Simon Mason writes both young adult fiction and adult novels. His crime novel A Killing in November and young adult title Running Girl showcase his versatile and engaging storytelling style.
If you enjoy reading books by Simon Mason then you might also like the following authors:
If you like Simon Mason's smart mysteries, Peter James could be another great choice. He has a straightforward style that moves quickly, often mixing psychological suspense with solid police procedures.
His novel Dead Simple kicks off the Roy Grace series, featuring clever twists, believable characters, and plenty of tense moments.
Mark Billingham offers mysteries with a gritty feel and sharp dialogue. His stories often highlight the darker side of urban life, balancing tension with authentic characters like Detective Tom Thorne.
A good start is Sleepyhead, a thriller that engages readers with its intriguing premise and rich character development.
Ian Rankin creates storylines that capture the gritty and atmospheric backdrop of Edinburgh. Much like Simon Mason, Rankin thrives on carefully developed characters facing believable dilemmas and ethical decisions.
Start with Knots and Crosses, the book that introduces Inspector John Rebus—complex, flawed, and truly memorable.
Val McDermid is known for tense psychological thrillers with strong, memorable characters. Her style is clear and descriptive, giving readers a sense of urgency and emotional depth.
Check out The Mermaids Singing from her Tony Hill and Carol Jordan series, a story filled with twists and gripping suspense.
Readers who appreciate Mason's thoughtful, well-crafted mysteries might enjoy Denise Mina's gritty Glasgow-based thrillers. Mina explores social themes with subtlety and insight, creating authentic and relatable characters.
Garnethill, the first novel of her series featuring complex and determined heroine Maureen O'Donnell, is a great place to jump in.
Stuart MacBride is known for dark crime stories set in Scotland, featuring gritty humor and sharp character interactions. He often portrays the challenges faced by detectives dealing with violent cases.
If you liked Simon Mason's approach to complex mysteries, you might enjoy MacBride's Cold Granite, the first book in his Logan McRae series, blending gripping detective work with vivid realism.
Elly Griffiths writes atmospheric mysteries with strong settings and fascinating characters. Her stories combine archaeological insights with intricate crime plots, similar to the thoughtful storytelling in Simon Mason's work.
Try her book The Crossing Places, featuring forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway investigating a gripping murder case against a backdrop of haunting landscapes.
Ann Cleeves creates absorbing detective stories known for their strong sense of place and relatable detectives. Her mysteries unfold naturally, revealing hidden secrets and strong human emotions, similar to the nuanced literary style of Simon Mason.
Her novel Raven Black, the first book in her Shetland Island series featuring Inspector Jimmy Perez, is an excellent starting point.
M. W. Craven writes dark, deeply-layered crime novels with complex plots and strong character development. Like Simon Mason, his detective fiction deals with moral ambiguity, intriguing puzzles, and the darker side of human nature.
Fans of Mason might enjoy Craven's The Puppet Show, introducing Detective Washington Poe in a tension-filled mystery.
Kate Atkinson is skilled at combining literary writing with clever and engaging detective plots. Her detective stories have depth, wit, and characters you can really connect with, fitting nicely for Simon Mason's readers.
Start with Case Histories, the first in her Jackson Brodie series, which weaves together multiple mysteries in a compelling way.
If you're a fan of Simon Mason, you'll appreciate Reginald Hill's intelligent crime fiction, highlighted by sharp dialogue and engaging characters. In his novel On Beulah Height, Hill pairs psychological depth with solid detective work.
His detectives, Dalziel and Pascoe, have a witty dynamic that makes readers feel connected and involved in solving the mystery.
Colin Dexter offers readers intricate mysteries featuring the thoughtful and occasionally irritable Inspector Morse. In novels such as Last Bus to Woodstock, Dexter explores personal motivations, complex moral decisions, and the quiet beauty of Oxford.
Fans of Simon Mason's careful plotting and character depth will find plenty to enjoy in Dexter's detective stories.
Susie Steiner writes detective fiction with memorable characters, combining crime-solving with deep insight into their personal lives and dilemmas. Her book Missing, Presumed introduces detective Manon Bradshaw, who is authentic and emotionally resonant.
If you like Mason's human approach to detective fiction, you'll find Steiner's writing similarly rewarding.
Mick Herron's novels are often darkly funny, blending espionage and intrigue with sharp satire. Slow Horses, the first book in his Slough House series, centers around disgraced intelligence officers exiled to tedious desk duties.
Like Simon Mason, Herron writes with wit and sharp social commentary, making his books both entertaining and thought-provoking.
Richard Osman writes clever, character-driven mysteries filled with warmth and humor. His bestseller The Thursday Murder Club follows a group of retirees who investigate crimes with charm and surprising skill.
Osman's conversational storytelling and witty dialogue will appeal to readers who appreciate Mason's engaging and lively style.