Katherine Neville writes books that are a mix of historical mystery and adventure. Her stories often have puzzles, conspiracies, and really strong women characters.
If you enjoy books that feel similar, with those kinds of elements, then you might be interested in discovering other authors.
Readers who enjoy Katherine Neville’s blend of historical intrigue and thrilling mysteries may find Umberto Eco’s novels equally absorbing. Eco was an Italian author and philosopher known for historical depth and intelligent storytelling.
His novel “The Name of the Rose” is set in a medieval monastery where a series of disturbing murders disrupts the tranquil monastic routine. Brother William of Baskerville, an intelligent, Sherlock Holmes-type monk, investigates these eerie happenings.
He uncovers hidden symbols, secret codes, and forbidden manuscripts, all wrapped up in fascinating medieval history and theological debate.
Eco carefully intertwines historical layers with suspense and a vivid sense of place, offering a rewarding read for lovers of intelligence-driven historical mysteries.
Readers who enjoy Katherine Neville’s blend of history, mystery, and intricate storytelling may also appreciate Anne Rice. Anne Rice is famous for her supernatural characters and vivid settings. Her novel “The Witching Hour” is the first novel in her Mayfair Witches trilogy.
It tells the story of the Mayfair family, an old New Orleans dynasty haunted by ghosts, mysterious abilities, and a dark legacy.
Rice takes readers through generations of powerful witches, secretive societies, and the streets of historic New Orleans, weaving together suspense, drama, and supernatural elements into an unforgettable tale.
If you enjoy Katherine Neville’s blend of history and exciting puzzles, you’ll likely appreciate Dan Brown. His book “The Da Vinci Code” is a fast-paced thriller filled with historical secrets, hidden symbols, and ancient mysteries.
Harvard professor Robert Langdon becomes involved in investigating a murder at the Louvre Museum in Paris. What he discovers leads to an unexpected trail of secret societies, famous artworks, and a centuries-old conspiracy that could change history.
The story pulls together art, religion, and cryptic symbols into an exciting chase across Europe. Dan Brown’s storytelling mixes fact and fiction in a way that keeps you turning pages and eager for answers.
Readers who enjoy Katherine Neville’s blend of adventure, history, and intrigue may find Kate Mosse equally appealing. Mosse is known for historical mysteries that weave together the past and present.
Her novel “Labyrinth” is about Alice Tanner, an archaeologist who finds herself connected to medieval France through a secret hidden in a cave.
The story moves between Alice’s modern-day discoveries and Alais, a young woman in thirteenth-century Carcassonne, who guards a dangerous secret during the Crusades.
Mosse superbly connects historical mysteries, ancient artifacts, and gripping suspense into a page-turner that Neville’s readers might well appreciate.
Readers who enjoy Katherine Neville’s novels with historical enigmas and suspenseful plots may also appreciate Barbara Erskine. Erskine crafts atmospheric stories that weave past and present seamlessly.
In her novel “Lady of Hay,” journalist Jo Clifford agrees to an unusual hypnosis experiment for her magazine piece and experiences visions of a medieval noblewoman living in 12th-century Wales named Matilda.
As Jo explores these mysterious connections, secrets and hidden truths begin to emerge, linking her life with Matilda’s across centuries. Erskine vividly portrays historical events and emotional dramas, creating a fascinating journey between two timelines.
A.S. Byatt is a British novelist known for blending mystery, historical fiction, and literary intrigue into stories that richly combine intellect and suspense.
Her acclaimed novel “Possession” would particularly appeal to readers fond of Katherine Neville’s blend of historical puzzle-solving and intricate narrative.
“Possession” unfolds across dual timelines and follows two literary scholars, Roland Mitchell and Maud Bailey, who uncover hidden letters between two Victorian-era poets.
Their research leads them on an intriguing journey of secrets, romance, and intellectual discovery, shedding light on hidden connections between past and present lives.
Byatt’s sharp storytelling and vivid historical detail promise an engaging reading experience for fans of Neville’s “The Eight.”
Diana Gabaldon is a novelist known for her sweeping historical adventure series, blending detailed research with romance, mystery, and intrigue.
Her novel “Outlander” introduces readers to Claire Randall, a former World War II nurse who mysteriously travels from 1945 back to eighteenth century Scotland. Claire finds herself caught between two worlds and two vastly different men.
She navigates the dangers of the Jacobite rising, conspiracies, and clan rivalries, with these struggles mirrored by internal conflicts over love and loyalty.
Readers familiar with Katherine Neville’s novels, like “The Eight,” which similarly blend history, suspense, and complex storytelling, may discover a natural affinity for Gabaldon’s vivid historical settings and engaging characters.
Elizabeth Kostova is an author known for her intriguing blend of historical mystery and suspense. Her novel “The Historian” is a great pick for fans of Katherine Neville’s style of storytelling.
It takes you across Europe as the protagonist, a young woman, unravels secrets from her father’s past. The story ties together both historical research and gothic elements.
