Victoria Houston is known for her approachable mystery novels set in Wisconsin's Northwoods. Her popular Loon Lake Mystery series includes engaging titles like Dead Angler and Dead Creek, blending suspense with small-town charm.
If you enjoy reading books by Victoria Houston then you might also like the following authors:
William Kent Krueger writes mysteries that bring small-town communities to life. His books explore close connections between characters and the natural landscape around them.
Readers who enjoy Victoria Houston will appreciate how richly Krueger describes rural settings and local traditions.
A good place to start is with Iron Lake, a mystery featuring Sheriff Cork O'Connor, blending suspense with themes of family, friendship, and the ties that bind people to their hometown.
C.J. Box specializes in mysteries set in rugged outdoor landscapes, especially Wyoming. Like Victoria Houston, Box ties his plots closely to the wilderness, the challenges it poses, and the people who live by its rules.
Readers who appreciate outdoor adventures and strong settings would likely enjoy Box's Open Season, the first in the Joe Pickett series, about a dedicated game warden whose investigations often plunge him into dangerous territory.
Paul Doiron writes mysteries that follow Maine game warden Mike Bowditch as he solves difficult cases in the woods and small communities of rural Maine. Doiron's style mixes suspense with vivid descriptions of wildlife and natural beauty.
If you like Victoria Houston's focus on fishing, hunting, and outdoor life intermixed with smart detective work, start with Doiron's The Poacher's Son to see a similar blend of action and atmosphere.
J.A. Jance creates absorbing mysteries often set in the American Southwest, emphasizing detailed settings and relatable characters.
Readers who appreciate the close-knit community dynamics and careful investigative pacing found in Victoria Houston's work might especially enjoy Desert Heat, the first of Jance's Joanna Brady mystery series, featuring a determined small-town sheriff investigating crimes that hit close to home.
Craig Johnson writes mysteries set in Wyoming featuring Sheriff Walt Longmire, who combines straightforward detective skills with enduring wit and grit. Like Victoria Houston, Johnson weaves small-town relationships, humor, and rustic charm through his mystery plots.
To experience his style, readers should try The Cold Dish, where Sheriff Longmire's sharp mind and insight into rural community life help him untangle complex crimes.
Jessie Chandler writes lively and humorous mysteries featuring colorful characters and engaging plots. With her book Bingo Barge Murder, she introduces Shay O'Hanlon, a quirky and relatable amateur sleuth.
Chandler blends plenty of wit and charm into her storytelling, making her books perfect for readers who enjoy a cozy mystery with a good sense of humor.
Carlene O'Connor sets her cozy mysteries in small Irish towns filled with close-knit communities and complex relationships. In Murder in an Irish Village, readers follow Siobhán O'Sullivan as she navigates family ties, community gossip, and clever clues to solve crimes.
Fans of Victoria Houston will appreciate the inviting settings, quirky secondary characters, and engaging storytelling.
Ellie Alexander writes comforting mysteries featuring charming towns, appealing main characters, and mouth-watering culinary themes. Her book Meet Your Baker introduces Jules Capshaw, who combines her skills as a baker with clever detective work.
Readers who like Victoria Houston's cozy atmosphere and small-town intrigue will enjoy Alexander's welcoming style and relatable characters.
Leslie Meier offers mysteries set in quiet New England towns, featuring relatable characters managing everyday life along with a bit of crime-solving.
In her popular novel, Mistletoe Murder, we follow Lucy Stone juggling family, community life, and solving a holiday-themed murder. Meier creatively balances gentle humor, domestic details, and intriguing plots, making her a great choice for fans of light-hearted mysteries.
Sarah Graves writes mysteries featuring detailed coastal settings, believable characters, and suspenseful storytelling. Her book, The Dead Cat Bounce, introduces amateur sleuth Jacobia "Jake" Tiptree, a former Wall Streeter who moves to a small town in Maine.
Readers who enjoy Victoria Houston's mixture of intriguing mysteries and well-developed settings will find Graves' vivid descriptions and tight plots equally satisfying.
Peg Cochran writes cozy mysteries with small-town charm and relatable characters. Her stories blend humor and mystery, often centered around food or cooking.
Fans of Victoria Houston's community-driven mysteries might enjoy Cochran's Allergic to Death, a story featuring a sympathetic amateur sleuth who investigates crimes affecting her close-knit circle.
Sofie Ryan creates entertaining mysteries with quirky characters and warm, inviting settings. Her books offer a comfortable blend of humor, friendship, and intrigue, similar to Victoria Houston's humane touch in storytelling.
Readers might particularly enjoy Ryan's The Whole Cat and Caboodle, featuring a charming feline companion and a satisfying puzzle.
Kate Collins is known for her engaging cozy mysteries that combine humor, romance, and memorable characters. Her stories often center on small businesses and tight-knit communities, similar to those in Victoria Houston's novels.
Mum's the Word introduces readers to Collins' favorite heroine, a flower-shop owner who tackles an intriguing murder mystery with charm and determination.
Karen MacInerney creates engaging cozy mysteries featuring appealing settings and relatable protagonists. Her books balance cozy atmospheres with suspenseful storytelling, making them ideal for readers who appreciate Victoria Houston's style.
Check out MacInerney's Murder on the Rocks, a cozy mystery set in a charming bed-and-breakfast with plenty of warmth and intrigue.
Ann B. Ross writes gentle, humorous stories about everyday people thrust into surprising situations. With warmth and humor reminiscent of Victoria Houston, Ross delivers cozy mysteries that put friendship and community at the center.
Readers should explore Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind, which features an endearing older protagonist whose life is turned upside down by unexpected events and charming puzzles.