Cara Hunter is known for her absorbing crime fiction, particularly the Detective Inspector Adam Fawley series. Her novel Close to Home is highly praised for relatable characters and suspenseful storytelling.
If you enjoy reading books by Cara Hunter then you might also like the following authors:
Clare Mackintosh is a British thriller author known for suspenseful storytelling and realistic, relatable characters, similar in style to Cara Hunter. Her novel I Let You Go begins with a tragic hit-and-run accident that leaves a boy dead and his mother devastated.
Jenna Gray, overwhelmed by grief, retreats to a remote Welsh coastal town to rebuild her life. Back in Bristol, two committed detectives become increasingly determined to uncover the truth behind the accident.
Mackintosh masterfully balances emotional depth and chilling tension, delivering unexpected twists that keep readers guessing to the very end.
Books by Susie Steiner offer readers a satisfying mix of suspenseful plots, authentic characters, and engaging detective work, which fans of Cara Hunter would naturally appreciate.
In her novel Missing, Presumed, Steiner introduces Detective Sergeant Manon Bradshaw, a refreshingly human investigator with relatable flaws and sharp intuition.
When graduate student Edith Hind disappears from her home, leaving behind only her phone, keys, and a disturbing trail of blood, Manon must quickly uncover tricky secrets that surround the missing woman’s privileged life.
Steiner captures the stress and urgency of police work and masterfully weaves multiple perspectives into her storytelling. This method allows readers to explore the case through the eyes not only of the detective but also of those most affected by Edith’s disappearance.
This careful layering of viewpoints lends depth and nuance to a mystery that readers won’t easily put down.
Readers who enjoy Cara Hunter’s engaging and tightly-woven thrillers might also like Angela Marsons and her Detective Kim Stone series. Marsons offers suspenseful crime mysteries that feature strong characterization and detailed police work.
A good place to start is Silent Scream, the first book in the series. Detective Kim Stone investigates the discovery of buried human remains at a former children’s home.
As she unravels the mystery, dark secrets emerge from the past, linking complex characters and shocking histories. Fans of Hunter’s intense plot twists and realistic detectives may appreciate Marsons’ vivid storytelling and Kim Stone’s determined pursuit of justice.
Books by M.J. Arlidge are great for readers who enjoy Cara Hunter’s suspenseful mysteries. Arlidge’s Eeny Meeny begins with a chilling scenario: two victims trapped together and offered a terrifying choice—one must kill the other to survive.
Detective Inspector Helen Grace must solve this disturbing series of crimes before more victims fall into the killer’s cruel game. The story keeps the tension high as suspects and secrets surface in unexpected ways, making it hard to predict who may be behind it all.
If you appreciate complex detectives, unsettling premises, and suspense that doesn’t let go, M.J. Arlidge is worth a close look.
Robert Bryndza is an author readers might enjoy if they’re fans of Cara Hunter’s detective thrillers. Bryndza’s The Girl in the Ice introduces Detective Erika Foster, a determined investigator with a strong personality and sharp instincts.
The case revolves around the discovery of a young woman’s body beneath the frozen surface of a London park’s lake. Erika Foster confronts hidden secrets and uncovers unexpected suspects, which lead readers through suspenseful twists reminiscent of Hunter’s style.
Bryndza creates intriguing characters and vivid plots that keep mystery readers turning the pages.
Books by Tana French offer psychological depth and intriguing mysteries similar to those by Cara Hunter. French’s series, known as the Dublin Murder Squad, is particularly captivating.
In In the Woods, detective Rob Ryan investigates the murder of a young girl whose body is found in the same forest where, many years earlier, he himself experienced a traumatic event as a child.
During the investigation, Rob’s own memories resurface, complicate the case, and force him to confront his past.
French skillfully builds suspense, creates believable, flawed characters, and explores themes of memory, friendship, and identity, making In the Woods a great choice for anyone who enjoys Cara Hunter’s style.
If you enjoy Cara Hunter’s tense plots and unexpected twists, Val McDermid should definitely be on your reading list. McDermid is a master at creating crime fiction packed with psychological depth and authentic characters.
Her novel The Wire in the Blood follows clinical psychologist Dr. Tony Hill as he teams up with detective Carol Jordan to catch a serial killer. The killer leaves behind disturbing hints that push Tony Hill’s skills to their limit.
The story carefully weaves psychological insight with detective work, and readers get a close look into the minds of both hunter and hunted. Fans of gripping police procedurals and well-developed mysteries will find this book difficult to put down.
Ian Rankin is a Scottish author known for his engaging detective novels centered around Inspector John Rebus. Rankin’s detailed portrayal of Edinburgh adds depth to the complex mysteries his detective faces.
