If you enjoy reading books by Laurie R. King then you might also like the following authors:
Elizabeth Peters is the pen name of Barbara Mertz, an archaeologist who wrote witty mysteries packed with historical detail. Fans of Laurie R. King might enjoy her Amelia Peabody series, starting with “Crocodile on the Sandbank.”
In this book, Amelia, a spirited Victorian woman, heads to Egypt and gets swept into an adventure involving ancient tombs, suspicious accidents, and a mysterious man with a quick temper. It’s a story filled with sharp dialogue and a strong sense of time and place.
Jacqueline Winspear is known for her Maisie Dobbs series, which features a private investigator in post-World War I England. In “Maisie Dobbs,” the first book in the series, Maisie begins her career as a detective after serving as a nurse during the war.
The story blends her investigations with glimpses into her past, including her humble beginnings and her time on the battlefield. One of the cases in the book takes Maisie into a strange retreat for wounded soldiers, uncovering secrets connected to the horrors of war.
Fans of Laurie R. King, especially those who enjoy smart and resourceful female protagonists, might enjoy Winspear’s thoughtful storytelling.
Ann Cleeves is known for crafting mysteries that focus on strong characters and atmospheric settings. One of her books, “Raven Black,” takes place in the Shetland Islands, where the murder of a teenage girl disrupts the quiet community.
Detective Jimmy Perez investigates, uncovering secrets in a place where everyone knows everyone else. The story pulls you into the isolation of the islands and asks how well we really know our neighbors.
Susan Elia MacNeal writes historical mysteries with a focus on strong, clever women navigating dangerous times. Her book “Mr. Churchill’s Secretary” introduces Maggie Hope, an American in London during World War II.
Maggie starts working for Winston Churchill as a typist but quickly uncovers secrets and threats that pull her into the world of espionage. The story blends history and intrigue, with vivid details of wartime London and the challenges of cracking codes and confronting spies.
Fans of Laurie R. King’s Mary Russell series might enjoy Maggie’s sharp mind and determination.
Tana French writes character-driven mysteries with rich atmospheres and layers of human emotion. Her book “In the Woods” kicks off the Dublin Murder Squad series and follows a detective named Rob Ryan as he investigates the murder of a young girl in a quiet Irish town.
Years earlier, Rob had been found in the same woods, alone and traumatized, with no memory of what happened to his two childhood friends who vanished that day. As he works the current case, his past refuses to stay buried, creating a tense and haunting story.
Amanda Quick writes historical romance and mystery stories with a lot of charm and clever twists.
In her book, “Mistress,” the story revolves around Iphiginia Bright, a resourceful woman who pretends to be the mistress of a reclusive lord to investigate a blackmailer threatening her family.
Along the way, she crosses paths with the real lord, Marcus Cloud, who is both suspicious and intrigued by her. The mix of wit, danger, and unexpected connections keeps the story moving in an enjoyable way.
Barbara Cleverly is known for her historical mysteries that capture the atmosphere of the early 20th century.
Her novel “The Last Kashmiri Rose” introduces Scotland Yard detective Joe Sandilands, who travels to 1920s India to investigate a series of grisly murders targeting British officers’ wives.
The story draws readers into a world of colonial tensions, dark secrets, and danger lurking within the British Raj. The setting, with its rich cultural backdrop, makes the mystery all the more intriguing.
Fans of Laurie R. King’s intelligent and layered storytelling may enjoy Cleverly’s ability to weave history into her crime fiction.
Charles Finch writes historical mysteries with rich atmospheres and clever plots. One of his books, “A Beautiful Blue Death,” introduces Charles Lenox, a gentleman detective in Victorian London.
Lenox is asked to investigate the suspicious death of a maid in a friend’s household. As he digs deeper, he uncovers secrets within the upper-class world, which is full of hidden motives and betrayals.
The book captures the charm of Victorian society while weaving a story of murder and intrigue.
Deanna Raybourn writes historical fiction with strong, clever characters and intriguing mysteries. Her book “A Curious Beginning” introduces Veronica Speedwell, a bold lepidopterist with a taste for adventure.
After an attempted abduction, she teams up with the roguish Stoker to uncover a dangerous conspiracy tied to her past. The story is filled with secrets, sharp dialogue, and surprising twists.
Fans of Laurie R. King’s Mary Russell series might enjoy the mix of independent heroines and rich historical settings.
Dorothy L. Sayers is best known for her clever and intricate mysteries featuring Lord Peter Wimsey, a charming amateur sleuth with a brilliant mind and a flair for solving cases.
In her novel “Strong Poison,” Peter becomes entangled in a murder trial where Harriet Vane, a mystery writer, is accused of poisoning her former lover. Convinced of her innocence, Peter sets out to uncover the real culprit.
The story weaves together sharp wit, intriguing characters, and a puzzle that keeps readers turning the pages. Fans of Laurie R. King’s detailed mysteries may find Sayers’ work equally satisfying and engaging.
Louise Penny is a mystery writer known for her Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series. Her books, set in the fictional village of Three Pines, explore human relationships and moral dilemmas through intriguing cases.
In “Still Life,” Gamache investigates the death of a beloved artist in a small, peaceful community. What seems like an accidental death begins to raise questions, uncovering secrets hidden beneath the surface of the town.
Penny’s writing creates a strong sense of place and deeply layered characters. If you enjoy books with rich atmospheres and intelligent detectives, her work might be worth checking out.
C.S. Harris writes historical mysteries set in the early 19th century. One of her books, “What Angels Fear,” introduces Sebastian St. Cyr, a viscount in Regency-era London.
The story pulls you into a murder investigation after Sebastian is framed for the brutal killing of a young actress. To clear his name, he uncovers secrets about the victim, all while evading dangerous enemies and unraveling hidden schemes.
The book mixes dark intrigue with the gritty atmosphere of London, offering a sharp sense of time and place.
P.D. James is famous for writing intelligent and atmospheric crime novels, often centered around the character of Adam Dalgliesh, a poet and detective.
In “An Unsuitable Job for a Woman,” the story follows Cordelia Gray, a young private investigator who takes on her first big case after her boss dies.
She’s hired to look into the supposed suicide of a student, but as she digs deeper, she uncovers secrets that put her in real danger. James creates complex characters and gives a strong sense of place, making her books hard to put down.
Fans of Laurie R. King’s Mary Russell series might enjoy James’s detailed approach to solving mysteries.
Rennie Airth is known for crafting thoughtful mysteries with a focus on character and atmosphere. One of his popular books, “River of Darkness,” introduces Inspector John Madden, a detective haunted by his experiences in World War I.
The story begins with the shocking murder of a family in a quiet English village. Madden, using his intuition and new investigative methods, uncovers connections that point to a deeply chilling killer.
The book captures post-war England’s mood and explores how scars of the past shape people’s lives. Fans of Laurie R. King’s deeper, slower-burn storytelling might find Airth’s work an engrossing discovery.
Carola Dunn is most known for her cozy mysteries set in the 1920s and 1930s. Her “Daisy Dalrymple” series is a great place to start. In the first book, “Death at Wentwater Court,” Daisy, an independent young woman, takes on a writing assignment at a country estate.
Things take a turn when a guest is found dead under suspicious circumstances. As Daisy helps piece together the puzzle, the story gives a light and entertaining glimpse into upper-class British life between the wars.
If you enjoy richly detailed settings and a clever amateur sleuth, you might want to explore Dunn’s work.