12 Authors Similar to Tana French for Mystery Lovers

In this article, we’ll introduce you to 12 authors similar to Tana French, each with their own unique style yet sharing the same gripping psychological depth, complex plots and immersive settings that make her books so captivating.

Whether you’re drawn to moody crime fiction, slow-burn psychological thrillers or literary mysteries with a strong sense of place, these authors will keep you turning pages late into the night.

12 Authors Similar to Tana French

1. Gillian Flynn

Writing Style & Themes: Gillian Flynn crafts dark psychological thrillers featuring complex flawed characters and intricate plots. 

Her narratives often delve into the darker aspects of human nature, similar to Tana French’s exploration of psychological depth within crime fiction.​

Notable Books/Series:

• Sharp Objects​
• Dark Places​
• Gone Girl​

Why Readers Will Love Her: Flynn’s gripping storytelling and her ability to create unpredictable narratives will captivate readers who appreciate intricate psychological thrillers.​

Gillian Flynn’s Website: http://gillian-flynn.com/​

2. Paula Hawkins

Writing Style & Themes: Paula Hawkins crafts suspenseful narratives centered around unreliable narrators and domestic intrigue, delving into the complexities of human relationships and the secrets people keep.​

Notable Books/Series:

• The Girl on the Train​
• Into the Water​

Why Readers Will Love Her: Hawkins’ ability to weave intricate plots with psychological depth will captivate those who appreciate Tana French’s exploration of complex characters and suspenseful storytelling.​

Paula Hawkins’ Website: http://paulahawkinsbooks.com/​

3. Patricia Highsmith

Writing Style & Themes: Patricia Highsmith delves into the psychological complexities of her characters, often exploring themes of identity, morality and obsession within suspenseful narratives.​

Notable Books/Series:

• Strangers on a Train​
• The Talented Mr. Ripley​

Why Readers Will Love Her: Highsmith’s masterful portrayal of morally ambiguous characters and her ability to build slow-burning tension resonate with readers who enjoy Tana French’s introspective approach to crime fiction.​

Patricia Highsmith’s Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7622.Patricia_Highsmith 

4. Donna Tartt

Writing Style & Themes: Donna Tartt combines literary elegance with suspenseful storytelling, often exploring themes of fate, friendship and the impact of secrets within richly atmospheric settings.​

Notable Books/Series:

• The Secret History​
• The Little Friend​
• The Goldfinch​

Why Readers Will Love Her: Tartt’s intricate character development and immersive narratives will appeal to those who appreciate Tana French’s deep psychological insights and evocative atmospheres.​

Donna Tartt’s Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8719.Donna_Tartt 

5. Alex Michaelides

Writing Style & Themes: Alex Michaelides crafts psychological thrillers with intricate plots, unreliable narrators and explorations of trauma and memory, delving into the complexities of the human psyche.​

Notable Books/Series:

• The Silent Patient​
• The Maidens​

Why Readers Will Love Him: Michaelides’ skillful blending of psychological depth and suspenseful twists will engage readers who enjoy Tana French’s complex narratives and character explorations.​

Alex Michaelides’ Website: http://alexmichaelides.com/​

6. Laura Lippman

Writing Style & Themes: Laura Lippman focuses on character-driven mysteries set in vividly portrayed locales often exploring themes of identity, justice and the complexities of human relationships.​

Notable Books/Series:

• Lady in the Lake​
• Sunburn​
• What the Dead Know​

Why Readers Will Love Her: Lippman’s nuanced storytelling and her ability to create immersive settings will resonate with readers who appreciate Tana French’s emphasis on psychological depth and sense of place.​

Laura Lippman’s Website: https://lauralippman.com 

7. Ruth Ware

Writing Style & Themes: Ruth Ware specializes in atmospheric thrillers set in isolated environments weaving intricate plots that delve into the complexities of human relationships and hidden secrets.​

Notable Books/Series:

• In a Dark, Dark Wood​
• The Woman in Cabin 10​
• The Lying Game​

Why Readers Will Love Her: Ware’s ability to create a palpable sense of unease and her focus on psychological suspense will appeal to fans of Tana French’s immersive storytelling.​

Ruth Ware’s Website: https://ruthware.com/​

8. Shari Lapena

Writing Style & Themes: Shari Lapena crafts domestic thrillers that explore the dark undercurrents of suburban life, focusing on the secrets and lies that unravel within personal relationships.​

Notable Books/Series:

• The Couple Next Door​
• An Unwanted Guest
• Someone We Know​

Why Readers Will Love Her: Lapena’s knack for building suspenseful character-driven narratives mirrors Tana French’s exploration of personal dynamics within crime fiction.​

Shari Lapena’s Website: https://sharilapena.com/​

9. B.A. Paris

Writing Style & Themes: B.A. Paris focuses on psychological thrillers that delve into the complexities of domestic life, often highlighting themes of trust, betrayal and the hidden darkness within relationships.​

Notable Books/Series:

• Behind Closed Doors​
• The Breakdown​
• Bring Me Back​

Why Readers Will Love Her: Paris’ suspenseful storytelling and her exploration of psychological tension within intimate relationships will resonate with fans of Tana French’s character-driven mysteries.​

B.A. Paris’s Website: https://www.baparis.com 

10. Lisa Jewell

Writing Style & Themes: Lisa Jewell blends family drama with suspense, crafting narratives that unravel complex relationships and long-buried secrets within domestic settings.​

Notable Books/Series:

• Then She Was Gone​
• The Family Upstairs​
• Watching You​

Why Readers Will Love Her: Jewell’s ability to intertwine emotional depth with gripping suspense will captivate readers who appreciate Tana French’s nuanced character explorations.​

Lisa Jewell’s Website: https://www.lisajewellbooks.com/​

11. Megan Miranda

Writing Style & Themes: Megan Miranda crafts suspenseful narratives set in small towns, focusing on themes of memory, identity and the ripple effects of past events on present circumstances.​

Notable Books/Series:

• All the Missing Girls​
• The Last House Guest​
• The Girl from Widow Hills​

Why Readers Will Love Her: Miranda’s intricate plotting and her exploration of the complexities of human nature align with Tana French’s immersive storytelling style.​

Megan Miranda’s Website: https://www.meganmiranda.com/​

12. Elizabeth George

Writing Style & Themes: Elizabeth George is renowned for her richly detailed mysteries that delve into the psychological complexities of her characters, often set against the backdrop of British society.​

Notable Books/Series:

• A Great Deliverance (Inspector Lynley series)​
• Payment in Blood (Inspector Lynley series)​
• Well-Schooled in Murder (Inspector Lynley series)​

Why Readers Will Love Her: George’s deep character studies and intricate plots will appeal to readers who enjoy Tana French’s thoughtful and layered approach to crime fiction.​

Elizabeth George’s Website: https://www.elizabethgeorgeonline.com/

Last Word on the above Authors Like Tana French

If you’re a fan of Tana French’s masterful storytelling, intricate character development and atmospheric mysteries, these authors will keep you hooked. 

From Gillian Flynn’s dark psychological thrillers to Donna Tartt’s literary crime narratives and Ruth Ware’s gripping suspense, each writer brings a unique yet familiar touch to the genre. 

While no one can perfectly replicate French’s distinct style, these writers like Tana French capture the same immersive storytelling, richly drawn characters and psychological complexity that make her novels so captivating. 

So, whether you’re in the mood for a chilling psychological thriller, an intricately woven crime mystery or a suspenseful tale filled with secrets, these authors similar to Tana French offer plenty of unforgettable stories to dive into.