If you enjoy reading books by Joan Hess then you might also like the following authors:
If you enjoy Joan Hess’s humorous mysteries with lively plots and quirky characters, you might also like M.C. Beaton.
Beaton’s “Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death” introduces readers to the feisty Agatha Raisin, a spirited former public relations executive who retires to the tranquil English countryside.
Agatha tries adjusting to peaceful village life but soon finds herself caught in the middle of a suspicious death involving her entry in a local cooking competition. Her quick wit, humor, and stubborn determination make her sleuthing entertaining and difficult to put down.
If you enjoy Joan Hess’s Claire Malloy mysteries, you’ll likely appreciate Agatha Raisin’s vivid personality and Beaton’s engaging storytelling style.
Margaret Maron is a mystery author known for creating absorbing mysteries set in the American South, often with humor and sharp observations. Her book “Bootlegger’s Daughter” introduces Deborah Knott, an attorney who decides to run for judge in her small North Carolina hometown.
While pursuing her campaign, Deborah finds herself involved in investigating a cold case murder. The murder mystery itself blends well with fascinating details of Southern life and family dynamics.
Fans of Joan Hess, who love humorous stories and strong women solving puzzles close to home, will enjoy Margaret Maron’s style and her clever yet relatable protagonist.
Readers who enjoy Joan Hess’s humorous cozy mysteries might also appreciate Donna Andrews. Andrews crafts witty and entertaining novels with memorable characters and clever plots.
In “Murder with Peacocks,” the first of her Meg Langslow series, readers meet Meg, who somehow ends up managing weddings for three demanding brides simultaneously—her own mother included.
Amidst bridal chaos, family drama, and problems caused by a roaming flock of peacocks, murder enters the picture to further complicate Meg’s hectic summer.
Andrews effortlessly balances laugh-out-loud situations alongside a satisfying mystery puzzle, offering readers plenty of fun along the way.
Elizabeth Peters was an American mystery author known for combining humor, strong female characters, and intriguing mysteries, particularly in her Amelia Peabody series. Peters often incorporated archaeological settings, pulling from her own background in Egyptology.
If you enjoyed Joan Hess’s mystery novels featuring witty heroines, Peters’s “Crocodile on the Sandbank” could appeal to you as well.
The book follows Amelia Peabody, an independent, sharp-witted Victorian woman who embarks on a journey to Egypt and finds herself involved in adventures, archaeological discoveries, and puzzling encounters.
The story weaves historical detail and light-hearted humor into a satisfying and engaging mystery.
If you enjoy Joan Hess’s clever mysteries and charming small-town characters, you might want to try Nancy Atherton’s cozy Aunt Dimity series. Atherton combines gentle humor, an inviting English village setting, and a touch of lighthearted mystery in each story.
A great starting point is “Aunt Dimity’s Death,” the first book of the series. In this one, Lori Shepherd discovers she has inherited a cottage from an Aunt Dimity she always thought was just a bedtime story character.
Lori travels to England and unexpectedly finds herself involved in unraveling old secrets through letters and journals Aunt Dimity left behind. With its warm characters and intriguing mystery, this series offers plenty to love.
Readers who enjoy Joan Hess’ clever mysteries and humorous touch might want to explore Rhys Bowen’s charming series. Bowen combines warmth, wit, and satisfying puzzles that cozy mystery fans will appreciate.
In “Her Royal Spyness,” readers meet Lady Georgiana Rannoch, who stands thirty-fourth in line to the British throne but has little more than her royal title to support her.
She moves to London, attempts independence on limited funds, and soon stumbles upon a murder where suspicion falls unsettlingly close to her own family.
With humor and charm, Lady Georgiana navigates high-society expectations, eccentric relatives, and an unwanted suitor, while discreetly trying to uncover the truth. Bowen’s blend of playful storytelling and intriguing mysteries will resonate nicely with Joan Hess fans.
Rita Mae Brown is an American author known for her humorous mysteries set in small-town settings. Fans of Joan Hess will find similar wit and charm in Brown’s stories that revolve around quirky amateur sleuths.
In “Wish You Were Here,” Mary Minor “Harry” Haristeen serves as the local postmistress in the quiet Virginia village of Crozet.
When mysterious postcards arrive just before residents turn up dead, Harry and her sharp-minded pets—a cat named Mrs. Murphy and a corgi called Tee Tucker—take on an investigation filled with twists, humor, and neighborhood gossip.
Brown combines clever storytelling with a charming southern flair that often highlights small community interactions and intriguing puzzles to solve.
Susan Wittig Albert crafts mysteries full of charm, humor, and richly detailed settings. Readers who enjoy Joan Hess’s Claire Malloy series with its clever wit and memorable characters will feel right at home with Albert’s “Thyme of Death.”
