If you enjoy reading books by John Dickson Carr then you might also like the following authors:
Ellery Queen is both the name of a fictional detective and a pen name for two cousins who wrote classic mystery novels. Their books are known for their clever puzzles and fair play with clues, which readers of John Dickson Carr would enjoy.
In “The Greek Coffin Mystery,” Ellery investigates a case starting with the theft of a will. The story takes unexpected turns, including a second will and a shocking murder, as Ellery pieces everything together using logic and careful observation.
Agatha Christie is a master of crafting clever mysteries with unexpected twists. One of her best-known books, “And Then There Were None,” follows ten strangers who are invited to a remote island under mysterious circumstances.
Once there, they realize their host is missing, and one by one, the guests begin to die. The story keeps you guessing as secrets unravel and paranoia builds, making it hard to figure out who the killer is until the very end.
For fans of John Dickson Carr, her intricate setups and sharp attention to detail are sure to impress.
Ngaio Marsh was a New Zealand author known for her classic detective novels featuring the gentlemanly Inspector Roderick Alleyn. Her books often mix intricate puzzles with sharp character studies.
In “Death in a White Tie,” Alleyn investigates the murder of a blackmailer during London’s high-society season. The story weaves through glamorous parties, secret schemes, and dangerous lies.
Fans of John Dickson Carr’s clever mysteries might enjoy Marsh’s ability to create suspense while revealing the hidden layers of her characters.
Dorothy L. Sayers was a British writer known for her detective stories featuring Lord Peter Wimsey. In “The Nine Tailors,” Wimsey finds himself in a small English village after his car breaks down.
The story starts with a simple accident but slowly unfolds into a mysterious death involving ancient church bells, hidden treasures, and long-held secrets.
Sayers blends puzzles and atmosphere with clever storytelling, which might appeal to fans of John Dickson Carr’s sharp and intriguing mysteries.
G.K. Chesterton was a writer who had a talent for crafting clever mysteries with a touch of wit and charm. One of his most famous books, “The Man Who Was Thursday,” starts as a spy story and takes a surprising turn into something far more enigmatic.
It follows Gabriel Syme, a poet, who infiltrates a secret anarchist society and ends up in a whirlwind of strange encounters and cryptic characters. The book plays with reality in a way that keeps you guessing at every step.
Chesterton’s imaginative plots and sharp dialogue make his work an exciting find for fans of John Dickson Carr.
Rex Stout is best known for his Nero Wolfe mysteries, featuring a brilliant and eccentric detective who rarely leaves his luxurious brownstone in New York City. Wolfe relies on his sharp mind and his assistant, Archie Goodwin, to tackle complex cases.
In “Fer-de-Lance,” the first book in the series, Wolfe investigates a murder involving a poisoned golf club. The contrast between Wolfe’s methodical genius and Archie’s quick wit brings a lot of life to the story.
For fans of John Dickson Carr, the puzzles here have a similar knack for unexpected twists.
Margery Allingham was a British writer known for her classic mysteries featuring the detective Albert Campion. Her books have a flair for clever puzzles and atmospheric settings, which fans of John Dickson Carr might appreciate.
In “The Crime at Black Dudley,” Campion makes his first appearance at a house party disrupted by a bizarre murder. The story has secret passages, strange guests, and a dangerous criminal hiding in plain sight.
It’s a clever mix of suspense and wit, with twists that keep you guessing.
Anthony Berkeley was an innovative writer in the world of mystery novels, known for creating clever puzzles and unexpected twists.
One of his best-known books, “The Poisoned Chocolates Case,” presents a unique challenge: six amateur detectives each propose their own solution to a baffling murder involving poisoned chocolates.
What makes it stand out is that every solution seems plausible, yet the truth isn’t revealed until the very end. It’s an engaging story that keeps readers guessing, with a strong focus on piecing together logical clues.
Fans of John Dickson Carr’s intricate mysteries might enjoy Berkeley’s creativity and knack for surprises.
Freeman Wills Crofts was a master of golden-age detective fiction, known for crafting ingenious puzzles with meticulous attention to detail. His book, “The Cask,” follows the story of a shipping clerk who discovers a cask that seems out of place.
Inside, he finds more than he bargained for—a gruesome clue to a crime. The novel unfolds as Inspector Burnley investigates, uncovering secrets and piecing together a mystery that spans across countries.
Crofts’s style focuses on methodical investigations, making his work a treat for fans of sharply plotted whodunits.
Carter Dickson, a pen name of John Dickson Carr, is known for his thrilling locked-room mysteries. One of his most popular books, “The Plague Court Murders,” features Sir Henry Merrivale, a brilliant detective with a sharp wit.
The story begins with a haunted house said to curse anyone who enters. When a man is found stabbed in a sealed room with no apparent way in or out, it’s up to Merrivale to unravel the truth.
The mix of eerie atmosphere, clever misdirection, and an impossible crime keeps the reader hooked from start to finish.
Edmund Crispin wrote clever and entertaining detective stories featuring Gervase Fen, a witty Oxford professor who often finds himself solving murders.
In “The Moving Toyshop,” Fen investigates the strange case of a toyshop that disappears overnight after a poet stumbles across a murder scene inside it. The story weaves humor with sharp puzzles, creating a lively and engaging mystery.
Fans of John Dickson Carr might enjoy Crispin’s knack for surprises and his mix of quirky characters and clever clues.
Michael Innes is a classic mystery writer known for crafting intelligent whodunits. One of his standout books is “Hamlet, Revenge!” The story takes place in a grand English country house during a performance of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.”
The event is disrupted when a key figure is found dead in dramatic circumstances. Inspector Appleby, the sharp and unflappable detective, must solve the case in a setting filled with eccentric characters and hidden motives.
The novel blends murder with academic wit, creating an interesting puzzle for readers who love clever and layered mysteries.
E.C.R. Lorac was a British mystery writer best known for her sharp and atmospheric detective novels. Fans of John Dickson Carr might enjoy her book “Fire in the Thatch.”
It follows Chief Inspector Macdonald as he investigates the mysterious death of a reclusive ex-soldier in a quiet Devon village. The case unravels through secrets in the countryside and the tensions between locals and outsiders.
Lorac’s knack for crafting puzzling murders in richly drawn settings makes her work a rewarding read.
Josephine Tey was a British author known for her clever and nuanced mystery novels. One of her standout books is “The Daughter of Time”.
In this story, Inspector Alan Grant is stuck in a hospital bed and grows fascinated by a historical mystery—the controversial reputation of King Richard III.
Using portraits, old documents, and his instincts as a detective, Grant starts to explore whether Richard was truly the villain history paints him to be. It’s an unusual mystery, blending police work with historical investigation.
Readers who enjoy the puzzling plots and unique setups in John Dickson Carr’s books might appreciate how Tey challenges conventional storytelling.
John Rowland wrote classic detective novels that fans of John Dickson Carr might enjoy. One of his books, “Murder in the Museum,” follows Inspector Shelley as he investigates the death of a professor found slumped over in the British Museum.
The mystery unravels in an academic world filled with eccentric characters and petty rivalries, and the solution hinges on clever deductive work.