Thomas Mullen crafts stories that often explore historical events through a modern lens. He’s really good at taking a period from the past and showing how relevant it is today.
If you are drawn to authors who write with a similar approach, exploring themes of race, class, and justice within historical settings, then here are some writers you might find interesting.
Readers who enjoy Thomas Mullen might also appreciate Dennis Lehane, an author known for his vivid storytelling, compelling moral conflicts, and atmospheric portrayal of American cities.
Lehane’s novel “Mystic River” explores the lives of three childhood friends whose paths cross again as adults after a tragic murder shakes their Boston community.
Each man has faced trauma and loss, but reuniting under these tense circumstances forces their painful pasts into the open. Secrets emerge, loyalties are tested, and the truth becomes elusive.
Lehane builds suspense through strong characters and emotional complexity, making “Mystic River” a story that stays with you long after the last page.
Readers who enjoy Thomas Mullen’s blend of historical context and tightly-woven mysteries might also like Laura Lippman. Lippman is known for smart, character-driven crime novels that vividly capture the atmosphere of Baltimore.
Her novel “Lady in the Lake” offers a compelling portrait of 1960s Baltimore through the stories of two women whose lives intersect through a tragic mystery.
Maddie Schwartz, a former housewife turned amateur reporter, becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth behind the death of Cleo Sherwood, a young African-American woman whose case has been largely overlooked by authorities.
Lippman’s writing expertly explores themes of race, gender, and inequality alongside a narrative filled with unexpected twists.
Readers who appreciate Thomas Mullen’s style of vivid historical storytelling should definitely explore Erik Larson. Larson has a talent for bringing history alive, particularly in his book “The Devil in the White City.”
The narrative weaves together two parallel stories at the Chicago World’s Fair of 1893. On one side is Daniel Burnham, the architect responsible for turning a swamp into a dazzling celebration of technological innovation.
On the other is H.H. Holmes, one of America’s first serial killers, who quietly preyed upon visitors amid the excitement of the fair. Larson’s blend of meticulous research and narrative drive keeps you deeply engaged while vividly portraying the contrasts of the era.
James Ellroy is an author worth exploring if you appreciate the gritty and suspenseful narratives of Thomas Mullen. Ellroy is often noted for his sharp noir fiction and dense plots set against historical backdrops.
His novel “L.A. Confidential” explores corruption, crime, and intrigue in 1950s Los Angeles. Three very different detectives investigate seemingly separate crimes which soon intersect in intricate and unexpected ways.
Behind the glamorous Hollywood facade, the novel exposes a darker underworld driven by ambition, betrayal, and violence.
Ellroy offers readers a darker vision of the past, complete with tough characters, intricate plotting, and morally complex situations reminiscent of Mullen’s powerful storytelling.
Jesmyn Ward is an acclaimed author whose stories dive deep into complex issues of race, poverty, and family in America. If you’re a fan of Thomas Mullen, her novel “Sing, Unburied, Sing” offers a powerful exploration of similar themes.
The story is set in rural Mississippi and follows thirteen-year-old Jojo, who journeys with his drug-addicted mother, Leonie, to pick up his father from prison. The characters confront complicated family dynamics, powerful supernatural connections, and the shadows of their past.
Ward’s vivid prose brings readers face-to-face with harsh realities and subtle moments of beauty and compassion. This book skillfully weaves social commentary into a story that stays with you long after you’ve finished.
Tana French is an Irish author known for crime novels that twist psychological tension into police investigations. Readers who enjoy novels by Thomas Mullen might appreciate her book “In the Woods.”
This novel focuses on detective Rob Ryan, faced with solving the murder of a young girl near Dublin. Ryan wrestles with memories of his own troubling childhood, which happened in those same woods years before.
The case turns complicated when old wounds surface, blurring the line between Ryan’s personal history and the current investigation. French’s precise storytelling and vividly drawn characters place readers directly inside the minds and struggles of her protagonists.
If you enjoy Thomas Mullen’s novels filled with mystery, tension, and rich character exploration, Gillian Flynn might appeal to your taste.
Her book “Sharp Objects” introduces Camille Preaker, a troubled journalist who returns to her hometown to investigate the murders of two young girls. Camille confronts unsettling memories from her past and deals with her complex family dynamics.
Flynn creates dark, psychologically intense narratives with unexpected twists. Readers drawn to the suspense and emotional depth in Mullen’s novels will find Flynn’s storytelling equally engaging and unforgettable.
Readers who enjoy Thomas Mullen’s historical mysteries may find Elizabeth Kostova equally captivating. Kostova mixes historical detail with suspense and a touch of the supernatural in her novel “The Historian.”