The first book in Albert’s China Bayles series introduces China, a former lawyer who swaps the corporate world for a laid-back life selling herbs in a small Texas town. But when her close friend dies suddenly and suspiciously, China’s peaceful existence is turned upside down.
Her sharp mind and keen instincts lead her uncomfortably close to danger. With entertaining characters, vivid descriptions, and gentle wit, Albert creates a mystery readers can truly savor.
Carolyn Hart is a mystery novelist known for witty storytelling and clever puzzles. Readers who enjoy Joan Hess’s humorous mysteries will appreciate Hart’s style and lively characters.
For instance, in “Death on Demand,” Hart introduces Annie Laurance, the smart owner of a mystery bookstore. Annie suddenly finds herself at the center of a murder investigation after a well-known author dies suspiciously during a gathering at her shop.
The plot is skillfully crafted with engaging dialogue and unexpected twists. Fans of cozy mysteries with bright heroines and solid detective work will find Carolyn Hart a delightful discovery.
Readers who enjoy Joan Hess may also appreciate Deborah Crombie. Crombie is known for her thoughtful mysteries set in England, featuring Detective Superintendent Duncan Kincaid and Sergeant Gemma James.
In “A Share in Death,” Kincaid takes a much-needed vacation at a Yorkshire timeshare. His hoped-for relaxation quickly ends when a fellow guest is found dead. Soon, Kincaid and James must navigate tricky relationships and hidden secrets among the residents to find the killer.
The story offers smart detective work and well-drawn characters, which Joan Hess’s readers often enjoy.
Marcia Muller is a mystery author known for sharp storytelling, strong female characters, and great pacing. Readers who enjoy Joan Hess’s humorous, engaging mysteries may also appreciate Muller’s Sharon McCone series.
In “Edwin of the Iron Shoes,” private investigator Sharon McCone is called to look into the suspicious death of a small antique shop owner.
Set in lively San Francisco, the story offers intriguing side characters and a mystery that unfolds through clever detective work and unexpected twists.
Muller’s natural, believable dialogue and careful attention to detail make this a satisfying read for fans of smart and witty mysteries.
Readers who enjoy Joan Hess’s humorous mysteries might also appreciate Dorothy Cannell. Cannell has a cheerful, witty style and creates quirky, memorable characters in her cozy mystery series.
Her novel “The Thin Woman” introduces Ellie Simons, whose wealthy uncle issues an odd yet amusing challenge: Ellie must lose weight, marry someone respectable, and present him convincingly to her uncle’s family gathering, all to earn her promised inheritance.
Amid this unusual arrangement, unexpected secrets surface, suspicious events unfold, and Ellie finds herself humorously tangled in a puzzling mystery.
If you like mysteries filled with humor, lively dialogue, and charming character interactions, Dorothy Cannell’s work is enjoyable and engaging.
Katherine Hall Page writes cozy mysteries filled with charm, wit, and intriguing puzzles, perfect for readers who enjoy Joan Hess. Her novel, “The Body in the Belfry,” introduces Faith Fairchild, a caterer turned amateur detective.
Faith moves from New York City to a peaceful Massachusetts town and quickly discovers small-town life can hide big secrets. When she finds the body of a young woman in the village church’s belfry, Faith can’t help but get involved.
The meals Faith prepares sound delicious, the clues keep you guessing, and there is a cozy small-town atmosphere. For fans of Joan Hess who appreciate quirky characters and clever mysteries, Katherine Hall Page offers plenty to enjoy.
Readers who enjoy Joan Hess may find Charlotte MacLeod a delightful choice. MacLeod’s mysteries blend quirky characters, humor, and intriguing puzzles in cozy settings.
In “Rest You Merry,” readers meet Professor Peter Shandy, a horticulturist known for his eccentricities at Balaclava Agricultural College. After refusing to participate in the college’s excessive holiday display, Shandy returns home to find an unexpected body in his living room.
With wit, charm, and careful observation, he must unravel the clues hidden among his neighbors and colleagues to solve this festive murder. This lively mystery has plenty of charm and twists that keep readers smiling while they guess.
Readers who enjoy Joan Hess’s humorous mysteries could appreciate the clever plots and sharp wit of Laurie R. King.
King’s novel “The Beekeeper’s Apprentice” introduces teenage orphan Mary Russell, whose intelligence and keen observation catch the attention of retired detective Sherlock Holmes.
Holmes takes Russell under his wing, and soon the two find themselves drawn into an intriguing and dangerous investigation.
The story’s charm lies not only in the dynamic partnership between Russell and Holmes but also in the clever dialogue and detailed, atmospheric setting, making it appealing to fans of smart, character-driven mysteries.