Robert Goddard is an author many readers enjoy because of his historical thrillers. His books have complex plots that often span years and involve ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances.
If you are looking for authors who create a similar reading experience, here are some writers you might like.
Kate Morton is an Australian novelist known for atmospheric mysteries that weave between past and present. Readers who enjoy Robert Goddard’s intricate plotting and twists will likely appreciate Morton’s careful blend of history, suspense, and family secrets.
Her novel “The Secret Keeper” opens with sixteen-year-old Laurel witnessing a crime involving her own mother, Dorothy, at their family’s farmhouse.
Decades later, as her mother nears death, Laurel begins investigating Dorothy’s hidden past set against the backdrop of World War II London.
The narrative shifts between generations and perspectives, uncovering secret loves, wartime tragedies, and long-held family lies, all leading to a surprising conclusion that explains Dorothy’s shocking actions years before.
Sebastian Faulks is an author whose novels often blend history, mystery and deep emotional drama, suited to readers who enjoy Robert Goddard’s atmospheric narratives. His book “Birdsong” weaves together a story of love and war set during World War I.
The protagonist, Stephen Wraysford, experiences both intense romance in pre-war France and the brutal reality of trench warfare.
Faulks captures the emotional depth of his characters against the turmoil of historical events, keeping readers immersed from the first page to the last.
Books by John Fowles often blend mystery, psychological depth, and complex plots in ways fans of Robert Goddard could thoroughly appreciate. In “The Magus,” Fowles tells the story of Nicholas Urfe, a young Englishman invited to teach at a remote Greek island.
Nicholas soon encounters Maurice Conchis, a wealthy and mysterious figure who draws him into strange psychological games and illusions.
Reality and fantasy blur as Nicholas struggles to separate truth from deception, resulting in a story marked by suspense, twists, and unexpected reveals.
If Robert Goddard’s layered mysteries with richly detailed settings appeal to you, John Fowles’ captivating storytelling style and intricate narrative structure could also resonate strongly.
Peter May is a Scottish author known for his atmospheric mystery novels filled with suspense and deeply woven storylines. If you like Robert Goddard’s twisty plots, May’s novel “The Blackhouse” could appeal to you.
The story takes readers to the rugged Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, where detective Fin Macleod returns to investigate a brutal murder.
Macleod, originally from Lewis, confronts a complicated past he tried desperately to escape while trying to unravel the secrets behind the killing.
May captures the stark landscapes and small community atmosphere vividly, creating a suspenseful mystery steeped in personal drama and emotional depth.
Barbara Vine is a pseudonym used by Ruth Rendell, an author known for psychological mysteries and suspenseful storytelling. Readers who enjoy Robert Goddard’s carefully plotted stories full of secrets and revelations may also find interest in Vine’s “A Dark-Adapted Eye.”
This novel explores a family’s hidden past and the long-buried secrets that resurface years after a disturbing crime had shocked everyone involved.
With the layers of the mystery gradually unfolding, the story builds tension as the characters’ true motives come to light, making it difficult to put this book down.
Readers who enjoy Robert Goddard’s suspenseful plots filled with twists and rich characterization might also appreciate Minette Walters. Walters is known for crafting psychological mysteries that slowly reveal deep human emotions and hidden secrets.
Her novel “The Sculptress” follows Roz Leigh, an investigative writer assigned to interview Olive Martin, a woman serving life sentences for horrific murders.
Through Roz’s conversations with Olive, unsettling doubts about the true events surface, leading readers to question what they initially believed. With careful pacing and subtle revelations, Walters keeps readers engaged until the very end.
Susan Hill is an English author known for her atmospheric mysteries and ghost stories that weave suspense and carefully crafted plots. Readers who enjoy Robert Goddard’s layered twists might appreciate Hill’s novel “The Woman in Black.”
In this chilling tale, lawyer Arthur Kipps travels to an isolated English village to settle the affairs of the recently deceased Mrs. Drablow. Little does he know, the eerie house she left behind holds secrets and a haunting presence.
As Kipps searches through the old woman’s papers, he gradually uncovers disturbing documents related to strange events and tragedies in the house’s past. The tension steadily builds toward a powerful and unsettling climax.
Readers who enjoy Robert Goddard’s well-crafted mysteries may also appreciate Andrew Taylor. Taylor excels at creating historical mysteries full of suspense and atmosphere.
His novel “The Ashes of London” transports readers to 1666, after the Great Fire of London has destroyed much of the city. Within this smoky and chaotic setting, a body is discovered amid the ruins of St. Paul’s Cathedral.
