrayal and danger. Fans of C. J. Sansom might appreciate the historical depth and the clever twists Taylor crafts.
Antonia Hodgson writes historical mysteries that pull readers into the gritty streets of 18th-century London. Her book “The Devil in the Marshalsea” follows Tom Hawkins, a young man thrown into a notorious debtors’ prison.
The Marshalsea is more than a simple jail—it’s a world of corruption, danger, and alliances where Tom must uncover the truth behind a murder to survive.
The story captures the era’s atmosphere, with its dark alleys, rowdy taverns, and shifting loyalties, making it an exciting read for fans of C. J. Sansom.
C. W. Gortner writes historical fiction that brings the past to life with rich detail and memorable characters. One of his books, “The Tudor Conspiracy,” follows Brendan Prescott, a spy in the court of Mary Tudor.
He is drawn into a dangerous game of betrayal and secrets while working to protect Elizabeth, whose life is under threat. Set during a time of political and religious turmoil, the story explores loyalty and survival in a world where one wrong move could mean death.
Rory Clements is an author known for historical mysteries that often mix espionage with rich historical detail. Fans of C. J. Sansom might enjoy his John Shakespeare series, set in Elizabethan England.
In “Martyr,” the first book, John Shakespeare, a loyal servant of the Crown, investigates the murder of a young woman with ties to the court of Queen Elizabeth.
The story takes readers through the political tensions of the time, where Catholic plots, international intrigue, and personal loyalty all collide. With memorable characters and vivid settings, the book draws you right into the dangerous world of Tudor England.
Dissolution Hostetter writes historical mysteries that are great for anyone who enjoys rich settings and weighty moral questions. One of their standout books is “The Devil’s Counsel.”
This story takes place in medieval England, where a lawyer is asked to defend a priest accused of heresy. While unraveling the case, he discovers secrets about both the Church and the villagers that may put his own life in danger.
The book offers tension and dramatic twists, with a protagonist who wrestles with justice and loyalty in a world full of danger. Fans of C. J. Sansom’s Matthew Shardlake series may find similar depth and historical detail here.
Lindsey Davis is known for historical mysteries set in Ancient Rome. Her series featuring Marcus Didius Falco, a private informer, pulls readers into the daily life of the Roman Empire with sharp details and humor.
In “The Silver Pigs,” Falco stumbles upon a conspiracy involving stolen silver ingots, as well as a clever and outspoken woman named Helena Justina.
The story weaves through dangerous alleys, Roman politics, and the sharp wits of its characters, creating a vivid picture of an ancient world filled with intrigue and danger.
Ariana Franklin is the author of the historical mystery series featuring Adelia Aguilar, a skilled female doctor in 12th-century England.
In “Mistress of the Art of Death,” Adelia is brought from Salerno to Cambridge to investigate the deaths of children that the townspeople blame on the local Jewish community.
With sharp wit and a deep knowledge of medicine, she navigates the dangers of medieval society while uncovering the truth. The book mixes dark intrigue with well-researched details of the time, making it feel vivid and real.
Fans of C. J. Sansom’s “Shardlake” series might enjoy the way Franklin dives into history while delivering a thrilling mystery.
Edward Rutherfurd is a historical fiction author who brings entire cities and periods to life through expansive stories. One of his books, *“Sarum”*, takes readers on a sweeping journey through English history, all centered around the ancient region of Salisbury.
The book spans thousands of years, from the Ice Age to the modern era, following interconnected families as they navigate moments like the building of Stonehenge, the Norman Conquest, and the Reformation.
With its vivid settings and rich historical context, the story immerses readers in the lives of ordinary people shaped by the events around them. If you enjoy stories where history feels alive, his writing could be for you.