Emma Lathen is the pen name for authors Mary Jane Latsis and Martha Henissart, renowned for their engaging mystery novels. Their well-known banker detective, John Putnam Thatcher, appears notably in titles like Banking on Death and Murder to Go.
If you enjoy reading books by Emma Lathen then you might also like the following authors:
Ngaio Marsh writes detective stories full of wit, atmosphere, and smart detective work. Her mysteries often involve the charming Inspector Roderick Alleyn, a thoughtful detective who solves crimes methodically and elegantly.
Marsh cleverly explores upper-class society, including the world of theater and art, highlighting intrigue and tension hiding behind polished facades.
If you enjoyed Emma Lathen’s insightful look at professional settings, you might appreciate Marsh’s Artists in Crime, where art, murder, and psychology intertwine beautifully.
Dorothy L. Sayers is another classic mystery writer who blends sharp intelligence, subtle humor, and intricate plots. Her detective, Lord Peter Wimsey, has deep insight, charm, and refined tastes.
Sayers builds mysteries around strong characterization and believable motives, often in upper-class English settings.
If the psychological depth and intelligent plotting of Emma Lathen's mysteries appealed to you, you should give Sayers' Gaudy Night a try—it thoughtfully explores academia, relationships, and moral questions alongside a compelling mystery.
Michael Innes crafts witty and sophisticated mysteries filled with literary allusions and clever puzzles. His detective, Inspector Appleby, patiently solves complicated cases in academic or intellectual settings.
Like Emma Lathen, Innes uses humor and sharply observed characters, exploring human nature with subtle irony and intelligence.
Start with his novel Death at the President's Lodging, a witty murder case set in an Oxford college, if you liked the cleverness and academic themes in Lathen's novels.
Edmund Crispin brings humor, intelligence, and whimsical charm to classic-style detective stories. His mysteries, featuring the eccentric scholar-detective Gervase Fen, often occur in academic or artistic settings.
Crispin offers puzzles that balance intriguing plots with playful comedy and literary wit. Fans of Emma Lathen's humorous and intellectual tone will enjoy The Moving Toyshop, where absurdities, farecical situations, and clever deductions all come together delightfully.
Georgette Heyer became famous for her witty historical romances, but she also excelled at clever detective fiction. She wrote cozy yet well-structured mysteries populated by amusing and sharply-drawn characters from British society.
Like Emma Lathen, Heyer emphasizes witty dialogue and careful observation of character psychology. For readers who value charming characters and smart problem-solving, Heyer's Envious Casca—a country-house murder mystery set around Christmas—is a wonderful introduction.
Josephine Tey creates mysteries that pay careful attention to character psychology and motivations. Her book, The Daughter of Time, features Inspector Alan Grant, who investigates historical mysteries from his hospital bed.
Tey focuses less on detective legwork and more on unraveling hidden truths and misconceptions. If you enjoy the insightful, thoughtful style in Emma Lathen's mysteries, you'll appreciate Tey's intelligent approach.
Patricia Moyes writes smart, engaging detective stories with vividly drawn characters and believable puzzle-like plots. Her novel, Dead Men Don't Ski, introduces readers to Inspector Henry Tibbett, who solves crimes through careful observation and understanding of human nature.
Moyes blends light humor, solid reasoning, and clear storytelling, making her mysteries effortless and enjoyable reads similar to Emma Lathen's style.
Cyril Hare combines courtroom mysteries with a sharp eye for human behavior and social commentary. His mysteries show how careful observation of everyday experiences can reveal deeper truths, much like Lathen's financial-world mysteries.
A good example is his clever, concise novel, Tragedy at Law, where legal settings and subtle humor enhance a suspenseful plot. Hare's understated yet engaging style will appeal to those who appreciate Emma Lathen.
H.R.F. Keating skillfully builds mysteries set in vividly depicted locales, weaving cultural detail seamlessly into his stories. His popular Inspector Ghote series, set in India, includes the excellent The Perfect Murder.
Keating crafts entertaining and insightful mysteries while examining persistent human corruption, ambition, and folly—a thematic approach similar to Emma Lathen's careful observation of finance and greed.
Dick Francis writes exciting mysteries set in the intriguing world of horse racing. His stories feature resilient, practical heroes caught up in dangerous intrigues and investigations.
In Odds Against, Francis introduces Sid Halley, a former jockey turned detective, who faces high stakes and personal dangers.
If you enjoy Emma Lathen's attention to detail, fast-moving plots, and clever storytelling in business settings, Dick Francis offers compelling mysteries with a similarly clear and engaging narrative style.
If you like Emma Lathen's clever puzzles and sharp wit, you'll appreciate Colin Dexter. Dexter is best known for creating Inspector Morse, a detective famous for his intelligence, love of classical music, and crossword puzzles.
Dexter's novel Last Bus to Woodstock introduces readers to Morse as he solves complex murders in the historic setting of Oxford with dry humor and a keen eye for detail.
Fans of Emma Lathen's humor and intelligent plotting will feel at home with Sarah Caudwell's mysteries. Caudwell's novels focus on legal puzzles solved by the witty, eccentric Professor Hilary Tamar.
Her book Thus Was Adonis Murdered mixes dry wit and clever twists, featuring vivid characters and elegant writing that maintains a playful and highly entertaining tone.
P.D. James brings an elegant style and psychological depth to classic detective fiction, qualities Emma Lathen fans might find appealing. Her mysteries often feature introspective and thoughtful detective Adam Dalgliesh.
In novels such as Cover Her Face, James combines careful plotting, distinctly drawn characters, and deep insight into human motivations, crafted with graceful prose.
Elizabeth Ferrars offers cozy but intelligent mysteries marked by crisp plotting and engaging characters. Readers who enjoy Emma Lathen's economically portrayed characters and the storytelling that efficiently keeps the narrative moving will find Ferrars equally satisfying.
Her novel Hanged Man's House illustrates Ferrars' talent for creating suspenseful atmosphere paired with clear, concise writing and vivid characters.
Arthur Hailey creates suspenseful novels centered around particular industries or settings, offering fascinating insights into business and power structures—similar to Emma Lathen's corporate-themed mysteries.
Hailey's Hotel explores a major hotel's inside workings, portraying complex characters tangled in high-stakes personal dramas and scandals, mixing suspense with behind-the-scenes realism and precise detail.