Mike Carey is an author who moves between comics and novels, and does it so well. He’s got this knack for blending genres, mixing fantasy with horror, and even a bit of crime sometimes.
If you are drawn to books that have a darker feel, with characters that are not always easy to understand, and plots that twist and turn, then finding authors similar to Mike Carey could be right for you.
Neil Gaiman is an imaginative storyteller whose blend of fantasy, horror, and mythology appeals to fans of Mike Carey. In his novel “Neverwhere,” Gaiman introduces the fascinating world of London Below. This hidden city exists beneath the streets of modern-day London.
The protagonist, Richard Mayhew, is an ordinary man who becomes entangled in this mysterious place after helping a strange woman named Door. As Richard explores the shadowy passageways and encounters strange creatures, he faces dangers and wonders beyond imagination.
Readers familiar with Carey’s fresh twists on urban fantasy will appreciate Gaiman’s cleverly crafted characters and vivid portrayal of a secret, parallel London.
Jim Butcher is an author you might enjoy if you appreciate Mike Carey’s urban fantasy style and snappy dialogue. His novel “Storm Front” introduces us to Harry Dresden, the only professional wizard listed in Chicago’s phone book.
Harry specializes in supernatural cases and tackles everything from missing objects to mysterious murders. In this first book of the Dresden Files, Harry investigates a brutal double murder that quickly connects him to the dark underworld of magic and crime.
Butcher skillfully balances humor, suspense, and the supernatural, making Dresden an engaging character who feels very much human despite his magical abilities.
If you relish Mike Carey’s clever, gritty approach to urban fantasy, you’ll probably find yourself drawn to Jim Butcher’s world.
Ben Aaronovitch is a British author known for fantasy mysteries that blend supernatural elements with sharp wit and vivid locations. If you enjoy Mike Carey’s imaginative storytelling, you might also appreciate Aaronovitch’s approach in “Rivers of London.”
This novel introduces Peter Grant, a young police officer who unexpectedly encounters magic on the streets he patrols daily. Following a strange murder case, Peter is assigned to a special policing unit that investigates supernatural crimes across London.
Magic, ancient myths, and modern detective work come together seamlessly in a witty, clever story that keeps you turning pages. If you find pleasure in urban fantasy and mysteries with unusual twists, Aaronovitch is worth exploring.
Kat Richardson writes intriguing supernatural crime fiction with strong mystery elements, making her a great pick for readers who enjoy Mike Carey’s books.
In her novel “Greywalker,” private investigator Harper Blaine barely survives a violent attack and briefly dies before doctors revive her. Afterward, Harper finds herself in a strange state between life and death, called the Grey.
Now she sees spirits and creatures from the other side. Pulled deeper into a hidden world, Harper must deal with ghosts, vampires, and other paranormal beings while balancing delicate cases from her normal detective work.
Mystery and suspense fans will appreciate Richardson’s mix of supernatural thrills and gritty investigations set against the dark, modern streets of Seattle.
If you enjoy Mike Carey’s blend of urban fantasy and supernatural mystery, Seanan McGuire might also appeal to your taste. Her novel “Rosemary and Rue” kicks off the exciting October Daye series.
October “Toby” Daye is a changeling private investigator caught between the human and faerie worlds. After losing fourteen years to faerie magic, Toby reconnects painfully with a world she barely recognizes.
When a friend is murdered, Toby finds herself pulled back into dangerous lands filled with hidden truth, complex alliances, and deadly magic. McGuire creates a vivid, gritty portrayal of San Francisco infused with faerie lore and memorable characters.
Fans of clever plots and well-developed magical settings will likely find much to admire here.
China Miéville is a British author celebrated for his dark, imaginative fantasy and speculative fiction. His novel “Perdido Street Station” is set in the city of New Crobuzon.
The city is gloomy and strange, filled with bizarre technology, weird creatures, and sinister political intrigues. The plot follows a scientist named Isaac who accidentally unleashes a deadly horror upon the city.
He and a small group of unlikely allies must evade dangerous criminals, corrupt officials, and monstrous threats they barely comprehend.
Fans of Mike Carey, particularly of books like “The Devil You Know,” might appreciate Miéville’s gritty blend of the fantastic and the unsettling.
Readers who enjoy Mike Carey’s dark fantasy and supernatural thrills might find Richard Kadrey’s books appealing too. Kadrey is known for blending gritty urban settings with sharp humor and imaginative storytelling.
His novel “Sandman Slim” introduces James Stark, a powerful magician recently escaped from Hell, who returns to Los Angeles seeking vengeance. Stark confronts demons, shady characters, and various supernatural threats in a story marked by edgy wit and a memorable antihero.
The pace is fast, the magic entertainingly violent, and the portrayal of supernatural Los Angeles richly vivid.
Clive Barker is an author known for blurring the lines between fantasy and horror in his fiction. If you enjoyed Mike Carey’s novels that mix dark fantasy with intricate supernatural worlds, Barker’s “Weaveworld” might catch your attention.
