If you enjoy reading books by Sara Gran then you might also like the following authors:
Megan Abbott is a writer who creates tense, character-driven stories often set in the shadows of everyday life. One of her books, “Give Me Your Hand,” follows the unraveling of a toxic friendship between two ambitious women working in a high-stakes research lab.
A long-buried secret they share threatens both their careers and their sanity, pulling readers toward an ending filled with tension and unease. Abbott writes with sharp focus on obsession and ambition, crafting stories that stick with you.
Tana French is an author known for her skill in writing atmospheric crime novels. One of her standout books is “The Likeness.” It follows Detective Cassie Maddox as she is drawn into an investigation where the victim looks exactly like her.
Even more unsettling, the dead woman was living under an identity Cassie once used as part of an undercover operation. The story focuses on Cassie going undercover again, stepping into the victim’s life to find out who killed her.
The mix of mystery and psychological tension makes it unforgettable.
Gillian Flynn is known for crafting dark, twisty stories about flawed characters and unsettling secrets. Her novel “Sharp Objects” introduces Camille Preaker, a journalist assigned to cover the gruesome murders of young girls in her hometown.
Returning there forces her to confront her troubled past and her toxic relationship with her mother. The book is full of eerie moments and unexpected turns, making it hard to put down.
If you enjoy psychological mysteries with layered characters, Flynn’s work might catch your interest.
Laura Lippman is a crime writer known for her atmospheric stories and well-drawn characters. One of her standout books, “Sunburn,” begins with a pair of strangers meeting in a small-town bar.
Polly, a woman on the run, and Adam, a man with his own agenda, fall into a complicated relationship. As secrets unravel, readers are pulled into a web of lies, betrayal, and twists that keep the tension heightened.
Fans of Sara Gran might appreciate Lippman’s knack for creating flawed yet fascinating characters who can’t seem to escape their pasts.
Ruth Ware writes atmospheric mysteries that often have a strong sense of place and a touch of suspense. In her novel “The Woman in Cabin 10,” the story follows a travel writer named Lo Blacklock, who boards a luxury cruise.
What begins as a dream trip takes a dark turn when Lo believes she witnesses someone being thrown overboard. Yet, all passengers seem accounted for, leaving her to question whether she can trust her own senses.
The confined setting of the ship adds to the tension, with secrets lurking around every corner.
Denise Mina writes crime fiction centered on flawed, complex characters. In her book “The Long Drop,” she weaves a story based on a real-life murder case from 1950s Glasgow.
The book follows William Watt, a man accused of killing his family, as he meets Peter Manuel, a known criminal, over the course of one night.
The two men talk about the crime, their motivations, and their secrets in a way that keeps the reader guessing about what really happened. The gritty, atmospheric writing brings mid-century Glasgow to life, making the story feel raw and immediate.
Donna Tartt is an author best known for her detailed storytelling and carefully built characters.
In her book, *“The Secret History”*, a group of college students studying Greek in a small Vermont liberal arts school becomes entangled in something dark and dangerous after their search for beauty and meaning takes a wrong turn.
The story pulls you into their privileged but fragile world, exposing secrets and the weight of their choices. Tartt’s writing explores human behavior in a way that feels intimate and haunting.
Patricia Highsmith is known for her ability to craft stories filled with tension and psychological depth. One of her notable works, “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” follows Tom Ripley, a young man who is sent to Europe to bring back a wealthy acquaintance, Dickie Greenleaf.
When Tom grows envious of Dickie’s life, he decides to take it for himself, which leads to lies, manipulation, and murder. The story puts you inside Tom’s mind, showing how far someone might go to achieve a life they feel they deserve.
Highsmith’s knack for creating morally complex characters makes this book unforgettable. Readers drawn to the darker aspects of human nature may find themselves hooked.
Poppy Z. Brite writes dark, atmospheric stories that often lean toward the macabre. One of their well-known books, “Lost Souls,” follows a group of outsiders, including vampires, as they drift through the Southern gothic landscape of small-town America and New Orleans.
At its heart is Nothing, a teenager searching for where he belongs. The book combines vivid, gritty settings with characters who are raw and haunting, perfect for readers drawn to eerie and unsettling worlds.
Elmore Leonard had a knack for writing sharp dialogue and characters who felt real. His novel “Get Shorty” tells the story of Chili Palmer, a Miami loan shark who ends up in Los Angeles.
While trying to collect a debt, he discovers the movie business might be an even better hustle than his old one. The book is full of twists, colorful characters, and a sense of humor that balances the crime and chaos.
It’s an entertaining look at Hollywood’s shady side, where everyone seems to have their own angle.
David Lynch is best known for his work in film, but his venture into writing brings the same surreal and unsettling touch you’d expect from him. His book, “Catching the Big Fish”, is part memoir and part meditation on creativity.
Lynch describes the way ideas come to him, connecting his thoughts to his love of Transcendental Meditation. There’s a story about how he came up with the concept for “Blue Velvet” after seeing something strange in his hometown.
The writing is direct, yet it manages to pull you into his unique way of seeing the world. Fans of Sara Gran’s offbeat and atmospheric stories may enjoy the way Lynch peels back the layers of his process to reveal a strange brilliance.
Carol Goodman writes atmospheric novels filled with secrets, puzzles, and dark histories. In her book “The Lake of Dead Languages,” the story takes place at a secluded girls’ boarding school where teacher Jane Hudson returns after years away.
Strange events unfold as Jane uncovers connections between her past and eerie happenings involving her students. Water plays a key role throughout the book, tying into the mysterious deaths that haunt the school.
The way Goodman blends the weight of past choices and the chilling setting creates an unforgettable tale. If you liked Sara Gran’s take on twisting mysteries, her books might catch your attention.
Joyce Carol Oates is a prolific writer who explores dark and unsettling stories with sharp insight into human behavior. One of her standout novels, “We Were the Mulvaneys,” follows a seemingly perfect family whose lives unravel after a tragic event.
It’s a deep look at how secrets and shame can fracture relationships, but it also shows resilience as the characters try to rebuild what they’ve lost. Fans of Sara Gran’s ability to bring depth to her characters may enjoy Oates’ layered storytelling.
Emma Cline is an author known for exploring complex characters and tense relationships. In her book “The Girls,” Cline follows a teenager named Evie Boyd, who becomes captivated by a group of girls tied to a dangerous cult in 1960s California.
Drawn to their freedom and allure, Evie gets caught up in the unsettling world of their charismatic leader. The story looks at obsession, vulnerability, and how easily someone can be pulled into something darker than they understand.
Fans of Sara Gran’s mix of sharp writing and eerie tension might find “The Girls” an engaging read.
Louise Doughty is a British author known for writing crime and psychological thrillers that explore life’s darker sides. Her book “Apple Tree Yard” tells the story of a respected scientist, Yvonne Carmichael, whose life takes a dramatic turn after an impulsive affair.
The story unfolds with Yvonne facing consequences that spiral out of control as secrets and lies unravel. It’s a tense and haunting tale that keeps you hooked as you uncover how one choice can disrupt everything.