Paul Doiron is an author many readers enjoy, especially if they love mysteries with a strong sense of place. His books are usually set in Maine, often with a game warden as the main character. The wild landscapes of Maine are almost as important as the crimes he writes about.
If you enjoy the works of Paul Doiron and you like stories that blend crime with a deep connection to nature, you will probably be interested in authors with similar styles and settings.
These writers also explore the relationship between people and the natural world in the context of exciting mysteries.
William Kent Krueger writes mystery novels set against the vast wilderness of Minnesota. If you enjoy Paul Doiron and his Maine game warden Mike Bowditch series, you’ll likely appreciate Krueger’s Cork O’Connor mysteries.
In “Iron Lake,” the first book of this series, Cork O’Connor, a former sheriff of a small town in Minnesota, investigates a series of suspicious deaths during a harsh winter. The setting is vividly described, with snowy forests, icy lakes, and remote communities.
Cork is facing his own struggles with family and identity, in addition to dealing with tensions between local residents and the nearby Ojibwe community.
Secrets, suspense, intriguing characters, and a powerful natural backdrop drive this complex mystery, giving readers both a gripping crime story and rich exploration of place and community.
C.J. Box is an author who writes intriguing mysteries set in Wyoming’s rugged wilderness. His stories introduce readers to game warden Joe Pickett, a character who protects wildlife while often finding himself in dangerous circumstances.
One notable book, “Open Season,” follows Joe as he confronts poachers and corruption in his small community. The story begins with Joe facing criticism after an arrest goes badly wrong.
As he tries to redeem himself, he uncovers dark secrets involving powerful locals willing to go to great lengths to protect their interests.
Readers who enjoy Paul Doiron’s mysteries featuring warden Mike Bowditch will find familiar territory in C.J. Box’s vivid outdoor settings and tense storylines.
If you enjoy Paul Doiron’s vivid storytelling and rugged outdoor settings, Craig Johnson might be another author you’d appreciate. Johnson’s “The Cold Dish” introduces Sheriff Walt Longmire, a seasoned lawman who investigates a murder in Absaroka County, Wyoming.
Johnson mixes small-town humor and Western landscapes into his crime narrative. Walt Longmire is a strong yet relatable lead character, facing both personal and professional challenges as he tries to keep justice in his community.
The plot is well-paced, filled with local color and authentic dialogue, offering an engaging reading experience for mystery lovers who appreciate strong characters and rural settings.
Nevada Barr is an author known for writing suspenseful mystery novels set against vivid outdoor backdrops. Her series of books features park ranger Anna Pigeon, a strong, determined protagonist who deals with danger and intrigue in national parks across the United States.
One thrilling novel is “Track of the Cat,” which introduces readers to Anna Pigeon in the rugged landscapes of West Texas’ Guadalupe Mountains National Park.
After discovering the suspicious death of a fellow ranger, Anna faces threats from both nature and people as she investigates the death.
Nevada Barr captures the natural world authentically, creating suspenseful plots that readers who appreciate the outdoor mysteries of Paul Doiron will likely enjoy.
Readers who enjoy Paul Doiron’s gripping wilderness mysteries may also appreciate Steve Hamilton’s captivating storytelling.
Hamilton’s “A Cold Day in Paradise” introduces detective Alex McKnight, a former Detroit police officer now living a quiet life in Michigan’s remote Upper Peninsula.
When a string of murders disturbs the peaceful community, Alex finds himself drawn back into the dangerous world he once left behind. The novel skillfully combines suspenseful mystery with rugged outdoor settings and believable characters.
Hamilton keeps readers guessing until the very end, making this thriller difficult to put down.
Tony Hillerman was an American author known for his atmospheric mysteries set in the Southwest, often featuring Navajo culture and vivid desert landscapes.
If you enjoy Paul Doiron’s novels about crime investigations in rural settings with rich cultural backgrounds, check out Hillerman’s book “Dance Hall of the Dead.”
In this unique mystery, Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn investigates the disappearance of two boys, one Navajo and one Zuni, against the backdrop of traditional Native American customs and beliefs.
Hillerman weaves the cultural elements seamlessly into the plot, providing both an intriguing mystery and an insightful glimpse into Navajo and Zuni traditions and life. His careful attention to location and believable characters make his stories stand out.
If you enjoy Paul Doiron’s fast-paced mysteries set against rugged outdoor backdrops, you might also appreciate John Sandford’s crime thrillers with detective Lucas Davenport.
In his novel “Rules of Prey,” Davenport tracks a smart and dangerous killer known as the “maddog,” who leaves carefully planned crime scenes with chillingly simple rules behind.
The book pulls you into a gritty cat-and-mouse chase set in Minneapolis, filled with twists, suspense and vividly written characters.
Sandford delivers a good mix of police procedure, clever dialogue and intense action, with complex villains and skilled police work that fans of Doiron’s style will recognize and enjoy.
