If you enjoy reading novels by Michael McGarrity then you might also like the following authors:
Tony Hillerman wrote mystery novels featuring Navajo Tribal Police officers Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee. His books blend captivating crime stories with Navajo culture and traditions.
In “Dance Hall of the Dead,” two young boys disappear near a Zuni village, and Joe Leaphorn is sent to investigate. The case involves ancient traditions, betrayal, and a deep respect for the land.
Hillerman paints a vivid picture of the Southwest that pulls you right into the story. Fans of Michael McGarrity’s mysteries will appreciate the way Hillerman ties culture and setting into his plots.
C.J. Box writes crime and mystery stories set in the rugged landscapes of the American West. His book, “Open Season,” introduces Joe Pickett, a Wyoming game warden who finds himself tangled in a case involving murder, endangered wildlife, and small-town secrets.
Joe isn’t a flashy hero—he’s a family man who makes mistakes yet always strives to do what’s right. The story kicks off when Joe discovers a dead body near his home, leading him to uncover connections to poaching and corruption.
Box’s writing captures the wildness of Wyoming and the challenges of rural life while mixing in plenty of suspense.
Craig Johnson writes stories filled with rich characters and a strong sense of place. He’s best known for his Walt Longmire mystery series, which follows a Wyoming sheriff as he solves crimes in his small-town community.
In “The Cold Dish,” the first book in the series, Sheriff Longmire investigates the murder of a young man. The victim had been involved in a previous crime that brought divisive emotions to the surface in the town.
The story weaves together a tale of justice, loyalty, and the complicated relationships in a rural setting. Johnson balances suspense with moments that reveal the heart and humor of his characters.
William Kent Krueger writes stories that often carry a strong sense of place and rich characters. One of his stand-out books is “Ordinary Grace.”
Set in a small Minnesota town during the 1960s, it focuses on a boy named Frank Drum as he navigates a summer filled with tragedy and secrets.
The story unfolds through Frank’s perspective, as he uncovers hidden truths about his family, the town, and the people he thought he knew. It’s a mix of mystery and human drama wrapped in a poignant coming-of-age tale.
J.A. Jance is a bestselling mystery writer known for her thrilling detective novels. One of her standout books is “Desert Heat,” the first in the Joanna Brady series. The story introduces Joanna Brady, a sheriff’s wife in a small Arizona town.
Her world is upended when her husband is found dead in what authorities claim is a suicide. Joanna refuses to accept this, uncovering a deeper web of lies and danger.
The strong sense of place and a determined heroine make this an engaging read for fans of Michael McGarrity’s stories, which also capture the spirit of the Southwest and the complexities of crime in smaller communities.
Nevada Barr is known for writing mystery novels set in national parks, with her background as a park ranger bringing a unique authenticity to her stories.
One of her popular books, “Track of the Cat,” introduces Anna Pigeon, a park ranger who stumbles upon a dead colleague in the rugged Texas wilderness of Guadalupe Mountains National Park. The death appears to be caused by a mountain lion, but Anna starts to suspect foul play.
The isolation of the park and the dangers lurking in the wild create a tense atmosphere, as Anna untangles the truth behind the incident. Fans of Michael McGarrity might enjoy the blend of crime and setting in Barr’s work.
Margaret Coel writes mysteries set on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming, weaving Native American culture with crime stories. In her book “The Eagle Catcher,” an Arapaho tribal chairman is found dead at a mission.
Father John O’Malley and Arapaho lawyer Vicky Holden investigate. The story takes you into the reservation’s tight-knit community, where old tensions and secrets surface. Coel’s writing gives a strong sense of place, and her characters feel grounded in the world they live in.
Fans of Michael McGarrity will appreciate the mix of mystery and Western elements.
James D. Doss was an American author known for his mystery novels featuring Charlie Moon, a Ute rancher and part-time tribal investigator. In his book “The Night Visitor,” the story weaves together Native American folklore, everyday ranch life, and an unusual murder case.
