For readers who enjoy crime fiction with a sharp edge, Val McDermid is often a go-to author. Her books are known for intricate plots, the kind that keep you guessing until the very end. Many readers also connect with the strong female characters who often drive her stories.
If you find yourself wanting books that are similar, here are some authors you might find interesting.
Readers who enjoy Val McDermid’s blend of crime and psychological tension will appreciate Ian Rankin’s novels. Rankin is celebrated for his Detective Inspector John Rebus series set in the gritty streets of Edinburgh.
In “Knots and Crosses,” Rankin introduces us to Inspector Rebus, a tough and complicated detective with a troubled past. The city is shaken by the disappearance and murder of young girls, each victim marked mysteriously by knotted string and matchstick crosses.
Rebus soon realizes he’s not just solving another crime — the chilling clues point directly back to secrets from his own history.
Rankin captures the dark side of Edinburgh vividly, and readers will quickly connect with Rebus, whose personal struggles add depth and tension to an already thrilling mystery.
Ruth Rendell is a great choice for readers who enjoy the suspense and psychological depth found in Val McDermid’s novels. Her work often explores dark motives and secrets hidden behind ordinary lives.
In “A Judgement in Stone,” Rendell tells the reader upfront who committed the crime, yet the story loses none of its tension. The novel revolves around a housekeeper named Eunice, whose shameful secret about her illiteracy gradually propels her toward violence.
Rendell expertly crafts each character’s story, piecing together a troubling portrait of social misunderstandings and simmering resentments.
The narrative steadily builds toward its powerful climax, keeping readers glued from start to finish with its insightful look at human behavior.
Books by Tana French are perfect for readers who enjoy Val McDermid’s crime thrillers. French builds suspense through intense character studies and intriguing mysteries set in Ireland.
Her novel “In the Woods” introduces Detective Rob Ryan, who investigates a disturbing murder of a young girl in a Dublin suburb. The case hits close to home for Rob, as the location ties directly to a traumatic childhood event he has tried his best to forget.
With each clue, Rob’s past collides with the present, and you’re never quite sure who’s telling the truth. The psychological depth, believable detectives, and subtle storytelling make Tana French an author well worth exploring if you appreciate Val McDermid’s style.
Readers who enjoy Val McDermid’s suspenseful crime stories may appreciate the work of Ann Cleeves. In her novel “Raven Black,” Cleeves introduces us to Detective Jimmy Perez, who investigates a chilling murder on the remote Shetland Islands.
The isolated setting, layered characters, and unsettling atmosphere keep readers hooked as Perez untangles secrets behind the island community.
The blend of vivid scenery, careful plotting, and psychological depth makes Ann Cleeves an engaging follow-up for fans seeking well-crafted suspense with a strong sense of place.
P.D. James was an English author famous for her detective novels featuring Adam Dalgliesh, a thoughtful police detective with a talent for poetry. Her mysteries have precise plotting, rich character development, and atmospheric storytelling.
If you enjoy Val McDermid, P.D. James could be a rewarding pick for your next read. “Death in Holy Orders” follows Commander Adam Dalgliesh as he investigates a suspicious death at a quiet theological college by the sea.
Instead of simple answers, Dalgliesh finds secrets, personal rivalries, and layered motives beneath the surface of the isolated seminary.
The tension rises with every turn of the page, as the detective moves closer to understanding the true darkness hidden within a supposedly peaceful community.
Readers who enjoy Val McDermid’s atmospheric crime novels might appreciate Peter May’s writing as well. May is a Scottish author known for skillful plotting, vivid settings, and engaging character developments.
His novel “The Blackhouse,” the first in the Lewis Trilogy, follows detective Fin Macleod as he returns to his home island in the Outer Hebrides to investigate a murder.
Facing a haunting past and difficult personal memories, Fin soon finds the investigation linked to community secrets he thought long buried. May describes the rugged landscapes, traditions, and insular way of life on the island with authenticity and care.
This makes for a tense mystery filled with sharp, emotional storytelling.
Readers who enjoy Val McDermid’s psychological depth and intricate detective plots may also appreciate Elizabeth George. George specializes in richly detailed British crime mysteries, particularly her Inspector Lynley series.
In “A Great Deliverance,” Inspector Thomas Lynley, an aristocratic Scotland Yard detective, and his working-class partner Sergeant Barbara Havers investigate a brutal murder in rural Yorkshire.
The book explores complex relationships, dark family secrets, and class tensions, wrapped in a mystery that will keep readers guessing until the end. Fans of McDermid’s layered characters and smart, believable crime-solving will find Elizabeth George an equally satisfying read.
If you enjoy Val McDermid’s gritty Scottish thrillers, Denise Mina may be a perfect fit. Mina excels at creating atmospheric crime stories set against the rainy streets of Glasgow, offering readers complex characters and realistic detective work.
