Caz Frear is a British author known for her crime fiction novels. She gained recognition with her debut novel, Sweet Little Lies, which features detective Cat Kinsella, and continued the series successfully with Stone Cold Heart.
If you enjoy reading books by Caz Frear then you might also like the following authors:
Tana French writes crime novels that combine deep psychological insights with atmospheric storytelling. Her characters are realistic and well-developed, giving a fresh depth to police procedural mysteries.
In In the Woods, French introduces detective Rob Ryan, a man haunted by the unsolved mystery of his childhood as he investigates a chilling murder case.
Denise Mina is a Scottish author known for gritty realism and strong female characters. Set in Glasgow, her stories often delve into the dark parts of city life, exploring social issues alongside criminal investigations.
In Garnethill, Mina introduces Maureen O'Donnell, a heroine who becomes drawn into a disturbing murder case, confronting personal trauma and family secrets.
Val McDermid creates intense crime novels with complex plots and characters you can't easily predict. Her narratives explore psychological motivations behind crime and often feature gripping suspense.
An excellent example is The Mermaids Singing, the first Tony Hill and Carol Jordan novel, focusing on a chilling serial killer case, psychological profiling, and the investigators' complex relationship.
Ann Cleeves writes atmospheric mysteries, often set against isolated or rural communities that heighten tension. Her stories reflect human relationships deeply, influencing her mysteries and character motivations.
In Raven Black, the first Shetland novel, Detective Jimmy Perez investigates a murder amid the stark beauty of Scotland's Shetland Islands, revealing dark layers beneath its small-town surfaces.
Jane Casey builds strong narratives driven by intelligent, relatable characters. Her detective stories often blend intricate plotting with thoughtful psychological depth, offering intriguing twists.
In The Burning, readers meet Maeve Kerrigan, a determined detective investigating a disturbing series of murders who fights both professional challenges and personal obstacles.
Elly Griffiths writes atmospheric crime novels focused on engaging, believable characters and intriguing puzzles. Her narratives often blend archaeology, forensic detail, and personal drama, which fans of Caz Frear's layered detective plots may really appreciate.
Her novel The Crossing Places introduces archaeologist Ruth Galloway, whose thoughtful sleuthing leads readers through dark mysteries set against richly described, moody landscapes.
Susie Steiner creates smart, emotionally rich detective stories built on memorable characters and thoughtful insights. Like Frear, she emphasizes complex character development and sharp observations about human nature.
Readers will enjoy Steiner's novel Missing, Presumed, an absorbing mystery featuring Detective Manon Bradshaw, whose personal challenges amplify the tension and authenticity of the investigation.
Clare Mackintosh excels at twisting plots and emotional suspense. Her character-focused thrillers explore complicated moral choices, psychological tension, and ethical conflicts.
Readers who like Caz Frear's combination of crime-solving and human drama might appreciate Mackintosh's I Let You Go, a dark, surprising story that deftly navigates grief, guilt, and shocking reveals.
Sharon Bolton's crime novels are dark, atmospheric thrillers that hinge on psychological suspense and intricate mysteries.
Fans of Frear's realistic, character-driven narratives and gritty settings will appreciate Bolton's Little Black Lies, a tense novel involving friendship, betrayal, and dark secrets that surface in an isolated community.
Ian Rankin is best known for his Inspector Rebus series, gritty novels set in Edinburgh and driven by strong characters, complex plotting, and social commentary.
Readers drawn to Frear's sharp dialogue, realistic portrayals, and thoughtful approach to crime fiction might enjoy Rankin's Knots and Crosses, the novel that launched Detective John Rebus's acclaimed investigations into Scotland's darker side of society.
Mark Billingham creates detective thrillers with gritty realism and dark wit. He builds suspenseful mysteries with believable characters who have flaws and complexity. His books often explore moral ambiguity and the harsh side of urban life.
If you enjoyed Caz Frear, try Billingham's Sleepyhead, featuring Detective Tom Thorne investigating a twisted serial attacker in London's tense streets.
Belinda Bauer writes psychological crime novels that capture quiet tension and emotional depth. Her characters are carefully drawn, and she exposes the secrets hidden in seemingly ordinary lives.
Bauer subtly explores family bonds and troubled truths, often through younger protagonists trying to understand crime and loss.
Her novel Snap centers on a young boy determined to solve his mother's murder, offering gripping suspense and sensitive storytelling that fans of Frear will appreciate.
Steve Cavanagh writes fast-paced legal thrillers filled with twists and dramatic courtroom turns. He keeps readers guessing through clever plotting and charismatic characters, and he often blends courtroom drama with elements of mystery and crime thriller.
His standout novel Thirteen, in which the serial killer isn't the accused but a juror, captures the sort of innovative, character-driven suspense readers of Caz Frear would enjoy.
Stuart MacBride is known for his gritty Scottish police procedurals that mix dark humor with hard-hitting plots. He creates complex, flawed detectives who face brutal cases alongside sharp dialogue and vivid scenes of Scottish city life.
Readers who appreciate Caz Frear's detailed characterization and realism will value MacBride's Cold Granite, the first book following DS Logan McRae tracking a dangerous killer through stormy Aberdeen.
Eva Dolan writes crime fiction that thoughtfully addresses contemporary social issues while engaging readers with a strong sense of place and well-developed characters.
Her novels pull no punches and provide an honest portrayal of police investigation and working-class struggles.
Readers who enjoyed Frear's socially-conscious crime fiction should check out Dolan's Long Way Home, a gritty mystery investigating racism, immigration, and violence in a small town.