If you enjoy reading books by S. J. Rozan then you might also like the following authors:
Laura Lippman writes mysteries that draw you in with their depth and sharp character focus. One of her books, “Sunburn,” starts with Polly, a woman who abandons her family and ends up in a small Maryland town. She meets Adam, a stranger with his own secrets.
Together, they get caught up in a relationship full of lies and tension, tied to a murder that no one can quite figure out. The layers of deceit and motivations make the story hard to step away from.
Readers who enjoy S. J. Rozan’s ability to craft intricate mysteries with flawed yet fascinating characters may find Lippman’s work a great match.
Dennis Lehane writes crime novels with intense characters and strong atmospheres. One of his books, “Mystic River,” revolves around three childhood friends who grow apart after a traumatic event changes their lives.
Years later, they are pulled back together when a murder occurs, and each of their secrets comes to light. The story explores loyalty, guilt, and how the past shapes people in ways they can’t always control.
Lehane’s writing creates a world where trust feels fragile and danger can hide in the most familiar places.
Michael Connelly writes crime fiction with a focus on realistic investigations and complex characters. One of his books, “The Poet,” follows journalist Jack McEvoy as he investigates his brother’s apparent suicide.
Jack uncovers a chilling pattern in similar cases, suggesting a serial killer may be targeting cops. The story blends a tense mystery with a detailed look into the hunt for a dangerous predator.
Connelly’s work shares the gritty, intricate plotting that fans of S. J. Rozan often enjoy.
Sara Paretsky is known for her crime novels featuring the tough, smart private investigator V.I. Warshawski. In “Indemnity Only,” Warshawski takes on what seems like a routine missing-persons case.
It quickly turns into something darker, involving murder and big financial corruption. Her fearless nature puts her in dangerous situations as she uncovers secrets that powerful people want to hide.
Paretsky’s writing dives into the grit of Chicago and brings the city to life through V.I.'s eyes. Fans of S. J. Rozan may enjoy the mix of mystery and strong character work Paretsky delivers.
Robert Crais writes crime fiction with tight plots and sharp dialogue. His books often feature private investigator Elvis Cole and his quiet, dangerous partner Joe Pike.
In “The Monkey’s Raincoat,” Elvis takes on a case to find a missing husband and child, only to uncover a world filled with drugs, violence, and secrets. The tension builds as Elvis faces off with dangerous criminals, while his wit keeps things entertaining.
If you enjoy S. J. Rozan’s focus on detectives and their personal struggles, Crais might be a great fit.
Walter Mosley is a writer known for creating characters who feel real and live in richly drawn worlds. One of his most popular books, “Devil in a Blue Dress,” introduces Easy Rawlins, a Black World War II veteran in 1940s Los Angeles.
Easy takes on a job to find a missing woman but quickly gets pulled into a world of crime and secrets. The way Mosley captures the atmosphere of the city and the social tensions of the time makes the story unforgettable.
The twists keep coming as Easy discovers the danger he’s put himself in. If you enjoy S. J. Rozan’s mysteries, Mosley’s work might feel like a natural next read.
Tana French writes crime stories with rich characters and vivid settings. Her book “In the Woods” follows Detective Rob Ryan as he investigates the murder of a young girl in a small Irish town. What makes it fascinating is Rob’s own connection to the place.
When he was a child, two of his friends disappeared in those same woods, and he was found nearby with no memory of what happened. The story combines a chilling modern case with Rob’s buried past, leading to plenty of twists and secrets.
Sue Grafton is best known for her “alphabet series” featuring private investigator Kinsey Millhone. In “A Is for Alibi,” Kinsey is hired by a woman who has been convicted of killing her husband to prove her innocence.
The case takes Kinsey back to the tangled lives of the victim’s close circle, leading her to uncover lies, betrayals, and a dangerous truth. With sharp dialogue and a realistic main character, the story pulls you into Kinsey’s world and makes her investigations come alive.
James Lee Burke writes crime novels with a strong sense of place and atmosphere. His series featuring Dave Robicheaux, a Louisiana detective, blends complex characters with vivid depictions of the American South.
In “The Neon Rain,” the first book in the Robicheaux series, Dave uncovers a web of corruption and violence while investigating a murder. The story captures the grit of New Orleans and the murky lines between justice and vengeance.
Louise Penny writes mysteries set in the cozy yet unsettling village of Three Pines, blending character depth and intriguing plots. In her book “Still Life,” the story begins with the murder of an elderly woman, Jane Neal, found in the woods.
Chief Inspector Armand Gamache arrives to investigate and discovers that hidden secrets lie beneath the quiet surface of the town. The relationships among the villagers, laced with hidden tensions, add layers to the mystery.
Fans of S. J. Rozan’s detective stories will appreciate Penny’s thoughtful approach to crime and her attention to the details of human nature.
George Pelecanos writes crime fiction with a strong sense of place, often set in Washington, D.C. His stories focus on the lives of everyday people caught up in difficult circumstances.
In “The Night Gardener,” he follows three cops investigating an old unsolved murder that ties into their own pasts. The book explores how the case impacts their lives while diving into the gritty streets of the city.
If you enjoy S. J. Rozan’s attention to character and setting, Pelecanos might be a great fit.
Elizabeth George is an author known for her skill in crafting complex mysteries with rich character development. One of her well-loved books, “A Great Deliverance,” introduces Scotland Yard Inspector Thomas Lynley and his partner, Sergeant Barbara Havers.
The story begins with the murder of a woman in a small English village, where her teenage daughter is found beside the body, claiming responsibility. As Lynley and Havers investigate, they uncover dark secrets in the community and in the family.
The tension builds as layers of the crime unfold, keeping the focus on the personal stories driving the mystery.
Ian Rankin is known for his crime novels that focus on dark, atmospheric mysteries. His “Knots and Crosses” introduces Detective John Rebus, a tough Edinburgh cop with a troubled past. In the story, he investigates a series of murders that take a deeply personal turn.
The book paints a vivid picture of Edinburgh’s streets and explores the layers of Rebus as a character. Fans of S. J. Rozan’s gritty, character-driven mysteries may enjoy this.
Harlan Coben is known for crafting thrillers with sharp twists and layered characters. In his novel “The Stranger,” a man named Adam Price has his life turned upside down when a stranger reveals a shocking secret about his wife.
This revelation sets off a chain of events that threatens everything Adam thought he knew about his family. The story pulls you into a web of deception and makes you question how well people really know those closest to them.
Fans of S. J. Rozan’s suspenseful narratives might find themselves drawn to Coben’s fast-paced storytelling.
Minette Walters is known for writing clever crime novels that focus on human psychology. One of her standout books is “The Ice House.” It begins when a body is discovered in a decaying manor’s icehouse.
The police suspect the woman who lives there, a reclusive widow, while the villagers gossip about her dark past. Walters builds tension through the relationships between the three women in the house and the secrets that gradually surface.
If you enjoy mysteries that explore characters deeply, her books might be a great match.