If you enjoy reading books by Lynda La Plante then you might also like the following authors:
If you enjoy Lynda La Plante’s thrillers, Ruth Rendell could be another author to check out. Ruth Rendell is known for sharp mysteries that often focus on psychological depth. One of her books worth reading is “A Judgement in Stone.”
It begins with telling you exactly who committed the murder and why, yet the real suspense unfolds as you learn how ordinary lives slowly move toward tragedy.
The story centers around a housekeeper, Eunice Parchman, whose hidden secrets start to unravel and end up destroying an entire family. This unique angle creates a story that is quiet but filled with tension.
Ian Rankin is best known for crime fiction that captures Edinburgh in a realistic way. If you enjoyed Lynda La Plante, Rankin’s novels might appeal to you. His book “Knots and Crosses” introduces Detective Inspector John Rebus and a case involving missing young girls.
Clues arrive through anonymous letters, connecting the investigation strangely to Rebus himself. The mystery keeps you involved until the last page. Rankin’s approach, realistic police work and flawed characters create stories ideal for readers who liked La Plante.
Val McDermid writes crime novels that often highlight police work and suspenseful plots. Her book “The Mermaids Singing” introduces criminal profiler Tony Hill, who helps detectives track down a serial killer in Northern England.
The killer’s methods are unusual and unsettling, which keeps readers interested from the start. McDermid develops realistic characters and believable police procedures. If you already enjoy crime stories by Lynda La Plante, Val McDermid’s books may be a good match for you.
Tana French writes crime novels set in Ireland, focusing on detectives who handle complicated murder cases. For example, her book “In the Woods” follows detective Rob Ryan.
Rob investigates the murder of a young girl near the same woods where his own friends disappeared years earlier. The case brings back painful memories for Rob and forces him to confront his past.
French carefully builds her characters and keeps readers guessing until the very end. Readers who enjoy Lynda La Plante’s stories about detectives and crime might also find French’s books worthwhile.
Ann Cleeves is an author who writes crime mysteries that feel realistic and intriguing. If you like stories by Lynda La Plante, you may also find Cleeves’ novels engaging. One good example is “Raven Black.” This book is set in the cold, quiet landscape of the Shetland Islands.
After a teenage girl is found dead in the snow, suspicion quickly falls on Magnus Tait, a local loner with a troubled past. But things aren’t always simple, and Detective Jimmy Perez learns that secrets lie beneath the surface of small-town life.
As Perez searches for answers, he sees layers of hidden tension emerge among neighbors he thought he knew well.
Peter James is an author known for crime thrillers set in the gritty world of Brighton, England. In his novel “Dead Simple,” a prank goes horribly wrong on the night before a friend’s wedding.
Friends bury the groom alive as a joke, but then tragedy strikes, and the groom is left trapped underground. Detective Superintendent Roy Grace must race against time to find him, and secrets and twists soon come to light.
This novel offers tense scenes, realistic police work and believable characters. Fans of Lynda La Plante’s crime dramas may enjoy Peter James’ style and storytelling.
Mo Hayder writes crime novels filled with dark mysteries and strong suspense. Her stories often show the gritty reality of investigations. In “Birdman,” readers follow detective Jack Caffery as he searches for a dangerous killer in London.
The police discover several women murdered, each case pointing to crimes more terrifying than they first seemed. Detective Caffery must uncover hidden truths in order to stop the killer before more lives are lost.
Readers who enjoy Lynda La Plante’s realistic crime thrillers with dedicated detectives might find Mo Hayder’s novels appealing.
Robert Galbraith is the pen name used by J.K. Rowling for her crime novels. Galbraith’s books follow the careers of private investigator Cormoran Strike and his assistant Robin Ellacott. In “The Cuckoo’s Calling,” Strike looks into the suspicious death of model Lula Landry.
Police believe she jumped from her apartment window. Strike thinks differently and uncovers secrets hidden behind Landry’s glamorous life.
