John Dunning is an American author known for mystery novels centered around rare books. His popular Cliff Janeway series includes titles like Booked to Die and The Bookman's Wake, blending suspenseful storytelling with fascinating insights into book collecting.
If you enjoy reading books by John Dunning then you might also like the following authors:
If you're a fan of John Dunning, you'll probably enjoy Lawrence Block. Block creates smart, character-driven mysteries with intriguing storylines. His style is clear and engaging, and his characters often have complex backstories.
Check out his book The Burglar Who Liked to Quote Kipling, which blends a mystery plot with wit and literary references.
Archer Mayor writes detailed and character-rich mysteries that explore crime and investigation in small towns. He paints vivid images of Vermont, its residents, and the quiet tension under its peaceful surface.
Try reading Open Season, a gripping story that reveals the tensions in a small town through intriguing detective work.
Donald E. Westlake's mysteries stand out with their sharp wit and often humorous twists. He creates plots filled with clever criminals and unexpected turns.
Westlake's book The Hot Rock is a perfect example, providing readers with a witty, well-structured combination of humor and clever storytelling.
Ross Thomas is known for his smart, fast-paced political thrillers. His sharp dialogue and interesting, complex characters keep readers invested. Try his book , where political intrigue, intricate plotting, and vivid characters come together seamlessly.
Elmore Leonard creates realistic stories driven by memorable characters and subtle humor. His clear, lean writing keeps readers focused on dialogue and character interactions.
Give his book Get Shorty a try—it's a smoothly told story that blends crime, comedy, and entertainment industry satire.
If you like John Dunning's mysteries centered on books and literary history, you'll enjoy Matthew Pearl. He writes historical fiction filled with suspense, mystery, literature, and authentic historical events.
In The Dante Club, Pearl combines a gripping murder mystery with rich literary details and nineteenth-century American history.
Kate Carlisle creates lively and cozy mystery stories around books, restoration, and rare finds. She blends humor, charming characters, and bookish intrigue to make entertaining reading.
Her Bibliophile Mystery series, including Homicide in Hardcover, introduces Brooklyn Wainwright, a bookbinder and amateur sleuth solving murders amid rare books.
Julie Kaewert's novels appeal to readers fascinated by antiquarian books and publishing mysteries, just like fans of John Dunning. Her mysteries focus on rare and valuable books, publishing intrigue, and secret histories.
Unsolicited, part of her Booklover's Mystery series, follows publisher Alex Plumtree as he unravels crimes deeply rooted in literary tradition.
Carlos Ruiz Zafón writes novels that mix mystery, historical fiction, and literary nostalgia. His atmospheric style pulls readers into intricate plots about books, forgotten places, and dark histories.
In his novel The Shadow of the Wind, readers follow young Daniel as he becomes wrapped up in a powerful mystery stemming from one rare and mysterious book.
Ian Sansom approaches literary mysteries with a gentle humor and a strong sense of place. Fans of John Dunning will enjoy his blend of eccentric characters, bookish charm, and cozy mystery in a small-town setting.
In The Case of the Missing Books, Sansom introduces Israel Armstrong, a quirky librarian investigating stolen books in rural Ireland.
Jasper Fforde blends mystery, humor, and clever literary allusions to create whimsical, imaginative worlds. His novels often merge reality with fiction in playful, unexpected ways.
Readers who enjoy puzzling book-related mysteries will find delight in The Eyre Affair, the first in his Thursday Next series, where characters can step right into classic novels.
Bradford Morrow crafts atmospheric literary mysteries involving intricate tales of lost and forged manuscripts. His writing explores themes of obsession, deception, and the shadowy world of rare books.
Fans of bibliophile suspense will especially appreciate The Forgers, a darkly suspenseful novel about the dangerous allure of literary fakery and manuscript theft.
Peter Lovesey writes engaging detective fiction that often features intriguing settings, nuanced plots, and memorable characters. His books blend traditional mystery storytelling with a contemporary twist.
Mystery lovers drawn to clever, entertaining puzzles might enjoy The Last Detective, which introduces detective Peter Diamond in a compelling investigation set in the historic English city of Bath.
Martin Edwards gives readers intricate detective puzzles and vivid settings, often revisiting themes and structures of classic mysteries.
Readers who appreciate thoughtful, atmospheric police procedurals and ingenious plotting will enjoy The Coffin Trail, the first installment of his Lake District mysteries, where mysteries from the past haunt a picturesque English village.
Stuart M. Kaminsky creates vivid, richly atmospheric mysteries often anchored around decidedly human, character-driven detective figures. His stories blend historical detail, carefully drawn characters, and compelling mysteries.
Fans of literary history and noir settings should try Bullet for a Star, the first of his Toby Peters mysteries, filled with humor and classic Hollywood intrigue.