Robert Galbraith is the name J.K. Rowling uses when she writes crime novels. Under this name, she gives us the Cormoran Strike mysteries. These books are set in London and feature a private detective.
The plots are full of twists and turns, and the characters really come to life. If you have read and enjoyed the Strike novels, you might be searching for authors with a similar kind of book. This article is for you. It explores some authors you might enjoy.
Books by Tana French offer suspenseful mysteries set in Ireland, often with intense psychological twists and compelling detective work at their core. If you’re into Robert Galbraith’s detective series, you might appreciate French’s “In the Woods.”
In this atmospheric mystery, detective Rob Ryan investigates a chilling murder case involving the body of a young girl near Dublin. He is drawn into dark memories from his childhood, memories connected to an eerie disappearance in the same woods.
French skillfully combines psychological depth, a vivid Irish setting, and well-crafted detective storytelling, making it a great choice for anyone seeking a rich literary crime novel.
Readers who enjoy Robert Galbraith’s detective stories might find Gillian Flynn’s suspense novels equally absorbing. Flynn is best known for crafting dark, psychological thrillers that center around complex characters and secrets.
In her novel “Gone Girl,” Flynn introduces readers to Nick and Amy Dunne, a married couple confronted by Amy’s sudden disappearance. As the investigation unfolds, disturbing clues and diary entries surface, making Nick appear increasingly suspicious.
Flynn skillfully flips expectations and keeps readers uncertain until the very end. Fans of intricate mysteries and unexpected twists will find “Gone Girl” hard to put down.
Readers who enjoy Robert Galbraith’s detective mysteries may appreciate Peter Robinson’s crime fiction series featuring Inspector Alan Banks. Robinson’s novel “In a Dry Season” is an engaging story set in Yorkshire, England.
Inspector Banks investigates human remains discovered in an abandoned village revealed after a drought empties a local reservoir. The story alternates between past events surrounding the village during World War II and Banks’s present-day investigation.
With vivid descriptions and well-defined characters, Robinson creates an intriguing mystery that combines historical elements with contemporary police work.
Fans who enjoy the complex plots and detailed character development found in Galbraith’s books should find Robinson’s writing similarly captivating.
Readers who appreciate Robert Galbraith’s detective novels might enjoy Louise Penny’s engaging mystery series set in Canada.
Penny’s novels revolve around Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, a thoughtful and perceptive detective whose cases are complex, emotionally charged, and full of insightful character development.
In “Still Life,” the first book of the series, Gamache investigates the suspicious death of a beloved local artist in the peaceful Quebec village of Three Pines.
Through vivid descriptions of small-town life, hidden tensions, and unexpected secrets, Penny expertly guides readers through layers of clues and engaging personalities.
Fans of Galbraith’s detailed narratives and intriguing detective characters could find Louise Penny’s books equally enjoyable.
Readers who enjoy Robert Galbraith’s detective fiction may also appreciate Ian Rankin, a Scottish author famous for crime novels that combine gritty realism and engaging character studies.
His series features Inspector John Rebus, a tough Edinburgh detective who solves crimes in Scotland’s capital city. In “Knots and Crosses,” the first book of the series, Rebus faces a troubling case about young girls kidnapped around Edinburgh.
Haunted by memories from his past and receiving strange anonymous letters, Rebus soon realizes the investigation may be personal.
Rankin crafts complex characters and suspenseful mysteries in a vividly portrayed Edinburgh, making him an interesting choice for fans of smart crime fiction.
Ann Cleeves is a crime fiction author known for atmospheric storytelling and sharp psychological insights into her characters. If you like Robert Galbraith, you might enjoy Cleeves’ novel “Raven Black.”
Set on the isolated Shetland Islands, this book opens with the discovery of a teenage girl’s body in the snow. Suspicion quickly falls on Magnus, the solitary local man whose troubled past casts a long shadow.
As Detective Jimmy Perez digs deeper into the case, secrets and suspicions entwine within the small community. Cleeves builds suspense through shifting points of view and unexpected revelations that keep readers guessing until the very end.
Readers who enjoy Robert Galbraith’s detective novels could also appreciate Michael Connelly, an author known for well-crafted crime fiction filled with complex characters and detailed investigations.
In “The Black Echo”, Connelly introduces Detective Harry Bosch, a determined, slightly rebellious detective with a sharp instinct for uncovering secrets. The story revolves around the mysterious death of a Vietnam veteran found in a drainpipe in Los Angeles.
Bosch suspects this tragedy is more than just an overdose and soon connects it to his own war-time past. As he digs deeper, Bosch finds himself entangled in a dangerous game where trust is rare and danger lurks behind every lead.
Fans of strong plots and authentic detective work will find much to enjoy in Connelly’s writing.
