David Hewson is a British author known for his compelling crime novels. He's celebrated for the Detective Nic Costa series set in Rome, including standout titles like A Season for the Dead and The Villa of Mysteries.
If you enjoy reading books by David Hewson then you might also like the following authors:
Michael Dibdin writes smart, detailed crime fiction with complex plots and vivid settings. If you enjoy Hewson's engaging mysteries that explore Italian culture, you'll likely appreciate Dibdin's Aurelio Zen series.
Start with Ratking, where detective Zen navigates both danger and Italy's intricate power dynamics while solving a difficult kidnapping case.
Andrea Camilleri brings humor, warmth, and a keen sense of justice to Italian crime fiction. His Inspector Montalbano novels set in sunny Sicily are full of vibrant, flawed characters and delicious local details, reminiscent of Hewson's immersive storytelling.
Try The Shape of Water, Camilleri's first Montalbano book, to dive into this witty and inviting detective series.
Donna Leon's novels feature Inspector Guido Brunetti in Venice, offering thoughtful, character-driven mysteries set against the city's beautiful but troubled backdrop. Like Hewson, Leon writes about crime through the lens of cultural tensions and everyday life.
Start with Death at La Fenice, where Brunetti investigates the suspicious death of a famous conductor, uncovering Venetians' secrets and jealousies along the way.
Ian Rankin's gritty, atmospheric novels featuring Inspector John Rebus vividly capture the darker sides of Edinburgh. Rankin, much like Hewson, excels at creating memorable, complex characters and convincingly realistic plots.
Begin with Knots and Crosses, the debut of the Rebus series, where he hunts a serial killer while confronting his personal demons.
Henning Mankell's Kurt Wallander series presents complex, thoughtful mysteries set in Sweden. Like Hewson, Mankell weaves intriguing plots, deep characterization, and social commentary into deeply satisfying reads.
Pick up Faceless Killers, Mankell's first Wallander novel, to experience thoughtful detective work alongside insightful reflections on modern society.
If you like David Hewson's atmospheric mysteries, you'll probably enjoy Jo Nesbø's dark and suspenseful novels set in Norway. Nesbø creates intriguing plots full of unpredictable twists, memorable characters, and complex moral dilemmas.
A good book to try is The Snowman, starring Inspector Harry Hole as he investigates an eerie series of murders that shakes Oslo.
Fans of Hewson might find Arnaldur Indriðason appealing, especially if you like a brooding atmosphere and character-driven mysteries. Indriðason explores Icelandic culture and psychology while unraveling complex cases.
Try his novel Jar City, where Detective Erlendur investigates a seemingly simple murder that leads him to disturbing secrets from the past.
Peter Robinson's books share Hewson’s careful plotting and vivid settings. Robinson writes stories that revolve around the intricate work of Detective Alan Banks, combining detailed police procedure with compelling personal conflicts.
In a Dry Season is a standout novel, where Banks investigates a decades-old murder after a drought exposes human remains in an abandoned village.
Reginald Hill writes intelligent and witty crime novels that fans of Hewson’s intricate storytelling will appreciate. He balances intricate puzzles, clever dialogue, and psychologically rich characters.
A good novel to try is On Beulah Height, a thoughtful and emotional mystery featuring Detectives Dalziel and Pascoe, examining the lasting trauma of a village tragedy.
Martin Cruz Smith will appeal to readers who enjoy Hewson’s ability to create vivid locations and examine complex political and societal tensions. Smith’s novels often explore historical and political intrigue through well-crafted mysteries.
Try Gorky Park, set in Soviet-era Moscow, which follows investigator Arkady Renko as he uncovers a chilling conspiracy amidst corruption and secrecy.
Philip Kerr blends historical settings with tight, gritty detective mysteries. He often places flawed but insightful detectives amidst complex moral challenges, vividly capturing the atmosphere of troubled times.
A great example is his novel March Violets, set in the dark streets of Nazi-era Germany, where detective Bernie Gunther navigates crime and political danger alike.
Boris Akunin writes detective fiction featuring clever plots and sharp-witted characters, wrapped in the rich detail of nineteenth-century Russia. His stories showcase classic detective tropes with a distinctly Russian twist, as seen in The Winter Queen.
Here, young detective Erast Fandorin uncovers conspiracies against an elegantly portrayed historical backdrop.
John Harvey is known for his grounded, realistic crime novels that combine atmospheric storytelling with deep character development. His style is thoughtful and precise, exploring personal struggles alongside compelling mysteries.
His novel Lonely Hearts, introducing detective Charlie Resnick, vividly portrays the understated intensity of English police work and personal dramas.
Fred Vargas is famous for her imaginative mysteries set in France, featuring quietly eccentric characters and clever puzzles. She crafts quirky, engaging narratives, often laced with folklore and history, as in her novel The Chalk Circle Man.
Here, detective Jean-Baptiste Adamsberg investigates strange symbols appearing across Paris, blending intrigue with humor and inventive storytelling.
Camilla Läckberg is celebrated for her engaging Nordic crime thrillers set in small coastal towns. Her writing combines suspenseful plots with vivid portrayals of human relationships and community secrets.
A notable example is The Ice Princess, which balances a tense murder investigation with deeply drawn characters and atmospheric landscapes.