If you enjoy reading books by Denise Mina then you might also like the following authors:
Ian Rankin is known for his crime novels, especially those featuring Detective Inspector John Rebus. If you enjoy gritty stories set in Scotland, you might like his book “Black and Blue.”
In this story, Rebus investigates a murder linked to a notorious real-life serial killer called Bible John. Meanwhile, he’s also tangled up in a case involving corruption in the oil industry.
The story weaves through Edinburgh and beyond, with tension building as Rebus searches for answers in the face of political pressure and personal struggles.
Val McDermid is a Scottish crime writer who crafts intense and thought-provoking mysteries. One of her books, “The Mermaids Singing,” introduces criminal psychologist Tony Hill and detective Carol Jordan.
The story centers on their hunt for a serial killer targeting men in shocking and sinister ways. As the investigation unfolds, readers explore the dark corners of human behavior and the challenges of profiling someone who seems to stay two steps ahead.
The book combines intricate crime scenes with sharp character dynamics, drawing readers deep into the investigation.
Tana French writes crime mysteries that dig deep into characters and their hidden lives. Her novel “In the Woods” follows detective Rob Ryan as he investigates the murder of a young girl in a small Irish town.
The case stirs up memories of his own traumatic childhood, when two of his friends disappeared in the same woods and were never found. The book weaves the present-day investigation with Rob’s haunting past, creating a story that feels both personal and unsettling.
It’s a dark, atmospheric read that explores memory, trauma, and the secrets people keep.
Louise Welsh is a Scottish author who creates atmospheric stories with a mix of dark themes and unpredictable characters.
Her novel “The Cutting Room” is about Rilke, an auctioneer in Glasgow who stumbles upon photographs of what looks like a violent crime while clearing out a deceased man’s estate. As Rilke investigates, he uncovers secrets tied to greed, obsession, and power.
The story blends gritty realism with a touch of mystery, giving it a haunting feel. If you enjoy Denise Mina’s work, Welsh might be a perfect addition to your reading list.
Ruth Rendell was a master of crime fiction, known for creating stories that explore the darker edges of human nature.
One of her standout novels, “A Judgement in Stone,” focuses on the chilling story of Eunice Parchman, a housekeeper who hides a secret that leads to devastating consequences for the wealthy family she works for.
The book begins with the shocking murder of the Coverdale family and slowly unravels the events leading up to it. Rendell examines the class divide and the little choices that spiral into tragedy, painting a haunting picture without ever resorting to clichés.
Fans of psychological crime fiction, like Denise Mina’s work, will find this story hard to forget.
Stuart MacBride writes crime novels that are gritty and full of dark humor. His book “Cold Granite” introduces Detective Sergeant Logan McRae, a character who feels both tough and human.
The story is set in Aberdeen, where rain almost never stops, and follows McRae as he investigates the murder of a child. To make things worse, it looks like a serial killer is on the loose.
As McRae battles personal setbacks and pressures from the media, the bleak setting and sharp dialogue pull you right into the world he’s navigating. Fans of Denise Mina’s atmospheric mysteries would find MacBride’s style familiar and equally engrossing.
Peter May is a Scottish author known for his atmospheric mysteries and crime novels. One of his standout books is “The Lewis Man,” part of the Lewis Trilogy. The story begins when a body is found in a peat bog on the Isle of Lewis, perfectly preserved.
The discovery leads to a murder investigation that unravels long-buried secrets. A key element of the story revolves around an elderly man, Tormod, who struggles with dementia, yet holds crucial pieces of the puzzle in his fading memories.
The bleak, windswept setting of the Isle of Lewis adds a haunting backdrop to the story.
Mo Hayder was a British crime author known for her dark and intense thrillers. One of her standout books is “The Treatment,” which is part of her Jack Caffery series.
In this story, Detective Caffery is investigating the horrifying case of a couple found drugged and tied up in their home, while their young son is missing. The case leads him into a twisty and disturbing world that tests his resolve and unearths some deep personal scars.
Hayder doesn’t shy away from chilling details, which makes her books hard to put down.
Ann Cleeves is known for her atmospheric crime novels that focus on strong characters and intricately woven mysteries. One of her books, “Raven Black,” is set in the remote and windswept Shetland Islands.
The story begins with the discovery of a young woman’s body in the snow near the home of a quiet, mysterious man named Magnus Tait, who many locals already suspect of a past crime.
Detective Jimmy Perez digs into the secrets of the close-knit community, uncovering tensions and layers of mistrust. The book paints a vivid picture of life in the Shetlands, where isolation and old grudges weigh heavily on the characters.
Karin Fossum is a Norwegian crime writer known for her sharp psychological insights and atmospheric stories. In her novel “The Indian Bride,” Inspector Sejer investigates the murder of a woman in a small, quiet village.
Gunder, a lonely man, travels to India to find a wife and brings home Poona, a bright and warm-hearted woman. Shortly after her arrival, Poona is brutally killed, and the tight-knit community grapples with the crime.
Fossum’s skill lies in exploring the everyday lives of her characters, pulling readers into their secrets and flaws as the mystery unfolds. If you enjoy deep character exploration and a strong sense of place, her books are worth checking out.
Gillian Flynn writes dark, twisty stories that dig into human flaws and complicated relationships. Her book, “Gone Girl,” tells the story of a marriage gone horribly wrong.
It begins with Amy Dunne disappearing on her fifth wedding anniversary, and suspicions quickly turn toward her husband, Nick. As the book switches between their perspectives, it reveals secrets, lies, and mind games that keep you questioning what’s true.
It’s sharp, unsettling, and full of tension—a story where no one is who they seem.
Laura Lippman writes crime fiction with great attention to character and place. One of her books, “What the Dead Know,” starts with a woman who gets into a car accident near Baltimore. She claims to be Heather Bethany, one of two sisters who vanished decades earlier.
Her story raises questions and unearths long-buried secrets, tracing connections between the past and present. The book keeps you guessing as the truth slowly comes into focus, and the twists feel earned.
Lippman’s work often explores human nature, flawed families, and the personal weight of crimes.
Lynn Anderson writes crime fiction with a strong sense of place and characters who feel real. Her novel “Driftwood” is set in a small Scottish town on the edge of desolation. The story follows a former journalist, Alex, who has returned home to escape personal failures.
When a young woman is found dead in the harbor, Alex uncovers secrets that tie the community’s seemingly quiet lives to something far darker.
Anderson builds tension through the hidden connections between the townspeople and Alex’s own struggles, keeping the focus on the human side of the mystery. Fans of Denise Mina might enjoy how Anderson reveals the layers of a troubled town and the lives within it.
Sarah Hilary writes crime fiction with a focus on dark, emotional stories that explore human relationships and secrets. In her novel “Someone Else’s Skin,” Detective Inspector Marnie Rome investigates a violent attack at a women’s refuge.
The case becomes tangled in the complicated lives of the women staying there. As Rome works to uncover the truth, hidden pasts and dangerous motives rise to the surface.
The story mixes suspense with deep character development, keeping the focus on what drives people to commit unthinkable acts.
Mick Herron writes sharp, clever spy fiction with flawed characters and dark humor. His book, “Slow Horses,” introduces a group of disgraced MI5 agents banished to a department called Slough House.
These agents are stuck with boring tasks, but when a young man is kidnapped and threatened with execution, they find themselves pulled into a dangerous mission. The story brings together betrayal, ambition, and unexpected action, highlighting the messy, human side of espionage.