The story follows a young woman who discovers her father’s mysterious past connected to an ancient legend about Dracula. As she unravels hidden letters and secrets across Europe, she becomes immersed in a story that crosses generations and borders.
The book weaves elements of history, mystery, and folklore into a thriller that slowly builds tension toward its final pages.
Colson Whitehead is an author who often combines historical events with fiction, creating powerful stories that resonate deeply with readers. His writing shares similarities with Thomas Mullen, known for thoughtful narratives on difficult historical subjects.
In “The Underground Railroad,” Whitehead imagines a literal underground railroad beneath the southern states during slavery. The story follows Cora, a courageous young woman fleeing a brutal life on a Georgia plantation and seeking freedom through this secret network.
Whitehead provides vivid imaging and realistic characters, bringing important historical realities alive through a compelling fictional journey.
If Thomas Mullen’s blend of history and fiction appeals to you, Whitehead’s “The Underground Railroad” may offer a similarly powerful reading experience.
Attica Locke is an author known for thoughtful, atmospheric mysteries that explore complex social issues. Her novel “Bluebird, Bluebird” follows Darren Mathews, a Black Texas Ranger deeply tied to his East Texas roots.
Mathews investigates two murders in the small town of Lark: a Black lawyer from Chicago and a local white woman. Tensions rise as racial divides and hidden resentments come to the surface.
Locke creates a vivid sense of place, balancing suspenseful storytelling with sharp commentary on race and justice.
Readers who enjoy Thomas Mullen’s engaging narratives, especially ones set against a vivid historical and social background, may appreciate Attica Locke’s intricate portrayals in rural Texas.
Readers who enjoy Thomas Mullen’s blend of history, suspense, and vivid characters will appreciate Kate Atkinson’s novels.
Her book “Life After Life” introduces Ursula Todd, a woman who experiences her life multiple times from birth onward, with each life leading to different outcomes shaped by minor choices and chance events.
Set against the backdrop of early twentieth-century England, Ursula’s repeated lives capture moments of love, war, tragedy, and redemption. Atkinson explores themes of fate and how countless decisions impact one life’s trajectory.
Her storytelling invites readers to consider the hidden effects of every decision, woven seamlessly around significant historical turning points.
If you enjoy Thomas Mullen’s suspenseful storytelling and sharp characters, you might appreciate Ruth Ware. Her novel “The Woman in Cabin 10” follows Lo Blacklock, a young journalist hired to cover the launch of a luxury cruise ship.
What begins as an elegant press trip quickly turns sinister when Lo witnesses a woman thrown overboard at night. Though she tells the crew, no passengers are missing, leaving Lo isolated, doubted, and fearful of whoever committed the crime.
The story skillfully combines psychological tension with the atmosphere of being trapped at sea, keeping readers guessing until the last pages.
Readers who enjoy Thomas Mullen’s blend of historical context and sharp mystery will appreciate Walter Mosley. Mosley skillfully mixes rich historical backdrops with complex characters and gripping suspense.
A great introduction is “Devil in a Blue Dress,” the first in Mosley’s Easy Rawlins series. Set in 1948 Los Angeles, the novel follows Rawlins, a war veteran turned private investigator.
Easy reluctantly agrees to find a missing woman whose disappearance leads to layers of corruption, race tensions, and dangerous secrets. Mosley does a terrific job bringing to life the gritty realities of post-war Los Angeles.
Fans of intriguing historical crime thrillers will feel right at home with Mosley’s storytelling style and authentic voice.
Don Winslow is an author known for fast-paced crime fiction that tackles themes of power, corruption, and moral ambiguity. His vivid storytelling explores gritty underworlds and complex characters, told with intensity and realism.
In his book “The Force,” Winslow portrays the life of Denny Malone, a respected yet deeply compromised detective in a special New York City elite police unit. Malone walks a fine line between hero and criminal, as ethical dilemmas, temptations, and betrayals surround him.
Fans who enjoy Thomas Mullen’s immersive style and exploration of morally complex characters will likely find Winslow’s “The Force” both absorbing and thought-provoking.
Readers who appreciate Thomas Mullen’s rich storytelling might also enjoy Min Jin Lee. Her novel “Pachinko” captures the lives of a Korean family across generations, beginning in the early 1900s.
The story follows Sunja as she leaves her home in Korea and moves to Japan after an unexpected pregnancy. The family struggles to survive amid prejudice and hardships, their resilience tested by the turbulent history unfolding around them.
Lee’s powerful narrative weaves together themes of family, identity, and perseverance, creating characters that remain memorable long after the last page.