12 Writers Like Sue Grafton for Mystery Fans

Looking for writers like Sue Grafton? Then you’re in the right place!

Sue Grafton’s unique blend of compelling characters and gripping mystery plots has earned her a devoted following.

If you love her work, you might be on the hunt for other authors who craft similar stories with unforgettable protagonists, intricate mysteries and captivating writing styles.

Whether you’re drawn to the detective genre or enjoy a thrilling crime story, this list will introduce you to twelve talented writers who share Grafton’s knack for keeping readers hooked.

12 Writers Like Sue Grafton

1. Janet Evanovich

Writing Style & Themes: Janet Evanovich combines humor and suspense in her first-person narratives, featuring a quirky female bounty hunter.​

Notable Books/Series:

• One for the Money​
• Four to Score​
• Hot Six​

Why Readers Will Love Her: Fans of Sue Grafton will appreciate Evanovich’s engaging blend of humor and suspense, featuring a lovable quirky heroine.​

Janet Evanovich’s Website: https://evanovich.com/

2. Sara Paretsky

Writing Style & Themes: Paretsky introduced V.I. Warshawski, a tough independent female private investigator navigating Chicago’s gritty streets, blending social commentary with thrilling plots.​

Notable Books/Series:

• Indemnity Only​
• Killing Orders​
• Total Recall​

Why Readers Will Love Her: Paretsky’s gripping narratives and strong female lead offer a compelling mix of action and depth, appealing to fans of complex mysteries.​

Sara Paretsky’s Website: https://www.saraparetsky.com/

3. Sue Henry

Writing Style & Themes: Henry’s Jessie Arnold series combines engaging character development with Alaskan settings, delivering mysteries rich in atmosphere and personal growth.​

Notable Books/Series:

• Murder on the Iditarod Trail
• Deadfall​
• Cold Company​

Why Readers Will Love Her: Henry’s evocative storytelling and strong female protagonist provide immersive experiences for readers seeking depth and adventure.​

Sue Henry’s Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/46971.Sue_Henry 

4. Laura Lippman

Writing Style & Themes: Lippman’s Tess Monaghan series offers suspenseful mysteries that delve into personal histories and urban landscapes.​

Notable Books/Series:

• Baltimore Blues
• Charm City​
• The Sugar House​

Why Readers Will Love Her: Lippman’s intricate plots and deep character studies provide a fresh take on the mystery genre, engaging readers with every twist.​

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

5. Lisa Scottoline

Writing Style & Themes: Scottoline’s legal thrillers feature strong female leads, combining courtroom drama with humor and heartfelt moments.​

Notable Books/Series:

• Everywhere That Mary Went​
• Mistaken Identity​
• Final Appeal​

Why Readers Will Love Her: Scottoline’s engaging narratives and relatable characters offer a unique blend of suspense and warmth, captivating readers from start to finish.​

Lisa Scottoline’s Website: https://www.lisascottoline.com/

6. Kathryn Lilley

Writing Style & Themes: Lilley’s “A Killer Workout” combines humor and suspense, featuring a female protagonist in a fitness-themed mystery.​

Notable Books/Series:

• A Killer Workout
• A Killer Deal​
• A Killer Retreat​

Why Readers Will Love Her: Lilley’s light-hearted mysteries, filled with wit and engaging plots, offer an enjoyable escape for fans of cozy mysteries.​

Kathryn Lilley’s Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/89575.Kathryn_Lilley 

7. Jana DeLeon

Writing Style & Themes: DeLeon’s “Miss Fortune” series combines humor and suspense, featuring a witty female protagonist entangled in small-town mysteries.​

Notable Books/Series:

• Lily Beach​
• The Ghost-in-Law Mysteries​
• Shaye Archer Series​

Why Readers Will Love Her: DeLeon’s engaging plots and humorous characters offer an enjoyable escape for fans of cozy mysteries.​

Jana DeLeon’s Website: https://janadeleon.com/

8. Carolyn Hart

Writing Style & Themes: Hart’s “Death on Demand” series features a female amateur sleuth, blending mystery with a cozy atmosphere and a touch of humor.

Notable Books/Series:

• Death on Demand
• The Big Dirt Nap
• Southern Ghost

Why Readers Will Love Her: Hart’s cozy mysteries, rich with charm and humor, offer a relaxing yet engaging experience for fans of female-led mysteries.

Carolyn Hart’s Website: http://www.carolynhart.com 

9. Susan Wittig Albert

Writing Style & Themes: Albert’s “China Bayles” series offers a cozy mystery with humor, engaging readers with its herbalist protagonist and intriguing plots.​

Notable Books/Series:

• Thyme of Death​
• Rosemary Remembered​
• Mistletoe Man​

Why Readers Will Love Her: Albert’s engaging plots and relatable characters offer an enjoyable escape for fans of cozy mysteries.​

Susan Wittig Albert’s Website: https://www.susanalbert.com/

10. Julie Smith

Writing Style & Themes: Smith’s “Skip Langdon” series combines humor and suspense, featuring a female police officer navigating complex New Orleans mysteries.​

Notable Books/Series:

• New Orleans Mourning​
• The Axeman’s Jazz​
• Crescent City Kills​

Why Readers Will Love Her: Smith’s vivid setting and compelling characters provide a fresh perspective on the mystery genre.​

Julie Smith’s Website: https://www.juliesmithauthor.com/

11. Marcia Muller

Writing Style & Themes: Muller’s “Sharon McCone” series pioneers the female detective genre, offering strong character development and intricate plots.​

Notable Books/Series:

• Edwin of the Iron Shoes​
• The Cheshire Cat’s Eye​
• The Sins of the Fathers​

Why Readers Will Love Her: Muller’s complex characters and engaging mysteries offer a compelling reading experience for fans of detective fiction.​

Marcia Muller’s Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/644.Marcia_Muller 

12. Nevada Barr

Writing Style & Themes: Barr’s “Anna Pigeon” series features a female protagonist in unique settings, delivering suspenseful plots and rich character development.​

Notable Books/Series:

• Track of the Cat​
• A Superior Death​
• Burn​

Why Readers Will Love Her: Barr’s immersive storytelling and diverse settings provide a unique twist on the mystery genre, captivating readers with each novel.​

Nevada Barr’s Website: https://www.nevadabarr.com/

12 Authors Similar to Sue Grafton

If you’re a fan of Sue Grafton’s captivating blend of suspense, humor and strong female protagonists, you’re in for a treat with the above authors like Sue Grafton.

Authors such as Janet Evanovich with her quirky bounty hunter Stephanie Plum and Sara Paretsky, who introduced the indomitable V.I. Warshawski, bring similar thrills and engaging characters to the page.

Whether you’re drawn to the cozy mysteries of Carolyn Hart’s Death on Demand series or the gripping legal thrillers of Lisa Scottoline, each of these writers like Sue Grafton delivers stories that keep you hooked from start to finish.