If you enjoy reading books by Wilkie Collins then you might also like the following authors:
Readers who appreciate Wilkie Collins often find enjoyment in Arthur Conan Doyle’s work. Doyle is best known for creating the brilliant detective Sherlock Holmes.
In “The Hound of the Baskervilles,” Holmes and Doctor Watson investigate the mysterious legend of a ghostly hound that haunts the Baskerville family. Set in the eerie moorlands of Devon, the novel blends suspense, clever clues, and subtle hints of supernatural elements.
Doyle’s storytelling is atmospheric and full of twists. Fans of Collins’s mysteries rich in suspense and vivid characters will likely be drawn to Doyle’s intriguing puzzles.
Bram Stoker was an Irish novelist best known for his classic gothic tale, “Dracula.” Readers who appreciate Wilkie Collins’ suspenseful storytelling and intriguing mysteries might find themselves drawn to Stoker’s dark and atmospheric novel.
“Dracula” unfolds through journal entries and letters, allowing readers to piece together the story from multiple viewpoints. The novel introduces Jonathan Harker, a young lawyer traveling to Transylvania to assist Count Dracula with a property purchase in England.
Soon after his arrival, Harker realizes Count Dracula is no ordinary man but a vampire with sinister intentions. Once in England, Dracula’s presence sets off a chain of mysterious and terrifying events.
The novel masterfully combines suspense, horror, and mystery, keeping readers turning pages until the very end.
Charles Dickens was a master storyteller who crafted vivid characters and suspenseful plots in Victorian England. If you enjoy Wilkie Collins’ tales of mystery and intrigue, Dickens’ “Bleak House” could capture your attention.
The novel centers around the endless court case of Jarndyce vs Jarndyce. This legal battle consumes the lives and fortunes of everyone involved, revealing dark secrets and hidden connections among its characters.
With an engaging story and sharp critique of the legal system, Dickens keeps you guessing through unexpected twists right until the very end.
If you enjoy Wilkie Collins’ blend of mystery, suspense, and psychological depth, Edgar Allan Poe might be a great fit for your next read. Poe is celebrated for his dark atmospheric storytelling and sharp observations of human behavior.
In his short story collection “Tales of Mystery and Imagination,” Poe crafts narratives full of tension, melancholy, and vivid imagery.
One highlight is “The Tell-Tale Heart,” where a narrator becomes obsessed with an old man’s eye, leading to a chilling sequence of guilt, madness, and confession.
The twists are subtle, and the writing is sharp and precise, creating a psychological suspense that remains fresh and unsettling.
Mary Elizabeth Braddon was a popular Victorian novelist known for writing sensational stories filled with mystery, secrets, and psychological drama. If you love Wilkie Collins’s “The Woman in White,” her novel “Lady Audley’s Secret” might be a perfect fit.
The story begins with Robert Audley, a curious young lawyer who suspects there is something strange about his uncle’s beautiful new wife, Lady Audley.
When Robert’s close friend mysteriously vanishes, he becomes determined to uncover Lady Audley’s hidden past and the truth behind her gentle facade. The book is filled with unexpected twists, suspense, and family drama set within the backdrop of Victorian society.
Readers who enjoy the suspense and mystery of Wilkie Collins may find Robert Louis Stevenson equally appealing. Stevenson is best known for his classic novel “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” which explores the dual nature of good and evil within one man.
The story follows Dr. Henry Jekyll, a respected physician who develops a formula that transforms him into the sinister and violent Mr. Hyde. As Hyde commits increasingly disturbing acts, the tension builds around the dark secret linking these two men.
Stevenson masterfully creates a gothic atmosphere full of tension and moral questioning, making this short but powerful novel hard to put down.
If you enjoy Wilkie Collins’ mix of suspenseful storytelling and keen social observations, then Elizabeth Gaskell might capture your interest.
In her novel “North and South,” Gaskell introduces Margaret Hale, a spirited and intelligent young woman whose family moves from a quiet southern village to the bustling industrial town of Milton.
Margaret struggles to understand the harsh realities that factory workers face as this new, gritty urban world clashes with her upbringing and beliefs.
The story weaves together romance, social conflict, and themes of justice and personal growth, offering readers a vivid glimpse into the challenges of England’s industrial era.
Gaskell’s realistic characters and thoughtful portrayal of societal divides create a narrative that is absorbing and thought-provoking.
George du Maurier was a British author and illustrator known for mystery novels with psychological depth and atmospheric storytelling. His book “Trilby” shares the same Victorian intrigue and suspenseful character dynamics found in Wilkie Collins’ tales.
The plot centers on Trilby O’Ferrall, a charming artist’s model whose life dramatically changes under the hypnotic influence of the sinister Svengali. Readers follow Trilby’s captivating transformation and unraveling mysteries amid bohemian Paris.
