Jon Cleary was an Australian novelist known primarily for crime and detective fiction. He created the popular Scobie Malone series, including novels like The Sundowners and The High Commissioner, offering readers engaging stories filled with suspense and vivid characters.
If you enjoy reading books by Jon Cleary then you might also like the following authors:
Peter Corris is often known as the godfather of Australian crime fiction. His novels offer realistic portrayals of Australian life and settings, featuring crisp dialogue and a straightforward style.
If you enjoy Cleary's Sydney-based narratives, you might appreciate Corris's character Cliff Hardy, a private investigator navigating Sydney's darker corners. Try starting with The Dying Trade, the first gripping story with Hardy at the forefront.
Peter Temple offers atmospheric and morally complex crime novels set in contemporary Australia. His writing style blends subtle characterization with dialogue that crackles with tension.
Readers who like Cleary’s thoughtful approach to crime storytelling could enjoy Temple's acclaimed novel The Broken Shore, a story exploring small town secrets through an engaging detective, Joe Cashin.
Arthur Upfield pioneered the Australian crime novel, known widely for his detective Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte ("Bony"). Upfield’s narratives are atmospheric journeys into Australia's rural landscapes and communities.
Fans of Cleary who appreciate the vivid Australian backdrop will appreciate Upfield’s detailed settings in novels such as The Bone is Pointed.
Shane Maloney brings humor and sharp social commentary to crime fiction. In his Murray Whelan series, Maloney cleverly combines political satire and intrigue with mysteries set in Melbourne.
Readers who like Cleary’s mix of sharp wit and engaging plots would probably enjoy Stiff, a witty novel that introduces readers to Maloney's distinctively quirky protagonist.
Garry Disher writes gritty, well-crafted crime novels that closely explore isolated Australian communities and complex characters. His style is concise yet evocative, and like Cleary, he captures both the beauty and tension found in everyday life.
Readers who enjoy Cleary's pace and attention to detail might like Disher's award-winning novel Bitter Wash Road, an absorbing story following constable Hirsch, sent to a remote country town where dark secrets simmer beneath the surface.
Michael Connelly writes crime novels focused on authentic procedural detail and detective work. His books feature realistic characters and investigations set primarily in Los Angeles, capturing the gritty atmosphere of the city.
Readers might enjoy The Black Echo, which introduces Detective Harry Bosch, a determined detective who takes on complex and suspenseful cases.
Ian Rankin is known for his police procedurals set in Edinburgh, Scotland. His stories follow the tough and thoughtful Inspector John Rebus, who investigates grim, compelling crimes while dealing with personal struggles and political pressures.
Try Knots and Crosses, the first Rebus novel, to experience Rankin's intriguing mysteries and nuanced characters.
Henning Mankell created Inspector Kurt Wallander, a reflective detective working in Sweden. He writes thoughtful, atmospheric crime novels that explore contemporary social issues and the personal life of his main character.
Faceless Killers, the first Wallander novel, is a good entry point into Mankell's thoughtful style and richly detailed Swedish settings.
Ed McBain is famous for his 87th Precinct series, set in an imaginary city based closely on New York. His novels are fast-paced, dialogue-driven, and realistic, capturing the daily life and dedication of detectives.
Readers interested in a classic police procedural style should start with Cop Hater, the first novel of the 87th Precinct series.
Tony Hillerman writes crime novels set in the American Southwest, featuring Navajo tribal police officers Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee. His mysteries blend crime-solving with an exploration of Native American culture, traditions, and landscapes.
Try Dance Hall of the Dead for an engaging mystery and an introduction to the distinctive landscape and thoughtful storytelling style characteristic of Hillerman.
If you like Jon Cleary's suspenseful plots and well-paced thrillers, you'll probably enjoy Alistair MacLean. MacLean creates realistic scenarios full of adventure, danger, and heroic characters.
His stories typically revolve around military intrigues, espionage, or thrilling survival expeditions. A great example is The Guns of Navarone, which follows a daring WWII commando raid, packed with tension and action from start to finish.
Desmond Bagley, similar to Jon Cleary, builds stories around ordinary people caught up in extraordinary events. His writing features tight plotting, realistic characters, and exotic locations.
In his novel Running Blind, Bagley tells the exciting story of a British intelligence agent reluctantly pulled into a dangerous espionage mission across Iceland. Fans of Cleary will appreciate the intriguing settings and grounded, suspenseful storytelling.
Readers who enjoy Jon Cleary's blend of suspenseful storytelling and vivid locations might also appreciate Hammond Innes. Known for well-researched adventure stories, Innes writes gripping narratives set against challenging environments and natural dangers.
His novel The Wreck of the Mary Deare is a good example, a mystery set at sea that draws readers deeply into the drama and excitement.
Fans of Jon Cleary's detective fiction might find a new favorite in Ngaio Marsh. Marsh focuses on classic detective mysteries with carefully constructed plots and memorable characters.
Her novel A Man Lay Dead introduces Inspector Roderick Alleyn, a detective who is observant, intelligent, and quietly personable—much like Cleary's Inspector Scobie Malone.
Marsh offers witty dialogue, clever misdirection, and carefully revealed clues that mystery readers will appreciate.
Georges Simenon, creator of the popular Detective Maigret series, writes novels that would appeal to readers who enjoy Jon Cleary's character-driven crime stories.
Simenon's writing is minimalist but emotionally rich, paying close attention to psychological realism and detailed scenes. In Maigret Sets a Trap, Inspector Maigret uses keen intuition and patient observation to track down a ruthless serial killer.
Readers who connect with Cleary's human-centric mysteries will enjoy Simenon's realistic, psychologically insightful storytelling.