Discover books similar to "Irene Kelly" series

Jane Harper

The Dry

Aaron Falk, a federal agent, returns to his rural hometown in Australia for the funeral of a childhood friend. When he discovers that the friend may have been murdered, Falk is drawn into the investigation. The novel shares Jan Burke's interest in the ways in which small towns can harbor secrets and the complexities of family relationships.

Malla Nunn

A Beautiful Place to Die

This crime novel is set in 1950s apartheid South Africa. When a white police officer is found dead near the rural town of Jacob's Rest, Detective Emmanuel Cooper is sent to investigate. The novel explores themes of racial tension and injustice, much like Jan Burke's Irene Kelly series. However, Nunn's work offers a fresh perspective through its unique setting and historical context.

Elly Griffiths

The Crossing Places

Ruth Galloway, a forensic archaeologist, is drawn into a police investigation when a child's bones are found on a nearby beach. Griffiths' series shares similarities with Jan Burke's work, as it features a strong female protagonist and explores the intersection between crime and history. The rural setting and focus on archaeology also provide a fresh twist.

Michael Connelly

The Black Echo

Harry Bosch, a Vietnam War veteran and LAPD detective, investigates the murder of a fellow soldier. Connelly's series shares Jan Burke's focus on crime-solving and features a complex, morally ambiguous protagonist. The military background of the victim in The Black Echo adds an additional layer of depth to the narrative.

Amy Tan

The Bonesetter's Daughter

This novel explores the lives of three women from different generations of a Chinese-American family. While not a crime novel, it shares Jan Burke's interest in the complexities of family relationships and the ways in which the past can influence the present. The historical and cultural context adds depth and nuance to the narrative.

Caleb Carr

The Alienist

Set in 1896 New York City, this psychological thriller follows a team of investigators as they try to solve a series of gruesome murders. Like Jan Burke's work, The Alienist combines elements of crime-solving with a richly detailed historical setting. The focus on psychological profiling also adds a unique angle to the narrative.

Chris Pavone

The Expats

This spy thriller follows Kate Moore, a former CIA operative who moves to Europe with her husband and children. When she discovers that her husband may be hiding something, she begins to investigate. The novel shares Jan Burke's interest in complex, morally ambiguous characters and the ways in which the past can come back to haunt us.

Tess Gerritsen

The Silent Girl

When a Chinese woman is found dead in Boston's Chinatown, Detective Jane Rizzoli and medical examiner Maura Isles are called to the scene. The novel shares Jan Burke's interest in complex, morally ambiguous characters and the ways in which the past can influence the present. The unique cultural context of Chinatown also adds depth to the narrative.

Josephine Tey

The Daughter of Time

Alan Grant, a Scotland Yard detective, becomes fascinated by the historical mystery surrounding Richard III and the disappearance of the Princes in the Tower. The novel shares Jan Burke's interest in the intersection between history and crime-solving. The unique perspective of a detective investigating a historical mystery also provides a fresh twist.

Alex Grecian

The Yard

Set in Victorian London, this novel follows a team of detectives as they investigate a series of grisly murders. The novel shares Jan Burke's interest in complex, morally ambiguous characters and the ways in which the past can influence the present. The unique historical setting also adds depth and nuance to the narrative.

Fiona Barton

The Widow

When a man is accused of a horrific crime, his wife is left to pick up the pieces of her shattered life. The novel shares Jan Burke's interest in complex, morally ambiguous characters and the ways in which the past can influence the present. The unique perspective of the wife of the accused also provides a fresh twist.