If you enjoy reading books by David Liss then you might also like the following authors:
Susanna Clarke is known for creating richly detailed and imaginative worlds filled with historical twists. Her book, “Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell,” is set in a version of 19th-century England where magic was once real but has mostly faded.
The story follows two rival magicians, the reserved Mr. Norrell and the daring Jonathan Strange, as they try to bring magic back to England. The book blends historical events with fantastical elements, offering a story full of mystery and tension.
Matthew Pearl is a writer who brings historical settings and characters to life with a modern edge.
His book “The Dante Club” is set in 1860s Boston and follows a group of poets, including Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Oliver Wendell Holmes, as they work to translate Dante’s *Divine Comedy* into English.
Their work takes a dark turn when a string of murders begins to mirror the punishments from Dante’s Inferno. The book dives into the challenges of innovation and tradition, all while unraveling a mystery that ties literature and crime together.
Fans of David Liss will find the attention to historical details and the rich plotting here to be right up their alley.
Iain Pears is an author known for blending historical settings with intricate plots. In his book “An Instance of the Fingerpost,” he tells a story set in 17th-century England.
The book revolves around a mysterious death, told from four different perspectives, each with their own secrets and motives. It’s rich with political schemes, personal ambitions, and questions about truth and deception.
If you’re drawn to historical tales with layered characters, Pears is worth exploring.
Diana Gabaldon is known for her historical fiction novels that blend time travel and romance with meticulously researched settings. Her book “Outlander” introduces Claire Randall, a nurse from 1945 who is mysteriously transported to 18th-century Scotland.
There, she becomes entangled in the turbulent Jacobite uprising and forms a deep connection with Jamie Fraser, a Highland warrior. The story weaves historical events with personal struggles, creating a vivid picture of loyalty, love, and survival in a dangerous time.
Fans of David Liss might enjoy Gabaldon’s way of immersing readers in a rich historical backdrop filled with unexpected twists.
Arturo Pérez-Reverte writes stories that mix history and adventure with sharp characters and clever twists.
One of his books, “The Club Dumas,” follows a rare book dealer named Corso, who gets involved in two mysterious cases—one tied to a chapter of “The Three Musketeers” and another linked to an ancient book that may summon the devil.
It’s packed with literary puzzles, secret societies, and danger, all set against a backdrop of rare manuscripts and historical intrigue.
Umberto Eco was an Italian writer who wove history, philosophy, and mystery into his novels. One of his most famous works, “The Name of the Rose,” is a historical mystery set in a remote medieval monastery.
The story follows a brilliant friar, William of Baskerville, and his novice, Adso, as they investigate a string of suspicious deaths. Filled with secret manuscripts, cryptic clues, and tense moments, the book captures the dark atmosphere of 14th-century Europe.
Eco’s detailed descriptions of the monastic life and the unraveling of the mystery make the story both rich and memorable.
Ken Follett is a master storyteller known for historical novels that blend drama and intrigue. One of his standout works is “Pillars of the Earth,” set in 12th-century England. The story centers on the construction of a cathedral in the fictional town of Kingsbridge.
Along the way, readers meet characters navigating power struggles, love, and betrayal. The book immerses you in the challenges and conflicts of medieval life, with its vivid details and larger-than-life personalities.
It’s a sweeping narrative that brings history to life without feeling like a history lesson.
Sarah Waters is known for her historical fiction with rich characters and immersive settings. Her novel “Fingersmith” takes place in Victorian England and revolves around Sue Trinder, a young woman raised by thieves.
Sue becomes involved in a plot to con a wealthy heiress named Maud Lilly. As the plan unfolds, twists and betrayals come to light, turning everything upside down. The story is filled with tension and emotional depth, with an atmosphere that pulls you into its world.
Fans of David Liss might enjoy her focus on deceptions and unexpected turns in historical contexts.
Edward Rutherfurd is known for historical novels that explore the lives of characters across generations, tied to a specific place and its history. One of his books, “Sarum,” tells the story of Salisbury, tracing the area from prehistoric times to the modern era.
The book moves through moments like the building of Stonehenge and the creation of Salisbury Cathedral, with families whose fortunes rise and fall alongside historical events.
Rutherfurd weaves personal stories into the broader sweep of history, making you feel connected to the time and place.
C.J. Sansom is known for historical mysteries that paint vivid pictures of the past. One of his best-known works, “Dissolution,” is set during the reign of Henry VIII and follows Matthew Shardlake, a hunchbacked lawyer sent to investigate a murder at a monastery.
The story unfolds as Shardlake navigates political tension, religious upheaval, and dangerous secrets. The book immerses readers in the turmoil of Tudor England while keeping the mystery at its heart both suspenseful and engaging.
Neal Stephenson is known for writing stories that combine history, science, and technology in original ways. One of his standout books, “Cryptonomicon,” weaves together two timelines.
The first follows World War II codebreakers, including a mathematician working on cracking enemy codes. The second is set in the 1990s, where a group of tech experts is building an encrypted data haven.
The story ties these timelines together through hidden treasure, secret messages, and the legacy of cryptography. It’s packed with fascinating historical references and ideas about how technology shapes the world.
Hilary Mantel is known for her historical fiction that brings the past to life with vivid detail. Her book “Wolf Hall” focuses on Thomas Cromwell, an ambitious lawyer who becomes a key figure in the court of King Henry VIII.
The story starts with Cromwell’s rise from humble beginnings and follows his role in the king’s efforts to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon. Mantel creates a world full of complex characters, power struggles, and the dangerous twists of ambition.
Readers who enjoy rich settings and deep character studies might find her work captivating.
Jess Walter is a versatile storyteller known for blending literary depth with engaging stories. His book “The Financial Lives of the Poets” is a sharp and funny tale about Matt Prior, a journalist who loses his job and gets caught in a spiraling financial crisis.
Struggling to support his family, Matt stumbles into a wild scheme that sends his life into chaos. The book uses wit and pointed observations to explore economic struggles in an entertaining way.
Walter’s narrative captures the absurdity of modern life while keeping his characters relatable and flawed.
Rebecca Stott is an author who blends historical settings with rich mysteries. Her novel “Ghostwalk” starts with the mysterious death of a Cambridge historian who was researching Isaac Newton’s connections to alchemy.
When the historian’s son asks his ex-lover, Lydia, to complete the unfinished work, she uncovers secrets buried in the past. The story shifts between 17th-century England and the present, revealing a dark web of obsession and betrayal tied to Newton’s experiments.
It’s a story for anyone who enjoys history and intrigue mixed with a sense of danger.
Carlos Ruiz Zafón was a Spanish author known for creating atmospheric, mystery-filled novels. One of his most popular works is “The Shadow of the Wind.” The story begins when a boy named Daniel discovers a hidden book in a secret library.
This book leads him into a web of secrets surrounding its mysterious author and a figure intent on destroying every trace of his work. The novel is set in post-war Barcelona, with its maze-like streets and hidden corners adding to the tension.
This book has layers of history, danger, and unexpected connections that draw the reader into its world.