Richard Osman is beloved for mysteries that are clever, funny, and wonderfully easy to sink into. Beginning with The Thursday Murder Club, his bestselling novels pair cozy crime with sharp observations, memorable characters, and plenty of charm.
If you enjoy Richard Osman, these authors are well worth adding to your reading list:
If Richard Osman’s clever plotting and playful misdirection appeal to you, Agatha Christie is an obvious next stop. She remains the gold standard for classic detective fiction, with iconic sleuths like Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple leading readers through brilliantly constructed mysteries.
In her classic novel The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, Dr. James Sheppard narrates the investigation into the suspicious death of Roger Ackroyd in a seemingly quiet English village.
As Poirot studies the case, every conversation, alibi, and hidden motive matters. The result is a tightly woven mystery with one of the most famous endings in the genre—perfect for readers who enjoy Osman’s knack for surprises.
Alan Bradley is best known for his Flavia de Luce series, which begins with the delightful The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie.
Flavia is an 11-year-old amateur sleuth with a fascination for chemistry, a razor-sharp mind, and a talent for getting into trouble. Set in 1950s rural England, the novel combines a classic mystery atmosphere with fresh humor and a highly original narrator.
When Flavia discovers a dead stranger in her family’s cucumber patch, she is drawn into a case involving rare stamps, buried secrets, and unexpected links to her own family history.
Witty, atmospheric, and full of personality, The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie offers the same kind of charm, intelligence, and satisfying puzzle-solving that makes Richard Osman so enjoyable.
Readers who like Richard Osman’s warmth and gentle humor will likely enjoy Alexander McCall Smith. His novel The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency introduces Precious Ramotswe, Botswana’s first female detective.
Rather than relying on dramatic theatrics, Precious solves cases with common sense, empathy, and quiet intelligence. The Botswana setting gives the book a distinctive feel, while the community-centered mysteries keep the tone inviting and humane.
McCall Smith’s stories are comforting without being slight, making them a strong choice for anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries with heart.
Christopher Brookmyre writes crime fiction with bite. His novels are known for sharp humor, lively dialogue, eccentric characters, and layered plots—qualities that can easily appeal to Richard Osman readers looking for something a little darker.
In Quite Ugly One Morning, journalist Jack Parlabane stumbles across a gruesome murder scene and finds himself pulled into an investigation full of corruption, absurdity, and danger.
Brookmyre balances satire and suspense especially well, creating mysteries that are funny, fast-moving, and genuinely surprising. If you like your crime fiction clever and offbeat, he is well worth a try.
Christopher Moore leans more heavily into comedy than Osman does, but readers who love quirky characters and irreverent mystery elements may find him a great match. His fiction is energetic, oddball, and consistently entertaining.
A good place to start is Noir, set in post-war San Francisco. The story follows Sammy Two Toes Tiffin, a quick-talking bartender whose life turns chaotic when a mysterious woman walks into his bar.
Gangsters, secret societies, suspicious strangers, and rapid-fire dialogue drive the plot forward. Moore’s blend of wit and mayhem makes Noir a fun pick for readers who enjoy humor mixed with mystery.
Kate Atkinson writes mysteries with intelligence, emotional depth, and a beautifully controlled sense of structure. If you enjoy Richard Osman’s strong characterization as much as his plotting, Atkinson is a smart author to explore.
Her novel Case Histories introduces private investigator Jackson Brodie, who becomes entangled in three old cases that initially seem unrelated.
As the novel unfolds, hidden connections emerge and long-buried family secrets come to light. The writing is sharp and thoughtful, and the mystery develops in a way that feels both surprising and deeply satisfying.
Louise Penny is a wonderful recommendation for readers who love the community feel and emotional warmth of Richard Osman’s books. Her mysteries are set in the village of Three Pines, a place that quickly becomes as memorable as any of the characters.
In Still Life Chief Inspector Armand Gamache investigates the suspicious death of a beloved local artist.
As he looks beneath the village’s peaceful surface, secrets and tensions slowly come into view. Penny combines atmosphere, strong character work, and thoughtful mystery plotting in a way that feels cozy yet never trivial.
M.C. Beaton is a natural choice for fans of light, entertaining mysteries with plenty of personality. Her books are full of village life, comic mishaps, and memorable amateur sleuthing.
In Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death , Agatha leaves London behind for a quieter life in the Cotswolds, only to find retirement far less peaceful than expected. After entering a local baking competition with a shop-bought quiche, she becomes mixed up in a murder case.
Agatha is prickly, funny, and impossible not to watch with interest. For readers who enjoy coziness with a mischievous edge, Beaton is a very good fit.
Ruth Ware is a stronger pick for readers who want to keep the mystery element but dial up the tension. Her novels are more thriller than cozy, yet they share the same pleasure of piecing together secrets and motives.
In The Woman in Cabin 10, journalist Lo Blacklock boards a luxury cruise and becomes convinced she has seen a woman thrown overboard—despite the fact that no passenger appears to be missing.
The enclosed setting adds pressure, while uncertainty and fear build with every chapter. Ware is especially good at creating claustrophobic suspense, making this a gripping option for readers who want something darker after Osman.
Sophie Hannah is known for intricate, brainy mysteries that reward close attention. Readers who enjoy Richard Osman’s puzzle-solving side may appreciate the way she builds suspense through misdirection and psychological complexity.
Her novel The Killings at Kingfisher Hill features Hercule Poirot, continuing the world of Agatha Christie with a modern touch.
The mystery begins with a woman who insists she committed a murder but refuses to explain herself. From there, secrets pile up among the passengers on a luxury coach journey, and Poirot must patiently sort truth from performance.
Hannah captures the classic whodunit spirit while still making the story feel fresh and contemporary.
If Richard Osman’s humor is what keeps you turning pages, Janet Evanovich may be especially appealing. Her Stephanie Plum novels are fast, funny, and packed with outrageous situations.
In One for the Money, Stephanie Plum loses her job and takes a chance on becoming a bounty hunter, despite having almost no experience.
Her first big target is Joe Morelli, a charming and complicated man from her past. Between family chaos, dangerous fugitives, and a string of comic disasters, Evanovich creates a mystery that feels breezy, energetic, and highly entertaining.
P.D. James brings a more serious and literary tone to crime fiction, but readers who admire well-crafted mysteries will find a lot to appreciate in her work. Her Adam Dalgliesh novels are thoughtful, layered, and elegantly written.
In her book The Murder Room, Dalgliesh investigates murders linked to a museum devoted to true crime.
James excels at atmosphere and psychological depth, guiding readers through motives, secrets, and carefully placed clues. If you enjoy mysteries that feel intelligent and polished, she is an excellent author to explore.
Simon Brett writes charming mysteries with wit, warmth, and a distinctly British sense of place. His books often feature amateur investigators and close-knit communities, which makes him a strong recommendation for Osman fans.
In The Body on the Beach, retired widow Carole Seddon discovers a corpse during her morning walk in a quiet seaside town. When the authorities seem ready to dismiss the matter, she begins asking questions herself.
Alongside her more free-spirited neighbor Jude, Carole uncovers secrets beneath the village’s calm exterior. Brett’s mysteries are cozy, clever, and consistently enjoyable.
Sophie Kinsella is not primarily a mystery writer, but she is an excellent choice for readers who love the warmth, humor, and lightness found in Richard Osman’s novels. Her books are full of relatable characters, comic misunderstandings, and affectionate storytelling.
If that sounds appealing, try The Undomestic Goddess. It follows high-powered lawyer Samantha Sweeting, who runs from a disastrous mistake at work and, through a misunderstanding, ends up employed as a housekeeper in the countryside.
Unfortunately, Samantha has almost no domestic skills at all. Watching her improvise her way through the role leads to plenty of funny moments, along with a surprisingly heartfelt story underneath.
For readers who enjoy Osman’s charm as much as his mysteries, Kinsella offers a similarly easy, enjoyable reading experience.
Anthony Horowitz is one of the best modern writers for readers who love classic-style mysteries with a fresh twist. His work often plays with genre conventions while still delivering satisfying clues, sharp dialogue, and strong reveals.
If you’re a fan of Richard Osman’s cozy yet suspenseful style, you might enjoy Horowitz’s novel The Word is Murder.
The story casts Anthony Horowitz himself as a character alongside the eccentric detective Daniel Hawthorne. Together they investigate the death of a wealthy woman who had arranged her own funeral just hours before she was killed.
The metafictional setup gives the novel extra personality, but at its core it remains an excellent whodunit. Clever, funny, and neatly constructed, it makes a terrific follow-up read for mystery fans.
