S. J. Rozan is a writer many readers enjoy, especially if you appreciate mysteries with a New York City setting and a strong sense of place.
Her books often feature the detective pair Lydia Chin and Bill Smith, and they are known for complex cases and characters you really get to know. If you are on the lookout for authors who write in a similar vein, here are a few you might like.
Readers who enjoy S. J. Rozan’s blending of mystery, atmosphere, and complex characters may find Laura Lippman’s novels appealing as well. Lippman’s stories often feature rich settings and socially observant narratives.
In her novel “What the Dead Know,” a mysterious woman emerges decades after two sisters disappeared from a Baltimore shopping mall. She claims that she is one of the missing sisters, which puzzles the investigators and stirs painful memories for those left behind.
The novel skillfully shifts between past and present, pulling readers into a tense exploration of identity, family secrets, and unresolved loss.
Dennis Lehane writes gritty mysteries set in neighborhoods that feel alive. His novel “Gone, Baby, Gone” introduces readers to private investigators Patrick Kenzie and Angela Gennaro.
They investigate the disappearance of a young girl named Amanda McCready in a tough Boston neighborhood. As the search unfolds, secrets surface, forcing Patrick and Angela into difficult choices where morality isn’t clear-cut.
Lehane’s characters are believable and flawed, adding depth and emotion to every page. If you enjoy the layered mysteries of S. J. Rozan and her memorable detective partnerships, Lehane’s engaging duo might pull you into their street-level view of Boston crime.
Michael Connelly is an author known for intricate police procedurals and detective thrillers that fans of S. J. Rozan would appreciate. “The Black Echo,” the first novel featuring LAPD detective Harry Bosch, introduces readers to Bosch’s gritty world.
Bosch investigates a murder that initially appears routine but soon connects to a daring bank robbery and a criminal underworld he knows too well. Connelly blends authentic police work with deep character development.
The story explores Bosch’s past traumas from his time in Vietnam, confronting them head-on as he pursues justice in modern-day Los Angeles. Readers who enjoy Rozan’s suspenseful mysteries and layered characters will find “The Black Echo” rewarding.
Readers who enjoy mysteries by S. J. Rozan might find Sara Paretsky equally intriguing. Paretsky is known for her gritty crime novels set in the streets of Chicago, featuring sharp-witted private investigator V.I. Warshawski.
In “Indemnity Only,” Warshawski is hired by a client who pretends to be someone he’s not and soon finds herself stuck in a twisted web of scams, corruption, and murder.
With danger around every corner, Warshawski must solve a case packed with false leads while staying several steps ahead of violent criminals and powerful adversaries.
Fans of Rozan’s well-crafted characters and urban settings will find Paretsky’s mysteries fascinating and tough to put down.
Robert Crais is an American crime fiction author known for his fast-paced mysteries featuring sharp dialogue and vivid Los Angeles settings.
His novel “The Monkey’s Raincoat” introduces private detective Elvis Cole, a character who pairs a tough exterior with a dry sense of humor. When Ellen Lang’s husband and young son vanish without explanation, she turns reluctantly to Cole’s detective agency for help.
Elvis Cole discovers plenty of trouble hidden beneath LA’s glittery surface, as he navigates the city’s criminal underworld with wit and determination.
Fans of S. J. Rozan’s carefully crafted private investigator series may find Crais’s storytelling refreshingly direct and engaging.
Books by Walter Mosley offer smart, layered mysteries with great storytelling and memorable characters. Readers who enjoy S.J. Rozan’s engaging crime fiction might appreciate Mosley’s novel “Devil in a Blue Dress.”
Set in late 1940s Los Angeles, this book introduces Easy Rawlins, a World War II veteran who becomes a reluctant private investigator after losing his job.
Easy takes on a seemingly straightforward task of locating a young woman who disappeared into the city’s jazz clubs and neighborhoods. But soon he finds himself caught in dark secrets, racial tensions, and power struggles that threaten his life.
The vivid atmosphere, intriguing twists, and morally complex characters make this story worth checking out.
If you enjoy S. J. Rozan’s detective stories with sharp characters and clever twists, try Tana French. French writes crime fiction set in contemporary Ireland, filled with realistic detectives, psychological depth, and strong storytelling.
Her novel “In the Woods” introduces readers to detective Rob Ryan from Dublin’s Murder Squad. Rob investigates the murder of a twelve-year-old girl, a case that strangely echoes an unsolved mystery from his own childhood.
French combines atmospheric detail and engrossing character dynamics, making the investigation feel personal and tense until the final page.
Sue Grafton was an American novelist known for her detective mystery series based on private investigator Kinsey Millhone.
