E. C. R. Lorac was a British crime fiction author known for classic detective novels featuring Inspector Macdonald. Among her notable works are Murder by Matchlight and Fire in the Thatch, offering intelligent and cleverly plotted mysteries set primarily in England.
If you enjoy reading books by E. C. R. Lorac then you might also like the following authors:
Agatha Christie is known for her clever plots, vivid characters, and surprising endings. Her stories often revolve around classic British settings and subtle clues.
A great place to start is The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, featuring her sharp detective Hercule Poirot and a twist ending that still impresses readers today.
Dorothy L. Sayers writes mysteries that blend intricate plotting with engaging portrayals of pre-World War II England. Her detective, Lord Peter Wimsey, solves cases using intelligence, humor, and warmth.
If you're new to Sayers, try Gaudy Night, a thoughtful mystery exploring academic life, personal relationships, and social questions.
Ngaio Marsh offers atmospheric detective stories with a distinctive theatrical flair. Her novels often have memorable characters and clever, tightly woven plots investigated by the thoughtful Inspector Roderick Alleyn.
Artists in Crime shows Alleyn navigating murder within a creative, artistic community, highlighting Marsh's ability to craft engaging narratives and realistic suspects.
Margery Allingham has a talent for blending classic detection with adventure, humor, and charm. Her detective, Albert Campion, is a quietly clever and witty character appearing in stories that often highlight intriguing eccentricities and subtle social commentary.
Try The Tiger in the Smoke, a tense thriller that showcases England after World War II and reveals deeper insights into morality and human nature.
Josephine Tey creates mystery novels marked by intelligent storytelling, psychological depth, and thoughtful characterization. She offers subtle observations about human behavior and critiques of social conventions.
One standout is The Daughter of Time, where Inspector Alan Grant re-examines historical facts to investigate the truth behind a centuries-old mystery.
If you enjoy E. C. R. Lorac's puzzles and attention to character detail, you'll probably appreciate Christianna Brand. Her mystery novels often combine clever plots with humor and lively character interactions.
In Green for Danger, Brand sets an intriguing murder mystery in a wartime hospital, keeping readers guessing with her sharp wit and complex characters.
Fans of Lorac's cozy yet carefully plotted mysteries will find Patricia Wentworth equally engaging. Wentworth's novels feature Miss Maud Silver, a quietly observant and insightful detective, reminiscent of classic sleuths like Miss Marple.
Her mystery Grey Mask introduces Miss Silver as she unravels deception and crime with patience and intelligence.
If you appreciate Lorac's meticulous detail and methodical pacing, Freeman Wills Crofts is sure to appeal to you. Crofts wrote precise, detailed detective stories where careful investigation takes center stage.
In The Cask, a puzzling case about a mysterious shipping container pushes his detective, Inspector French, into an absorbing and carefully plotted adventure.
Readers who like E. C. R. Lorac for her quiet humor and intriguing puzzles will enjoy Cyril Hare. Hare often writes mysteries that subtly touch on legal and social themes, offering gentle irony and clever courtroom scenes.
In his novel An English Murder, Hare presents a traditional country-house mystery with sharp insights into British class and politics.
If Lorac's classic puzzle-solving mysteries appeal to you, consider exploring Edmund Crispin. Crispin's mysteries mix intellectual puzzles, humor, and literary references in a very enjoyable way.
His novel The Moving Toyshop introduces the witty amateur detective Gervase Fen investigating a strange murder with brilliant wordplay and energetic plotting.
If you enjoy the well-crafted mysteries of E. C. R. Lorac, you'll probably love John Dickson Carr. He's famous for creating clever, impossible-seeming locked-room mysteries that keep you guessing to the end.
His detective Gideon Fell is sharp and insightful, bringing clarity to even the most confusing cases. One classic example is The Hollow Man, where Carr masterfully unfolds a complex puzzle that's exciting to solve alongside the characters.
Michael Innes writes intelligent, carefully plotted detective novels featuring Inspector John Appleby. Like Lorac, Innes relies on wit, atmosphere, and strong characterization to build engaging mysteries.
His stories often combine elements of academia, art, or literature with intriguing puzzles. You might enjoy his book Hamlet, Revenge!—an atmospheric mystery set in a stately home and full of clever twists and stylish prose.
Gladys Mitchell offers an eccentric twist on the traditional detective story. Her detective, Mrs. Bradley, is unconventional, sharp-witted, and delightfully unpredictable. Mitchell's writing mixes dry humor, clever plotting, and a quirky charm that makes her novels stand out.
Readers who enjoy Lorac might appreciate her book The Saltmarsh Murders, where Mitchell creates an entertaining mystery with plenty of clues and surprises.
Although best known for her historical romances, Georgette Heyer also wrote engaging detective fiction. Her mysteries feature detailed settings, vibrant characters, and clever dialogue—much like Lorac's style.
If you're looking for a good starting point, try Envious Casca, a witty and cleverly structured Christmas murder mystery with a surprising conclusion.
Anthony Berkeley is known for mysteries featuring sharp wit, clever plots, and psychological depth. His detective Roger Sheringham doesn't quite fit the mold of the typical sleuth—he's flawed, brash, and often amusingly wrong-headed.
Fans of Lorac's intricate plotting and thoughtful character developments will enjoy The Poisoned Chocolates Case, Berkeley's playful and intelligent take on the detective genre.