If you enjoy reading books by Simon Kernick then you might also like the following authors:
Mark Billingham is a crime writer known for creating stories that pull you into the dark and gritty world of crime investigation.
His book “Sleepyhead” introduces Detective Tom Thorne, who faces a chilling case where a killer’s intent isn’t to murder but to leave his victims fully conscious yet unable to move.
The tension builds as Thorne races to stop the perpetrator, uncovering disturbing truths along the way. If you enjoy Simon Kernick’s fast-paced thrillers, Billingham’s work has that same gripping intensity.
Chris Carter writes fast-paced crime thrillers that keep you on edge. In his book “The Crucifix Killer,” Detective Robert Hunter faces a terrifying case involving a sadistic killer who leaves a unique signature carved into his victims.
The story takes you into the mind of a cold and calculated murderer, someone who enjoys playing games with the police. Each twist and turn pushes Hunter closer to danger as he races to uncover the killer’s identity.
If you’re into gritty and intense crime stories, this one won’t disappoint.
Peter James is known for his gripping crime and thriller novels, packed with twists and high-stakes drama. One of his best-known books, “Dead Simple,” kicks off the popular Roy Grace series.
It starts with a prank gone wrong—a man is buried alive in a coffin as part of a stag-night joke, but the friends who planned it die in a car crash. Detective Roy Grace digs into their secrets to uncover the truth.
The tension builds as time runs out, creating a nerve-wracking race against the clock.
Lee Child is known for creating tough and resourceful characters, most famously Jack Reacher. In “Killing Floor,” the first book in the Reacher series, we meet the ex-military cop as he drifts into a quiet Georgia town.
Almost instantly, he is arrested for a murder he didn’t commit. As Reacher works to clear his name, he uncovers a dangerous conspiracy. The story packs in action and keeps you guessing about how Reacher will outsmart his enemies.
Harlan Coben is known for his fast-paced thrillers that pull you into chaotic situations right from the start. In his book “Tell No One,” a man’s quiet life is upended when he receives an email that makes it clear his wife, believed dead for eight years, may actually be alive.
The story takes off with twists around every corner, keeping the tension high. If you enjoy Simon Kernick’s tightly woven plots and suspenseful storytelling, Coben’s books might be a great fit.
Karin Slaughter writes thrillers that are fast-paced and full of twists. She’s known for creating stories that grab you right away and keep you hooked.
In her book “Pretty Girls,” two sisters, Claire and Lydia, reconnect after decades of estrangement when new evidence surfaces about their older sister’s disappearance. The story pulls you through secrets, lies, and shocking truths.
Slaughter’s books often mix personal struggles with gritty crime, making every chapter feel tense and unpredictable. If you like Simon Kernick’s style, you may enjoy how Slaughter keeps the stakes high and the suspense alive.
Ian Rankin is known for his crime novels, especially the “Inspector Rebus” series. Set in Scotland, these books follow Detective Inspector John Rebus as he tackles complex cases while wrestling with his own flaws.
One standout is “Black and Blue”, where Rebus investigates a copycat of a notorious Scottish serial killer. The case takes him through the darker corners of Edinburgh, where corruption and old secrets come to light.
Fans of Simon Kernick will appreciate the fast pace and gritty feel Rankin brings to his stories.
Val McDermid is a Scottish crime writer with a knack for creating tense, action-packed stories. In her book “The Mermaids Singing,” a serial killer stalks victims in a small British town, leaving behind gruesome crime scenes.
Detective Carol Jordan teams up with profiler Tony Hill to track the murderer, uncovering disturbing secrets along the way. The story keeps you on edge, with twists that come out of nowhere and characters who feel gritty and real.
If you enjoy Simon Kernick’s fast-paced plots and dark criminal worlds, you’ll find McDermid’s work worth exploring.
David Baldacci writes fast-paced thrillers with plenty of action and twists. One of his books, “The Innocent,” tells the story of Will Robie, a professional assassin who works for the U.S. government.
When a mission goes sideways, he finds himself on the run and crosses paths with a teenage girl targeted by dangerous enemies. The story moves quickly, with secrets and danger around every corner. Baldacci knows how to keep you turning the pages.
Michael Connelly is known for his sharp crime novels. One of his books, “The Lincoln Lawyer,” introduces Mickey Haller, a defense attorney who works out of his car. Mickey takes on a high-profile case involving a wealthy client accused of assault.
As he investigates, he uncovers details that suggest something darker is at play. The tension builds as Mickey realizes the case is more dangerous than he imagined. Fans of fast-paced thrillers will find Connelly’s work hard to put down.
Stuart MacBride writes crime novels that are dark, atmospheric, and full of twists. His book, “Cold Granite,” introduces DI Logan McRae, a detective working in Aberdeen.
The story begins with the murder of a young boy, and McRae has to catch the killer before more children go missing. The grim weather and gritty setting bring the characters to life, and there’s a strong sense of urgency throughout the investigation.
MacBride’s style is straightforward, but the details of the crimes and the flawed, human characters make his work stand out.
James Patterson is a master of fast-paced crime thrillers, creating stories full of twists. One of his standout books is “Along Came a Spider.”
It introduces Alex Cross, a detective and psychologist drawn into a case involving the kidnapping of two kids from a prestigious school. The kidnapper is a clever and dangerous man, who seems to enjoy outsmarting everyone around him.
The book keeps you following Alex as he untangles secrets and races against time. If you enjoy Simon Kernick’s action-filled plots, James Patterson’s style might grab your attention.
Robert Bryndza writes fast-paced crime thrillers with plenty of twists. If you enjoy Simon Kernick’s books, you might like Bryndza’s work too.
His novel “The Girl in the Ice” introduces Detective Erika Foster as she investigates the murder of a young socialite found frozen in a lake.
The case takes her into a world of privilege and secrets, where people are more interested in protecting their image than finding the truth. It’s packed with tension and keeps you guessing.
Tana French writes mysteries that pull you into their world with detailed settings and strong characters. One of her books, “In the Woods,” follows detective Rob Ryan, who is assigned to investigate the murder of a young girl in a small Irish town.
As he works on the case, Ryan realizes it may be linked to a traumatic event from his own childhood, where his two best friends disappeared in the same woods.
The story mixes the murder investigation with Ryan’s struggles to uncover the truth about his past, creating an intense and thoughtful journey. Fans of Simon Kernick might enjoy the suspense and depth in French’s writing.
Linwood Barclay writes fast-paced thrillers that pull you into their world right from the start. One of his books, “No Time for Goodbye,” begins with a chilling premise. A teenage girl wakes up one morning to find her entire family has vanished without a trace.
Years later, she’s still haunted by their disappearance, when new clues suddenly emerge. Barclay’s stories often unravel with twists that keep you turning the pages, making him a great pick for fans of Simon Kernick.