The story centers around a magical tapestry hiding an entire enchanted realm, pursued by both ordinary and supernatural forces.
Cal Mooney, an ordinary young man, accidentally discovers this secret world trapped within the weave, and he becomes deeply involved in the struggle to protect it from characters who desire its power for themselves.
Barker creates a rich narrative filled with wonder and tension, perfect for readers who enjoy the blend of the everyday world and darker fantastical elements.
Paul Cornell is a British author known for blending supernatural elements, dark mystery and strong character development. Readers who enjoy Mike Carey’s dark fantasy storytelling will find plenty to sink their teeth into with Cornell’s novel “London Falling”.
The book is about a group of London police officers who accidentally gain the Sight—the ability to see the terrifyingly real supernatural world within the city.
As they investigate a gruesome series of murders, the officers realize that the city’s ancient myths and darkest secrets are far from imaginary, and that an even greater evil lurks behind their case.
Cornell makes each character face their own fears and doubts, which adds depth to the tense plot and builds to an explosive climax. Fans of Carey’s gritty supernatural worlds, vivid London settings and morally complex characters will find Cornell a rewarding new discovery.
If you enjoy Mike Carey’s blend of dark fantasy and thriller elements, you might appreciate the imaginative storytelling of Michael Marshall Smith. Smith crafts mysterious atmospheres and strange realities that captivate readers.
His novel “The Straw Men” weaves two suspenseful thriller plots together into one intense narrative. The story combines elements of crime procedural with hints of deeper, more sinister forces.
Characters are well-developed, and situations become increasingly tense, making the book hard to put down. Fans of Carey’s intricate plots and authentic characters may find Smith’s work equally satisfying and engaging.
Books by Simon R. Green deliver gritty supernatural stories through dry humor, sharp dialogue, and supernatural investigations. If you enjoyed the paranormal mysteries and urban settings of Mike Carey, try Green’s “Something from the Nightside.”
This novel introduces John Taylor, a private investigator who returns to the Nightside, London’s hidden supernatural heart, a place where it’s always 3 AM and anything is possible—for a price.
John must uncover a missing girl in a place teeming with monsters, gods, angels, and creatures beyond imagination. Green’s vivid setting, quick pace, and cleverly drawn characters provide an excellent entry into a darker, yet lively, urban fantasy series.
Joe Hill is an author worth exploring for anyone who enjoys Mike Carey’s blend of suspense, supernatural themes, and engaging characters. His novel “NOS4A2” is an excellent entry point.
The story centers on Vic McQueen, a woman with the extraordinary ability to find lost objects by riding her motorcycle across an impossible bridge.
Her life takes a dark turn when she encounters Charlie Manx, a sinister figure who kidnaps children and drains their souls to keep himself youthful.
Hill creates an eerie atmosphere, blurs the line between everyday reality and supernatural horror, and gives depth to his flawed yet relatable characters. Fans of Carey will appreciate Hill’s storytelling talent and his ability to balance darkness with humanity.
Books by Laurell K. Hamilton offer thrilling blends of mystery, fantasy, and supernatural elements. Her popular Anita Blake series is an excellent choice for readers who enjoy Mike Carey’s urban fantasy style.
In “Guilty Pleasures,” the first book in the series, we meet Anita Blake, a tough-as-nails vampire hunter and necromancer who raises the dead for a living.
Anita finds herself reluctantly working alongside Jean-Claude, a charismatic and manipulative vampire, to solve a series of gruesome murders. Anita struggles to uphold her morals, navigate dangerous politics, and survive supernatural threats in a gritty, vividly imagined world.
Hamilton crafts suspenseful plots filled with sharp dialogue and complex characters, perfect for anyone who appreciates Mike Carey’s engaging urban fantasy narratives.
Charlaine Harris is an author known for mixing mystery, fantasy, and supernatural elements into addictive stories that pull you in right away.
If you enjoy Mike Carey’s style of blending noir detective work with a supernatural twist, Charlaine Harris’s “Dead Until Dark” might appeal to you. It follows Sookie Stackhouse, a waitress from small-town Louisiana who has the unusual ability to hear people’s thoughts.
When she meets Bill Compton, a vampire who recently moved into town, her life takes a complicated turn. Soon, Sookie finds herself caught between hidden communities of vampires and humans, with murder and mystery lurking around every corner.
Harris creates quirky and memorable characters, a realistic southern setting, and an intriguing story that never slows down.
Readers who enjoy Mike Carey’s unique mix of supernatural elements, intriguing worlds, and memorable characters might also appreciate the works of P. Djèlí Clark. Clark masterfully crafts stories set in alternate histories with supernatural twists and fascinating characters.
His novella “Ring Shout” offers a gripping tale set in 1920s America, where the Ku Klux Klan secretly serves a dark supernatural force.
The protagonist, Maryse Boudreaux, wields a mystical sword against horrifying creatures called Ku Kluxes, whose true nature lies hidden beneath human disguises.
With themes of heroism, race, and folklore woven together, Clark builds a vivid story that’s thrilling from the first page to the last.