If you enjoy reading books by Josephine Tey then you might also like the following authors:
Agatha Christie is a master at crafting smart detective stories filled with clever clues and surprising twists. Her classic mystery, “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd,” introduces detective Hercule Poirot, a sharp and methodical investigator.
In a peaceful English village, Roger Ackroyd, a respected local man, is found murdered in his study. With suspicion falling on everyone—family, friends, and household staff—the detective uncovers each character’s secret motives layer by layer.
If you enjoy the intelligent plotting and engaging characters of Josephine Tey’s novels, you’ll appreciate Christie’s careful attention to detail and her talent for building suspense.
Books by Dorothy L. Sayers will appeal strongly to fans of Josephine Tey’s clever mysteries and vivid characters. Sayers is best known for her detective novels featuring the sharp-witted and sophisticated amateur sleuth, Lord Peter Wimsey.
In “Gaudy Night,” Harriet Vane returns to her old Oxford college for a reunion, but when anonymous threats and strange vandalism unsettle campus life, Harriet calls on Lord Peter for help.
As the threats intensify, the investigation becomes deeply personal and emotional, exploring thoughtfully the expectations placed upon professional women and the tension between intellect and personal relationships.
The novel draws readers into thoughtful conversations around academic life, friendship, and ethics, layered neatly into its intriguing mystery.
For readers who appreciate Tey’s intricate plotting and nuanced characters, Dorothy L. Sayers offers rich literary mysteries with memorable depth.
Margery Allingham was an English author known for her sophisticated mysteries and clever detective stories. Her books often feature the elegant and intelligent detective Albert Campion, who solves crimes with sharp insight and a sense of humor.
In “The Tiger in the Smoke,” Campion investigates a series of strange events happening in post-war London. The mystery involves a missing person, hidden identities, and a ruthless criminal playing cat-and-mouse through the fog-covered city streets.
Allingham weaves suspense, atmosphere, and intricate plotting into a story that surprises the reader at every turn. If you’re a fan of Josephine Tey’s well-crafted mysteries, Margery Allingham’s captivating novels may be perfect for your next read.
Ngaio Marsh was a talented mystery writer from New Zealand, known especially for her detective novels featuring Chief Inspector Roderick Alleyn. Her style often reminds readers of Josephine Tey, with clear prose, carefully plotted mysteries, and intelligent storytelling.
A great Marsh novel to start with is “Artists in Crime.” It opens on a cruise ship, where Alleyn meets painter Agatha Troy. When a murder later occurs at Troy’s countryside studio, Alleyn is called in to investigate.
Marsh keeps readers guessing with clever clues and believable motives, while the evolving connection between Alleyn and Troy adds warmth and depth to the story.
This book shows Marsh’s gift for blending crime-solving with character development, similar to what fans of Josephine Tey enjoy in novels like “The Daughter of Time.”
Ruth Rendell is a master storyteller known for clever psychological mysteries and tightly woven plots. Her novel “A Judgement in Stone” explores how hidden secrets can lead to devastating consequences.
The story revolves around a shocking murder committed by Eunice Parchman, a quiet housekeeper whose struggles and shame unfold through Rendell’s masterful characterization.
Fans of Josephine Tey’s sharp insight into human nature and crime will appreciate Rendell’s precise style and gripping narrative twists.
If you enjoy Josephine Tey’s thoughtful detective puzzles and sharp eye for character detail, Colin Dexter is an author worth discovering.
Dexter’s Inspector Morse mysteries blend clever plotting with a clear sense of place, usually Oxford, and feature vivid personalities you’d want to meet again.
In “Last Bus to Woodstock,” Inspector Morse investigates the murder of a young woman found dead in a pub parking lot outside the city. Morse probes the victim’s personal relationships, uncovers secrets, and carefully tracks clues.
Dexter provides rich character observations and an intriguing plotline that steadily builds suspense toward a satisfying conclusion.
Readers who enjoy Josephine Tey’s sharp mysteries will appreciate Elizabeth George’s engaging crime novels. George, an American author, sets her gripping detective stories in England and brings to life complex characters against authentic British settings.
One standout novel is “A Great Deliverance,” the first in her Inspector Lynley series. Inspector Thomas Lynley and Sergeant Barbara Havers investigate a shocking murder in a quiet Yorkshire village.
As hidden family secrets begin to surface, the investigators discover dark relationships and emotional wounds beneath the villagers’ calm appearance. George delivers a story full of intriguing twists, psychological depth, and classic detective style.
Books by Ellery Queen offer classic mystery puzzles that invite readers to match wits with the detective himself.
Queen isn’t just the author’s pseudonym, but also the name of his central character—a clever, detail-oriented investigator whose adventures often challenge readers’ logic.
If you enjoy Josephine Tey’s tightly plotted stories set within engaging settings, then Ellery Queen’s “The Greek Coffin Mystery” would interest you. In this mystery, Queen investigates the case of a missing will following an art dealer’s death.