Du Maurier expertly combines elements of suspense, romance, and supernatural themes, drawing readers into an emotional, character-driven narrative similar to Collins’ popular “The Woman in White” or “The Moonstone.”
Readers who enjoy Wilkie Collins’ mysteries filled with suspense and psychological depth might also appreciate Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu, an Irish author known for atmospheric and gothic tales.
Le Fanu’s novel “Uncle Silas” weaves mystery and suspicion into the story of young Maud Ruthyn, who is sent to live with her mysterious and reclusive uncle after her father’s death.
Within the isolated and eerie mansion, Maud faces secrets, deceit, and hidden threats, leading to twists that keep readers guessing until the very end. Like Collins, Le Fanu portrays rich character dynamics and creates plots shrouded in shadows and uncertainty.
If you enjoy Wilkie Collins and his mix of mystery, suspense, and vivid characters, you might appreciate the work of William Harrison Ainsworth. Ainsworth’s novels, including historical settings and fascinating characters, offer adventure and intrigue.
For instance, his novel “Jack Sheppard” follows the thrilling life of a real-life 18th-century English criminal who became famous for his daring escapes from prison. The book captures the atmosphere of London’s underworld, with drama, danger, and unexpected twists at every turn.
Fans of Collins who appreciate suspenseful storytelling set against atmospheric historical backdrops will find Ainsworth’s “Jack Sheppard” an engaging read.
Readers who enjoy Wilkie Collins’ blend of mystery and suspense might find Ann Radcliffe’s novels appealing. Radcliffe was a pioneer of Gothic fiction in the late 18th century, known for creating eerie atmospheres and suspenseful plots.
Her novel “The Mysteries of Udolpho” centers on Emily St. Aubert, a young woman who, after her father’s death, finds herself isolated at the gloomy and remote castle of Udolpho.
Emily encounters secret passageways, unexplained events, and hints of dark secrets tucked away within the castle walls.
As she unravels these mysteries, readers are drawn deeper into the novel’s unsettling charm, blending psychological suspense with evocative descriptions of landscapes and architecture.
Radcliffe’s ability to track the heroine’s escalating dread and internal conflicts makes “The Mysteries of Udolpho” a noteworthy read for fans of engaging mysteries.
Readers who enjoy Wilkie Collins might want to explore Anthony Trollope, another great Victorian novelist known for his sharp insights into society. One Trollope novel, “The Way We Live Now,” offers a rich satirical portrayal of greed and hypocrisy in 19th-century England.
At its heart is Augustus Melmotte, a charismatic yet deceitful financier whose mysterious business ventures fascinate and ensnare London’s high society.
Through Melmotte’s bold schemes and the lives of those around him, Trollope paints a vivid picture of ambition, corruption, and moral compromise.
Fans of Collins’ intriguing characters and detailed plots will appreciate how Trollope exposes social pretensions and the darker side of human nature in this absorbing tale.
Books by Emile Gaboriau offer fascinating mysteries and intriguing detective adventures similar to those by Wilkie Collins. Gaboriau is often considered a pioneer of detective fiction.
His novel “The Lerouge Case” introduces the clever police detective Monsieur Lecoq, who must solve the puzzling murder of a wealthy widow. The evidence is scarce, the investigation is complex, and every clue leads to surprising revelations about hidden pasts.
Fans of Wilkie Collins will enjoy Gaboriau’s skillful plotting, atmospheric storytelling, and memorable exploration of human motives.
Books by Henry James often combine psychological depth with mystery, similar in style to Wilkie Collins. In “The Turn of the Screw,” Henry James weaves a subtle ghost story set in the English countryside. A governess moves into a remote estate to care for two young orphans.
Soon, she believes that the children are influenced by sinister spirits. But is the estate really haunted, or is she imagining things? James builds suspense through uncertainty, leaving readers questioning what’s reality and what’s not.
For readers who enjoyed Wilkie Collins’ ability to blend mystery, suspense, and psychological puzzles, Henry James offers intriguing narratives and complex characters.
Readers who appreciate Wilkie Collins’ masterful suspense and mysterious characters might find Nathaniel Hawthorne equally intriguing.
Hawthorne, an American author known for exploring deep moral dilemmas and hidden human motives, skillfully blends psychological insight with intriguing narratives.
His classic novel “The Scarlet Letter” centers on Hester Prynne, a woman in a strict Puritan community condemned and branded for committing adultery.
When her secretive husband unexpectedly returns to town, tensions rise dramatically, and the community grows increasingly suspicious. Hawthorne weaves a tense story about the complex layers of guilt, secrecy, and revenge.
For readers drawn to Collins’ exploration of dark secrets, Hawthorne provides equally absorbing psychological depth and intense moral conflict.