In Knots and Crosses, Inspector Rebus is confronted by a series of chilling murders that echo dark secrets from his past. As cryptic messages arrive at his doorstep, Rebus realizes the killer’s puzzle is personal.
Readers who enjoy Cara Hunter’s carefully plotted crime thrillers will appreciate Rankin’s ability to build tension and develop deeply human, relatable characters.
Readers who enjoy Cara Hunter’s crime thrillers might want to try Peter James. His novel Dead Simple introduces readers to Detective Superintendent Roy Grace, a dedicated detective haunted by the unresolved mystery of his own missing wife.
In this story, a prank during a stag night goes wrong, leaving the groom-to-be buried alive—alone, terrified, and desperate for rescue. Roy Grace takes on the case, but time is ticking, and every second counts.
Peter James combines a tense investigation with sharp characterization, creating an atmosphere that keeps readers eagerly turning pages.
Mark Billingham is a British author known for his suspenseful crime novels featuring detective Tom Thorne. Readers who enjoy Cara Hunter’s realistic crime settings and sharp plotting may appreciate Billingham’s book Sleepyhead.
It introduces detective Thorne, who is drawn into a chilling investigation of a series of murders in London. One young woman survives, but she is left conscious yet unable to move—a terrifying condition known as locked-in syndrome.
The narrative skillfully explores Thorne’s determination to solve the case and protect potential victims. Billingham’s attention to detail and authentic portrayal of police work creates a vivid atmosphere that crime fiction fans may find engaging.
Readers who enjoy Cara Hunter’s suspenseful mysteries will appreciate Elly Griffiths, another author skilled at crafting tight plots and intriguing characters. Griffiths draws readers into atmospheric settings that are both vivid and authentic.
In her novel The Crossing Places, she introduces forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway, a strong-willed and down-to-earth protagonist. Ruth lives alone near the bleak, isolated marshlands of coastal Norfolk.
When police detective Harry Nelson asks for her help to identify bones discovered in the marshes, Ruth finds herself pulled into a complex investigation connected to a missing child from a decade earlier.
The careful combination of archaeological detail, puzzle-solving, and well-fleshed-out characters makes The Crossing Places a satisfying read for fans of thoughtful detective fiction.
Readers who enjoy Cara Hunter’s suspenseful mysteries may also appreciate Lisa Jewell’s engaging style and intriguing plot twists. Jewell offers sharp psychological insight wrapped within gripping narratives and realistic characters.
Her novel Then She Was Gone centers on Laurel Mack, a mother whose teenage daughter, Ellie, vanished without a trace a decade ago. Laurel has lived with grief and uncertainty since Ellie’s disappearance.
When she meets a charming stranger named Floyd, hope and romance unexpectedly reenter her life. Soon, unsettling parallels between Floyd’s young daughter and her missing Ellie emerge.
Jewell carefully reveals surprising truths hidden beneath the surface, making Then She Was Gone a tense and emotional tale.
If you enjoy Cara Hunter’s fast-paced mysteries filled with twists and suspenseful surprises, you might enjoy exploring Shari Lapena.
Her novel The Couple Next Door tells the story of Anne and Marco Conti, a couple attending a dinner party at their neighbors’ home when their infant daughter vanishes mysteriously from their own house.
With suspicion on everyone, including the parents themselves, Lapena creates tension in each chapter as she reveals hidden secrets and lies beneath a seemingly ordinary household. The story takes unpredictable turns that keep readers guessing until the very end.
B.A. Paris writes psychological thrillers that pull readers into tense domestic dramas. If you enjoy Cara Hunter’s suspenseful stories, you’ll likely find Paris equally captivating. One great place to start is with Behind Closed Doors.
This novel explores the darkness hidden beneath what seems to be a perfect marriage between Jack and Grace. Friends envy their flawless relationship, but no one can see the sinister reality trapped within their home.
Behind Closed Doors offers sharp twists and a narrative that builds tension page by page. Readers who appreciate how Cara Hunter digs into complicated family secrets would find B.A. Paris just as engaging.
Readers who enjoy Cara Hunter might also appreciate Jane Casey. Casey’s mysteries draw you into complex investigations with detective Maeve Kerrigan at the helm. In The Burning, Casey introduces Kerrigan, a detective determined to prove herself.
A serial murderer nicknamed The Burning Man targets young women throughout London. Kerrigan is assigned to the case and soon suspects a deeper pattern behind the killings. As she struggles to unravel the clues and confront her own doubts, the tension rises.
Casey’s storytelling is sharp, filled with convincing characters and cleverly hidden secrets. This book keeps you guessing until the very end.