Terry Shames is known for her skillful mystery novels featuring the reliable Chief Samuel Craddock. Her well-regarded titles include A Killing at Cotton Hill and The Last Death of Jack Harbin, earning her respect among crime fiction readers.
If you enjoy reading books by Terry Shames then you might also like the following authors:
Craig Johnson writes engaging mysteries set in rural Wyoming, featuring Sheriff Walt Longmire—a down-to-earth and quietly heroic protagonist. His stories include realistic characters, dry wit, and a detailed sense of place.
A good place to start is his first novel, The Cold Dish, where Longmire investigates a murder tied to an old crime.
Steven F. Havill creates mysteries set in the small-town atmosphere of fictional Posadas County, New Mexico. Readers appreciate Havill's authentic depiction of rural community life and his thoughtful, experienced law enforcement characters.
Check out Heartshot, the first book in his enjoyable series featuring Undersheriff Bill Gastner.
William Kent Krueger sets his stories in the northern Minnesota wilderness, blending compelling mysteries with vivid descriptions of the region's landscape and life. His Cork O'Connor mysteries often involve Native American themes, family dynamics, and moral dilemmas.
A great introduction is Iron Lake, the first entry in the series.
Julia Spencer-Fleming writes mysteries set in the Adirondacks, featuring Clare Fergusson, an Episcopal priest and former Army pilot, and Police Chief Russ Van Alstyne.
Her novels combine solid mystery plotting with nuanced emotional relationships and thoughtful explorations of faith and duty. Start with In the Bleak Midwinter, the first book in the series.
Louise Penny creates mysteries set in the charming but secretive Canadian village of Three Pines. Her Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series explores complex characters and human nature, focusing less on violence and more on psychology, community, and culture.
Begin with Still Life, where Gamache investigates the murder of a beloved local artist.
Ann Cleeves writes atmospheric mysteries rich with realistic characters and vivid settings. Her novels draw you into tightly-knit communities, where hidden tensions and secrets emerge slowly.
In Raven Black, the first book in her Shetland series, she sets a murder mystery within a remote Scottish island—showing how isolation and community secrets intersect, much like Terry Shames' stories set in small-town Texas.
Martin Walker creates intriguing mysteries set against the backdrop of rural France, where rich history, great food, and community interplay shape the stories. His writing style is both engaging and warm-hearted, focusing on well-developed characters and community life.
A great example is Bruno, Chief of Police, the first book in his Bruno series, featuring a charming, relatable small-town detective whose appreciation for leisurely living and local flavor complements his determination to solve crimes.
Deborah Crombie's mysteries are thoughtful, character-driven stories that explore personal lives and complicated relationships. Her style is engaging and crisp, with authentic dialogue and a strong sense of place.
In A Share in Death, the first Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James novel, she offers a satisfying mystery layered with believable characters and emotional depth. Fans of Terry Shames' carefully crafted crime novels with strong characters will appreciate Crombie's storytelling.
Paul Doiron writes compelling mysteries situated in rural Maine, featuring rugged wilderness settings and engaging, realistic characters. He examines issues such as family bonds, community connections, and the tensions between conservation and development.
In his novel The Poacher's Son, readers meet Maine game warden Mike Bowditch as he investigates a murder complicated by personal ties. Readers who like Terry Shames' strong connection to small-town issues and thoughtful storytelling will find much to enjoy here.
C.J. Box creates gripping, action-filled mysteries set in the American West, exploring the interplay between community, nature, and crime. His straightforward style and well-developed characters make his books very accessible.
Open Season, the first in his Joe Pickett series, introduces a thoughtful, committed Wyoming game warden who cares deeply about justice, community, and family. Fans of Terry Shames will appreciate Box's believable small-town dynamics and complex, relatable hero.
Margaret Maron creates thoughtful crime mysteries that blend engaging characters with authentic regional atmosphere. Her Deborah Knott series explores small-town life in North Carolina, offering insight into family dynamics, local politics, and community secrets.
In Bootlegger's Daughter, Maron introduces Judge Deborah Knott, whose personal connections and sharp intuition drive a nuanced, intriguing mystery.
Bill Crider writes mysteries filled with warmth, humor, and an affectionate portrayal of small-town Texas life. His Sheriff Dan Rhodes series gently pokes fun at rural politics and eccentric personalities while staying respectful and engaging.
Too Late to Die introduces Sheriff Dan Rhodes, whose quiet intelligence and patient nature draw readers into both the everyday tensions and more serious crimes of his community.
Archer Mayor offers gritty, realistic crime novels set against the backdrop of rural and urban Vermont. His careful plotting, attention to procedural detail, and richly developed characters make his Joe Gunther series a rewarding read.
In Open Season, Mayor follows detective Joe Gunther as he investigates a puzzling murder that reveals hidden tensions and unexpected conspiracies beneath the tranquil surface of Vermont towns.
Henning Mankell's crime novels, especially the Kurt Wallander series, blend deep psychological insight with a sharp social commentary on contemporary Sweden.
His writing style is direct yet thoughtful, focusing on character-driven narratives and the moral complexities faced by his detective.
The book Faceless Killers introduces readers to detective Kurt Wallander, whose compassion, flaws, and determination make him a memorable and relatable investigator.
James R. Benn writes absorbing historical mysteries set during World War II, combining meticulous period detail, engaging adventure, and thoughtful reflections on morality and human nature.
His Billy Boyle series follows an American investigator navigating wartime challenges and complex cases.
In Billy Boyle, Benn skillfully weaves an intriguing murder investigation with military intelligence, showing how personal loyalties and larger wartime conflicts shape the lives of his characters.