If you enjoy reading novels by Margaret Millar then you might also like the following authors:
Patricia Highsmith crafts sharply observed psychological thrillers that often explore what drives ordinary people toward crime, guilt, and deception.
If you enjoy Margaret Millar’s style of intriguing, character-driven suspense, you’ll appreciate Highsmith’s novel “Strangers on a Train.”
This tense and absorbing tale follows two men who meet by chance on a train, where a dangerous agreement is casually proposed: each man will commit a murder on behalf of the other.
The tension mounts steadily as suspicion, manipulation, and regret entangle them, pulling readers into a suspenseful story of moral conflict and chilling consequences.
Dorothy B. Hughes was an American writer known for her psychological thrillers and mysteries that keep readers alert and uneasy. If you enjoy Margaret Millar’s suspenseful explorations into the human mind, Hughes’s “In a Lonely Place” might be your next favorite.
In this novel, Dix Steele seems like a normal guy, friendly and pleasant, but beneath his charm lies a chilling secret. When women start turning up dead around Los Angeles, suspicion and tension mount as Dix navigates friendship, romance, and police suspicion.
Hughes cleverly maintains tension throughout the book, carefully revealing insights into Dix’s character and the depths of human darkness in ordinary surroundings.
It’s a perfect choice for readers who appreciate the unsettling atmosphere and profound characterization in Millar’s work.
Charlotte Armstrong was an American suspense novelist known for building psychological tension and clever, twisty plots. If you enjoy Margaret Millar’s exploration of the human mind beneath seemingly ordinary lives, Armstrong’s “A Dram of Poison” could catch your interest.
The novel follows Kenneth Gibson, a mild-mannered academic who buys a deadly poison with dire intentions. After changing his mind, Kenneth misplaces the poison, which sets off a frantic search amid escalating tension and confusion.
Armstrong creates an atmosphere filled with irony and unexpected turns, carefully examining human emotions and ethical dilemmas, similar to Millar’s style.
Books by Ross Macdonald offer tense mysteries and psychological depth that fans of Margaret Millar might appreciate. Macdonald is famous for his Lew Archer detective novels, particularly “The Galton Case.”
In this one, private detective Archer is hired to track down a long-lost heir named Anthony Galton. What begins as a straightforward missing-person case quickly grows into a twisted tale of false identities, family secrets, and past crimes.
Macdonald creates vivid characters trapped by guilt and ambition, giving readers a peek behind the respectable facades that hide darker truths.
If you enjoy Millar’s keen eye for hidden emotional motives and satisfying plot twists, Ross Macdonald might be exactly what you’re looking for.
If you enjoy Margaret Millar’s psychological suspense, Ruth Rendell offers a dark and perceptive storytelling style you’ll appreciate.
In her novel “A Judgement in Stone,” Rendell reveals the shocking details of a chilling crime right from the start: Eunice Parchman kills the entire Coverdale family because she cannot read or write.
Step by step, the book uncovers the hidden tensions, misunderstandings, and subtle cruelties beneath the calm facade of everyday life.
Rendell carefully draws Eunice’s world, her struggles, and hidden frustrations, pulling you deeper into the twisted logic behind the tragic event. Even knowing the outcome beforehand, the progression toward the explosive climax makes the book incredibly tense and absorbing.
If you enjoy Margaret Millar’s psychological mysteries, Barbara Vine may become another favorite author. Barbara Vine is the pen name of Ruth Rendell, a British writer known for her thoughtful mysteries and tense suspense stories.
Her novel “A Dark-Adapted Eye” explores family secrets and hidden resentments within two sisters’ complicated relationship. The story unfolds gradually, shifting between past and present, uncovering truths that lead to tragedy.
Vine carefully examines complex emotions, drawing readers steadily toward a devastating reveal. If you’re fascinated by stories that uncover disturbing family dynamics, “A Dark-Adapted Eye” is a memorable read.
Readers who enjoy Margaret Millar might also appreciate Elizabeth Sanxay Holding, an author known for psychological suspense and relatable characters caught in tense situations.
In her book “The Blank Wall,” Holding portrays Lucia Holley, a suburban housewife thrust into an unexpected crisis. Lucia’s quiet, suburban life turns upside-down when her teenage daughter gets entangled in a troubling incident involving an older man.
The lengths Lucia goes to protect her family create a taut, emotionally charged story, rich with tension and moral dilemmas. Holding’s clear, direct approach captures everyday anxieties and turns them into thrilling suspense.
