If you enjoy reading books by James Oswald then you might also like the following authors:
Stuart MacBride writes gritty crime fiction set in Scotland. His stories combine dark humor and tense investigations with a strong sense of place. Readers who enjoy James Oswald's blend of mystery and the supernatural might like MacBride's sharp wit and realistic detective work.
A good starting point is Cold Granite, the first in his Logan McRae series.
Ian Rankin is a master of Scottish noir crime fiction. His novels often explore complex moral questions and social issues, similar to James Oswald's thoughtful approach to criminal motivation.
Rankin's Edinburgh-based detective John Rebus is flawed, world-weary, and unforgettable. A great place to start is Knots and Crosses, the novel that introduced Inspector Rebus.
Val McDermid writes dark, psychological thrillers that dig deeply into character motivations and relationships. Like Oswald, she often investigates darker aspects of the human psyche and violent crimes within atmospheric settings.
Her compelling Tony Hill/Carol Jordan series begins with The Mermaids Singing, a chilling start for readers interested in psychological crime fiction.
Peter May's crime novels stand out for their vivid settings, careful plotting, and emotional depth. His work shares James Oswald's talent for creating immersive landscapes where place becomes a critical element in the mystery.
Readers will find similar complexity and a strong sense of place in The Blackhouse, the first book of May's Lewis Trilogy set on the Isle of Lewis.
Ann Cleeves crafts crime stories marked by detailed characterization and atmospheric settings, often in rural or isolated locations. Her work frequently features thoughtful detective protagonists who uncover secrets hidden within tight-knit communities.
Readers who enjoy James Oswald's careful attention to setting and characters might appreciate Cleeves’ novel Raven Black, the first in her Shetland series.
If you enjoy the darkness and intriguing characters in James Oswald's stories, you'll probably appreciate Mark Billingham.
Billingham writes gritty and fast-paced crime novels set in urban environments, often featuring Detective Inspector Tom Thorne, a detective known for his flaws and determination.
His book, Sleepyhead, is sharp and suspenseful, exploring violence, mystery, and psychological tension in the depths of London's crime scene.
Fans of dark, atmospheric mysteries should check out Mo Hayder. Her novels often deal with grim subjects and delve into the darker part of human behavior, without shying away from unsettling details.
Her writing is stark and powerful, pulling readers deeply into tense and troubling stories. Birdman, the first in her Jack Caffery series, introduces readers to a chilling and disturbing hunt for a serial killer.
Craig Russell is known for crime thrillers filled with atmosphere, richly developed characters, and complex plotting that will appeal to readers of James Oswald.
His series set in Hamburg, featuring detective Jan Fabel, skillfully incorporates European history and folklore into dark mysteries. A great introduction to his writing is Blood Eagle, a novel where detective Fabel investigates bizarre murders rooted in ancient rituals.
Alex Gray writes mysteries that blend vivid Glasgow settings with compelling characters. Readers who like James Oswald's Scottish-based crime fiction will enjoy Gray's blend of intrigue and authentic local detail.
Her detective William Lorimer appears in well-structured, engaging mysteries. The novel Never Somewhere Else is a strong starting point, presenting Lorimer investigating violent crimes with clarity and care.
If readers enjoy the mix of police procedures, character-driven stories, and Scottish settings seen in James Oswald's books, then Quintin Jardine could be a good match. Jardine's stories often balance suspense and believable characters, making them engaging and readable.
His novel Skinner's Rules, featuring deputy chief constable Bob Skinner, is a gripping start to a series filled with solid investigations, vivid settings, and twists that draw readers in.
Chris Brookmyre writes vivid crime thrillers full of dark humor and sharp social observations, set mainly in Scotland. His style blends a clever wit with gripping crime plots, exploring themes of corruption, human foibles, and moral ambiguity.
Readers enjoying James Oswald's gritty settings and engaging detective characters might appreciate Brookmyre's novel Black Widow, which tells a twisty tale of marital deception and murder.
Denise Mina creates atmospheric Scottish crime novels that provide deep psychological insights into complex characters. Her stories often deal with social issues, examining the underside of society through strong, realistic characters.
If you like how James Oswald combines suspenseful plots with complex psychological dynamics, try Mina's Garnethill, the first novel in a riveting trilogy centered around an unforgettable female protagonist.
Paul Johnston offers readers inventive, dark thrillers with a strong sense of place. His mysteries evoke a vivid atmosphere with layers of suspense and subtle social commentary woven into intricate plots.
Fans of the dark and occasionally unsettling mysteries James Oswald provides might enjoy Johnston's novel The Body Politic, set in a chilling near-future Edinburgh full of corruption and intrigue.
Peter Robinson's detective novels combine carefully plotted mysteries, complex characterization, and detailed explorations of human emotion. His Inspector Banks series provides emotionally resonant tales of crime set in Yorkshire's atmospheric landscapes.
Readers who enjoy Oswald's compelling detective personalities and well-described landscapes may find Robinson's In a Dry Season an appealing choice, offering a thoughtful approach to crime drama.
Simon Beckett writes tightly plotted forensic thrillers that explore the darkest sides of crime and human behavior. His novels are characterized by precise, clear writing and a deep knowledge of forensic detail.
Those who appreciate the forensic insights found in James Oswald's works might enjoy Beckett's The Chemistry of Death, featuring Dr. David Hunter, a forensic anthropologist whose skills add intriguing depth to the mystery.