Bodies appear, suspects contradict themselves, and Ellery methodically peels away layers of deception and clues. The puzzle builds carefully around subtle clues and clever twists that test your deductive skills without giving away easy answers.
John Dickson Carr was a master of the classic mystery novel, famous for crafting complex locked-room puzzles. Fans of Josephine Tey, who appreciate meticulous plotting and psychological insight, might enjoy Carr’s “The Hollow Man.”
This story revolves around a seemingly impossible murder where Professor Grimaud is found shot dead in his locked study, with no way that anyone could have entered or left the crime scene.
Dr. Gideon Fell, Carr’s eccentric detective with a sharp sense of humor, steps in to unravel the puzzle through logical deduction and playful wit. The clever twists and detailed detective work in the novel build suspense and keep readers turning pages.
P.D. James was a British author known for her thoughtful mysteries and detail-rich detective stories. Readers who enjoy Josephine Tey’s style of careful plotting and nuanced characters may appreciate James as well.
A great place to start is her book “Cover Her Face,” the first Adam Dalgliesh mystery. The story revolves around the strangulation of Sally Jupp, a young housemaid found dead in her bed at the Maxie family home.
Chief Inspector Dalgliesh steps into the tense atmosphere of family secrets, class issues, and complex relationships to carefully unravel the threads of this crime.
Full of surprising turns and insightful moments, this classic detective novel showcases James’ talent for creating believable, memorable characters and realistic situations.
Books by Rex Stout offer clever plots, sharp dialogue, and memorable characters that fans of Josephine Tey will appreciate. His detective Nero Wolfe is an eccentric genius who prefers tending orchids in his New York brownstone to stepping outside.
Wolfe relies on his witty assistant Archie Goodwin to handle the legwork. In “Fer-de-Lance,” Wolfe investigates the mysterious death of a college president, initially thought to be a natural tragedy until subtle clues hint at murder.
The novel is notable for its elegant twists, skillful character clashes, and the humorous, tense exchanges between Wolfe and Archie. Readers who enjoy Tey’s thoughtful, intelligent mysteries will find pleasure in Rex Stout’s classic detective style.
Anne Perry is an author you might enjoy if you appreciate Josephine Tey’s skillful mysteries and clever character portrayals.
In her novel “The Cater Street Hangman,” we meet Charlotte Ellison, a young woman whose sheltered Victorian life is disrupted by a string of chilling murders within her own neighborhood.
Each crime brings suspicion closer to home, and Charlotte teams up with Inspector Thomas Pitt to unravel the puzzling evidence and clues hidden in plain sight. Perry’s careful plotting and vivid descriptions of Victorian London offer suspense and intrigue page after page.
The tangled secrets and expertly developed characters keep readers hooked until the very end.
Readers who enjoy Josephine Tey may also appreciate Georges Simenon, a Belgian author famous for his detective character, Inspector Maigret. Simenon’s style is concise, atmospheric, and deeply psychological. One of his standout novels is “Maigret Sets a Trap.”
In this story, Paris is troubled by a series of frightening murders. Inspector Maigret methodically explores the hidden corners of the city as he pieces together profiles of potential suspects.
The plot is tense, the suspect interviews are fascinating, and Simenon expertly portrays Maigret’s sharp intuition. Fans of tightly woven mysteries and strong character studies would likely find this book intriguing.
If you enjoy Josephine Tey’s clever psychological approach to mystery, you’ll likely appreciate Patricia Highsmith’s suspenseful storytelling. Highsmith’s novels often explore complex characters, moral ambiguity, and psychological depth.
Her book “Strangers on a Train” revolves around Guy Haines, an ambitious architect stuck in an unhappy marriage.
During a train ride, he encounters the charming yet unsettling Charles Bruno, who casually suggests they trade murders—each killing someone the other wants to be rid of.
At first, Guy dismisses the idea as absurd, but soon realizes he’s stumbled into a dangerous game with serious consequences. Highsmith skillfully creates tension by exposing hidden motives, twisted human nature, and the dark side of ordinary people.
Fans of Tey’s intriguing mysteries and rich characterization will find Highsmith’s brand of suspense satisfying and thought-provoking.
Arthur Conan Doyle is famous for creating Sherlock Holmes, one of fiction’s most fascinating detectives. If you enjoy Josephine Tey’s attention to detail and intelligent mysteries, Doyle may interest you too.
In the novel “The Hound of the Baskervilles,” Holmes and his faithful companion Dr. Watson investigate a mysterious death linked to an old family curse. Set on the eerie moors of Devonshire, the story blends logical deduction with tense atmosphere and suspense.
Clues slowly unravel as Holmes carefully examines footprints, hidden notes, and local legends. The story moves fast, keeps you guessing, and showcases Holmes’ brilliant mind at its best.