If you enjoy reading novels by Jane Harper then you might also like the following authors:
Tana French writes crime stories that focus on atmosphere and character depth. Her book, “The Searcher,” tells the story of Cal Hooper, a retired detective who moves to a small Irish village for some peace.
Things take a turn when a local kid asks him to help find their missing brother. Cal gets drawn into the hidden secrets of this quiet community, where friendliness on the surface hides something much darker.
The story mixes small-town charm with a sense of unease, creating a setting where every conversation feels like it could lead to danger.
Ann Cleeves writes atmospheric mysteries that pull you into their world. One of her books, “The Crow Trap,” kicks off the Vera Stanhope series. It’s set in a rural English countryside, where three women are conducting an environmental survey.
Their peaceful project is shattered when one of them is found dead. Enter Vera, a sharp and unconventional detective, who begins piecing together the victim’s life and uncovering long-hidden secrets.
The story weaves suspense with vivid settings, immersing you in a tangled web of motives. Fans of Jane Harper’s work often appreciate Cleeves for the way she builds tension against striking natural backdrops.
Peter May is a Scottish author known for his atmospheric mysteries set in vivid, remote locations. One of his standout books is “The Blackhouse,” the first in the Lewis Trilogy. It’s set on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides.
The story follows detective Fin Macleod, who returns to the island to investigate a brutal murder that mirrors a case in Edinburgh. As he reconnects with his past and the people he left behind, secrets begin to unravel.
The harsh landscapes and tight-knit community create a sense of isolation and tension. Fans of Jane Harper may enjoy the focus on place and how it shapes lives and memories.
Louise Penny writes mysteries that focus on human emotions and relationships, set against backdrops that feel incredibly vivid. One of her most popular books, “Still Life,” introduces Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, a thoughtful and kind detective.
The story is set in the small village of Three Pines, where a local artist is found dead after an arrow pierces her heart. Though it seems like an accident, Gamache starts to uncover secrets within the seemingly peaceful village.
The way the book develops shows how tension and hidden pasts can shape a quiet community.
Garry Disher is an Australian author known for his atmospheric crime novels. If you’re a fan of Jane Harper, you might enjoy his book “Bitter Wash Road.”
The story follows Paul Hirschhausen, a police officer exiled to a small, dusty town after exposing corruption among his colleagues.
The locals don’t trust him, and he’s left handling petty crimes, but when a young woman’s body is found by the roadside, Hirsch gets caught in something far darker.
The novel paints a vivid picture of rural Australia, with its isolation, tight-knit communities, and hidden secrets. Hirsch’s struggle to uncover the truth while dealing with hostility and his own fears keeps the tension alive.
Adrian McKinty is an Irish author who writes gripping crime and thriller novels, often with strong settings and intense narratives. One of his standout books is “The Chain.” The story begins when a mother, Rachel, receives a chilling call saying her daughter has been kidnapped.
To get her child back, she must abduct another family’s child and keep the chain going. The book dives into the moral dilemmas of ordinary people caught in extreme situations, all while unraveling layers of conspiracy. It’s fast-paced and keeps you hooked with its tense twists.
Fans of Jane Harper’s suspenseful storytelling may enjoy McKinty’s sharp, high-stakes writing.
Clare Mackintosh is a writer known for crafting stories filled with suspense and unexpected twists. In her book “I Let You Go,” the story begins with a devastating hit-and-run accident that leaves a mother shattered.
Jenna Gray, desperate to escape her past, moves to a remote coastal village. The book shifts between Jenna’s attempt to rebuild her life and the police investigation uncovering startling truths.
The way the story unfolds pulls you deeper into Jenna’s world, leaving you curious about what hides beneath the surface.
Chris Hammer writes atmospheric crime fiction with a strong sense of place, often set in rural Australia. One of his novels, “Scrublands,” begins with journalist Martin Scarsden traveling to a small town to cover the anniversary of a shocking mass shooting.
