Donald Harstad is an American author known for his realistic crime fiction. A former Iowa deputy sheriff, he draws on firsthand experience in compelling novels like Eleven Days and Known Dead.
If you enjoy reading books by Donald Harstad then you might also like the following authors:
Joseph Wambaugh writes crime fiction with sharp realism and dark humor. As a former police officer, his stories reveal the emotional and personal sides of police work.
If you enjoyed Donald Harstad's authentic depiction of rural crime-solving, you'll likely appreciate Wambaugh's The Choirboys, which provides a vivid look at police officers' lives both on and off the job.
John Sandford offers suspenseful crime thrillers that keep readers hooked. His novels have well-rounded characters, realistic dialogue, and an authentic sense of the Midwest setting.
Fans of Donald Harstad's Iowa-based mysteries might like Sandford's Rules of Prey, the first in his exciting Lucas Davenport series set in Minnesota.
William Kent Krueger writes mysteries that blend compelling crime stories with rich explorations of small-town life. He captures the natural beauty and complex community relationships of Minnesota with empathy and insight.
If you enjoyed the rural atmosphere and thoughtful writing in Donald Harstad's mysteries, try Krueger's Iron Lake, the first in his Cork O'Connor series.
Michael Connelly writes crime fiction known for tight plotting and clear, vivid prose. His realistic depiction of police procedures and investigative work creates stories that feel true-to-life.
Readers who appreciate Donald Harstad's meticulous detail and believable law enforcement characters might enjoy Connelly's The Black Echo, which introduces detective Harry Bosch.
Ed McBain is famous for his 87th Precinct novels that depict everyday police life in a fictional urban setting. His direct writing style, combined with strong characterization and humor, vividly portrays police procedure and teamwork.
Fans of Donald Harstad's realistic and detailed portrayal of law enforcement might love McBain's Cop Hater, which kicks off the long-running series.
Tana French is great at building suspense, characters, and weaving crime mysteries into complex human stories. Her book In the Woods takes readers into Dublin's Murder Squad, exploring old secrets and deep psychological tension.
If you like how Harstad uncovers layers beneath ordinary towns, you'll appreciate French's approach too.
Peter Robinson creates intriguing mysteries set in the Yorkshire countryside, focusing on detailed police investigations and realistic characters. His book In a Dry Season follows Detective Alan Banks as he solves a decades-old murder hidden beneath a quiet village's surface.
Robinson's relatable detective and grounded style will appeal to fans of Harstad.
Ian Rankin tackles gritty, urban crime through the eyes of Inspector John Rebus in the city of Edinburgh. In novels like Knots and Crosses, Rankin presents complex crimes with insight into the personal lives of his flawed investigative characters.
Fans who enjoy Harstad's authentic police stories and strong sense of place will find Rankin's work captivating.
Henning Mankell's style explores thoughtful themes of humanity and morality while following the methodical investigations of Kurt Wallander in small-town Sweden. His novel Faceless Killers carefully examines biases and societal tensions alongside a murder investigation.
Mankell will resonate with readers who appreciate Harstad's realistic and socially aware storytelling.
Jo Nesbø is known for dark, intense mysteries featuring detective Harry Hole in Oslo, Norway. In The Snowman, Nesbø crafts a suspenseful plot that blends psychological tension with detailed police procedure.
Readers who enjoy Harstad's atmospheric settings and intricate detective work will find Nesbø equally engaging.
J.A. Jance writes mysteries with vivid settings, complex puzzles, and believable characters. Readers find her plots suspenseful but easy to engage with.
Her book, Desert Heat, introduces Sheriff Joanna Brady solving crime amidst Arizona’s sweeping desert landscape, a style that Donald Harstad’s fans will surely appreciate.
Craig Johnson is known for blending crime-solving plots with compelling ranching and Western themes. His popular book, The Cold Dish, introduces Sheriff Walt Longmire, whose cases unfold in rural Wyoming.
Fans of Donald Harstad will enjoy Johnson’s authentic characters and an attention to place.
C.J. Box creates tense, fast-paced mysteries set against the rugged wilderness of Wyoming. In Open Season, readers meet game warden Joe Pickett, whose ethics and community connections echo those found in Donald Harstad’s rural crime stories.
Box offers sharp dialogue and tight plotting that keeps readers turning pages.
Archer Mayor writes police procedurals with a realistic portrayal of small-town police work, placing most of his novels in Vermont.
His book, Open Season, showcases Mayor’s attention to forensic details, careful plotting, and relatable characters—qualities that will resonate with readers who appreciate Donald Harstad’s meticulous style.
Paul Doiron’s novels combine outdoor adventures with tense criminal investigations, centered in Maine’s wild woodlands. In The Poacher’s Son, readers follow game warden Mike Bowditch as he investigates a crime that touches his own life.
Doiron’s focus on nature, morality, and realistic police procedures will appeal to Donald Harstad’s readers.