Caroline and Charles Todd are an American mother-and-son writing team famous for historical mystery novels. Their popular detective Ian Rutledge features prominently in books like A Test of Wills and Wings of Fire.
If you enjoy reading books by Caroline and Charles Todd then you might also like the following authors:
Books by Jacqueline Winspear offer excellent historical mysteries set in post-World War I England. If you enjoy Caroline and Charles Todd, you may appreciate Winspear’s attention to historical detail and thoughtful character development.
In her first novel, Maisie Dobbs, we meet Maisie, a smart and intuitive investigator working in 1920s London. Maisie, who began her career as a servant before becoming a nurse during the war, brings her skills of observation and empathy to her detective work.
Her first major case starts when a routine investigation leads her to uncover troubling secrets connected to wartime experiences. Winspear weaves themes of loss, resilience, and the aftermath of war, creating an emotional and engaging read.
Books by Anne Perry offer rich historical mysteries, similar in tone to novels by Caroline and Charles Todd. Perry brings Victorian London vividly to life with careful historical detail and strong character insight.
In her book The Cater Street Hangman, Charlotte Ellison finds her life disrupted by a shocking series of murders in her upper-class neighborhood. She is forced to confront secrets and hidden tensions beneath the polished surface of Victorian society.
Inspector Thomas Pitt, with his unconventional methods and plain-speaking approach, arrives on the scene and challenges Charlotte’s view of her sheltered world.
Together, these nuanced, engaging characters form the center of an intriguing mystery filled with suspense, atmosphere, and sharp insights into Victorian social dynamics.
Readers who appreciate the sensitive approach to characters and meticulous historical settings seen in Caroline and Charles Todd’s novels will find a similar appeal in Anne Perry’s writing.
If you enjoy the historical mysteries by Caroline and Charles Todd, you might want to check out Rhys Bowen. Bowen’s novels blend intriguing characters and carefully researched historical settings.
In Murphy’s Law, the first novel in her Molly Murphy series, readers meet Molly Murphy, an energetic young woman who flees rural Ireland after becoming involved in an accidental crime.
Arriving in New York City in 1901, Molly finds herself falsely accused once again, this time of murder on Ellis Island. To clear her name, Molly must navigate complex city streets, questionable characters, and unexpected twists.
Bowen captures early twentieth-century New York perfectly, filling the story with adventure, atmosphere, and authentic period detail.
Susan Elia MacNeal is an author known for her historical mysteries set during World War II. If you enjoy the wartime atmosphere and engaging characters found in novels by Caroline and Charles Todd, MacNeal’s Mr. Churchill’s Secretary might appeal to you.
The story follows Maggie Hope, a talented mathematician who begins work at 10 Downing Street as Winston Churchill’s typist, only to find herself caught up in espionage and undercover plots.
As Maggie adapts to her unexpected role in the shadowy world of intelligence, she unravels a conspiracy that could alter the course of the war.
Rich with historical detail and suspense, MacNeal’s writing invites readers into the heart of wartime London through the eyes of a compelling heroine.
Readers who enjoy books by Caroline and Charles Todd may find Rennie Airth’s work equally engaging. Airth offers rich historical detail and strong characterization, similar to the Todds.
His novel River of Darkness introduces Inspector John Madden, a veteran of the First World War. Madden investigates a chilling and mysterious murder case in the English countryside.
Airth’s narrative captures the shadow of war trauma, intertwines it with suspenseful detective work, and transports readers vividly back to post-WWI England.
The book delivers thoughtful exploration of human psychology while moving at a pace that keeps readers absorbed from start to finish.
Books by Maureen Jennings offer great historical mysteries for readers who enjoy the stories of Caroline and Charles Todd. Her Canadian detective series set in late-Victorian Toronto begins with Except the Dying.
Detective William Murdoch investigates the brutal murder of a young servant girl. Soon, he finds himself pulled deeper into Toronto’s underworld of poverty, corruption, and dark secrets.
Jennings crafts Murdoch as smart and methodical, a detective who relies on careful deduction and observation in solving his case. The historical details of life in the 1890s and the complex social tensions bring the city to life, adding layers of depth to the mystery.
For those intrigued by tight plots, richly drawn settings, and solid detective work, Jennings’ William Murdoch series provides excellent reading.
Carola Dunn is a British-American mystery author known for cozy period mysteries set in 1920s England. Her charming Daisy Dalrymple series offers the lively adventures of Daisy, a young aristocrat turned journalist who somehow always ends up in a murder mystery.
In Death at Wentwater Court, Daisy arrives at a grand country estate to write an article about its inhabitants, but her weekend takes a twist when one of the guests turns up dead.
With wit, flair, and a knack for detecting, Daisy cleverly finds herself at the center of the investigation.
Dunn’s skill at bringing the post-war era to life, along with her memorable characters, makes this a fun and satisfying read for anyone who enjoys intelligent historical mysteries.
Readers who enjoy historical mysteries by Caroline and Charles Todd may also appreciate Victoria Thompson, author of the popular Gaslight Mystery series.
