Stuart Palmer was an American mystery writer known for his witty detective fiction. He created the sharp and lovable spinster Hildegarde Withers, who starred in engaging novels like The Penguin Pool Murder and Murder on the Blackboard.
If you enjoy reading books by Stuart Palmer then you might also like the following authors:
Agatha Christie is beloved for ingenious plots, clever twists, and cozy yet suspenseful storytelling. Her mysteries often involve intricate puzzles and surprising reveals, combined with rich characters who seem entirely real.
Fans of Stuart Palmer will appreciate Christie's humor, wit, and the charm of her detectives. One of her notable works is Murder on the Orient Express, which brilliantly displays her skill in crafting memorable, puzzle-filled stories.
Dorothy L. Sayers is admired for creating intelligent, witty mysteries centered around memorable characters. Her stories feature sharp dialogue, clever clues, and thoughtful social insights.
Readers who enjoy Stuart Palmer's sharp wit and engaging characters may find pleasure in Sayers' sleuth Lord Peter Wimsey, who solves complex mysteries with charm and intelligence.
A good book to try out is Gaudy Night, a fascinating blend of detective story, literature, and insightful character study.
Ngaio Marsh writes classic detective novels with strong, believable characters and refined storytelling. Her mysteries typically follow Inspector Roderick Alleyn, who solves crimes in an articulate, understated manner, blending suspense, humor, and astute observation.
If you're a fan of Stuart Palmer's precise plotting and subtle humor, give Marsh's A Man Lay Dead a try—it's the first adventure of her Detective Alleyn.
Margery Allingham stands out for inventive mysteries layered with quirky characters and imaginative scenarios. Her detective, Albert Campion, has a distinctive personality that mixes humor and eccentric charm, making the mysteries a delight to read.
Readers enjoying Stuart Palmer's light-hearted touch and colorful characters might find pleasure discovering Allingham's The Tiger in the Smoke, which is both atmospheric and suspenseful.
Ellery Queen mysteries offer a rich blend of logic, deduction, and puzzle-solving, with plots that challenge readers to play along.
The books—written by two cousins under this pseudonym—feature detective Ellery Queen, whose approach emphasizes attention to detail, intellectual puzzle-solving, and a strong sense of justice.
Readers who appreciate Stuart Palmer’s intellectual style mixed with engaging storytelling would particularly enjoy The Greek Coffin Mystery, a clever and highly satisfying detective story.
Fans of Stuart Palmer's clever puzzle mysteries and sharp wit might enjoy Rex Stout. Stout created Nero Wolfe, a brilliant, eccentric detective who never leaves his comfortable New York brownstone if he can help it.
His assistant Archie Goodwin handles the legwork, and their lively dialogue adds humor to the clever plots. A good starting place is Fer-de-Lance, the first novel featuring Nero Wolfe.
If you appreciate Stuart Palmer's crisp storytelling, Erle Stanley Gardner's work may appeal to you as well. Gardner is famous for his lawyer-detective Perry Mason, who combines smart courtroom drama with detective work to uncover the truth.
Gardner's novels have tight plots and satisfying twists, clearly demonstrated in The Case of the Velvet Claws, a good introduction to Perry Mason.
Readers of Stuart Palmer who enjoy smart puzzles and intricate plotting should definitely give John Dickson Carr a try. Carr specializes in locked-room mysteries and impossible crimes that leave you guessing until the last page.
His novels often have a sense of atmosphere and clever misdirection. Try The Hollow Man, considered one of his best and most baffling mysteries.
If Stuart Palmer's Miss Hildegarde Withers is your favorite, you'll likely enjoy Patricia Wentworth, whose mysteries feature Miss Maud Silver, a gentle but sharp-minded private investigator.
Wentworth's writing has warmth, clever plotting, and engaging character interactions, similar in feel to Palmer's storytelling. A good novel to start with is Grey Mask, the first Miss Silver mystery.
Phoebe Atwood Taylor writes entertaining mysteries set in Cape Cod, filled with humor and local color—perfect for readers who enjoy Stuart Palmer's witty approach to mystery storytelling.
Her detective, Asey Mayo, is clever and down-to-earth, solving mysteries with smart deductions and a touch of humor. Check out The Cape Cod Mystery, the book that introduces readers to Mayo's quirky charm.
Craig Rice's mysteries mix humor with sharp plotting, balancing suspense with an inventive sense of fun. If you enjoy Stuart Palmer's Hildegarde Withers books, you'll appreciate Rice's lively style in mysteries like Home Sweet Homicide.
In this novel, three bright, playful children solve a murder, combining clever deduction and witty comedy.
Fans of Stuart Palmer's lively puzzles and entertaining characters should try Edmund Crispin. Crispin fills his mysteries with dry humor, literary touches, and eccentric detectives.
His novel The Moving Toyshop features Crispin's cheerful sleuth, Gervase Fen, caught up in a mystery filled with absurd twists, fast-paced action, and amusing dialogue.
Christianna Brand creates intelligent mysteries with clever plots and memorable characters. If Stuart Palmer’s imaginative puzzles drew you in, Brand's detective fiction, like Green for Danger, offers similar intrigue.
Here, a wartime hospital becomes the setting for a tense mystery, blending careful plotting with engaging psychological insight.
Georgette Heyer, known for her charmingly clever style, crafts elegant mysteries with sparkling dialogue and witty exchanges. Fans who enjoy Stuart Palmer’s playful tone and appealing investigators might try Heyer’s Envious Casca.
It is a country-house mystery with intriguing characters, sharp humor, and skillful plotting.
Mignon G. Eberhart writes atmospheric mysteries filled with suspense, romance, and engaging characters. Readers who appreciate Stuart Palmer's intricate plots will enjoy Eberhart’s The Patient in Room 18.
Nurse-sleuth Sarah Keate unravels a chilling case in a hospital setting, offering suspenseful plotting and thoughtful character development.