If you enjoy reading novels by Robert Galbraith then you might also like the following authors:
Tana French is the author of smart and atmospheric mysteries. Her book, “In the Woods,” centers on Detective Rob Ryan, who is called to investigate the murder of a young girl in a small Irish town.
Years earlier, he was found there as a child with no memory of what happened to his two missing friends. As Rob and his partner Cassie Maddox work on the case, strange connections to Rob’s own past start to emerge.
The story blends a detective’s hunt for answers with hints of personal trauma and buried secrets. Fans of Robert Galbraith might enjoy French’s mix of sharp character work and layered mysteries.
Gillian Flynn is an author known for her dark, twisty thrillers that dig into the complexities of human nature.
One of her well-known books, “Gone Girl,” tells the story of a couple, Nick and Amy, whose marriage takes a chilling turn when Amy disappears on their fifth anniversary.
The narrative is told from both their perspectives, making you question who is lying and what really happened. The clues Amy leaves behind, including her diary, seem to paint Nick as the prime suspect, but nothing is as simple as it seems.
Flynn excels at creating characters full of secrets, making the unraveling of their lives incredibly engaging.
Peter Robinson is known for his crime novels, particularly the ones featuring Detective Chief Inspector Alan Banks. In his book “In a Dry Season,” a long drought uncovers the remains of a murder victim in a long-forgotten village submerged beneath a reservoir.
As Banks investigates, he unravels secrets tied to the distant past, weaving a mystery rooted in wartime England. The story dives into the lives of flawed characters and the complex motives behind their actions, while Banks faces his own personal challenges.
It’s a story full of twists and hidden truths, perfect for fans of intricate detective work.
Louise Penny writes mystery novels that focus on complex characters and atmospheric settings. Her book “Still Life” introduces Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, a thoughtful and perceptive detective in the Quebec police force.
In this story, he investigates the death of a beloved artist in a small, quiet village. At first, it looks like a hunting accident. However, as Gamache unravels the relationships and secrets of the townsfolk, deeper truths begin to emerge.
Fans of Robert Galbraith, who enjoy layered mysteries and sharp detectives, might find her work intriguing.
Ian Rankin is a Scottish crime writer best known for his Inspector Rebus series. If you enjoy Robert Galbraith’s work, you might like Rankin’s gritty detective stories set in Edinburgh.
In “Knots and Crosses,” the first book of the series, Detective John Rebus is caught in the hunt for a serial killer targeting young girls. The killer taunts him with cryptic messages, and the case begins to feel personal.
Rebus is a flawed but sharp investigator, often wrestling with his own dark past while navigating the underbelly of the city. This book provides a great introduction to Rankin’s atmospheric writing and layered storytelling.
Ann Cleeves is a mystery writer known for creating layered characters and atmospheric settings. Her book “The Crow Trap” introduces readers to Detective Inspector Vera Stanhope, a sharp but unassuming investigator.
The story begins with three women conducting an environmental survey in a remote countryside when one of them is found dead. At first, it seems like suicide, but Vera arrives and starts unraveling secrets among the group.
The way the isolated location heightens the tension makes the mystery even more absorbing. If you enjoy Robert Galbraith’s attention to character and detailed investigations, this could be a great find.
Michael Connelly is a writer known for his crime novels featuring sharp detectives and complex mysteries. One of his standout books is “The Lincoln Lawyer.” It follows Mickey Haller, a defense attorney who works out of his Lincoln Town Car.
Mickey takes on a case defending a wealthy man accused of assaulting a woman. As he digs deeper, he realizes the case isn’t as straightforward as it seems. The tension grows as Mickey finds himself in danger, questioning if his client is truly innocent.
Val McDermid is a well-known crime writer who brings sharp detail and clever twists to her stories. One of her books, “The Mermaids Singing,” introduces Dr. Tony Hill, a criminal psychologist who teams up with a detective named Carol Jordan.
Together, they hunt down a serial killer targeting men in a small English town. The killer’s methods are disturbing, inspired by medieval torture devices, and the investigation unfolds with a strong mix of psychological insight and forensic work.