James Marwood, a young clerk, must investigate the murder while trying to stay alive in a city filled with political intrigue and dangerous secrets. Taylor brings the era vividly to life and weaves together history and crime into a satisfying story.
Ann Cleeves is a master of intricate plotting and clever mysteries that fans of Robert Goddard will certainly enjoy. In her novel “Raven Black”, readers step into a small, isolated community in the Shetland Islands, where winter darkness sets the stage for suspicion and fear.
When the body of a teenage girl is discovered on a snowy hillside, suspicion immediately falls on an eccentric local outcast, known for past accusations that were never proven.
Detective Jimmy Perez arrives to untangle the tensions hidden beneath the quiet village surface, where every neighbor seems to guard secrets.
Cleeves crafts a setting vivid with tension, letting readers gradually piece together clues alongside Detective Perez until the startling truth emerges.
If you enjoy Robert Goddard’s suspenseful mysteries packed with twists and deep secrets, Ruth Ware could be your next favorite author. Her psychological thrillers often revolve around ordinary people caught up in extraordinary situations.
In “The Woman in Cabin 10,” travel writer Lo Blacklock boards an exclusive luxury cruise, hoping for smooth sailing and a career-changing opportunity. Soon, though, she witnesses something unsettling: a body thrown overboard—but strangely, no passengers are reported missing.
Ware masterfully uses isolation, paranoia, and doubt to build a tense, atmospheric mystery. If Goddard’s clever storytelling appeals to you, “The Woman in Cabin 10” might hold your attention from the first page to the unexpected conclusion.
If you enjoy Robert Goddard’s blend of suspenseful storytelling, intricate plots, and strong character depth, Peter Robinson is another author worth your time.
In his novel “In a Dry Season,” Robinson introduces Detective Chief Inspector Alan Banks as he investigates a decades-old murder uncovered after a drought exposes the ruins of a submerged village.
Banks navigates through layers of long-hidden secrets, tangled relationships, and surprising discoveries about the past. The story moves fluidly between post-war Britain and the present day, adding richness and historical intrigue.
Robinson’s writing style is clear and engaging, highlighting the complex characters and atmospheric settings that pull readers deeply into the narrative.
Fans of mystery novels that combine historical context with compelling mysteries will appreciate Robinson’s satisfying storytelling.
Readers who enjoy Robert Goddard’s suspenseful mysteries might appreciate Nicci French, the pseudonym for the married duo Nicci Gerrard and Sean French. Their psychological thrillers move quickly and reveal complex, intriguing characters.
A great introduction would be “Blue Monday,” the first in the Frieda Klein series. In this book London psychotherapist Frieda Klein encounters a troubled patient whose vivid dreams seem strangely linked to a child’s recent abduction.
The deeper Frieda investigates, the more disturbing connections emerge between past and present. The story skillfully brings readers into hidden parts of human psychology while maintaining suspense until the final pages.
Books by Val McDermid offer suspense, twists, and carefully layered mysteries that fans of Robert Goddard might appreciate. McDermid is a Scottish crime writer known for strong storylines and vivid characters.
Her novel “A Place of Execution” takes place in a small English village shaken by the disappearance of a thirteen-year-old girl. Investigator George Bennett becomes deeply involved in the case, unraveling long-held secrets that forever alter the quiet community.
The narrative moves between past and present, providing new clues and unexpected revelations that keep readers turning pages until the very end.
Tana French is an Irish author known for her atmospheric crime novels that blend psychological depth with intricate plotting. Her novel “In the Woods” centers around detective Rob Ryan, who is called to investigate the murder of a young girl in a Dublin suburb.
The setting has a particular meaning for Ryan—the same woods saw the mysterious disappearance of his two childhood friends decades ago, a trauma he can’t entirely remember.
As the investigation progresses, Ryan’s fragmented past resurfaces, deepening the personal stakes and blurring the line between detective and crime.
Readers who enjoy Robert Goddard’s twisty plots and careful character development will find French’s storytelling similarly rewarding.
Louise Penny is a Canadian author known for her atmospheric mysteries set in the picturesque village of Three Pines. Her novels focus on Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, a thoughtful detective who solves complex crimes with wisdom and compassion.
In “Still Life,” Penny introduces us to Gamache as he investigates the death of a beloved local artist, Jane Neal, found dead in the woods on Thanksgiving weekend.
As secrets hidden in the charming village come to life, Gamache gently uncovers the fractured relationships and quiet tensions beneath the surface.
If you enjoy Robert Goddard’s blend of intricate plots and layered characters, Louise Penny’s novels offer a similar experience but with the warmth and charm of a Canadian setting.