Dorothy Gilman was known for cozy mystery and espionage novels. Her beloved series featuring Mrs. Pollifax, starting with The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax, charmingly blended intrigue and humor, earning Gilman a loyal readership.
If you enjoy reading books by Dorothy Gilman then you might also like the following authors:
Fans of Dorothy Gilman who appreciate mysteries with warmth and humor might enjoy M.C. Beaton. Beaton writes cozy mysteries featuring quirky, relatable characters and charming village settings.
Her mysteries blend clever puzzles with playful storytelling, like in her enjoyable Agatha Raisin series. Try the first book, Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death, where a retired PR executive finds herself solving a village murder.
Alan Bradley crafts delightful mysteries centered around sharp-eyed eleven-year-old amateur detective Flavia de Luce. His stories have a lively spirit, combining engaging puzzles with witty dialogue.
Readers who enjoy Gilman's adventurous protagonists and colorful narratives may love Bradley's storytelling style, especially in the first Flavia de Luce novel, The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie.
If you enjoy Dorothy Gilman's gentle and insightful mysteries, Alexander McCall Smith might be a perfect match for your bookshelf. His books feature vivid characters and thoughtful, light-hearted stories.
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series offers delightful mysteries set in Botswana, filled with warmth and gentle humor. Start with the engaging first novel, The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency.
Rhys Bowen writes engaging, character-driven mysteries filled with historical detail, charm, and humor similar to Gilman's. Her heroines are lively, capable women whose adventures combine mystery with colorful historical settings.
Readers might especially enjoy Bowen's Royal Spyness series, beginning with Her Royal Spyness, where Lady Georgiana navigates aristocratic society and amateur sleuthing.
Carola Dunn's Daisy Dalrymple series captures the cozy, charming tone fans of Dorothy Gilman often love. Dunn offers entertaining, whimsical mysteries set in England during the 1920s.
Her heroine, Daisy, solves clever mysteries with wit and pluck in cozy English settings filled with lively characters. Begin with the first book, Death at Wentwater Court, for an enjoyable introduction.
If you like Dorothy Gilman's adventurous spirit and clever, resourceful characters, you might enjoy Kerry Greenwood. Her mysteries feature smart heroines who balance wit, charm, and elegance as they solve crimes and navigate complicated relationships.
One of Greenwood's most popular series stars the stylish and fearless Phryne Fisher in Cocaine Blues, a novel set in 1920s Melbourne. Greenwood creates vivid settings and charismatic characters, adding humor and flair to her engaging mysteries.
Fans of Dorothy Gilman's quirky, independent characters will feel right at home with Elizabeth Peters. Her novels blend historical settings with witty dialogue and memorable protagonists.
Peters' popular Amelia Peabody series combines archaeology, murder mysteries, and humor, especially evident in Crocodile on the Sandbank. With a strong-willed heroine like Amelia, readers can expect intriguing plots and delightful banter.
Readers who enjoy Gilman's blend of mystery, adventure, and independent women should give Deanna Raybourn a try. Raybourn writes atmospheric historical mysteries featuring intelligent, spirited heroines.
Her novel Silent in the Grave, the first in the Lady Julia Grey series, offers suspenseful storytelling and vibrant characters. Raybourn's books mix romance, humor, and intriguing puzzles, perfect for fans of character-driven mysteries.
For readers who appreciate Gilman's strong female leads and international settings, Sujata Massey could be a great fit. Massey's novels often explore different cultures and feature resourceful, determined protagonists faced with challenging mysteries.
Her book The Widows of Malabar Hill introduces Perveen Mistry, India's first woman lawyer in the 1920s, as she takes on tough cases in colonial-era Bombay. Massey thoughtfully weaves together suspense, historical detail, and women's empowerment.
If you enjoy Dorothy Gilman's combination of quirky humor, historical settings, and lively storytelling, consider Catriona McPherson. She crafts mysteries with strong female characters, intriguing plots, and a touch of whimsy.
In After the Armistice Ball, readers meet Dandy Gilver, a spirited amateur detective in 1920s Scotland who solves mysteries with quick thinking and sharp wit. McPherson's novels offer engaging puzzles paired with warm humor and delightful personalities.
Fans of Dorothy Gilman’s mysteries will really enjoy Jacqueline Winspear and her insightful character studies blended with intriguing puzzles. Her detective, Maisie Dobbs, solves crimes in post-WWI England where vivid characters and historical details are key.
A great place to start is Maisie Dobbs, which introduces readers to Maisie's thoughtful approach to investigation.
Donna Andrews offers cozy mysteries full of humor, small-town charm, and lively characters. Her books blend funny, relatable situations with puzzling mysteries, making readers laugh even as they try to decide who committed the crime.
Murder with Peacocks, the first Meg Langslow book, introduces a likeable amateur sleuth whose witty narrative and quirky family will charm Dorothy Gilman fans.
Charlaine Harris, known for her engaging characters and sharp wit, often writes mysteries with a cozy, southern atmosphere.
Her Aurora Teagarden series is a fantastic fit for Dorothy Gilman enthusiasts, especially the first mystery, Real Murders, featuring a quick-thinking librarian turned detective who unravels murders in her small southern town.
Sarah Caudwell wrote witty, elegant mysteries filled with quirky characters, clever plots, and sharp dialogue. Her books revolve around young London barristers involved in tricky situations leading to clever and amusing outcomes.
Fans of Dorothy Gilman will delight in Caudwell's inventive storytelling and humor, especially in Thus Was Adonis Murdered, her delightful debut novel.
If you like Dorothy Gilman, you'll probably enjoy Peter Lovesey's gentle English mysteries, full of dry humor and clever puzzles. He focuses on precise, tight plotting and distinctive characters, often set against well-researched historical or contemporary backdrops.
Try starting with The Last Detective, where we meet detective Peter Diamond as he solves intricate cases in the city of Bath.