If you are a fan of Ian Rankin and his Inspector Rebus novels, you probably enjoy crime fiction set in Scotland with a focus on gritty realism, complex plots, and well-developed characters. It’s natural to wonder about other authors who create stories with a similar atmosphere.
This article explores writers who offer that kind of reading experience.
Val McDermid is a Scottish crime writer known for her intense and detailed thrillers featuring well-developed characters and atmospheric settings.
Fans of Ian Rankin’s Inspector Rebus novels might enjoy McDermid’s “The Mermaids Singing,” the first book in her Tony Hill and Carol Jordan series.
It introduces clinical psychologist Tony Hill, a character who teams up with detective inspector Carol Jordan to track a twisted serial killer in the fictional northern city of Bradfield. Their investigation explores the darkest corners of the killer’s mind.
Through smart pacing, unsettling suspense, and intriguing psychological insight, McDermid creates a story hard to put down.
Readers who enjoy Ian Rankin’s gritty tales set in Edinburgh may find Michael Connelly’s Los Angeles crime novels equally satisfying. Connelly’s writing is sharp and full of authentic dialogue.
One of his popular books, “The Black Echo,” introduces Detective Harry Bosch, a tough cop haunted by memories of his time in Vietnam and driven by a strong sense of justice. Bosch investigates a case involving a fellow veteran found dead in a drainage tunnel.
As he uncovers tunnels used for bank robberies in the city, he realizes the case connects directly to his wartime past. Connelly weaves a tightly plotted mystery, rich in detail about Los Angeles and police procedure, that fans of Rankin’s Inspector Rebus series will appreciate.
Peter James is a British crime author known for intriguing mysteries and realistic police procedural novels. If you’re a fan of Ian Rankin, Peter James might be a great match for you.
His novel “Dead Simple” introduces readers to Detective Superintendent Roy Grace, a detective from Brighton with a genuine knack for solving puzzling cases.
The story kicks off with a bachelor party prank that goes horribly wrong—five friends plan a harmless joke, but only four return safely.
Grace steps in when the missing groom becomes the center of an intense search, complete with twists and turns that keep readers glued to every page.
Through sharp details, realistic characters and a satisfying balance between tension and humanity, James crafts stories that ring true and stick with you.
Denise Mina is a Scottish crime novelist known for sharp storytelling, vivid Glasgow settings, and characters that feel real and complex. If you enjoy Ian Rankin’s Inspector Rebus series, Mina’s “Garnethill” might resonate with you.
It follows Maureen O’Donnell, a deeply troubled woman who wakes up one day to find her boyfriend murdered in her own apartment. As the prime suspect, Maureen must piece together what happened while confronting her past traumas.
Mina portrays Glasgow vividly, capturing its dark corners, lively streets, and gritty authenticity. The blend of suspenseful plot twists, intricate character relationships, and Maureen’s struggle makes “Garnethill” a powerful and absorbing read.
Readers who enjoy the gritty, psychological mysteries by Ian Rankin might find Tana French equally fascinating. French is known for atmospheric crime novels set around Dublin, featuring flawed characters whose personal lives intertwine with their investigations.
Her novel “In the Woods” introduces Detective Rob Ryan, a man haunted by his own past. He investigates the murder of a child in the same place where, twenty years earlier, his friends vanished during their childhood.
The case forces him to confront unresolved traumas and blurred memories that complicate the search for truth. French combines suspenseful storytelling with deep character exploration, making “In the Woods” a rich and absorbing read.
Readers who enjoy Ian Rankin’s gritty detective stories might also find Stuart MacBride appealing. MacBride is a Scottish author known for his dark humor and atmospheric crime fiction, particularly his Logan McRae series set in the grim streets of Aberdeen.
A good place to start is with “Cold Granite,” the first book in the series. Detective Sergeant Logan McRae returns to work after recovering from an injury and immediately faces a tough case.
A child’s body has been found, and it quickly becomes clear Aberdeen is dealing with a dangerous predator. As more bodies appear and media pressure mounts, Logan and his team race to track down the killer before another child disappears.
MacBride brings Aberdeen to life in vivid detail, filled with flawed characters, realistic police procedure, and unexpected twists.
James Lee Burke is an American crime writer known for his rich characters, vivid Louisiana settings, and a gritty exploration of justice and morality that fans of Ian Rankin will appreciate.
Burke’s novel “The Neon Rain” introduces readers to detective Dave Robicheaux, a tough but deeply humane character whose investigation into a young woman’s death leads him into the dangerous underbelly of New Orleans.
The story combines corruption, suspense, and unforgettable Louisiana atmosphere. Burke crafts crime mysteries that dig deep into his characters’ pasts and showcase compelling dialogue.
If you enjoy crime stories featuring detectives who wrestle with personal demons as they solve tense, atmospheric mysteries, the Dave Robicheaux series could become a new favorite.
Peter Robinson is a British-Canadian author famous for his thoughtful and atmospheric crime novels featuring Inspector Alan Banks. If you’re a fan of Ian Rankin’s Inspector Rebus series, Robinson’s “In a Dry Season” may appeal to you.
