If you enjoy reading novels by Margery Allingham then you might also like the following authors:
If you enjoy Margery Allingham, you might also appreciate Agatha Christie, often called the Queen of Mystery. Her books offer witty dialogue, clever plots and crime puzzles that keep you guessing. A good place to start is “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd”.
The story takes place in a peaceful English village, where the sudden death of Roger Ackroyd shocks the residents. Hercule Poirot, Christie’s clever Belgian detective, tries to uncover who committed the murder.
The mystery provides intriguing characters, unexpected twists and keeps you turning the pages until Poirot finally reveals the killer.
Dorothy L. Sayers was a British author famous for her detective stories featuring the witty Lord Peter Wimsey. Readers who enjoy Margery Allingham’s detective fiction will likely appreciate Sayers’ clever plots and well-developed characters.
One of Sayers’ standout novels is “Strong Poison”. In this mystery, Lord Peter Wimsey investigates the puzzling case of Harriet Vane, a novelist accused of murdering her fiancé.
Wimsey is convinced of Harriet’s innocence and attempts to unravel the mystery while navigating complicated clues and fascinating courtroom drama. The book offers a satisfying mix of suspense, humor, and intriguing characters that mystery readers often enjoy.
If you enjoy Margery Allingham’s detective novels, you might also appreciate Ngaio Marsh. She was a mystery author from New Zealand whose detective stories star Inspector Roderick Alleyn. A good book to start with is “A Man Lay Dead.”
In this story, several guests arrive for a country house party expecting an entertaining murder mystery game, but soon they realize that the murder they’ve gathered to solve is real. Inspector Alleyn steps in to unravel the clues, and everyone quickly becomes a suspect.
The dialogues are witty, the characters well-developed, and the suspense steadily increases throughout the book, making it hard to put down.
Josephine Tey was a Scottish author known for clever detective stories featuring Inspector Alan Grant. Her book “The Daughter of Time” has an unusual premise.
Inspector Grant is stuck in a hospital bed after an injury, so he uses historical research methods instead of police legwork to solve the famous mystery of Richard III and the two princes in the Tower.
This book combines history and detective fiction into a story that unfolds entirely through dialogue and historical documents.
If you like Margery Allingham’s Albert Campion mysteries, Tey’s Inspector Grant might well appeal to you, especially for the intelligent way she handles an investigation.
If you enjoy Margery Allingham’s detective stories, you might also like Georgette Heyer. Heyer is best known for her detective novels and historical romances, especially those set in the Regency period.
One of her detective novels, “The Unfinished Clue,” centers around the murder of the unpleasant Sir Arthur Billington-Smith at his country estate. The house is filled with guests, family members and staff who disliked him, each with motives for wanting him dead.
Inspector Harding arrives from Scotland Yard and carefully investigates these characters, their secrets and personal conflicts. The novel keeps readers guessing, with witty dialogues and interesting personalities, until the identity of the killer is revealed.
It’s a good starting point for readers curious about Heyer’s mysteries.
If you’re a fan of Margery Allingham, you might enjoy the novels by P.D. James. She is best known for her detective mysteries featuring Adam Dalgliesh, a thoughtful and intelligent Scotland Yard detective.
In her book “Cover Her Face,” Dalgliesh investigates the murder of Sally Jupp, a maid who is found strangled in her bed. This story has rich characters and a plot that keeps readers guessing until the end. James carefully builds suspense through conversations and subtle clues.
Fans of classic detective fiction might find her style appealing.
If you like Margery Allingham’s detective novels, you might also appreciate Ruth Rendell’s mysteries. Rendell created Inspector Wexford, a thoughtful detective who solves psychological puzzles and complex cases in small English towns.
In “From Doon With Death,” Inspector Wexford investigates the puzzling murder of Margaret Parsons, a seemingly ordinary housewife. The clues at first make no sense.
But as Wexford discovers Margaret’s secret life, the investigation takes surprising turns, revealing hidden relationships within the community.
Rendell’s careful attention to character motivations turns the investigation into a fascinating exploration of ordinary people’s hidden desires.
Ellis Peters is a great author if you’re a fan of Margery Allingham. Her mysteries feature Brother Cadfael, a monk who solves murders with thoughtfulness and subtle observation.
In “A Morbid Taste for Bones,” Brother Cadfael travels from his English monastery to a Welsh village to recover the bones of a saint. But when a murder happens in the community, Cadfael finds himself involved, guided by careful logic and a deep understanding of human nature.
The story’s atmosphere, interesting characters, and clever twist will likely appeal to anyone who enjoys Margery Allingham’s mysteries.
Cyril Hare wrote clever and tightly constructed mysteries, often set against interesting legal or historical backdrops.
In “Tragedy at Law,” Hare masterfully weaves the world of the British legal system into a gripping story, while “An English Murder” unfolds within the confines of a classic country house.
Fans of Margery Allingham may appreciate Hare’s sharp wit, atmospheric settings, and intricate puzzles that reward close attention to detail.
E.C.R. Lorac crafted sharp and atmospheric mysteries that continue to captivate readers.
In “Bats in the Belfry,” a sinister disappearance in London’s artistic circles leads to unsettling discoveries, while “Fire in the Thatch” moves the suspense to the quiet Devon countryside, where murder disrupts rural life.
Her works offer vivid settings and clever plotting, making them timeless examples of classic British crime fiction.
Edmund Crispin crafted sharp, witty mysteries that often blended humor with clever plots. Books such as “The Moving Toyshop” and “The Case of the Gilded Fly” showcase his skill for complex puzzles and unexpected twists.
His stories also feature rich, atmospheric settings and a touch of eccentricity. Fans of Margery Allingham may appreciate his knack for combining wit, intelligence, and memorable characters within vividly drawn mysteries.
Patricia Wentworth crafted engaging mysteries that continue to captivate readers. Her series featuring Miss Maud Silver, a sharp and intuitive detective, stands out in the genre.
Novels such as “Grey Mask” and “The Chinese Shawl” showcase her talent for weaving suspenseful and clever plots filled with unexpected twists.
Gladys Mitchell wrote clever and unconventional mysteries that often feature psychological depth and complex plots. Her sleuth, Mrs. Bradley, takes center stage in works like “The Saltmarsh Murders” and “Death at the Opera,” combining sharp intellect with eccentric charm.
Fans of Margery Allingham may appreciate Mitchell’s ability to weave atmosphere and character-driven puzzles into stories that challenge and entertain in equal measure.
Michael Innes crafted clever and complex mysteries, often flavored with wit and literary references. His novel “Hamlet, Revenge!” offers a smart and intricate whodunit centered on a theatrical production.
Another standout, “The Journeying Boy,” combines suspense and humor in a story about a tutor and his student caught in unexpected danger.
John Dickson Carr crafted masterful and atmospheric mysteries, celebrated for their clever plots and Gothic flair. His novels, such as “The Hollow Man” and “Till Death Do Us Part,” showcase his skill in constructing locked-room puzzles that challenge the sharpest of minds.
Fans of Margery Allingham may appreciate his ability to blend sophistication with a touch of the macabre, offering a similarly satisfying and intelligent escape into the world of classic detective fiction.