If you enjoy reading novels by Claire Askew then you might also like the following authors:
Val McDermid is a Scottish author known for her gritty and suspenseful crime novels. Her books often feature strong characters and detailed investigative processes.
In “The Wire in the Blood,” criminal profiler Tony Hill teams up with Detective Carol Jordan to solve a chilling series of murders. They’re faced with a killer whose twisted crimes challenge even Tony’s analytical skills.
The dynamic between Tony and Carol, along with the sharp insights into criminal psychology, makes this novel hard to put down.
If you enjoy Claire Askew’s deep character exploration and believable crime scenarios, you’ll probably appreciate Val McDermid’s detailed, psychologically sharp storytelling style.
Denise Mina is a Scottish crime writer known for her sharp storytelling and realistic portrayals of Glasgow’s dark undercurrents.
Her novel “Garnethill” introduces Maureen O’Donnell, a deeply troubled yet resilient character who finds herself at the center of suspicion after discovering her boyfriend’s murder.
As she tries to uncover the truth, Maureen faces inner demons, a dysfunctional family, and the gritty aspects of city life.
Mina’s accurate and rich portrayal of Glasgow’s atmosphere would appeal to readers who enjoy Claire Askew’s honest depiction of Edinburgh and complex, authentic characters.
Ann Cleeves is a British author known for crime novels that weave detailed settings and deep character studies into tightly plotted mysteries. If you enjoy Claire Askew’s sharp storytelling and vivid characters, you might appreciate Cleeves’ “The Long Call.”
Set in North Devon, Detective Matthew Venn is brought back to a community he left years ago to unravel the truth behind a body found on the beach. The complex relationships in Venn’s past become tangled in the present murder investigation.
The plot moves at a steady pace, the mood is tense yet thoughtful, and by the end readers feel they know the coastal community and its dark undercurrents intimately.
Books by Tana French offer absorbing mysteries set against Dublin’s shadowy streets. Readers who enjoy Claire Askew’s vivid character portrayals may find French’s writing appealing too.
Her novel “In the Woods” introduces detective Rob Ryan, a man haunted by an event from his childhood—two friends vanished into the woods, leaving him alone and traumatized. Years later, Rob investigates a chilling murder of a young girl found close to this same eerie forest.
French combines deep psychological insight, flawed and compelling characters, and atmospheric storytelling that draws readers into a suspenseful, emotional exploration of crime.
Readers who enjoy Claire Askew’s blend of crime drama and authentic character portrayals might find Peter May equally intriguing. May is a Scottish author known for his atmospheric mysteries and intricate character studies set in evocative locations.
His novel “The Blackhouse” introduces readers to Detective Inspector Fin Macleod, a complex character who returns to his native Isle of Lewis in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides to investigate a murder.
The case compels Macleod to confront unsettling memories that are deeply connected to his past and the island community he left behind.
Thick with brooding landscapes and a tight-knit, secretive community, the story unravels slowly to reveal complicated relationships and hidden truths from Macleod’s youth.
Fans of vivid settings, psychological depth, and strong narrative pacing will find much to appreciate in May’s thoughtful writing.
Readers who enjoyed Claire Askew’s blend of suspense, deeply drawn characters, and atmospheric storytelling may want to explore novels by Jane Harper. Harper is an Australian author known for weaving mystery plots into vivid settings and complex relationships.
In her debut novel, “The Dry,” Federal Agent Aaron Falk returns to his hometown for the funeral of his childhood friend. The quiet farming town is struggling through a drought, and tensions run high.
As suspicion surrounds the assumed murder-suicide of Falk’s friend and family, buried secrets surface beneath the town’s dry, cracked earth. Harper skillfully pulls readers into a landscape where the heat and isolation heighten the story’s tension.
It’s an absorbing mystery with characters whose secrets unfold slowly until the very last page.
Readers who enjoy Claire Askew’s mysteries might also appreciate Louise Penny. Penny creates atmospheric crime novels linked by the character of Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, who investigates complex cases in the village of Three Pines.
In “Still Life,” Gamache is called to Three Pines after well-loved local artist Jane Neal is found dead in the woods, struck by an arrow. Though the death initially seems accidental, Gamache quickly suspects something darker at play under the village’s calm exterior.
Penny weaves vivid descriptions of the village community with deep, thoughtful characterization and compelling twists, making “Still Life” both intriguing and insightful.
Books by Eva Dolan might appeal to you if you enjoy Claire Askew’s style. Dolan writes crime fiction with strong plots and realistic characters, often set against tough social issues. Her novel “Long Way Home” explores the tense world of migrant workers in modern Britain.
