If you enjoy reading books by Donna Leon then you might also like the following authors:
Andrea Camilleri was an Italian author best known for his Inspector Montalbano series, which is set in a coastal Sicilian town. One of his books, “The Shape of Water,” introduces readers to Inspector Salvo Montalbano, a clever and sharp detective with a strong sense of justice.
In this story, a prominent political figure is found dead in a questionable part of town. While it seems like a straightforward case, Montalbano suspects there’s more beneath the surface.
The book captures the atmosphere of Sicily with its food, culture, and complex characters, making it a great pick for fans of character-driven mysteries.
Michael Dibdin is best known for his Aurelio Zen series, which follows an Italian detective navigating the complexities of crime and corruption in modern Italy.
In “Ratking,” the first book in the series, Zen is sent to a small Italian town to investigate the kidnapping of a wealthy industrialist. The case takes him into the dysfunctional world of an influential family, filled with secrets, greed, and power plays.
As Zen untangles the case, his blunt approach and dry humor set him apart from more traditional detectives. The setting feels alive, capturing both beauty and unease in equal measure.
Fans of Donna Leon might enjoy the way Dibdin portrays the tension between justice and survival in an environment where moral clarity is hard to come by.
Louise Penny writes murder mysteries that feel rich with atmosphere and human emotion. Her books are set in the small village of Three Pines, tucked away in Quebec, where Chief Inspector Armand Gamache investigates crimes while unraveling the layers of the people around him.
In “Still Life,” the first in the series, a beloved local artist is found dead in the woods. At first, it appears to be a hunting accident, but Gamache’s methodical approach reveals tensions and secrets in the seemingly idyllic community.
The setting, with the cozy village, its eccentric residents, and the creeping sense of danger, pulls you right in. If you enjoy exploring complex characters and places that feel alive, this might be a series to try.
Martin Walker is known for his “Bruno, Chief of Police” series, which is set in the idyllic French countryside of the Dordogne region. The first book, “Bruno, Chief of Police,” introduces Bruno, a small-town police officer who doubles as a good cook and gardener.
The story begins with the murder of an elderly man, uncovering dark secrets tied to wartime history and the struggles of modern rural life.
Walker paints a vivid picture of the community, with its markets, vineyards, and close relationships, while weaving a mystery that blends local traditions and unexpected twists. Bruno is a character readers can immediately connect to—warm, thoughtful, and resourceful.
If you enjoy atmospheric crime mysteries with a strong sense of place, this might be a series to explore.
Donna Andrews writes lighthearted and clever mysteries, often filled with quirky characters and humor.
In her book “Murder with Peacocks,” the story follows Meg Langslow, a blacksmith who finds herself juggling maid-of-honor duties for three weddings while also investigating a murder in her small town.
Between chaotic wedding planning and eccentric relatives, Meg uncovers secrets that lead her closer to the truth. The mix of humor and mystery makes her books enjoyable for those who appreciate charming whodunits.
M.C. Beaton is the author behind the popular Hamish Macbeth and Agatha Raisin series. Her books offer cozy mysteries with sharp humor and quirky characters.
In “Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death,” Agatha, a retired public relations agent, moves to a quiet village and tries to fit in by entering a baking contest. When one of the judges dies after eating her store-bought quiche, she finds herself tangled in a murder investigation.
The story mixes lighthearted moments with a curious and determined protagonist who isn’t afraid to get into trouble.
Ruth Rendell is a brilliant author known for sharp psychological insights and intricate crime stories. If you enjoy Donna Leon, you might appreciate Rendell’s way of exploring human behavior through her mysteries.
In her book “A Judgement in Stone,” the story follows Eunice Parchman, a housemaid with a dark secret employed by the wealthy and cultured Coverdale family. Eunice’s inability to fit into their seemingly perfect world sets off events that end in tragedy.
The novel keeps you focused on what lies beneath the surface, showing how misunderstandings and human flaws can spiral out of control. It’s a haunting and thought-provoking tale.
Fred Vargas is a French author known for writing mysteries with a unique touch. Her book “Have Mercy on Us All” introduces readers to Chief Inspector Adamsberg, a detective with an unconventional approach to solving crimes.