Books by Ace Atkins often appeal to readers who enjoy Paul Doiron’s solid character building and rugged outdoor settings. In Atkins’s novel “The Ranger,” Quinn Colson returns from service overseas to his home in rural Mississippi.
He soon discovers his hometown overwhelmed by corruption, violence, and drug crime. As the newly appointed sheriff, Quinn must confront these problems head-on to restore peace and order.
Atkins’s direct storytelling style, rich Southern backdrops, and flawed yet determined protagonist create an atmosphere that Paul Doiron readers will appreciate.
If you enjoy Paul Doiron’s atmospheric mysteries set in rugged landscapes, you might appreciate Tana French’s richly drawn crime novels. French is best known for her Dublin Murder Squad series, which blends police procedures with deep character exploration.
In “The Dry,” detective Rob Ryan is faced with investigating the tragic murder of a young girl in a quiet suburb near Dublin. Unexpectedly, the case forces Ryan to confront a long-buried mystery from his own childhood when two friends vanished without a trace.
French skillfully weaves personal drama into the criminal investigation, unfolding a suspenseful story that readers find hard to put down.
Books by Louise Penny often revolve around murder mysteries set vividly in small towns. If you enjoy the sense of place and character-driven plots in Paul Doiron’s books, you should check out Penny’s Inspector Gamache series. A good start is “Still Life,” the first book.
It introduces Chief Inspector Armand Gamache in the peaceful village of Three Pines, where the sudden death of a beloved local artist shocks the community. Gamache digs beneath the surface of this seemingly tranquil setting, uncovering hidden jealousies and long-kept secrets.
Penny creates characters who seem like real neighbors, placing them inside stories full of emotional twists and satisfying detective work.
If you enjoy Paul Doiron’s wilderness mysteries and complex characters, Peter Heller might be a great author to try next. In his novel “The River,” two close friends set out on a canoe trip through Canada’s rugged wilderness.
When a wildfire threatens their route, they rush to safety but soon stumble upon evidence of a violent encounter. In the isolation of the forest, the friends must navigate the dangers of nature as well as the unsettling discovery they’ve made.
Heller skillfully blends suspense and evocative descriptions of the outdoors, creating a story you won’t forget.
Readers who enjoy Paul Doiron’s vivid portrayals of rugged landscapes and intriguing mysteries may find Giles Blunt equally appealing. Blunt, a Canadian author, is best known for his John Cardinal mystery series set in the fictional town of Algonquin Bay, Ontario.
In “Forty Words for Sorrow,” Detective John Cardinal investigates the case of a missing girl whose body is found frozen under harsh Canadian ice.
As the investigation unfolds, Cardinal confronts chilling secrets and faces the brutal realities hidden beneath the town’s quiet facade.
Blunt brings the stark beauty and isolation of northern Ontario to life, while the tension between the detective’s personal struggles and professional duty adds depth and authenticity to the story.
Books by Dana Stabenow often explore the rugged wilderness of Alaska through intriguing mysteries and compelling, authentic characters. If you enjoy Paul Doiron’s outdoor-focused storytelling, Dana Stabenow could be your next favorite author.
Her book “A Cold Day for Murder” introduces Kate Shugak, a tough and resourceful former investigator who returns to detective work in the Alaskan bush. Kate is tasked to find a missing park ranger and a vanished investigator.
The investigation reveals rich details about life in remote communities and the challenges people face in Alaska’s extreme climates.
The story combines suspenseful plotting with vivid settings, making you feel the cold landscapes and sense the tension behind every twist and turn.
Timothy Hallinan is an American author known for gripping crime fiction series rich in setting and character depth. Readers who enjoy Paul Doiron’s mysteries set in rural landscapes might find Hallinan’s style appealing as well.
His novel “A Nail Through the Heart” introduces readers to Poke Rafferty, a resourceful travel writer who makes his home in Bangkok.
When Rafferty unexpectedly gets caught up in investigating dark secrets linked to Thailand’s past and present, he realizes the city’s shadows hold numerous dangers.
Filled with suspense, realistic characters, and vividly portrayed locations, Hallinan’s storytelling offers suspenseful depth and memorable storytelling for mystery enthusiasts.
Robert Crais is a great author for readers who enjoy Paul Doiron’s fast-paced mysteries set in vivid settings. Crais has a sharp style and memorable characters.
His novel “The Monkey’s Raincoat” introduces Elvis Cole, a witty private detective in Los Angeles who loves smart remarks as much as solving tough cases. When Ellen Lang’s husband and son go missing, Cole’s investigation reveals dark secrets in LA’s underworld.
Like Doiron, Crais creates tense scenes and builds compelling twists. His characters feel authentic, and the action scenes never disappoint.
If you enjoy Doiron’s Mike Bowditch for his sharp instincts and interesting investigations, Elvis Cole offers that same freshness in an urban setting.