Discover books similar to "Justin de Quincy" series

Louise Penny

A Rule Against Murder

If you're looking for a historical mystery with a modern twist, try Louise Penny's Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series. A Rule Against Murder is the fourth book in the series, set in the present day but with a strong sense of history and place. When a wealthy family gathers at their remote estate in the Eastern Townships of Quebec, a murder occurs, and Gamache must untangle a complex web of family secrets and tensions. Penny's evocative writing and nuanced characters will appeal to fans of Penman.

Umberto Eco

The Name of the Rose

For a historical mystery with a philosophical bent, try Umberto Eco's classic novel The Name of the Rose. Set in a medieval monastery, the novel follows Brother William of Baskerville as he investigates a series of murders and uncovers a conspiracy involving heresy, blasphemy, and the power of knowledge. Eco's erudite prose and intricate plotting will remind you of Penman's Justin de Quincy series.

Matthew Pearl

The Dante Club

If you're interested in historical mysteries that explore the intersection of literature and crime, try Matthew Pearl's The Dante Club. Set in post-Civil War Boston, the novel follows a group of poets, including Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Oliver Wendell Holmes, as they investigate a series of murders that seem to be based on Dante's Inferno. Pearl's vivid depiction of Boston's literary scene and intricate plotting will appeal to fans of Penman.

Caleb Carr

The Alienist

For a historical mystery with a psychological twist, try Caleb Carr's The Alienist. Set in 1896 New York City, the novel follows a criminal psychologist and a team of investigators as they hunt down a serial killer who is targeting boy prostitutes. Carr's vivid depiction of Gilded Age New York and exploration of the emerging field of forensic psychology will appeal to fans of Penman.

Oliver Pötzsch

The Hangman's Daughter

If you're looking for a historical mystery set in a different time and place, try Oliver Pötzsch's The Hangman's Daughter. Set in 17th-century Bavaria, the novel follows a hangman and his daughter as they investigate a series of murders that seem to be connected to witchcraft. Pötzsch's vivid depiction of Bavarian folklore and history will transport you to a different world.

Katherine Howe

The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane

For a historical mystery with a supernatural twist, try Katherine Howe's The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane. Set in 1991 Salem, Massachusetts, the novel follows a graduate student as she uncovers a family secret involving witchcraft and healing. Howe's vivid depiction of Salem's history and exploration of the intersection of science and magic will appeal to fans of Penman.