The story begins when bizarre symbols and cryptic messages referencing the Black Death appear on doors in Paris. Shortly after, a murder occurs, and Adamsberg starts piecing together what connects the warnings to the crime.
The book weaves in history and atmosphere, creating a world where the past bleeds into the present in strange ways. If you enjoy Donna Leon’s well-drafted investigations and engaging detectives, you might find Vargas’ work intriguing.
Elizabeth George is known for her richly atmospheric mystery novels, often set in England. Her book “A Great Deliverance” introduces Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley and Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers, a duo who couldn’t be more different.
Lynley is suave and upper-class, while Havers is blunt and working-class. They investigate a brutal murder in a quiet Yorkshire village, where a young woman is found soaked in blood, sitting by her decapitated father.
As they dig into the family’s troubled past, they uncover secrets that no one in the village wants revealed. The story unfolds with a balance of character depth and a twisting mystery that pulls you into the strange complexities of human behavior.
Colin Dexter is the author of the Inspector Morse series, a collection of mysteries set in Oxford. His writing combines clever plots with rich settings. In “The Dead of Jericho,” Inspector Morse investigates the death of a woman he once met and felt drawn to.
Her death appears to be a suicide, but things don’t add up. Morse unravels secrets about her life, uncovering connections that take him on a path filled with twists.
The story moves through the streets of Oxford, with its pubs, colleges, and quiet corners adding atmosphere to the mystery.
Camilla Läckberg is a Swedish author known for her crime novels set in the small coastal town of Fjällbacka. In her book “The Ice Princess,” a woman named Erica discovers the body of her childhood friend, Alex, frozen in a bathtub.
As Erica starts looking into Alex’s past, she finds secrets about her friend’s life that no one had ever suspected. The story mixes personal drama with a slow unraveling of mysteries beneath the surface of a quiet community.
Fans of Donna Leon might appreciate the way Läckberg explores the darker sides of human nature within a vividly drawn setting.
P.D. James is a well-known British author famous for her crime novels, which often revolve around intricate murder investigations and complex characters. One of her most praised works is “The Lighthouse.”
In this book, Commander Adam Dalgliesh is sent to a remote island where a famous writer is found dead under suspicious circumstances. The setting is atmospheric, with the isolation of the island adding to the tension as everyone becomes a suspect.
As Dalgliesh unravels the truth, secrets about the lives of the island’s small community come to light, creating a layered and thoughtful mystery. Fans of Donna Leon will appreciate the methodical detective work and strong focus on the people involved.
Tana French is an Irish author known for her atmospheric mystery novels that often blend crime and character study. One of her standout works is “In the Woods.” The story follows Detective Rob Ryan, who is called to investigate the murder of a young girl in a small town.
The case stirs up memories of Rob’s own childhood, when two of his friends disappeared in the same woods where the girl’s body is found. As Rob tries to uncover what happened, his past and present begin to intersect in unsettling ways.
French crafts a story filled with secrets, tension, and flawed characters that linger in your mind long after the book ends.
Ann Cleeves is a crime writer known for creating rich and atmospheric mysteries. In “The Crow Trap,” the first book in her Vera Stanhope series, three women meet at a remote countryside house while conducting an environmental survey.
When one of them is found dead, the police are called in, and Detective Inspector Vera Stanhope arrives.
Vera may seem unassuming at first, but her sharp mind and relentless nature quickly take center stage as she uncovers secrets buried under layers of deceit and small-town dynamics. The setting feels vivid, with its quiet hills and isolated homes, adding to the tension.
Jacqueline Winspear is the author behind the popular “Maisie Dobbs” series, which blends historical fiction with mystery.
The first book, “Maisie Dobbs,” introduces a former maid who becomes a private investigator in 1920s London after serving as a nurse during World War I. Maisie takes on cases that often reveal hidden scars from the war.
In this book, she investigates suspicious behavior at a private retreat meant for recovering veterans. Her intelligence, resourcefulness, and compassion make her a memorable character.
The atmospheric post-war setting and layered mysteries might appeal to fans of Donna Leon’s works.