Mary Keliikoa writes compelling mystery novels with memorable characters and solid plotting. Her popular PI Kelly Pruett series includes titles like Derailed and Denied, earning praise from fans of detective fiction.
If you enjoy reading books by Mary Keliikoa then you might also like the following authors:
Sue Grafton is famous for her smart and realistic detective novels featuring private investigator Kinsey Millhone. She writes strong, independent women characters, similar to Mary Keliikoa's style.
Her alphabet mystery series starts with A is for Alibi, a sharp and cleverly plotted detective story focused on character-driven investigation.
Sara Paretsky creates tough and resourceful female detectives who navigate crime-solving with determination and grit. Her novels often tackle social justice themes like corruption and inequality.
You might like her novel Indemnity Only, which introduces the strong-willed investigator V.I. Warshawski, a character you could find similar in spirit to Mary Keliikoa's heroines.
Laura Lippman writes mystery fiction with rich psychological depth and complex, relatable characters. Her stories often revolve around the intricacies of personal relationships, secrets, and moral ambiguity.
One of her finest novels is What the Dead Know, which features themes of family secrets, suspense, and detailed emotional storytelling, reflecting a style that Mary Keliikoa fans might enjoy.
Robert Crais writes engaging detective thrillers that combine fast-paced plots with humor and authentic character interactions. His Elvis Cole detective stories blend classic detective mystery with Los Angeles crime scenarios.
Try his book The Monkey's Raincoat, the first Elvis Cole novel, filled with sharp dialogue, thrilling plot twists, and appealing detective protagonists.
Dennis Lehane writes gritty and atmospheric thrillers that delve deeply into character motivations and inner conflicts. His Boston-based criminal novels often combine suspense, psychological depth, and social commentary.
You might appreciate his novel Mystic River, an emotionally charged and haunting story that explores friendship, violence, and moral ambiguities much in the way Mary Keliikoa handles intense human drama.
Robert Galbraith, the pseudonym used by J.K. Rowling, crafts detailed crime mysteries built around relatable, deep characters.
Galbraith's writing often gets personal, providing insight into the characters' private struggles and how their lives intersect with their investigations.
In The Cuckoo's Calling, detective Cormoran Strike investigates a case involving the mysterious death of a supermodel, blending sharp investigative detail with complex character stories.
Fans of Mary Keliikoa should appreciate Galbraith's balanced approach of strong storytelling, intriguing cases, and deeply-layered detective work.
Kristen Lepionka writes solid detective fiction featuring a tough but realistic PI navigating complex personal circumstances. Lepionka's style consists of straightforward writing and believable, human issues, especially showcased through the protagonist Roxane Weary.
In The Last Place You Look, Roxane investigates a cold case involving a missing teenager and a convicted man who might be innocent. Readers who enjoy Mary Keliikoa's thoughtful mysteries with relatable, flawed investigators could find much to love in Lepionka's work.
Tracy Clark's writing is direct and engaging. She creates vivid mysteries set in Chicago, featuring Cass Raines, a former police officer turned private investigator.
Clark's books deal with topical themes of justice, corruption, and integrity, with a strong central protagonist who fights tirelessly for those involved.
Broken Places shows Cass investigating the murder of a friend under suspicious circumstances, combining meaningful social context with immersive storytelling. Readers drawn to Keliikoa's investigator-driven, thoughtfully nuanced plots would likely find Clark enjoyable.
Marcia Muller is a classic voice in detective fiction who creates strong female leads and intriguing cases rich in atmosphere and emotional depth. Muller's writing highlights character relationships and the personal stakes involved in each investigation.
In the Sharon McCone series book Edwin of the Iron Shoes, Muller introduces an engaging PI who takes on intriguing cases, often revealing larger human truths. Fans of Mary Keliikoa's emotionally resonant, character-driven mysteries might find Muller's work equally rewarding.
Lisa Gardner tells gripping and intensely paced suspense stories where procedural details matter alongside the human drama. Her writing often examines dark psychological themes and the complexity of human behavior under stress.
Her notable thriller, The Perfect Husband, explores domestic trauma and psychological suspense with constant emotional tension.
Readers who appreciate Mary Keliikoa's balanced blend of psychological depth and tight plotting should consider Lisa Gardner as an author to explore next.
Harlan Coben writes suspenseful mysteries filled with unexpected twists and intricate plots. His books often explore hidden secrets and family relationships, keeping readers guessing until the very end.
A good one to try is Tell No One, a fast-paced novel about a man's quest to uncover the truth about his supposedly dead wife.
Attica Locke creates atmospheric mysteries exploring complex social issues and race relations. Her novels feature richly drawn characters and vividly realized settings, pulling readers into the heart of compelling narratives.
You might like Bluebird, Bluebird, a novel following Texas Ranger Darren Mathews as he investigates two mysterious murders in rural East Texas.
Alex Segura combines engaging plots with gritty crime scenes and richly-layered characters, often set against vibrant urban backdrops. He blends mystery with pop-culture references, creating suspenseful and entertaining reads.
Check out Silent City, introducing readers to journalist-turned-investigator Pete Fernandez as he dives into Miami's dangerous underside.
Tana French crafts intricate psychological mysteries that explore the darker corners of human nature. Her plots unfold through vivid narratives and complex protagonists struggling with personal and ethical conflicts.
Start with In the Woods, where Detective Rob Ryan is drawn into a disturbing case with uncomfortable ties to his forgotten childhood past.
Megan Abbott writes tense dramas focusing on teenage life, secrets, and desires, exploring the dark side beneath seemingly ordinary lives. Her suspenseful stories examine competitive relationships and the pressures of adolescent experiences.
Dare Me provides an intense and unsettling look into the high-stakes world of teenage cheerleading, where friendships come under incredible strain.