If you enjoy reading books by Mary Roberts Rinehart then you might also like the following authors:
Agatha Christie is famous for her clever mysteries and unforgettable detectives like Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. One of her books, “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd,” features Poirot investigating the death of a wealthy man in a small English village.
Secrets pile up as the residents try to hide their connections to the victim. The story has an unforgettable twist that has made it a classic in the mystery genre.
Dorothy L. Sayers is known for her clever detective stories featuring Lord Peter Wimsey, an aristocrat with a sharp eye for solving mysteries. In her book “Whose Body?”, a man’s body turns up in a bathtub, naked except for a pair of pince-nez glasses.
Lord Peter dives into the case, uncovering secrets and facing twists that make it hard to tell who is friend or foe. The story moves through London’s different worlds, from high society to darker, hidden corners, keeping the investigation layered and intriguing.
Anna Katharine Green is often hailed as one of the pioneers of detective fiction. Her book “The Leavenworth Case” introduces readers to detective Ebenezer Gryce, who investigates the murder of a wealthy man in his New York mansion.
The story is filled with twists, from suspicious servants to conflicting testimonies, as Gryce works to uncover the truth. If you enjoy Mary Roberts Rinehart’s knack for weaving mysteries around complex characters, you might find Green’s stories equally engaging.
Josephine Tey was a British mystery writer known for her clever plots and sharp character studies. One of her most interesting books is “The Daughter of Time.”
In it, Detective Alan Grant is stuck in a hospital bed and decides to investigate the historical mystery of King Richard III. The story revolves around whether Richard really murdered his nephews, the Princes in the Tower.
Grant uses documents, portraits, and history books as his clues, piecing together events from centuries earlier. It’s a unique twist on the detective genre, blending crime and historical analysis in a way that keeps you hooked.
Mignon G. Eberhart was an American mystery writer whose style often blended suspense with romance. Her books are perfect for fans of Mary Roberts Rinehart.
One of her early works, “While the Patient Slept,” introduces nurse Sarah Keate, who finds herself caught in a murder investigation while tending to a comatose patient in a gloomy mansion.
The story unravels through sharp dialogue, tense moments, and secrets hidden within the family. Eberhart’s settings often feel atmospheric, and her way of building tension keeps readers engrossed without relying on unnecessary twists.
Georgette Heyer is best known for her historical romances, but her mystery novels also have a lot to offer. Fans of Mary Roberts Rinehart might enjoy her book “The Unfinished Clue.”
In this story, a wealthy and overbearing man named Sir Arthur Billington-Smith is found dead after a particularly nasty argument with his family and guests. Nearly everyone in the house has a reason to want him gone, and Inspector Harding arrives to piece together the truth.
The story unfolds in a countryside estate filled with secrets, tense relationships, and more than one suspect with something to hide.
Patricia Wentworth is known for her classic mystery novels featuring the sleuth Miss Silver, a former governess turned detective. If you’re a fan of Mary Roberts Rinehart, you might enjoy the way Miss Silver uncovers secrets in quiet, everyday settings.
In “The Grey Mask,” the story begins with Charles Moray returning home after years away to find his house occupied by a strange group plotting something sinister. As the mystery deepens, Miss Silver uses her sharp observations to bring the truth to light.
The book is filled with unexpected twists and an air of suspense that keeps you turning the pages.
Ngaio Marsh was a New Zealand author best known for her detective fiction. Her books often feature Chief Inspector Roderick Alleyn, a sharp but fair investigator. One of her books, “A Man Lay Dead,” starts with a murder during a country house party.
The guests are playing a murder game for fun, but things take a dark turn when someone ends up actually dead. Alleyn steps in and pieces together clues as he untangles relationships and motives.
The mix of social settings and suspense creates a strong sense of mystery throughout the story. If you enjoy Mary Roberts Rinehart’s blend of thrilling plots and twists, Marsh might be a great choice.
Elizabeth Daly was an American mystery writer known for her Henry Gamadge series. Her books focus on intelligent puzzles rather than violence, making them feel like classics of the genre.
In “Arrow Pointing Nowhere,” Henry Gamadge, a rare book expert, gets drawn into a mysterious case when a series of cryptic notes appear in a locked room of a mansion.
Using his sharp eye for detail and love for books, he uncovers secrets lurking behind the wealthy family’s polished front. Fans of Mary Roberts Rinehart might enjoy Daly’s blend of quiet suspense and sharp storytelling.
Ellery Queen is both the pen name of a duo of cousins and the name of their detective character. Their mysteries often challenge readers to solve the case alongside the detective.
In “The Greek Coffin Mystery,” Ellery investigates a puzzling case involving a missing will and a mysterious death. The story takes sharp turns, keeping you curious about who to trust.
As Ellery pieces everything together, the solution is revealed in a way that feels clever and satisfying. Fans of Mary Roberts Rinehart’s intricate plotting might find Ellery Queen’s mysteries equally engaging.
Erle Stanley Gardner is well-known for creating the Perry Mason series, which blends mystery with courtroom drama. His writing often features clever twists and sharp dialogue.
In “The Case of the Velvet Claws,” Perry Mason defends a woman caught in a blackmail scheme tied to a scandalous gossip magazine. The story keeps readers engaged with its legal maneuvers and surprising revelations.
Fans of Mary Roberts Rinehart’s mysteries might enjoy Gardner’s ability to craft puzzles that keep you turning the pages.
Ethel Lina White wrote mysteries that often centered on ordinary people caught in tense situations. One of her most well-known books, “The Spiral Staircase” (originally titled “Some Must Watch”), is set in an isolated house.
The story follows Helen, a young woman working as a companion for an elderly lady. A series of distressing events unfolds when news spreads of a murderer targeting women in the area.
With a storm cutting them off from outside help, Helen begins to suspect someone in the house might not be who they seem. White’s ability to build suspense in everyday settings makes her stories unforgettable.
Marjorie Bowen was a British author known for her historical fiction with dark, suspenseful elements. Fans of Mary Roberts Rinehart might enjoy Bowen’s “The Viper of Milan.” The story is set in 14th-century Italy and centers on treachery, revenge, and power struggles.
It follows Duke Gian Maria and the cunning Filippo Visconti as they battle for control, with plots full of twists and characters driven by ambition and betrayal. The atmosphere feels tense and charged, pulling readers into a world of danger and deceit.
Margery Allingham was one of the classic authors of British detective fiction. Her most famous creation is Albert Campion, a quirky gentleman detective with a knack for getting involved in unusual cases.
In “The Crime at Black Dudley,” Campion is introduced during a weekend gathering at a secluded country house. When a murder occurs, the guests find themselves trapped, and a sinister criminal element threatens them all.
The story mixes a locked-room mystery with action and intrigue, keeping readers hooked as Campion navigates danger with his wit and peculiar charm. Fans of Mary Roberts Rinehart’s suspenseful and atmospheric mysteries might enjoy Allingham’s work.
Rex Stout is known for his Nero Wolfe mysteries, which feature a brilliant but reclusive detective and his sharp-talking assistant, Archie Goodwin. If you enjoy Mary Roberts Rinehart’s twisty plots and clever characters, you might like “Fer-de-Lance.”
In this book, Nero Wolfe uncovers a peculiar murder involving a poisoned golf club. Archie’s quick wit adds humor while the case unfolds with clever turns. Stout’s writing is smooth, and his characters are full of personality.