If you enjoy reading novels by Ellis Peters then you might also like the following authors:
If you enjoy Ellis Peters’ mysteries that blend intriguing characters, clever puzzles, and vivid period atmosphere, you’ll probably appreciate Dorothy L. Sayers.
Sayers wrote detective fiction set in early 20th-century England, featuring Lord Peter Wimsey, a detective known for his wit, charm, and sharp intellect. One of her best-known novels is “Gaudy Night,” set in Oxford University.
Harriet Vane returns to her old college for an academic reunion. Soon, unsettling anonymous notes and vandalism disrupt the scholarly calm, pulling Harriet—and eventually Lord Peter Wimsey—into a complex investigation.
Sayers weaves in depth of character, sharp dialogue, and the richly detailed setting of 1930s academic life, making for a mystery that rewards attention and immerses the reader fully into its world.
Readers who appreciate Ellis Peters’ medieval mysteries should consider C.J. Sansom. He is best known for his Shardlake series, set in Tudor England amidst political turmoil and court intrigue.
A great place to start is “Dissolution,” the first novel featuring Matthew Shardlake, a sharp-minded lawyer tasked by Thomas Cromwell to investigate a chilling murder at a monastery destined for closure.
The monastery is isolated and riddled with tension, creating an atmosphere of quiet suspicion. Readers encounter fascinating historical detail and hidden motives resulting in a tense mystery that unfolds brilliantly.
Fans of Peters will find Sansom’s work equally satisfying, balanced perfectly between historical accuracy and absorbing suspense.
Readers who enjoy the historical mysteries of Ellis Peters may also find Anne Perry’s novels appealing. Perry is known for vivid Victorian-era mysteries full of meticulous historical detail and intriguing detective work.
One excellent example is “The Face of a Stranger,” featuring William Monk, a detective facing a mystery he’s personally connected to but unable to recall. After an accident, Monk wakes up without memory of his past or identity.
Returning to duty, he investigates a brutal murder, only to discover troubling clues that link the crime directly back to himself. Perry skillfully weaves mystery, identity, and social commentary together, creating a story rich in atmosphere and suspense.
If you enjoy Ellis Peters’ historical mysteries set in medieval England, Margaret Frazer offers a similar appeal in her Sister Frevisse series. Frazer writes thoughtful mysteries grounded in rich historical detail, such as in “The Novice’s Tale”.
The book introduces readers to Sister Frevisse, a sharp-minded, resourceful nun at St. Frideswide’s Priory. When a newcomer to the convent faces accusations of murder, Sister Frevisse carefully examines secrets hidden behind the quiet convent walls.
With insightful character portrayals and a convincing medieval atmosphere, the novel captures the spirit of an earlier age while presenting an absorbing mystery.
If you enjoy Ellis Peters and her medieval mysteries, Susanna Gregory might be another author you’d appreciate. Gregory creates mysteries set in 14th-century Cambridge, featuring the physician Matthew Bartholomew as her clever investigating character.
In “A Plague on Both Your Houses,” Matthew Bartholomew finds himself caught in the chaos of the Black Death outbreak. Amid panic, death, and suspicion, he stumbles upon a series of unsettling incidents around his college.
He has to navigate dangerous secrets and shifting loyalties to unravel the truth behind the crimes. Gregory vividly depicts medieval Cambridge and blends history with mystery, successfully transporting readers into Bartholomew’s intriguing world.
Books by Sharon Kay Penman offer vivid journeys into medieval times with gripping historical detail and well-crafted characters. Readers who enjoy Ellis Peters’ blend of history and mystery could find Penman’s “The Sunne in Splendour” particularly appealing.
This novel follows Richard III from his youth through the turbulent Wars of the Roses. Penman presents a human and nuanced portrayal of Richard, countering the usual villainous depictions in history books.
Battles, court intrigues, family conflicts, and personal loyalty combine into a detailed and rich account of a controversial monarch’s life.
Anyone who appreciates intricate plots and thoughtful character studies like those found in Peters’ novels may truly connect with Penman’s engaging style.
Tasha Alexander crafts historical mysteries featuring Lady Emily Ashton, a Victorian aristocrat whose intelligence and independence lead her to solve intriguing puzzles in elegant settings.
If you enjoy Ellis Peters’ medieval detective Brother Cadfael, Alexander’s “And Only to Deceive” offers a fascinating twist. After Lady Emily quickly becomes a widowed bride, she sets out to uncover the truth about her late husband.
In doing so, she stumbles upon surprising secrets hidden within the world of antiquities and London high society. The book explores art forgeries, an unexpected romance, and mysteries that cleverly unfold.
Alexander captures Victorian elegance and suspense without missing a beat.
Candace Robb is an author readers often turn to if they enjoy historical mysteries similar to those by Ellis Peters.
Her book “The Apothecary Rose” is set in 14th-century York, where Owen Archer, a skilled archer turned detective, investigates a mysterious death linked to a herbal remedy from an apothecary shop.