In this story, a drought reveals a flooded English village that has been underwater for decades, uncovering an old crime scene. Inspector Banks, a thoughtful and determined detective, investigates the mystery of remains found in this forgotten place.
Robinson layers the plot cleverly, shifting seamlessly between past and present, and capturing the tensions and secrets hidden in small-town life. The characters are convincing and richly drawn, echoing the detailed and complex personalities readers appreciate in Rankin’s work.
John Connolly is an Irish author known for creating dark and suspenseful crime novels featuring private investigator Charlie Parker. Readers who enjoy Ian Rankin’s gritty mysteries set in Edinburgh might find similar enjoyment in Connolly’s atmospheric storytelling.
In “Every Dead Thing,” Parker faces a deeply personal tragedy—the brutal murder of his wife and daughter. He sets out on a trail of sinister clues into the violent underbelly of the American South, confronting a chilling serial killer called the Traveling Man.
The story combines elements of crime fiction, horror, and a touch of the supernatural, offering a fresh, haunting experience. Connolly’s vivid writing and complex characters give readers a mystery-thriller that’s tense and hard to put down.
Ruth Rendell is an English author famous for psychological crime fiction that explores dark motives and human psychology, similar in style and depth to Ian Rankin.
Her book “A Judgement in Stone” introduces readers to Eunice Parchman, a quiet, reserved housekeeper, whose haunting secret has shaped her entire life. Employed by the seemingly perfect Coverdale family, Eunice struggles daily with fear that her secret might surface.
Rendell creates tension by slowly revealing Eunice’s psychological state and the chilling circumstances that lead to tragedy within this ordered family.
The novel stands out for its deep character analysis and suspenseful storytelling, elements that Ian Rankin readers would appreciate.
If you enjoy Ian Rankin’s gritty detective mysteries, you might appreciate Henning Mankell’s Kurt Wallander series. Mankell, a Swedish author known for his thoughtful approach to crime fiction, introduces readers to detective Kurt Wallander in the novel “Faceless Killers.”
Set in Sweden, the story begins as Wallander investigates a brutal murder of an elderly farming couple, with a single cryptic clue left behind. The detective navigates complex social tensions, personal struggles, and bureaucratic hurdles.
Mankell paints a vivid picture of the Swedish countryside and creates an atmospheric mystery filled with suspenseful twists. Readers who enjoy detective dramas centered around well-crafted characters and social realism often find themselves hooked on Wallander’s world.
Donna Leon is an American novelist famous for her vivid crime mysteries set in Venice, Italy. Her Commissario Guido Brunetti series provides intriguing portrayals of Venetian life and insightful looks into the complexity of human nature.
In “Death at La Fenice,” the first book of the series, Brunetti investigates the murder of a famous German conductor found dead in Venice’s renowned opera house.
As he untangles the secrets beneath the city’s polished surface, readers get drawn into a story rich with atmosphere, social reflection, and sharp character studies.
For fans who enjoy the thoughtful and layered crime novels of Ian Rankin, Donna Leon’s Venice-based mysteries often feel like a perfect match.
Ann Cleeves is a British mystery author whose novels explore crime stories set in atmospheric and vividly described locations. If you enjoy Ian Rankin’s gritty Edinburgh tales, you’ll find plenty to enjoy in Cleeves’ work, especially “Raven Black.”
Set in the remote Shetland Islands, the novel focuses on the discovery of a young woman’s body in the snow, a tragedy that brings to mind the unsolved case of a missing girl years before.
Detective Jimmy Perez, thoughtful and quietly determined, must unravel the truth hidden within Shetland’s tight-knit community, where secrets and suspicions run deep beneath the surface.
This is the first book of the Shetland series, a perfect blend of complex characters, crime, and suspenseful storytelling.
Readers who enjoy Ian Rankin’s Inspector Rebus series may also appreciate Louise Penny’s thoughtful mysteries set in Quebec.
Penny features Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, a wise and empathetic detective who investigates crimes in the charming yet secretive village of Three Pines.
In “Still Life,” the first book of Penny’s series, Gamache arrives to investigate the sudden death of Jane Neal, a beloved resident found dead in the woods. Everyone assumes a tragic hunting accident. Gamache senses something deeper at play.
As he meets the eccentric locals and peels away hidden tensions, truths about the village—and Jane Neal herself—come slowly into focus. Penny offers memorable characters, a vivid sense of place, and mysteries built upon human nature, secrets, and careful observation.
Arnaldur Indriðason is an Icelandic crime fiction writer known for his atmospheric style and gritty storytelling. Readers who enjoy Ian Rankin’s moody Edinburgh settings will appreciate Indriðason’s depiction of Iceland’s bleak landscapes and complex characters.
His novel “Jar City” introduces Inspector Erlendur Sveinsson, a detective faced with solving the murder of a lonely old man in Reykjavík.
As Erlendur investigates, the line between past secrets and present crimes blurs, leading him deep into a web of genetic research, family tragedy, and hidden connections he never expected.