If you enjoy reading books by Peter James then you might also like the following authors:
Ian Rankin is known for his crime novels set in Scotland. His “Inspector Rebus” series is especially popular. In “Knots and Crosses,” Detective John Rebus is tasked with investigating a string of murders in Edinburgh.
The killer sends cryptic letters tied to Rebus’s own past, creating a tense race to stop the next crime. The vivid setting and the deeply flawed but fascinating character of Rebus make this book hard to put down.
Fans of Peter James will appreciate the mix of procedural work and personal struggles.
Michael Connelly is a master of crime fiction known for creating stories that pull you into the world of detectives and criminal investigations. One of his standout books is “The Lincoln Lawyer”. It follows Mickey Haller, a defense attorney who works out of his car.
He lands an unusual case defending a wealthy client accused of assault, but things quickly spiral into something far more dangerous. The twists reveal the darker side of the justice system and the risks that come with trying to uncover the truth.
Connelly’s writing keeps you glued to the page, and the courtroom drama feels real and immediate.
Ann Cleeves is a bestselling crime writer, known for crafting tense and atmospheric mysteries. In her book “The Long Call,” she introduces readers to Detective Matthew Venn, who returns to his hometown in North Devon.
He’s drawn back after a murder occurs on the beach near his home. The story delves into his strained relationship with his religious family and the secrets the community tries to hide. The mix of personal conflict and suspicion among locals makes it hard to put down.
Fans of Peter James might enjoy Cleeves’ skill in creating small-town mysteries with complex characters.
Tess Gerritsen is well known for her gripping medical and crime thrillers. One of her standout novels is “The Surgeon.” It follows a Boston detective, Jane Rizzoli, as she hunts a killer who targets women and performs chilling surgical rituals on them.
The tension grows when clues connect the killer to a victim who survived, Catherine Cordell, a doctor with a dark past. Gerritsen blends forensic details and emotional depth, crafting a story that pulls you into a dangerous game of cat and mouse.
Fans of Peter James will appreciate her way of keeping readers on edge.
Val McDermid is a crime writer known for creating stories packed with suspense and sharp twists. One of her standout novels is “The Mermaids Singing.” It introduces criminal psychologist Tony Hill and detective Carol Jordan as they investigate a brutal string of murders.
The killer targets men and leaves their bodies staged in grotesque ways, pointing to a dark obsession. The book dives deep into the minds of both the investigator and the criminal, offering a tense and chilling read.
Fans of Peter James will find a similar knack for clever plotting and deeply human characters in McDermid’s work.
Stuart MacBride writes gritty crime novels set in Scotland, often filled with dark humor and memorable characters. One of his books, “Cold Granite,” introduces Detective Sergeant Logan McRae.
Fresh off medical leave, Logan is thrown into a tough case in Aberdeen involving the murder of children. The city feels cold and brutal, adding to the tension as Logan faces pressure from both the public and his own department to solve the case quickly.
MacBride doesn’t shy away from the darker side of crime, blending fast-paced action with sharp dialogue. If you’re into crime stories that explore flawed but determined characters, this is a solid choice.
Harlan Coben is known for creating stories filled with tension and twists that keep readers guessing.
One of his standout books, “The Stranger,” starts with a man named Adam Price, whose comfortable suburban life shatters when a stranger approaches him at a bar and reveals a dark secret about his wife. That single conversation pulls Adam into a web of lies and danger.
The pace is sharp, and the unraveling of secrets keeps the stakes high. If you enjoy Peter James, especially his focus on ordinary lives disrupted by extraordinary events, Coben might be a new favorite.
James Patterson is a writer known for his fast-paced storytelling and short, high-energy chapters.
One of his popular books, “Along Came a Spider,” introduces Alex Cross, a detective and psychologist who gets pulled into a case involving the kidnapping of two children from a wealthy family.
The story takes unexpected turns as Cross uncovers a chilling criminal mastermind behind the abductions. The mix of psychological tension and detective work grabs your attention from the first page. If you enjoy suspenseful crime novels, Patterson’s work might pull you in.
Robert Galbraith is the pen name of J.K. Rowling, who writes crime novels featuring private detective Cormoran Strike. In “The Cuckoo’s Calling,” Strike investigates the death of a famous model, Lula Landry.
The police ruled it a suicide, but her brother believes she was murdered. Strike, a war veteran with personal struggles, takes on the case. The story dives into the world of fame, secrets, and lies, as Strike pieces together what really happened.
This book introduces a gritty, determined detective and a layered mystery.
Lee Child is best known for his thrilling Jack Reacher series. The books follow Jack, a former military policeman turned wanderer, as he encounters danger and action in small towns across the U.S.
In “Killing Floor,” the first book in the series, Jack arrives in the quiet town of Margrave, Georgia, looking for traces of a long-dead musician. Instead, he’s arrested for a murder he didn’t commit.
As he digs deeper into what’s going on, he uncovers a dangerous conspiracy hidden beneath the town’s peaceful appearance. The book combines suspense with fast-paced action and keeps readers hooked as Jack uses his wits, instincts, and fists to figure out the truth.
Mark Billingham is a British crime writer known for his gritty and gripping stories. His book “Sleepyhead” introduces Detective Tom Thorne, a deeply determined investigator.
In this story, a woman is found alive but completely paralyzed, aware of everything but unable to move or speak. Thorne realizes the criminal wanted her in this state rather than dead, which adds a chilling twist to the case.
It’s dark, intense, and packed with twists that fans of Peter James might enjoy.
Ruth Rendell was a master at creating suspenseful crime stories with rich characters and unexpected twists. One of her standout books is “A Judgement in Stone.” It begins with a housekeeper named Eunice murdering her wealthy employers.
The story then takes you backward, revealing how dark secrets, misunderstandings, and buried tensions lead to that grim conclusion. Rendell doesn’t just focus on the crime itself—she dives into what makes the characters tick, leaving you hooked on their lives and choices.
If you’re into psychological thrills packed with chilling details, this is a story worth exploring.
P.D. James was a master of crime fiction, known for her intelligent and atmospheric mysteries.
One of her most well-known novels, “The Private Patient,” follows detective Adam Dalgliesh as he investigates the suspicious death of a journalist at an upscale private clinic in Dorset.
The story blends the tension of a murder investigation with the complications of the victim’s secrets and the suspects’ tangled pasts. The setting—a remote manor turned surgery center—adds an eerie layer to the mystery.
Fans of Peter James might enjoy the clever plotting and strong sense of place in her work.
Karin Slaughter is known for her dark, fast-paced crime novels that explore human emotions and relationships under intense pressure. Her book “Pretty Girls” tells the story of two sisters, estranged after the disappearance of their sibling years earlier.
When one of their husbands is murdered, they are pulled back together and uncover shocking secrets about their lives and family. The mix of emotional depth and brutal twists draws you in quickly, delivering a story that’s hard to forget.
Jo Nesbø is a Norwegian author known for crime fiction that keeps readers on edge. One of his books, “The Snowman,” follows Detective Harry Hole as he investigates the disappearance of women who vanish after the first snowfall.
A sinister snowman often appears near the crime scenes. As Harry connects the cases, he uncovers a chilling pattern that hints at a serial killer.
The story is packed with twists, tense chase scenes, and a strong sense of atmosphere that pulls you into the wintry backdrop of Norway.