This article will introduce you to 12 authors similar to Lisa Scottoline, writers who offer a mix of suspense, compelling characters and gripping storytelling.
Whether you’re looking for a new favorite author or simply want to dive into more books with the same page-turning qualities, this list will guide you to exciting new reads.
12 Authors Similar to Lisa Scottoline
1. Nancy Taylor Rosenberg
Writing Style & Themes:
Nancy Taylor Rosenberg’s novels are legal thrillers that revolve around strong female protagonists.
Her stories are packed with intense courtroom drama and moral dilemmas just like Lisa Scottoline’s.
Rosenberg’s work often focuses on characters in the legal system who fight for justice against overwhelming odds.
Notable Books/Series:
- Lily Forrester Series
- Carolyn Sullivan Series
- The Jury
Why Readers Will Love Her:
Readers who enjoy Lisa Scottoline’s legal suspense will find Rosenberg’s fast-paced thrillers with complex characters and courtroom battles equally captivating.
Her protagonists, often DAs or attorneys, will resonate with fans of high-stakes legal drama.
Nancy Taylor Rosenberg’s Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/133686.Nancy_Taylor_Rosenberg
2. Perri O’Shaughnessey
Writing Style & Themes:
Perri O’Shaughnessey writes legal suspense novels featuring Nina Reilly, a female lawyer.
Her books mix intricate legal battles with personal stakes, creating a compelling blend of courtroom drama and emotional depth, similar to Lisa Scottoline’s style.
Notable Books/Series:
- Nina Reilly Series
- The Trial
- Unfit to Practice
Why Readers Will Love Her:
Fans of Lisa Scottoline will enjoy O’Shaughnessey’s gripping legal thrillers that showcase a strong relatable female lead tackling challenging cases with determination and heart.
Perri O’Shaughnessey’s Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/48867.Perri_O_Shaughnessy
3. Linda Fairstein
Writing Style & Themes:
Linda Fairstein’s novels revolve around Alexandra Cooper, a Manhattan DA.
Her books feature legal drama, crime and complex investigations often involving sexual assault cases, much like Lisa Scottoline’s intense and morally-driven thrillers.
Notable Books/Series:
- Alexandra Cooper Series
- Final Jeopardy
- Death Dance
Why Readers Will Love Her:
Fairstein’s determined female protagonist and her focus on legal drama and crime make her a great match for readers who enjoy Lisa Scottoline’s novels.
Linda Fairstein’s Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/48895.Linda_Fairstein
4. Meg Gardiner
Writing Style & Themes:
Meg Gardiner’s thrillers often feature strong and intelligent female leads with plots that combine legal elements and intense suspense.
Like Lisa Scottoline, Gardiner’s novels often explore the darker side of the law and its effects on individuals.
Notable Books/Series:
- Jo Beckett Series
- Evan Delaney Series
- The Shadow Tracer
Why Readers Will Love Her:
Gardiner’s fast-paced complex plots and strong female protagonists will appeal to readers who enjoy Scottoline’s combination of suspense, legal drama and personal stakes.
Meg Gardiner’s Website: http://www.meggardiner.com
5. Jonnie Jacobs
Writing Style & Themes:
Jonnie Jacobs’ mysteries often center around female attorneys with legal and personal drama at the heart of her plots.
Her writing, like Scottoline’s, blends legal suspense with strong character development and emotional depth.
Notable Books/Series:
- Kali O’Brien Series
- Kate Austen Series
- Just Deserts
Why Readers Will Love Her:
Jacobs’ legal mysteries will appeal to Scottoline fans, offering intriguing cases and relatable strong female leads.
Jonnie Jacobs’s Website: http://www.jonniejacobs.com
6. Barbara Parker
Writing Style & Themes:
Barbara Parker’s Gail Connor series features a female lawyer in Miami tackling legal cases and personal issues with intelligence and courage.
Her writing shares a similar legal thriller style with Lisa Scottoline; full of tension and well-developed characters.
Notable Books/Series:
- Gail Connor Series
- Suspicion of Guilt
- Anatomy of a Scandal
Why Readers Will Love Her:
Barbara Parker’s intricate legal dramas featuring a determined female lead will resonate with Scottoline fans who enjoy a blend of courtroom drama and personal stakes.
Barbara Parker’s Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/376377.Barbara_Parker
7. Leslie Glass
Writing Style & Themes:
Leslie Glass writes crime fiction with a focus on female detectives such as April Woo.