If you enjoy Margaret Millar’s psychological suspense and sharp plotting, Margery Allingham might be your next great read. Margery Allingham was a British mystery author who created detective Albert Campion, a man of quiet charm and understated wit.
Her novel “The Tiger in the Smoke” centers around a mysterious series of murders in foggy London streets. Albert Campion finds himself facing a cunning villain named Jack Havoc, whose chilling presence casts a shadow over the story.
With a strong atmosphere, well-drawn characters and unexpected twists, this novel blends elements of thriller, crime, and character study.
Readers who enjoy Margaret Millar’s psychological insight and sharp plotting should check out the novels of P.D. James. Her writing combines compelling mysteries with rich character development, capturing human emotions and moral dilemmas.
A great starting point is “Cover Her Face,” the first book in her Adam Dalgliesh series. In this novel, a young maid named Sally Jupp gets murdered shortly after stirring tensions in the household with her provocative behavior.
Detective Dalgliesh investigates the complex web of family secrets, resentments, and jealousies. James crafts suspenseful, thoughtful mysteries that also explore deeper issues beneath the surface crime.
Josephine Tey was a Scottish novelist known for her sharp, psychological mysteries. Her clever plotting and insightful observations into human character might appeal to readers who enjoy Margaret Millar’s work.
One of Tey’s best-loved novels is “The Daughter of Time,” a mystery that unfolds from an unusual perspective. Detective Alan Grant is confined to a hospital bed after an accident, restless and bored.
To pass the time he becomes fascinated with historical portraits, particularly that of Richard III. With help from a young researcher, Grant questions the established history that portrays Richard III as a villain.
The investigation weaves details of historical records with clever detective reasoning, surprising readers along the way. If you enjoy mysteries that explore human motivation and challenge accepted truths, you might find Josephine Tey worth exploring.
Gillian Flynn is known for her dark psychological thrillers filled with mysterious characters and unsettling plots. If you enjoy Margaret Millar’s suspenseful and deeply psychological style, Flynn’s novel “Sharp Objects” could be a great match.
The book tells the story of Camille Preaker, a reporter returning to her small hometown to investigate the murders of two young girls. As she digs deeper into the case, Camille faces disturbing family secrets and must confront her own troubled past.
Flynn’s writing uncovers layers of hidden tensions and emotional scars, building steadily toward an unforgettable conclusion.
Minette Walters is a British author known for psychological suspense novels featuring sharp storytelling and well-crafted characters. Readers who enjoy Margaret Millar’s psychological depth and surprising plot twists often appreciate Walters’ similar approach.
Her novel “The Sculptress” revolves around Olive Martin, a woman sitting in prison for brutally murdering her mother and sister. Journalist Rosalind Leigh, assigned to interview Olive for a book, starts to suspect there is more to this shocking crime than the public knows.
Walters excels in depicting complex characters, gradually unveiling Olive’s past secrets to keep tension high until the end.
Mary Roberts Rinehart was an American mystery writer often called the American Agatha Christie. If you enjoy the psychological suspense and surprising twists of Margaret Millar, Rinehart’s mysteries will pull you right in.
Her novel “The Circular Staircase” tells the story of Rachel Innes, who rents a summer home to relax but instead faces a series of baffling crimes. Strange noises, midnight intruders, and hidden secrets keep Rachel and the reader guessing at each turn.
Rinehart masterfully mixes tension and atmosphere to craft a story that hooks you until the final page.
Arthur Lyons was an American crime fiction writer known for sharp dialogue, authentic characters, and suspenseful storytelling. If you enjoy Margaret Millar’s psychological twists, you might appreciate Lyons’ novel “The Dead Are Discreet.”
In this book, private detective Jacob Asch is hired to investigate a missing person who might not even exist. As Asch searches for answers, he encounters a web of deceit, blackmail, and family secrets.
The deeper he gets, the closer he comes to danger, with a surprising conclusion that will keep any mystery reader intrigued.
Ann Cleeves is a British crime novelist known for her atmospheric mysteries and nuanced characters. If you’re a fan of Margaret Millar’s psychological insights and layered plots, try “Raven Black,” the first book in Cleeves’s Shetland series.
Set in the remote and rugged Scottish Shetland islands, the story starts with the discovery of a teenage girl’s body in the snow. Inspector Jimmy Perez investigates, and soon suspicion and hidden resentments surface among the small island community.
This novel captures the isolation and suspicion of a close-knit community, building to a reveal that’s realistic yet startling.