Thompson writes suspenseful stories set in turn-of-the-century New York City, featuring midwife Sarah Brandt and Detective Sergeant Frank Malloy.
In Murder on Astor Place, the first book in the series, the two unlikely partners must navigate class divides and dangerous secrets while investigating the murder of a young society woman found dead in a boarding house.
Thompson carefully portrays historical details and social issues of the time, making this novel a rewarding read for fans of period mysteries with engaging character dynamics.
Philip Kerr was a Scottish author celebrated for his gripping detective novels set around World War II, especially his Bernie Gunther series. If you like Caroline and Charles Todd’s historical mysteries, then Kerr’s March Violets might appeal to you.
The story introduces Bernie Gunther, a former policeman turned private detective in 1930s Berlin. He’s hired by an industrialist whose daughter and son-in-law have been murdered, and valuable diamonds missing.
As Bernie investigates, he encounters Nazis, corrupt officials, and dangerous intrigues. Kerr vividly recreates the tense atmosphere of pre-war Germany, filling his story with careful historical insights and sharp-witted dialogue.
Readers drawn to the Todd’s war-time mysteries may appreciate Kerr’s authentic settings and strong, compelling detective characters.
Tasha Alexander writes historical mysteries set in Victorian England featuring an intelligent and independent heroine named Lady Emily Ashton.
Her novel And Only to Deceive introduces readers to Lady Emily, a recently widowed young woman who begins to question the circumstances surrounding her husband’s death.
As she explores ancient Greek artifacts that fascinated her late husband, Lady Emily uncovers secrets that suggest he was not the man she thought he was.
The story mixes historical detail, elegant settings, and intriguing layers of suspense, qualities readers who enjoy Caroline and Charles Todd’s novels will appreciate.
Readers who enjoy Caroline and Charles Todd might find Will Thomas a fresh discovery. Thomas crafts absorbing historical mysteries set in Victorian London. In his book Some Danger Involved, readers meet detective Cyrus Barker and his young assistant Thomas Llewelyn.
They investigate the shocking murder of a Jewish scholar in London’s East End. Barker is unconventional and has a mysterious background, while Llewelyn is eager and observant.
As they navigate city streets and societal prejudices, their search reveals deeper secrets and tensions in Victorian society. Anyone fond of well-paced detective stories with historical detail and intriguing characters may appreciate what Thomas offers.
Readers who enjoy Caroline and Charles Todd might find a similarly engaging series by Deanna Raybourn. Raybourn creates engaging mysteries set in historical periods, filled with vivid settings and interesting characters.
A great starting point is A Curious Beginning , the first book in her Veronica Speedwell series.
The story opens in Victorian London, where the fiercely independent and unconventional Veronica Speedwell finds herself at the center of mystery after surviving an attempted abduction.
When Veronica teams up with Stoker, a natural historian who prefers solitude, the pair quickly finds trouble—and secrets—that someone desperately wants hidden.
With sharp dialogue and plenty of surprises, A Curious Beginning delivers a mystery filled with character chemistry and a richly detailed Victorian setting.
Elizabeth Peters was an American author who skillfully wove history and mystery into entertaining detective stories. If you enjoy Caroline and Charles Todd’s historical mysteries, Peters’ work could be a perfect next read for you.
One of her most enjoyable books is Crocodile on the Sandbank, the first novel to feature the clever and independent Amelia Peabody.
Set in Victorian-era Egypt, the book revolves around Amelia’s thrilling journey through archaeological digs, ancient tombs, and puzzling mysteries.
There’s plenty of adventure and humor woven into the detective plot, along with lively characters that feel authentic and quick-witted dialogue that keeps you turning pages.
If you relish the atmospheric, history-rich detective fiction of the Todds, Elizabeth Peters’ compelling storytelling and vivid period settings are worth checking out.
Laurie R. King is an author known for intelligent historical mysteries with rich atmosphere and detailed period settings.
Readers who enjoy Caroline and Charles Todd’s mysteries set around World War I and exploring emotional complexities might appreciate King’s Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes series.
In the first book of the series, The Beekeeper’s Apprentice, Mary Russell, a sharp and determined young woman, crosses paths with an older, retired Sherlock Holmes in the Sussex countryside. Holmes becomes intrigued by her intelligence and perception.
Soon Mary becomes an apprentice and partner to Holmes, and together they investigate complex cases while forming an engaging and evolving partnership.
The book combines carefully-crafted detective work with smart interplay between its leads, evoking believable historical detail along the way.
Readers who enjoy Caroline and Charles Todd’s historical mysteries might appreciate Charles Finch. Finch has created the detective Charles Lenox, a gentleman sleuth in Victorian London. A good place to begin is A Beautiful Blue Death, the first in the series.
In this novel, Lenox investigates the sudden death of a housemaid. Authorities dismiss the death as a suicide, but Lenox believes otherwise. During his search for answers, he must navigate London’s social etiquette and hidden dangers.
Finch’s detailed settings and clever plotting are appealing to fans seeking atmospheric period mysteries.