Val McDermid is a Scottish author known for gritty crime novels featuring complex characters and dark, twisted plots. If you’re a fan of Robert Galbraith, you might enjoy her thriller “The Mermaids Singing.”
In this book, psychologist Tony Hill teams up with detective Carol Jordan to track down a serial killer who targets men and leaves behind disturbing symbols. The investigation digs deep into criminal psychology and explores intense interactions between leading characters.
McDermid builds suspense masterfully through psychological depth, character-driven storytelling, and unexpected twists.
Donna Leon is an American author known for her bestselling mystery series set in Venice, featuring Commissario Guido Brunetti. If you enjoy Robert Galbraith’s attention to character depth and detailed investigative plots, try “Death at La Fenice.”
This first installment sets off with the murder of a famous conductor at Venice’s famous opera house, La Fenice. As Brunetti unravels layers of the victim’s past and professional rivalries, readers get an authentic glimpse into Venice’s society and politics.
The rich Venetian setting and careful storytelling offer a suspenseful puzzle without any easy answers.
Books by Elizabeth George offer readers crime fiction that centers on deep character development and intricate relationships.
Her novel “A Great Deliverance” introduces detective inspector Thomas Lynley and his partner Barbara Havers, who are sent to investigate a shocking murder in a quiet English village.
The victim is a farmer, whose daughter confesses to the killing, yet the reasons behind her actions aren’t clear. Lynley and Havers must sift through family secrets, hidden motives, and small-town suspicion to uncover the true story.
Those who enjoy Robert Galbraith’s Cormoran Strike novels will appreciate George’s insightful storytelling and the satisfying depth of her detectives.
Ruth Rendell writes dark crime fiction with psychological depth that fans of Robert Galbraith may appreciate. Her novel “A Judgement in Stone” begins with a shocking revelation: readers immediately learn who committed the crime.
The story then unfolds by slowly revealing the events that led to the murders of the Coverdale family.
Rendell builds suspense not through mystery, but through intricate characters and tense relationships—particularly between the housekeeper Eunice Parchman, who obsessively guards her secrets, and the increasingly suspicious Coverdales.
Rendell’s storytelling sets readers on edge as they are drawn closer and deeper into the minds of her characters.
If you enjoy Robert Galbraith’s detective novels, you might also like P.D. James, an author famous for her thoughtful mysteries featuring detective Adam Dalgliesh. Her book “Cover Her Face” introduces the meticulous detective Dalgliesh.
The story revolves around the murder of Sally Jupp, a young maid found dead shortly after a village festival in a peaceful English manor house. Dalgliesh navigates through hidden family tensions, village gossip, and secret rivalries to uncover the truth behind Sally’s murder.
With sharp character portrayals, realistic dialogue, and plenty of carefully placed clues, P.D. James delivers classic detective fiction that fans of investigative novels will appreciate.
Readers who enjoy Robert Galbraith’s style might find Sophie Hannah a great match. Hannah is known for crafting suspenseful plots and rich character dynamics. Her novel “The Monogram Murders” brings Hercule Poirot back to life in a complex and intriguing murder case.
Poirot investigates a chain of mysterious murders in 1920s London, connected by a peculiar monogrammed cufflink clue. The twists keep readers guessing until the end, with smart dialogue and authentic period atmosphere.
Fans of Galbraith’s intricate mysteries may also appreciate Hannah’s approach to clever plotting and detailed storytelling.
Stieg Larsson was a Swedish writer known for his sharp plots and interesting character dynamics. Fans of Robert Galbraith’s mysteries will likely appreciate Larsson’s famous novel, “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.”
The story introduces readers to Mikael Blomkvist, a determined journalist hired to solve the decades-old disappearance of a wealthy industrialist’s niece.
As he digs into the complex family past, Mikael joins forces with Lisbeth Salander, a unique and fiercely intelligent investigator whose skills and dark past make her one of the genre’s most memorable characters.
Together, they uncover corruption and long-hidden family secrets, bringing them closer to danger at every turn. Larsson’s blend of suspense, deeply developed characters, and sharp social commentary make his work a rewarding read.
If you enjoy Robert Galbraith’s detailed and character-driven mysteries, you might appreciate Kate Atkinson’s style. Atkinson combines mystery and literary fiction in books like “Case Histories”.
The novel introduces Jackson Brodie, a former detective handling intriguing, interconnected cold cases amid personal struggles. The narrative weaves separate storylines together, each focused on distinct unsolved tragedies like a disappearing child and an unsolved murder.
Atkinson skillfully reveals how these seemingly unrelated events ultimately connect. Her storytelling keeps readers invested both emotionally and intellectually.
If you find satisfaction in mysteries with depth, complex characters, and unpredictable twists, Atkinson’s “Case Histories” strikes a similar chord to Galbraith’s work.