If you enjoy reading books by Colin Bateman then you might also like the following authors:
Carl Hiaasen writes quirky crime novels filled with sharp humor, memorable characters, and satirical takes on life in Florida. His stories often feature absurd situations, clever criminals, and an amusing critique of corruption and greed.
You might enjoy his book Tourist Season, which hilariously follows a group aiming to scare away visitors from Florida using outrageous methods.
Elmore Leonard is celebrated for his smart, fast-moving crime novels featuring sharp dialogue and memorable characters. His writing is straightforward, mixing suspense, humor, and vibrant personalities.
Check out Get Shorty, an entertaining story about a loan shark who moves from crime into Hollywood filmmaking.
Christopher Brookmyre blends dark humor with gritty crime plots, especially those set in Scotland. His writing style is sharp, funny, and engaging, combining social commentary with settings grounded in reality.
His novel Quite Ugly One Morning offers a wild and wry murder mystery set in Edinburgh, featuring memorable characters and biting wit.
Stuart Neville writes intense, compelling crime thrillers set against Northern Ireland's troubled backdrop. His stories mix realistic violence with emotional depth, exploring complex social and political histories.
Try reading The Twelve (also published as The Ghosts of Belfast), which follows an ex-IRA hitman haunted by the ghosts of the people he killed.
Adrian McKinty offers dark, atmospheric crime stories set mostly in Northern Ireland, capturing social tension and the region's troubled history. His novels often feature flawed characters, tense plots, and a vivid sense of place.
Check out The Cold Cold Ground, featuring detective Sean Duffy investigating murders amid Belfast's turbulent 1980s Troubles.
If you enjoy Colin Bateman's clever blend of humor and crime fiction, you'll probably like Declan Burke. His stories feature sharp dialogue, engaging plots, and colorful Irish settings. Check out The Big O, a crime caper full of twists, dark comedy, and memorable characters.
For fans of Colin Bateman's gritty yet humorous style, Ken Bruen is a great choice. Bruen's novels usually focus on flawed characters and the darker side of life in Ireland, with quick pacing and dry wit.
Start with The Guards, featuring troubled ex-cop Jack Taylor navigating Galway's rough streets.
If the smart, witty mysteries of Colin Bateman appeal to you, try Denise Mina. Her gritty Glasgow crime thrillers have strong characters, realistic dialogue, and social insights.
Try the novel Garnethill, an intriguing read full of mystery, engaging characters, and the darker corners of Glasgow life.
Ian Rankin is a good author to try if you like Colin Bateman's mix of compelling storytelling and complex characters. Rankin's Edinburgh-based Inspector Rebus series combines gripping police work with a thoughtful look at Scottish society.
Check out Knots and Crosses, the first Inspector Rebus novel, for classic detective plotting and depth.
Fans of Colin Bateman's humor-laced crime fiction will likely enjoy Mark Billingham. Billingham's London-set thrillers are tightly plotted and feature detective Tom Thorne, whose cases tackle dark subjects with natural, candid writing and authentic humor.
Begin with Sleepyhead, an absorbing, well-paced read that keeps readers hooked.
Donald E. Westlake is well-loved for his sharp, witty crime novels filled with humor and clever twists. His books offer quirky characters who often stumble into unexpected situations and crime capers.
A good starting point is The Hot Rock, featuring John Dortmunder, a charmingly unlucky thief whose heists rarely go according to plan.
Joe R. Lansdale writes fast-paced novels that blend dark humor, crime, and quirky adventures. He uses vivid characters, snappy dialogue, and a distinctive southern storytelling style.
Fans of Bateman might especially enjoy Savage Season, the first novel in the Hap and Leonard series, where two unlikely friends find themselves mixed up in crime, chaos, and plenty of sharp banter.
Eoin Colfer crafts funny, inventive stories that mix adventure, humor, and sharp dialogue. While often geared toward younger readers, Colfer's novels have enough wit and complexity to appeal to adults as well.
Try Artemis Fowl, which tells the humorous story of a teenage criminal mastermind who discovers a hidden fairy civilization beneath our world.
If you enjoy Bateman's blend of humor, suspense, and memorable characters, you'll likely appreciate Mick Herron. He writes cleverly plotted spy thrillers that combine wit, intrigue, and satirical elements, notably in the Slough House series.
Start with Slow Horses, where a group of disgraced British spies prove they're still quite capable, even if they spend half their time trading insults.
Declan Hughes creates gritty detective stories full of suspense, lively writing, and a dark Dublin atmosphere. Fans of Colin Bateman will enjoy Hughes' subtle humor and realistic dialogue.
Be sure to check out The Wrong Kind of Blood, featuring Ed Loy, a private investigator who returns to Ireland and quickly gets tangled in dangerous family secrets and deception.