If you enjoy reading books by Sarah Penner then you might also like the following authors:
Kate Morton writes stories that weave past and present, creating worlds filled with family secrets and unexpected connections. Her book, “The House at Riverton”, revolves around a maid named Grace who witnesses a tragic event at a grand English estate during the 1920s.
Decades later, an opportunity to revisit those events unveils hidden truths about the glamorous lives she once served and the weight of secrets long kept. It’s a story that draws readers into its layers of mystery and history.
Susanna Kearsley writes historical fiction that blends romance, mystery, and a touch of the supernatural. One of her popular books, “The Winter Sea,” weaves together two timelines.
In the present, writer Carrie McClelland moves to Scotland and uncovers a centuries-old story tied to her own family. In the past, Sophia, a young woman caught in a Jacobite rebellion, faces dangerous secrets and forbidden love.
The way the modern and historical worlds connect is fascinating and keeps you turning the pages. Kearsley’s storytelling feels immersive and leaves you wanting to know more about the lives of her characters.
Kristin Hannah is a writer who creates emotional and heartfelt stories about people facing challenges and finding strength in unexpected places. Her book “The Nightingale” is about two sisters living in France during World War II.
Each of them chooses a different path to survive and resist the German occupation. One sister risks everything by joining the French Resistance, while the other struggles to protect her family at home.
It’s a story about courage, family, and the sacrifices people make during hardship.
Lisa Wingate is an author known for telling heartfelt stories rooted in history and human connections. In her novel “Before We Were Strangers,” she crafts a story about a journalist named Mallory who stumbles upon a past mystery that shakes her understanding of her family.
While visiting her hometown, she finds an old photograph that sets her on a search for truth, uncovering secrets tied to a lost friend. The book weaves together memories, friendships, and a mystery that keeps pulling you deeper into the lives of its characters.
Alice Hoffman writes stories infused with a touch of magic and emotion, often set in ordinary lives. Her book “Practical Magic” follows the Owens sisters, who grow up aware of the family curse that causes heartbreak for anyone who falls in love with them.
The story blends family bonds, long-buried secrets, and a sense of quiet, haunting beauty. It’s perfect for readers who enjoy tales with a mix of mystery and a sprinkle of the supernatural.
Diane Setterfield is the author of stories that feel steeped in atmosphere and mystery. One of her most well-known books, “The Thirteenth Tale,” unfolds in the English countryside.
The story follows a young biographer named Margaret Lea, who is invited by Vida Winter, a famous and reclusive author, to write her life story. Vida’s past is wrapped in secrets, and Margaret begins to uncover tales of a fire, twin sisters, and a decaying manor.
The book keeps readers curious about what’s real and what’s imagined, while blending layers of storytelling that make it hard to put down. If you enjoy tales with hidden truths and haunting settings, this one might catch your attention.
Ruth Ware is known for her mystery novels that keep readers hooked with their twists and tension-filled atmospheres. In “The Woman in Cabin 10,” a travel journalist is invited on an exclusive luxury cruise.
What starts as a glamorous assignment turns dark when she hears what sounds like someone being thrown overboard. The problem? Everyone on the passenger list is accounted for. The closed-off setting of the cruise ship adds to the sense of isolation as secrets begin to surface.
Fans of Sarah Penner will enjoy the layered mysteries and strong sense of unease Ware creates.
Louise Penny is a Canadian author known for her Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series. Her book “Still Life” introduces readers to the small village of Three Pines, nestled in Quebec.
When a beloved local artist is found dead, Inspector Gamache is called in to investigate what appears to be an accident. Beneath the quiet charm of the villagers and their seemingly simple lives, he uncovers histories and lies that reveal a darker side.
The story blends absorbing characters with an atmospheric setting, creating a mystery that pulls readers right into the heart of this tight-knit community.
Tana French writes atmospheric mysteries that focus on human relationships and hidden pasts. Her book, “In the Woods,” starts with the discovery of a young girl’s body in a small Irish town.
The detective assigned to the case, Rob Ryan, has a personal connection to the place, as he was found in the same woods as a child with no memory of what happened to his friends who disappeared.
What unfolds is a mix of present-day crime and long-buried secrets, all set against a backdrop that feels alive with tension.
Paula McLain writes historical fiction with deeply human characters and rich settings. One of her best-known books, “The Paris Wife,” tells the story of Hadley Richardson, Ernest Hemingway’s first wife.
The novel explores their early years in Paris during the 1920s, showing their romance, marriage, and struggles against the backdrop of the Lost Generation. You’ll meet figures like F. Scott Fitzgerald and Gertrude Stein as Paula brings this vibrant, chaotic period to life.
It’s a story about love, ambition, and the toll that fame and art can take on personal relationships.
Fiona Davis writes historical fiction that blends past and present, often centered around iconic New York City landmarks. In her novel “The Lions of Fifth Avenue,” she tells the story of two women from different eras connected by the New York Public Library.
In 1913, Laura Lyons dreams of becoming a journalist while facing struggles as the wife of the library superintendent. Decades later, Sadie Donavan, a curator, uncovers a family secret tied to the library’s rare book thefts.
Davis weaves together history and mystery in a way that pulls readers closer to the lives of her characters.
Jennifer Robson is a historical fiction author known for stories that bring the past to life through the eyes of relatable characters. In her book “The Gown,” she weaves a tale set in post-war Britain, centered around the creation of Queen Elizabeth II’s wedding gown.
The story follows two women, Ann Hughes and Miriam Dassin, who work as embroiderers at a renowned fashion house. Their experiences, struggles, and friendships unfold against the backdrop of a recovering world.
Years later, a young woman discovers a forgotten embroidered piece, uncovering family secrets tied to the gown.
Beatriz Williams writes novels that blend historical settings with romance and mystery. Her book, “The Summer Wives,” takes place on a small island in the aftermath of World War II.
The story follows Miranda, who returns to the island years after a terrible tragedy changed her life. It’s a tale of family secrets, forbidden love, and second chances, all set against a backdrop of class divides and old-money glamour.
The way the island itself almost becomes a character makes the book stand out.
Camille Di Maio writes historical fiction and focuses on stories with emotional depth and vibrant characters. Her book “The Memory of Us” is set in 1930s Liverpool and follows Julianne, a young woman from a wealthy family.
She seems to have a perfect life, but when she meets Kyle, a man studying to become a priest, her world turns upside down. Their connection challenges tradition, family expectations, and even faith.
The story takes readers through hidden letters, family secrets, and sacrifices in the face of a forbidden love. Fans of rich historical settings and unexpected relationships will find it hard to put down.
Katherine Arden is known for her ability to create atmospheric stories rooted in folklore and history. In her book “The Bear and the Nightingale,” she takes readers to medieval Russia, where a young girl named Vasya can see creatures from old myths.
Her village, gripped by fear of the unknown, begins turning against old traditions, leaving them vulnerable to dark forces. The clash between belief and fear creates a haunting and vivid world. Readers who enjoy richly woven tales might find her work captivating.