Charlie’s Aunt Daisy, a strong-spirited shaman, claims to have received a disturbing vision about a young woman who later turns up dead.
Combining his practical thinking and a touch of skepticism toward his aunt’s mystical ways, Charlie faces twists that lead him deeper into the shadows of the reservation. It blends a unique cultural backdrop with an engaging investigation.
Archer Mayor is known for his Joe Gunther mystery series, combining crime-solving with a strong sense of place in Vermont.
In “The Skeleton’s Knee,” Joe Gunther investigates the suspicious death of a man whose knee replacement, decades old, raises questions about his true identity.
The case leads Joe to uncover long-buried secrets tied to greed and betrayal, pulling him into a world where the rural setting hides unexpected dangers.
Fans of Michael McGarrity might appreciate Mayor’s focus on detailed police work and characters who feel grounded in their environment.
Stephen White writes psychological thrillers with sharp focus on characters and their personal struggles. He’s known for his series featuring Dr. Alan Gregory, a psychologist based in Colorado, who often gets pulled into dangerous situations.
In “Privileged Information,” the first book in the series, Gregory becomes entangled in a mystery when several of his patients die under suspicious circumstances. As he navigates his professional ethics and the need to figure out what’s happening, the stakes rise quickly.
White’s mix of therapy sessions and unexpected twists makes for an engaging read.
Elizabeth Gunn writes crime fiction with a sharp focus on character and setting. Her novel “Cool in Tucson” kicks off the Sarah Burke series, following a determined, no-nonsense homicide detective in Arizona.
In this book, Sarah juggles a challenging murder investigation and her complicated personal life, including raising her niece after a family tragedy.
The story combines the grit of police work with a strong sense of place, pulling you into the dry heat of the Southwest and the lives of people Sarah encounters on the job.
Fans of Michael McGarrity’s New Mexico-based mysteries might enjoy Gunn’s take on crime and the desert Southwest.
Dana Stabenow is known for her mysteries set against the rugged backdrop of Alaska. In her book “A Cold Day for Murder,” she introduces Kate Shugak, a private investigator and Aleut who lives in a remote Alaskan community.
The story begins when a young park ranger and an investigator disappear in a seemingly quiet area. Kate is pulled into the case and must navigate not only the wilderness but also the tight-knit, secretive locals.
Stabenow blends the isolation and beauty of Alaska with the tension of a murder investigation, creating a story that keeps you invested in both the mystery and the setting.
If you enjoy stories where the environment feels as alive as the characters, this might catch your interest.
Jon Talton writes crime fiction that feels grounded in place and character, with a strong sense of realism. One of his books, “Concrete Desert,” introduces David Mapstone, a former history professor turned deputy sheriff.
The story starts when Mapstone returns to Phoenix and gets pulled into investigating an old, unsolved case from the 1950s after a body is found in a desert canal. Talton weaves the modern world with a historical mystery, creating a story where the past collides with the present.
Fans of Michael McGarrity will probably enjoy the way Talton captures the Arizona setting and fills his story with sharp, realistic details.
Don Winslow writes crime and thriller novels that draw readers into sharp, well-constructed stories. In his book “The Force,” he follows NYPD detective Denny Malone, a man who considers himself the king of Manhattan North.
Tasked with upholding the law, he secretly dances on both sides of it, caught in corruption, loyalty, and betrayal. The story immerses you in the gritty realities of law enforcement, from backdoor deals to the personal cost of living a double life.
Winslow’s ability to show the burdens Malone carries makes the character unforgettable.
Craig Lesley often writes stories rooted in the American West, with themes of family, struggle, and redemption. His book “The Sky Fisherman” tells the story of a young boy named Culver, who moves in with his uncle after a family tragedy.
His uncle, a well-respected fishing guide, becomes a father figure to him as they navigate life in a small river town. The book explores their relationship while touching on tensions in the community and the natural world surrounding them.
It’s a story full of heart and the challenges that come with trying to find your place in a world that doesn’t always make sense.