Set in the fictional town of Santa Teresa, California, Grafton’s alphabet series kicks off with “A is for Alibi,” a sharp detective tale filled with suspense, clever twists, and well-crafted characters.
In this book, Kinsey Millhone is hired by Nikki Fife, recently released after serving eight years for allegedly murdering her husband. Nikki insists she’s innocent, and Kinsey must sift through old clues, secrets, and conflicting testimonies to uncover the truth.
Fans of S. J. Rozan’s engaging detective partnership and sharply drawn mysteries will appreciate Grafton’s skill in creating gritty, believable worlds and smart, resourceful characters.
James Lee Burke writes mysteries and crime novels with vivid settings and strong characters, especially in his Dave Robicheaux series. Fans of S. J. Rozan who enjoy smart plotting and sharply drawn detectives might appreciate Burke’s novel “The Neon Rain.”
Set in New Orleans, detective Dave Robicheaux investigates the murder of a young woman. As he tries to unravel the truth, corruption in the police force, organized crime, and personal moral challenges confront him.
Burke presents a detail-rich southern Louisiana backdrop and complex conflicts in a suspenseful story full of atmosphere.
If you enjoy mystery novels by S. J. Rozan, you might also appreciate Louise Penny. Penny is a Canadian author known for her thoughtful mysteries set in the quiet village of Three Pines, Quebec.
Her imaginative detective, Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, is a thoughtful and perceptive investigator. In the book “Still Life,” Gamache arrives in the seemingly peaceful village after the mysterious death of local artist Jane Neal.
What appears to be an accident soon reveals hidden secrets, jealousy, and quiet tensions beneath the village’s cozy exterior. Penny’s stories combine well-crafted mysteries and spot-on observations of human nature and relationships.
George Pelecanos is an author known for gritty, atmospheric crime fiction set against the backdrop of Washington, D.C. He often writes about detectives and investigators who navigate complex moral situations in urban communities.
In his novel “The Night Gardener,” three detectives find themselves drawn back into a cold case they’ve never forgotten. When a new crime occurs with unmistakable similarities to unsolved murders from twenty years earlier, the detectives must revisit their past efforts.
Pelecanos captures a realistic picture of city life, police work, and public tension while peeling away layers of secrecy and regret.
Readers who appreciate S. J. Rozan’s authentic character portrayals and urban settings will likely enjoy the depth and realism in Pelecanos’s storytelling.
If you enjoy S. J. Rozan’s mysteries that skillfully blend suspense with sharp character development, Elizabeth George might hold your interest as well. George is a talented crime writer, well-known for her intelligent storytelling and memorable characters.
Her novel “A Great Deliverance” introduces Inspector Thomas Lynley and Sergeant Barbara Havers. They must team up, despite their contrasting personalities, to investigate a gruesome murder in a quiet English village.
The story explores secrets hidden behind the respectable facade of village life, with richly drawn personalities and insightful glimpses into human nature. This book showcases George’s ability to weave complex plots that keep readers guessing until the very end.
Ian Rankin is a Scottish author best known for his Inspector Rebus crime novels set in Edinburgh. His book “Knots and Crosses” introduces us to John Rebus, a tough, complex detective driven by his past.
The story revolves around a series of eerie kidnappings and murders haunting Edinburgh. Rebus soon realizes the crimes may have a deeply personal connection, drawn from his own memories and unresolved secrets.
Rankin explores police work and human weaknesses through closely observed characters and gritty realism.
Readers who appreciate S.J. Rozan’s intricate detective teams and vivid city backdrops will likely connect with Rankin’s compelling mix of dark mysteries and sharply drawn relationships.
Harlan Coben is an author worth exploring for readers who enjoy the suspenseful mysteries of S. J. Rozan. His novels offer fast-paced storytelling, sharp dialogue, and memorable characters. An excellent starting point is “Tell No One,” which follows Dr. David Beck.
His life was turned upside down eight years ago when his wife was kidnapped and murdered. Now, out of nowhere, he receives a message that hints she may still be alive.
Beck finds himself caught between hidden past secrets and dangerous situations as he tries to uncover the truth. The twists and emotional intensity of this book keep readers engaged until the very end.
Minette Walters is a British crime writer known for crafting psychological mysteries that explore disturbing secrets hidden beneath ordinary lives. If you enjoy S. J. Rozan’s thoughtful approach to crime fiction, you might also appreciate Walters' novel “The Sculptress.”
In this story, journalist Rosalind Leigh reluctantly agrees to write a book about convicted murderer Olive Martin, nicknamed 'the Sculptress' for the gruesome way she dismembered her victims. At first glance, Olive seems guilty beyond doubt.
But as Rosalind researches the case, unsettling questions emerge. Walters skillfully reveals dark family dynamics and hidden motives in a tense narrative that keeps readers guessing all the way to the end.