The crime was committed by a priest, but as Martin speaks to the locals, he realizes things aren’t as straightforward as they seemed at first. The more he digs into the past, the more secrets he uncovers about the town and its residents.
Hammer’s work paints vivid settings and creates the kind of tension that keeps you turning pages late into the night.
Dervla McTiernan writes crime fiction with strong characters and a vivid sense of place. Her book, “The Ruin,” is set in Galway, Ireland.
It begins with a young police officer, Cormac Reilly, responding to a call at a crumbling house where he finds two neglected children and their dead mother. Years later, that tragic past resurfaces when one of the children, now grown, dies in suspicious circumstances.
Cormac is drawn into unraveling the old case and uncovering truths that others want buried. The story captures both the dark corners of human nature and the complexities of police work. Fans of Jane Harper will likely enjoy McTiernan’s layered storytelling.
C.J. Box is known for writing mysteries tied to the rugged landscapes of Wyoming and the American West. His book “Open Season” introduces readers to Joe Pickett, a game warden trying to navigate not just the wilderness but the corruption and danger that lurk in his small town.
The story kicks off when Joe finds a dead poacher on his property, and as he starts investigating, he uncovers secrets that some people would kill to keep hidden. The blend of outdoor survival and small-town tension makes his books hard to put down.
Michael Robotham is an Australian author known for his psychological thrillers that keep readers hooked. One of his standout books is “The Secrets She Keeps.” The story follows two women, Meghan and Agatha, who seem to live very different lives.
Meghan appears to have it all: a successful husband, children, and a picture-perfect life. Agatha, working in a supermarket, watches Meghan from afar and dreams of a life like hers.
But both women are keeping secrets that could change everything when their worlds collide in unexpected ways. It’s a story that unravels hidden truths and explores the masks people wear.
If you’re drawn to mysteries with layered characters, Robotham creates something worth discovering.
Ruth Ware is known for her atmospheric mysteries set in tense and closed-off environments. One of her standout books is “The Woman in Cabin 10.” The story follows Lo Blacklock, a travel writer who gets the chance to cover a luxury cruise.
While onboard, she hears what sounds like a struggle in the cabin next to hers and becomes convinced someone has been thrown overboard. The problem is, no one believes her, and there’s no sign of the woman she swears she saw.
The isolated setting and the feeling of being trapped on the ship build an incredible sense of dread. Fans of Jane Harper’s attention to tight, suspenseful narratives may enjoy the twists in Ware’s writing.
Belinda Bauer is an author who knows how to create vivid characters and atmospheres. Her book “Snap” begins with a heartbreaking scene: three kids are left in a car on the side of a road while their mother goes for help, but she never comes back.
Jack, the oldest sibling, ends up leading his brother and sister through some tough times. Meanwhile, the story shifts to a pregnant woman who comes home to find a knife on her bed with a threatening note. These two threads weave together into a tense and clever mystery.
If you enjoy the way Jane Harper builds suspense in her novels, Bauer could be another author to explore.
Jane Casey writes crime fiction with a sharp focus on characters and relationships. Her book, “The Burning,” introduces Detective Maeve Kerrigan, who is tracking a serial killer known for setting his victims on fire.
As Maeve investigates, she discovers a possible link to a woman found dead in a park, but something about this case feels different. The story weaves through Maeve’s instincts and determination, as she faces pressure from her team and struggles to piece together the truth.
It’s a good fit for readers who enjoy complex mysteries and atmospheric storytelling.
Sarah Bailey is an Australian author known for writing atmospheric crime stories with layered characters and vivid settings.
Her debut novel, “The Dark Lake,” follows Detective Sergeant Gemma Woodstock as she investigates the murder of a former high school classmate in a small, tight-knit town. The victim, Rosalind Ryan, is found dead in a lake, drawing Gemma back into memories of her past.
As Gemma digs into Rosalind’s life, secrets bubble to the surface, and the case becomes deeply personal. The small-town backdrop adds a sense of isolation and unease, making the mystery feel all the more urgent.