Detectives Zigic and Ferreira investigate the murder of a migrant worker whose body was discovered inside a burned-out shed. The story explores immigration, exploitation, and prejudice, presented through sharp dialogue and believable relationships.
Dolan’s careful plotting and attention to social realities offer readers an immersive reading experience.
Belinda Bauer writes crime fiction with psychological depth and realistic characters. Fans of Claire Askew’s smart storytelling will probably enjoy Bauer’s novel “Snap.”
It follows the life of Jack, a young boy forced to care for his siblings after their mother disappears one scorching summer day. His life is difficult, but Jack never stops searching for answers.
Years later, a series of burglaries uncovers clues connected to his mother’s unsolved disappearance. The police investigation draws Jack in deeper, pulling readers into a tightly woven story about loss, survival, and hidden truths.
Ruth Ware is a British author known for writing suspenseful psychological thrillers with intriguing plots and intense atmospheres. Her book “The Woman in Cabin 10” follows travel journalist Lo Blacklock, who gets invited on a luxury cruise through the North Sea.
The trip seems glamorous at first. Soon, Lo witnesses a disturbing event—a woman disappearing from a neighboring cabin—but no one seems to believe her.
As the ship continues into deeper waters, Lo finds herself trapped in a chilling situation, not knowing who she can actually trust. Fans of Claire Askew’s skillful plotting and immersive character work might find Ruth Ware’s carefully constructed stories equally satisfying.
Sharon Bolton writes dark mysteries set against haunting landscapes and unsettling situations, a great choice for readers who enjoy Claire Askew’s gritty realism.
In Bolton’s novel “The Craftsman,” police officer Florence Lovelady returns to the small English town where she solved a disturbing case many years before. A craftsman was arrested then, accused of burying teenagers alive.
But now Florence worries she may have gotten it wrong: disturbing events suggest the true evil is still out there. Bolton keeps readers constantly off-balance, blending atmosphere, suspense, and unsettling secrets until the very last page.
Readers who enjoy Claire Askew’s gripping crime novels might appreciate Sarah Hilary, another author who masterfully explores dark mysteries and complex characters.
In her book “Someone Else’s Skin,” Hilary introduces Detective Inspector Marnie Rome, a detective haunted by her own troubled past.
Rome investigates a violent case set in a women’s shelter, where a confusing web of secrets and unexpected twists makes her question even her closest assumptions.
Hilary gives readers sharp psychological insights, along with tense scenes and thoughtful storytelling, perfect for Askew fans seeking a fresh author to explore.
Readers who enjoy Claire Askew’s crime thrillers may find Helen Fields equally intriguing. Fields, a former criminal barrister, crafts tense and atmospheric mysteries set against the gritty backdrop of Edinburgh.
Her novel “Perfect Remains” introduces Detective Inspector Luc Callanach, a detective newly arrived from France. He is immediately thrown into a disturbing investigation. A young woman’s remains have been discovered, and the city fears a ruthless killer is on the loose.
As the case progresses, the detective realizes the criminal is more twisted than anyone imagined. The story moves quickly between the perspective of Callanach and the killer himself, giving readers a chilling look into the mind of a perfectly hidden monster.
Elly Griffiths is a British author known for her atmospheric mysteries and convincing characters. Her novel “The Crossing Places” introduces readers to Ruth Galloway, a sharp and independent forensic archaeologist who enjoys solitude and the calmness of the Norfolk marshlands.
When human remains are discovered near the marshes, detective Harry Nelson seeks Ruth’s expertise to uncover what secrets lie beneath. Together, they unravel a mystery rooted deep in local legends, ancient rituals, and a decades-old disappearance.
Those who enjoy Claire Askew’s thoughtful crime stories and well-crafted settings may find Elly Griffiths’ storytelling style engaging and satisfying.
Mick Herron is a British author known for smart and engaging spy thrillers that focus on character development and sharp wit. If you enjoy Claire Askew’s character-driven stories with plenty of depth and tension, you might appreciate Herron’s “Slow Horses.”
The novel centers on Slough House, a dumping ground for disgraced British spies whose careers crashed due to embarrassing failures or personal mistakes.
Jackson Lamb, the unapologetic and cynical boss, oversees this group of misfits as they grapple with their damaged reputations and tedious paper-pushing duties. Soon, these unwanted agents stumble upon a dangerous scheme that draws them back into the thick of espionage drama.
“Slow Horses” combines dark humor, sharp dialogue, and believable characters that feel real, flawed, and human.