Readers who appreciate the careful detective work found in Lynda La Plante’s thrillers may enjoy the detailed character portrayals and clear storytelling in Galbraith’s novels.
P.D. James was a British author known for detailed detective novels centered around the character Adam Dalgliesh. Readers who enjoy Lynda La Plante’s intricate police stories might find P.D. James appealing.
In her book “Cover Her Face,” James introduces readers to detective Dalgliesh. The story opens with the murder of Sally Jupp, a young housemaid found dead in her employer’s home immediately following a local festival. Dalgliesh investigates with precision and sharp intelligence.
The plot carefully reveals secrets about the family employing Sally, as well as about the tight-knit community. The investigation builds steadily toward a conclusion only Dalgliesh can see clearly, keeping the reader interested until the end.
Kathy Reichs is an author who writes crime novels that feature forensic anthropology. She creates characters and plots grounded in real forensic science methods.
In her novel “Déjà Dead,” the main character, forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan, becomes involved in a murder investigation after finding disturbing connections between several crime scenes in Montreal.
Brennan uses human remains to uncover clues that the police initially overlooked. The case moves swiftly as it uncovers unexpected links among the victims, leading Brennan into dangerous territory.
The story gives readers a close look at criminal investigations through the eyes of an expert that readers of Lynda La Plante will appreciate.
Elizabeth George writes detective novels set mainly in England and featuring Inspector Thomas Lynley and Sergeant Barbara Havers.
Her book “A Great Deliverance” introduces readers to these two different police detectives as they work together on a puzzling murder case in rural Yorkshire. A young woman confesses to the murder, but something about her story doesn’t seem right.
Lynley and Havers go deeper into the family’s history to figure out the truth. Fans of Lynda La Plante who enjoy careful police investigations and believable characters might find Elizabeth George’s books to be a great next read.
Michael Connelly is a crime fiction author known for his character-driven police novels set in Los Angeles. One solid introduction to Connelly’s work is “The Black Echo.” This book features Harry Bosch, a detective who trusts his instincts over formal procedure.
Bosch investigates a body found in a drainpipe, and the clues connect the case to a heist from years earlier. As the case builds, Bosch’s past as a soldier in Vietnam becomes important for solving the crime.
Readers who enjoyed Lynda La Plante’s detailed portrayal of police work and complex investigations may appreciate Connelly’s careful attention to realistic detective methods and believable characters.
John Grisham is an author known for his legal thrillers. His background as a lawyer brings depth and realism to his stories. One good example is “The Firm,” which follows Mitch McDeere, a young lawyer who accepts a job offer that seems almost too good to be true.
Soon after starting at the new law firm, Mitch notices strange details and secretive behavior among his coworkers. He begins to suspect that his employers might be connected to criminal activities.
As Mitch digs deeper, he risks his life and career to uncover the dangerous truth. Readers who enjoy strong characters and tense plots in Lynda La Plante’s novels may find John Grisham’s books engaging.
Jane Casey is an Irish writer known for detective fiction that feels real and intense. Her novel “The Burning” introduces Detective Constable Maeve Kerrigan, who gets drawn into the investigation of a serial killer targeting women across London.
When a new victim appears to differ from the earlier cases, Kerrigan begins to suspect her murder might involve something else entirely. The story moves at a steady pace, with realistic characters and believable police work.
For those who appreciate Lynda La Plante’s straightforward approach to crime solving, Jane Casey offers mysteries with a similar focus on police detail and authentic detective experiences.
Stieg Larsson is a Swedish writer known best for crime fiction with intriguing plots and characters. One of his popular books is “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.” The story follows journalist Mikael Blomkvist and hacker Lisbeth Salander.
They join forces to dig into a decades-old mystery about a missing person from a prominent family. As the investigation uncovers crimes and secrets at every turn, the story shows how far some people will go to protect their reputation.
Readers who find excitement in Lynda La Plante’s detective thrillers will likely enjoy Larsson’s realistic storytelling style and sharp character portrayals.