This is a tale filled with detailed historical events, vibrant medieval characters, and clever detective work. Robb’s storytelling skillfully places Owen Archer in the middle of political intrigues and personal secrets.
As the story unfolds, discoveries about loyalty, betrayal, and romantic tensions keep readers engaged until the reveal in the final chapters.
Peter Tremayne is an Irish author known for his Sister Fidelma mystery series, set in 7th century Ireland. Readers who enjoy Ellis Peters’ Brother Cadfael series will feel right at home with Tremayne’s “Absolution by Murder.”
This first entry introduces Sister Fidelma, an intelligent and intuitive lawyer and investigator. During a religious council in Whitby, a critical debate occurs between Celtic and Roman Christianity.
Tensions run high, and when a prominent abbess is found murdered, Fidelma steps in to solve the case. She must navigate through layers of religious politics, complex motives and clues rooted in historical detail and careful storytelling.
Fans drawn to historical settings, clever puzzles, and intriguing detective characters will appreciate Tremayne’s engaging Sister Fidelma tales.
Readers who enjoy Ellis Peters’ classic mysteries set in rural England may find Caroline Graham an excellent choice. Graham is best known for creating Detective Chief Inspector Barnaby in her detective novels that inspired the popular television show “Midsomer Murders.”
In “The Killings at Badger’s Drift,” Graham introduces readers to a peaceful English village with hidden tensions and simmering resentments.
When a seemingly innocent elderly villager dies suddenly, Barnaby soon discovers layers of deceit behind the neat gardens and cottage doors. As secrets surface and suspicions grow, the story combines witty characterization, humor, and an absorbing puzzle.
Fans of Peters’ careful plotting and vivid village atmosphere will appreciate Graham’s clever storytelling.
Books by Sarah Caudwell offer readers a clever combination of mystery and humor, similar to the entertaining voice found in Ellis Peters’ works.
In “Thus Was Adonis Murdered,” readers meet Professor Hilary Tamar, an Oxford don whose gender remains intriguingly unspecified throughout the series.
Tamar and a group of witty young barristers step in to help their hapless friend Julia Larwood, when her Italian vacation turns into trouble, complete with murder accusations.
Caudwell’s blend of sophisticated humor, quirky characters, and intelligent puzzles makes for a charmingly original mystery. If you’ve enjoyed Peters’ Brother Cadfael and his keen observations, the analytical yet whimsical perspective of Professor Tamar might also win you over.
Books by Tony Hays offer historical mysteries set in medieval Britain, filled with rich settings and clever plots similar to Ellis Peters’ Cadfael series.
In “The Killing Way,” Hays introduces readers to Malgwyn ap Cuneglas, a tough-tempered former soldier in King Arthur’s Britain.
After losing an arm in battle, Malgwyn is tasked by Arthur to solve the murder of a young serving girl, a death that threatens delicate political alliances.
The investigation places Malgwyn in a precarious position between loyalty and justice, as Arthur’s rule hangs in the balance. Fans of medieval detective tales should find themselves well engaged by Hays’ authentic storytelling and intriguing characters.
Readers who appreciate Ellis Peters may find Lindsey Davis an exciting discovery. Davis’s historical mysteries blend vivid details of ancient Rome with clever plots driven by engaging characters and sharp wit.
One excellent starting point is “The Silver Pigs,” the first novel to feature Marcus Didius Falco, a witty and resourceful informer in the Roman Empire.
Set in Emperor Vespasian’s Rome, Falco stumbles upon a conspiracy surrounding stolen silver ingots, shady dealings, and murder. As Falco investigates the corruption, deception, and danger intensify, providing readers with plenty of exciting moments and historical intrigue.
Fans of Brother Cadfael’s resourcefulness and the rich historical atmosphere created by Peters will enjoy Davis’s compelling mix of mystery and humor.
Readers who enjoy Ellis Peters’ historical mysteries may find Elizabeth Peters equally enjoyable. Elizabeth Peters is best known for blending clever mysteries with archaeological adventures and historical detail.
Her novel “Crocodile on the Sandbank” introduces Amelia Peabody, an adventurous lady of the Victorian era whose curiosity leads her to the banks of the Nile.
Amelia’s travels soon turn into a puzzle involving nighttime mysteries, hidden threats, and shadowy figures near ancient Egyptian tombs. The book is full of humor, sharp wit, and engaging dialogue, all elements Ellis Peters’ readers often appreciate.
Books by Barbara Hambly offer historical depth and clever mysteries that readers of Ellis Peters might enjoy. In “A Free Man of Color,” Hambly introduces Benjamin January, a physician and musician in 1830s New Orleans.
January returns to his hometown after years in Paris, only to find himself pulled into solving murder in a society layered by race, class, and intrigue.
Richly detailed in the culture and tensions of Creole Louisiana, this book mixes suspenseful storytelling with carefully constructed historical settings.
Fans who appreciate Peters’ Brother Cadfael series, which combines strong characters and vivid historical backdrops, would likely welcome Benjamin January’s thoughtful, engaging mysteries.