In her novel “The Long Drop,” Mina reimagines the true crime story of serial killer Peter Manuel, who terrified Scotland in the late 1950s. The plot revolves around a tense all-night meeting between Manuel and William Watt, a father wrongly suspected of murdering his family.
Throughout a dark drinking spree across Glasgow’s pubs, suspicions arise, truths blur, and the line between innocence and guilt grows thin.
It’s a gripping psychological portrayal filled with vivid historical details and powerful storytelling, ideal for fans who appreciate morally complex crime fiction.
Mo Hayder was a British crime novelist known for dark thrillers that blend psychological suspense with gritty crime-solving. Readers who enjoy Val McDermid’s style may find Hayder’s novel “Birdman” particularly absorbing.
The story introduces Detective Inspector Jack Caffery, a complex, intense character who investigates a disturbing series of murders around London. Each victim is discovered with haunting signs of ritualistic violence.
Throughout the mystery, Caffery confronts personal demons while piecing together clues in a chilling chase for the killer. The novel is well-plotted, dark, and filled with surprising twists, making it an ideal read for those who appreciate Val McDermid’s crime fiction.
Readers who enjoy Val McDermid’s crime fiction should check out Stuart MacBride. His novel “Cold Granite” introduces Detective Sergeant Logan McRae, who returns to his job after a long absence due to serious injury.
Set in the gritty streets of Aberdeen, Scotland, the story follows McRae as he investigates a series of brutal child murders. The pressure of media attention, police politics, and bleak weather conditions add layers to the tension.
Like McDermid, MacBride crafts dark, vivid crime stories that showcase strong characters and realistic police work.
Louise Penny is a Canadian author known for her thoughtful and beautifully written mystery novels featuring Chief Inspector Armand Gamache. If you enjoy Val McDermid’s insightful character portrayals and intricate plots, you might appreciate Penny’s style in “Still Life.”
This book introduces Inspector Gamache, a perceptive and contemplative detective who carefully navigates human emotions in solving cases.
Set in the quiet village of Three Pines, “Still Life” centers on the unexpected murder of Jane Neal, a beloved community member whose death shocks everyone. Gamache must unravel the hidden tensions beneath this seemingly peaceful surface.
With richly drawn characters, sharp dialogue, and a thoughtfully developed storyline, “Still Life” offers readers an engaging mystery with emotional depth and strong atmosphere.
Books by Minette Walters offer the deep psychological suspense and complex characters readers of Val McDermid often enjoy. Walters excels at weaving intricate crime stories through believable characters and unexpected twists.
In “The Sculptress,” readers encounter Olive Martin, a woman serving time for brutal murders she confessed to but whose guilt remains uncertain. Journalist Rosalind Leigh starts to question the official account as she digs deeply into Olive’s life and story.
The layers peel back slowly, revealing disturbing secrets and conflicting stories that challenge her assumptions. The tension steadily rises, making “The Sculptress” an intriguing choice for newcomers to Walters’ novels.
If you enjoy Val McDermid’s intense mysteries and strong, memorable characters, try Karin Slaughter. Her thrillers feature well-crafted plots, sharp dialogue, and suspense that keeps readers hooked until the very end.
In “Pretty Girls,” Slaughter introduces readers to two estranged sisters, Claire and Lydia, who reconnect after years apart when one sister’s husband is brutally murdered.
As they dig deeper into his hidden past, they uncover disturbing secrets connected to their older sister’s disappearance decades earlier.
This novel takes readers down a dark and unexpected path, filled with surprising twists that reveal disturbing family secrets and hidden dangers.
Fans of psychological suspense and crime mysteries will find plenty to appreciate in Karin Slaughter’s sharp storytelling and emotionally charged narrative.
Readers who enjoy Val McDermid’s suspenseful and atmospheric thrillers might also appreciate the novels of S.J. Bolton. Bolton’s stories blend mystery, psychological tension, and intricate plotting.
Her novel “Now You See Me” centers around detective Lacey Flint, a London police officer drawn into a chilling investigation when a killer recreates the infamous crimes of Jack the Ripper.
Flint finds herself deeply involved as the case becomes personal, raising unsettling questions and unexpected twists. Bolton crafts vivid, eerie scenes and intense character dynamics that keep readers hooked until the very end.
If you enjoy Val McDermid’s psychological depth and intense storytelling, Mark Billingham could be a great find. Billingham is a British author whose crime novels blend clever detective work with emotional insights and dark realism.
His novel “Sleepyhead” introduces Detective Inspector Tom Thorne, confronted by a serial attacker with a twisted motive: inducing paralysis in his victims without killing them.
The novel follows Thorne as he races to interpret clues and stop the criminal, all while confronting his own past demons and personal struggles.
The atmosphere is tense, the crime chilling, and Thorne’s internal conflicts add depth and relatability, especially for readers drawn to complex characters.