Her stories explore the emotional and psychological depths of crime, often with a touch of legal intrigue, akin to Lisa Scottoline’s suspense-driven narratives.
Notable Books/Series:
- April Woo Series
- In Too Deep
- Guilty Knowledge
Why Readers Will Love Her:
Readers who enjoy Scottoline’s intense character-driven plots will appreciate Glass’s strong female leads and the emotional complexity she brings to her crime fiction.
Leslie Glass’s Goodreads Profile: www.goodreads.com/author/list/237514.Leslie_Glass
8. Rochelle Krich
Writing Style & Themes:
Rochelle Krich’s mysteries often feature strong female protagonists who navigate complex cases, many involving legal elements.
Like Lisa Scottoline, Krich’s writing brings together suspense, crime and emotional depth, making for compelling page-turners.
Notable Books/Series:
- Jessie Drake Series
- Molly Blume Series
- Fateful Decisions
Why Readers Will Love Her:
Krich’s strong female leads, legal themes and gripping plots will captivate readers who love Scottoline’s blend of suspense and legal drama.
Rochelle Krich’s Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/204615.Rochelle_Majer_Krich
9. Lisa Black
Writing Style & Themes:
Lisa Black’s forensic thrillers feature complex female protagonists such as Theresa MacLean, who are experts in their fields.
Her books focus on crime-solving and legal elements, similar to Scottoline’s well-crafted legal thrillers with strong character development.
Notable Books/Series:
- Theresa MacLean Series
- Gardiner & Renner Series
- The Price of Innocence
Why Readers Will Love Her:
Black’s detailed forensic investigations and strong relatable female leads make her a perfect choice for fans of Lisa Scottoline’s suspenseful and emotionally charged legal thrillers.
Lisa Black’s Website: https://lisa-black.com
10. Bonnie K. Winn
Writing Style & Themes:
Bonnie K. Winn’s Rosewood, Texas series blends romance with legal themes, often featuring female lawyer characters.
Her heartfelt narratives with a focus on legal aspects offer a softer yet suspenseful read, similar to Scottoline’s blend of legal drama and emotional depth.
Notable Books/Series:
- Rosewood, Texas Series
- A Trusting Heart
- The Lawman’s Lady
Why Readers Will Love Her:
Winn’s combination of romance, legal themes and strong female leads will appeal to Scottoline fans looking for heartwarming yet suspenseful reads.
Bonnie K. Winn’s Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/223643.Bonnie_K_Winn
11. Laura Lippman
Writing Style & Themes:
Laura Lippman’s Tess Monaghan series features a female private investigator who delves into complex cases, often touching on legal matters.
Her stories combine elements of legal suspense with intricate mystery, much like Lisa Scottoline’s work.
Notable Books/Series:
- Tess Monaghan Series
- The Most Dangerous Thing
- What the Dead Know
Why Readers Will Love Her:
Lippman’s rich character development, strong female leads and suspenseful plots will attract readers who love Scottoline’s combination of legal drama and personal storytelling.
Laura Lippman’s Website: https://lauralippman.com
12. Karin Slaughter
Writing Style & Themes:
Karin Slaughter’s novels, including the Will Trent and Sara Linton series, often explore the intersection of crime and the legal system.
Like Scottoline, Slaughter crafts emotional stories with strong female leads who navigate legal challenges and personal dilemmas.
Notable Books/Series:
- Will Trent Series
- Grant County Series
- Pretty Girls
Why Readers Will Love Her:
Slaughter’s powerful storytelling, dark themes and complex female protagonists will appeal to Scottoline fans who enjoy thrillers with emotional depth and legal intrigue.
Karin Slaughter’s Website: https://www.karinslaughter.com
Last Word on Authors Like Lisa Scottoline
If you’re a fan of Lisa Scottoline’s compelling legal thrillers and strong female protagonists, exploring authors similar to her can lead to many thrilling new reads.
From Perri O’Shaughnessey’s intricate legal suspense with Nina Reilly to Karin Slaughter’s emotionally charged crime dramas, these writers capture the same intensity and depth that makes Scottoline’s work so captivating.
Each of these authors similar to Lisa Scottoline brings something unique to the table while staying true to the gripping storytelling and legal drama that her fans will undoubtedly appreciate.