It’s a dark and intricate mystery, with characters that feel real and layered. Fans of Robert Galbraith’s Cormoran Strike series are likely to enjoy McDermid’s skillful storytelling.
Donna Leon writes crime novels that often have a sharp focus on human nature and the quieter moments behind a mystery. Her series follows Commissario Guido Brunetti, a Venetian police officer who solves cases while maneuvering through the moral complexities of society.
In “Death at La Fenice,” Brunetti is called to investigate the death of a famous conductor who collapses during an opera performance. The story reveals secrets and personal motives that weave through the city’s cultural and social life.
Leon’s writing highlights Venice as a character in itself, with its narrow alleyways and stunning canals adding depth to the mystery.
Elizabeth George is known for her detective novels featuring the brilliant Inspector Thomas Lynley. Her book, “A Great Deliverance,” kicks off the Lynley series with a mysterious murder in a small Yorkshire village.
A woman is found with an axe beside her father’s body, and she confesses to the crime without explanation. Lynley, an aristocrat turned detective, teams up with Sergeant Barbara Havers, an unpolished but sharp investigator.
The story dives into family secrets and long-buried guilt, as Lynley and Havers try to piece together what really happened.
Ruth Rendell is an author known for crafting psychological mysteries that dig into the darker aspects of human nature. One of her stand-out novels is “A Judgement in Stone.”
The story begins with a housekeeper, Eunice Parchman, joining the Coverdale family, who are well-off and well-mannered. Beneath Eunice’s quiet exterior, however, lies a secret that shapes her every interaction. This secret leads to a startling and tragic series of events.
Rendell doesn’t rely on whodunits here—the “why” behind the crime keeps you turning the pages. Readers who enjoy Robert Galbraith’s layered characters and unraveling motives might find this book hard to put down.
P.D. James is a master when it comes to writing crime fiction, often blending clever plots with deep character development.
One of her well-known books, “An Unsuitable Job for a Woman,” introduces Cordelia Gray, a young private investigator tasked with uncovering the truth behind the death of a university student.
What starts as an apparent suicide soon reveals unsettling secrets about the boy’s life and those closest to him. The story keeps you hooked by showing how Cordelia navigates the dangers of her profession while proving she’s sharper than people think.
Fans of Robert Galbraith’s Cormoran Strike series might find the same kind of satisfaction in getting to know Cordelia and her determination to uncover the truth.
Sophie Hannah writes twisty, clever mystery novels with a focus on complex characters and intricate puzzles. Her book “The Monogram Murders” is an ode to Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot. In this story, Poirot investigates three murders at a London hotel.
Each victim is found with a cufflink in their mouth, and the crime seems unsolvable until Poirot uncovers strange connections between the victims.
The book mixes sharp dialogue with surprising turns and an old-fashioned sense of mystery, echoing the style fans of Robert Galbraith might enjoy.
Stieg Larsson is known for his crime novels filled with mystery and characters that feel real and flawed. His book “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” introduces journalist Mikael Blomkvist and hacker Lisbeth Salander.
Mikael is hired to uncover the truth about a woman who disappeared decades ago. During his investigation, he uncovers family secrets and dark pasts, crossing paths with Lisbeth, whose skills and brilliance make her unforgettable.
The book blends a search for answers with complex relationships, creating a world that pulls you in completely.
Kate Atkinson writes clever and layered stories that pull readers into unique characters’ lives. Her book “Case Histories” introduces private investigator Jackson Brodie, a former soldier and cop.
The story begins with three seemingly unrelated cold cases—a missing child, a murder, and a stabbing—set years apart. As Jackson digs into these mysteries, connections begin to unfold, revealing hidden secrets and unexpected truths.
The mix of personal drama and crime adds depth, giving readers plenty to think about long after the final page. Fans of Robert Galbraith’s Cormoran Strike series might appreciate Atkinson’s way of weaving complex investigations with the protagonist’s personal struggles.