Discover books similar to "White Murder"

Umberto Eco

The Name of the Rose

Fans of 'White Murder' might also enjoy 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco. This intellectual thriller is set in a medieval monastery in Italy, where a series of murders takes place during a theological debate. The novel features a Franciscan friar and his young apprentice who must solve the mystery, and it is full of philosophical and historical references. Like Wishart, Eco creates a rich and atmospheric setting, and his protagonists are intelligent and resourceful.

Lindsey Davis

The Silver Pigs

If you're looking for a historical mystery with a different setting and tone, try 'The Silver Pigs' by Lindsey Davis. This novel is set in ancient Rome and features Marcus Didius Falco, a private investigator who gets drawn into a conspiracy involving stolen silver, corrupt officials, and dangerous secrets. Davis's writing is witty and engaging, and her protagonist is a charming rogue who is not afraid to bend the rules. While the setting and style are different from Wishart's, the intricate plot and historical detail will appeal to fans of 'White Murder'.

Caleb Carr

The Alienist

For readers who enjoy historical mysteries with a psychological edge, 'The Alienist' by Caleb Carr is a great choice. Set in 1896 New York City, the novel follows a criminal psychologist and a newspaper illustrator as they investigate a series of gruesome murders of boy prostitutes. The novel combines historical detail, psychological insight, and suspenseful storytelling, and it explores themes of social inequality and corruption. While the setting and subject matter are different from 'White Murder', the intelligent plot and vivid characters will appeal to fans of Wishart's work.

Oliver Pötzsch

The Hangman's Daughter

If you're interested in historical mysteries set in Europe during the 17th century, you might enjoy 'The Hangman's Daughter' by Oliver Pötzsch. This novel is set in a small German town in 1660 and follows the story of Jakob Kuisl, a hangman and amateur detective, who must clear his name after being accused of murder. The novel combines historical detail, suspenseful storytelling, and vivid characters, and it explores themes of social hierarchy and superstition. While the setting and tone are different from 'White Murder', the intelligent plot and atmospheric writing will appeal to fans of Wishart's work.

Matthew Pearl

The Dante Club

For readers who enjoy historical mysteries with a literary twist, 'The Dante Club' by Matthew Pearl is a great choice. Set in Boston in 1865, the novel follows a group of poets who are trying to translate Dante's Divine Comedy into English. When a series of murders takes place that seem to be based on the Inferno, the poets must use their knowledge of Dante to solve the mystery. The novel combines historical detail, literary allusions, and suspenseful storytelling, and it explores themes of art, morality, and identity. While the setting and subject matter are different from 'White Murder', the intelligent plot and vivid characters will appeal to fans of Wishart's work.

Michael Connelly

The Lincoln Lawyer

If you're looking for a contemporary mystery with a legal twist, try 'The Lincoln Lawyer' by Michael Connelly. This novel follows the story of Mickey Haller, a defense attorney who operates out of his Lincoln Town Car, as he takes on a high-profile case involving a wealthy client accused of murder. The novel combines legal detail, suspenseful storytelling, and vivid characters, and it explores themes of justice, morality, and ambition. While the setting and style are different from 'White Murder', the intelligent plot and complex characters will appeal to fans of Wishart's work.

Michael Connelly

The Black Echo

If you enjoyed 'The Lincoln Lawyer' by Michael Connelly, you might also like 'The Black Echo', the first novel in Connelly's Harry Bosch series. This novel follows the story of Hieronymus Bosch, a detective with the Los Angeles Police Department, as he investigates the murder of a fellow Vietnam veteran. The novel combines police procedural detail, suspenseful storytelling, and vivid characters, and it explores themes of justice, morality, and memory. While the setting and style are different from 'White Murder', the intelligent plot and complex characters will appeal to fans of Wishart's work.

Michael Chabon

The Yiddish Policemen's Union

For readers who enjoy historical mysteries with a speculative twist, 'The Yiddish Policemen's Union' by Michael Chabon is a great choice. Set in an alternate history where Jewish refugees have established a temporary state in Alaska, the novel follows the story of Meyer Landsman, a detective who is investigating a murder in a seedy hotel. The novel combines historical detail, speculative fiction, and suspenseful storytelling, and it explores themes of identity, community, and justice. While the setting and style are different from 'White Murder', the intelligent plot and vivid characters will appeal to fans of Wishart's work.

China Miéville

The City & the City

If you're interested in speculative fiction with a mystery twist, you might enjoy 'The City & The City' by China Miéville. Set in a divided city where two distinct societies coexist in the same physical space, the novel follows the story of Inspector Tyador Borlú as he investigates a murder that may have implications for both societies. The novel combines speculative fiction, police procedural detail, and vivid world-building, and it explores themes of identity, perception, and power. While the setting and style are different from 'White Murder', the intelligent plot and complex characters will appeal to fans of Wishart's work.