You can expect vivid settings like dusty libraries, ancient monasteries, and secrets buried through generations. “The Historian” revolves around the legend of Vlad the Impaler—also called Dracula—combining real historical details with thrilling, page-turning suspense.
If you enjoyed unraveling historical puzzles in Neville’s novels, Elizabeth Kostova offers a similar experience with depth, atmosphere, and detailed research.
If you enjoy Katherine Neville’s blend of history, intrigue, and captivating storytelling, you might also appreciate Arthur Golden’s “Memoirs of a Geisha.”
Golden brings you into the mysterious and beautiful world of Japan’s geisha culture through the eyes of Sayuri, a young girl sold to a geisha house in Kyoto.
Her journey from poverty to eventual fame is filled with rivalry, romance, and tradition set against the backdrop of Japan before and after World War II.
Golden’s vivid detail and strong characters create scenes you won’t soon forget, capturing the delicate yet harsh life of a geisha.
Steve Berry is an author who crafts thrillers rich with historical secrets, puzzles and intricate conspiracies. Readers who appreciate Katherine Neville’s bold combination of history and suspense might also enjoy Berry’s novel “The Amber Room.”
The book tells the intriguing story of two treasure hunters searching for the Amber Room, a priceless historical artifact lost during World War II.
The plot shifts between past and present, where long-hidden secrets and dangerous rivalries surface as protagonists Rachel Cutler and her ex-husband Paul embark on their perilous quest.
Berry’s storytelling weaves real historical facts with an imaginative modern-day adventure that keeps the pages turning quickly until the very end.
Jean M. Auel writes engaging historical fiction set in prehistoric times, filled with adventure, intrigue, and richly detailed settings.
If you’re intrigued by Katherine Neville’s knack for weaving mystery and strong characters together, Auel’s “The Clan of the Cave Bear” could catch your attention. It follows Ayla, an orphaned girl taken in by a group of Neanderthals known as the Clan.
Ayla struggles to fit into their strict social rules but soon proves her intelligence, courage, and resilience. She faces danger, prejudice, and survival challenges, yet remains determined.
Auel vividly presents prehistoric daily life, complex relationships, and societal dynamics that immerse you in Ayla’s unforgettable world.
Readers who enjoy Katherine Neville’s blend of history, mystery, and intellectual puzzles may appreciate Julian Barnes. His novel “Flaubert’s Parrot” combines literary intrigue, historical curiosity, and clever storytelling.
Geoffrey Braithwaite is a retired English doctor fascinated by Gustave Flaubert, the famous French novelist. One day, Geoffrey discovers two different stuffed parrots that both claim to have inspired Flaubert’s writing.
As Geoffrey tries to uncover which parrot is truly authentic, he embarks on a journey that explores Flaubert’s life, the nature of curiosity, and the puzzle of how we interpret history.
Barnes ties together fact, fiction, and literary detective work in a witty story that engages readers from start to finish.
Sarah Dunant is a fantastic choice if you enjoy Katherine Neville, particularly for her blend of historical depth and vivid storytelling.
Dunant’s novel “The Birth of Venus” unfolds in Renaissance Florence, a period of brilliant art, shifting power dynamics, and simmering political tensions.
The story centers around Alessandra Cecchi, an intelligent young noblewoman who paints secretly while navigating family expectations, arranged marriages, and societal restraints.
Meanwhile, Florence becomes increasingly unstable, with the charismatic monk Savonarola challenging the power of the wealthy Medici family. Dunant beautifully captures the vivid energy of the Renaissance art scene as well as the complex personal struggles of her characters.
If you enjoy Katherine Neville’s rich blend of historical intrigue and thrilling narrative, Sarah Dunant offers the same vibrant mix of history, art, and passion in “The Birth of Venus.”
Connie Willis is an author you might enjoy if you’re a fan of Katherine Neville’s blend of history, suspense, and smart storytelling. Her novel “Doomsday Book” follows Kivrin, a time-traveling historian sent back to medieval England as part of her research.
A mistake in calculations strands her during the time of the Black Plague. As Kivrin navigates a world ravaged by illness, her team back in Oxford races franticly to rescue her.
Willis combines historical accuracy with complex characters, weaving a well-paced story filled with tension and humanity. If you appreciate how Neville merges history with intrigue in books such as “The Eight,” Connie Willis might offer exactly what you enjoy.
Susanna Kearsley writes novels that blend historical mysteries, romance, and suspense into stories readers of Katherine Neville frequently enjoy. Her book “The Winter Sea” is a perfect example.
It follows Carrie McClelland, a modern-day writer researching her latest historical novel in Scotland, who unexpectedly finds herself emotionally connected to the past.
The borders between reality and history blur as Carrie experiences vivid memories of Sophia, a woman involved in the intriguing Jacobite rebellion. As she investigates these memories, Carrie discovers truths about love, betrayal, and destiny spanning centuries.
If Katherine Neville’s interwoven tales of past and present appeal to you, “The Winter Sea” offers a similar, satisfying journey.