If you are a fan of J.A. Jance, you probably enjoy books with mysteries, suspense, and strong female leads. Her novels often feature compelling characters and plots that keep you guessing until the very end.
If you want to discover authors who write books with a similar style, here are some writers you might find interesting.
Books by Sue Grafton feature smart detective stories that fans of J.A. Jance will recognize and enjoy. Her popular “alphabet series,” starting with “A is for Alibi,” follows private investigator Kinsey Millhone.
Kinsey has a dry wit and strong personality that will appeal to readers who appreciate the sharp characters found in Jance’s mysteries.
In “C is for Corpse,” Kinsey is hired by Bobby Callahan, a young man who survived a suspicious car accident but now thinks someone is trying to kill him. As Kinsey investigates, she uncovers family secrets and hidden motives, focused on solving the puzzle before it’s too late.
Grafton builds thoughtful, believable mysteries, and her storytelling creates the kind of satisfying suspense that makes each book addictive.
Readers who enjoy J.A. Jance’s suspense-filled mysteries might find Michael Connelly equally engaging. Connelly specializes in crime fiction set against the gritty backdrop of Los Angeles. One excellent book to start with is “The Black Echo,” the first in the Harry Bosch series.
Bosch is a determined LAPD detective who served as a tunnel soldier in the Vietnam War. The discovery of a fellow veteran found dead in a drainage pipe leads Bosch into dangerous territory.
The investigation uncovers a daring tunneling heist and takes unexpected turns through shadowy corners of the city. Fans of intricate crime plots and layered characters will likely enjoy following Bosch’s relentless pursuit of the truth.
James Patterson is a popular author known for his suspense-filled thrillers and accessible writing style. If you’re into mysteries by authors like J.A. Jance, you’ll probably enjoy Patterson’s novel “Along Came a Spider.”
Detective Alex Cross, a psychologist with the Washington D.C. Police Department, faces a high-stakes case when two prominent children are kidnapped from an elite private school.
With tension and uncertainty growing at each turn, Cross must navigate political pressure, complicated motives, and dangerous secrets to catch an elusive criminal. Patterson keeps the chapters short and fast-paced, building suspense until the very end.
Books by Patricia Cornwell often center around gripping mysteries solved through forensic science and detective work.
Her novel “Postmortem” introduces readers to Dr. Kay Scarpetta, a sharp and dedicated medical examiner faced with a chilling series of murders in Richmond, Virginia. Scarpetta works tirelessly to find a killer who leaves behind few clues and terrifyingly precise methods.
Cornwell’s storytelling builds suspense effectively, and her realistic portrayal of forensic science appeals strongly to fans of J.A. Jance, known for strong-minded protagonists and carefully crafted mysteries.
Readers who appreciate J.A. Jance might also enjoy Louise Penny, a Canadian author known for mysteries set in the charming small town of Three Pines.
Penny’s book “Still Life” centers on Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, a thoughtful, intuitive detective who investigates the suspicious death of a beloved local artist.
As Gamache digs deeper into the life of the seemingly peaceful village, secrets and tensions gradually surface, challenging his perception of the residents he thought he knew.
Penny crafts her mystery with rich detail, strong characters, and a thoughtful exploration of human relationships, offering both suspense and depth.
Readers who enjoy J.A. Jance’s suspenseful mysteries should explore author Karin Slaughter. Slaughter is well known for her gritty thrillers and vivid characters.
In her book “Pretty Girls,” two sisters, Claire and Lydia, are estranged after the mysterious disappearance of their sibling Julia decades earlier. But when another teenage girl goes missing, Claire and Lydia find themselves brought together again by a dark, hidden truth.
Secrets unfold, tensions rise, and the sisters realize their lives are connected to a chilling past crime. Karin Slaughter provides unpredictable suspense, complex relationships, and an ending that readers wouldn’t expect.
If you enjoy J.A. Jance and her blend of crime-solving dramas with intriguing characters, C.J. Box might be a great author to discover next.
Box’s “Open Season” introduces Joe Pickett, a Wyoming game warden whose quiet life is disrupted when a murder victim is found on his doorstep. Pickett is a straightforward and likable character who faces conflicts rooted in family loyalty, justice, and corruption.
Set against vivid descriptions of rural Wyoming’s wilderness, the story offers suspense, twists, and authentic dialogue that keep the pages turning.
Tami Hoag is an author who delivers tense crime thrillers filled with twists and memorable characters. If you enjoy J.A. Jance’s well-crafted plots and gripping mysteries, try Hoag’s “Night Sins.”
In a quiet Minnesota town, a boy mysteriously disappears, and detective Megan O’Malley finds herself racing against time to track down the kidnapper. But as the investigation grows tense, secrets surface from beneath the community’s peaceful exterior.
With the pressure building on Megan and small-town tensions running high, you won’t be sure who’s guilty—or what will happen next.
If you enjoy J.A. Jance’s detective novels with solid characters and suspenseful storytelling, Robert Dugoni’s books offer a similar appeal. Dugoni’s book “My Sister’s Grave” introduces Tracy Crosswhite, a determined Seattle homicide detective.
Tracy is haunted by her sister’s unsolved disappearance decades earlier. Her search for answers uncovers shocking revelations, hidden town secrets, and twists you won’t expect.
Dugoni’s well-drawn characters and absorbing mystery make his books satisfying for those who appreciate Jance’s crime fiction.
Lisa Gardner writes thrilling suspense novels packed with intriguing characters and tense plots. If you enjoy J.A. Jance, you might appreciate Gardner’s book “The Perfect Husband.” In this novel, Tess Beckett’s life shatters when she learns her husband is a murderer.
After he escapes prison, Tess knows she is the only one who can bring him down. The book delivers tense suspense, powerful characters, and a plot filled with unexpected twists. Gardner knows how to build suspense and keep readers guessing.
Nevada Barr is an author known for mystery novels set against vivid landscapes and national parks. Her writing is rich with suspenseful plots, intriguing twists, and realistic characters. If you enjoy books by J.A. Jance, you might like Nevada Barr’s “Track of the Cat.”
This novel introduces Anna Pigeon, a park ranger assigned to Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Texas. When Anna discovers the body of a fellow ranger seemingly attacked by a mountain lion, doubts emerge about the true cause of death.
Anna faces harsh weather, deceptive individuals, and hidden threats as she investigates the mystery. Barr’s vivid descriptions of the rugged terrain and park life enhance the plot, creating a tense atmosphere for Anna’s quest to uncover the truth.
If you enjoy J.A. Jance’s crime mysteries, Ann Rule’s true-crime accounts may grab your interest as well. Ann Rule was a master of nonfiction crime writing who brought detailed research together with engaging storytelling.
Her book “The Stranger Beside Me” shares her own startling experience of friendship with Ted Bundy, one of America’s notorious serial killers. Rule carefully unfolds Bundy’s double life, providing an unsettling personal look at how trust and deception blend.
Readers who appreciate the suspenseful elements in Jance’s fictional work might find Rule’s real-life crime stories equally absorbing and thought-provoking.
Books by Faye Kellerman often mix strong suspense and rich character development that fans of J.A. Jance’s work will enjoy. Her novel, “The Ritual Bath,” introduces readers to detective Peter Decker and widow Rina Lazarus.
Set around a quiet Jewish community, the story begins when a brutal crime disrupts their sheltered life. While Decker investigates, he and Rina form a connection that deepens as the case unfolds.
The novel balances mystery, detective work, and human emotions, much in the way Jance masterfully combines crime and character depth.
Kellerman’s writing invites readers into the personal and professional lives of her characters, adding layers of authenticity to a gripping mystery.
Marcia Muller is a skilled mystery writer known for her detective Sharon McCone, a sharp and determined private investigator based in San Francisco.
If you’ve enjoyed J.A. Jance’s mysteries, you might find Muller’s style appealing because of her engaging narratives and well-developed characters. In “Edwin of the Iron Shoes,” Muller introduces McCone, who investigates the puzzling murder of an antique dealer.
As McCone digs into the case, she navigates the colorful world of antique collectors while uncovering secrets and motives that keep the reader guessing until the end.
Linda Fairstein is an author known for her fast-paced crime fiction set in New York’s gritty underworld. Her background as a Manhattan prosecutor gives a realistic edge to her storytelling.
Readers who enjoy J.A. Jance’s suspenseful style may be drawn to Fairstein’s novel “Final Jeopardy.” In this book, prosecutor Alexandra Cooper heads to a quiet Martha’s Vineyard retreat, but her time away turns chilling when a murder victim is found at her own vacation home.
The shocking turn puts Alexandra in a tricky position: she must unveil who targeted her and why, before the killer strikes again. Fairstein threads a captivating mystery, fueled by authentic legal details and vivid descriptions of city life.