Richard Osman’s cosy crime novels have revived interest in witty, character-driven mysteries. Here are five authors to read next if you enjoy his blend of humour, heart and clever plotting.
Richard Osman has become one of the defining names in modern cosy crime novels. Since the release of The Thursday Murder Club in 2020, he has helped bring a new wave of readers to the genre – blending traditional whodunnit plotting with humour, warmth, and a cast of amateur sleuths who feel as entertaining as they are unexpectedly sharp.
Set in a retirement village where a group of pensioners meet weekly to solve cold cases, the series struck a cultural chord far beyond the crime fiction community. It has sold millions of copies worldwide, been translated into dozens of languages, and helped cement cosy crime as one of the most popular reading trends of the past few years.
But Osman is far from alone in this space. Whether you’re drawn to intricate plotting, eccentric detectives, or gently humorous mysteries, there are plenty of other authors writing in a similar spirit. Here are five writers who capture that same appeal in different ways.
Janice Hallett
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Janice Hallett has quickly established herself as one of the most inventive voices in modern crime fiction. Her breakout novel The Appeal (2021) is told entirely through emails, messages, and documents, inviting readers to become detectives themselves as they sift through clues hidden in plain sight.
She followed this with The Twyford Code (2022), which uses audio transcripts to unravel a decades-old disappearance. Like Osman, Hallett is interested in puzzles – but she pushes the format further, turning structure itself into part of the mystery.
Anthony Horowitz
A veteran of British crime writing, Anthony Horowitz blends classic detective traditions with modern metafictional twists. In Magpie Murders, a fictional editor investigates the suspicious death of her author, only to find the manuscript itself contains its own layered mystery.
The Word Is Murder introduces a fictionalised version of Horowitz himself as a side character in the investigation, adding a playful self-awareness that still delivers a tightly constructed whodunnit at its core.
Alexander McCall Smith
Best known for The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, Alexander McCall Smith offers a gentler, more reflective approach to crime fiction. Set in Botswana, the series follows Precious Ramotswe as she solves everyday mysteries with empathy, intuition, and quiet humour.
While less focused on twists and high-stakes plotting, the books share Osman’s warmth and character-driven storytelling, making them ideal for readers who enjoy the “cosy” side of cosy crime.
Agatha Christie
No discussion of the genre is complete without Agatha Christie, whose influence still shapes modern crime writing. Her Miss Marple novels remain masterclasses in misdirection, village intrigue, and psychological observation.
Christie’s work established many of the conventions that writers like Osman now reimagine for contemporary audiences — from the closed-circle mystery to the unlikely detective who consistently outwits everyone around them.
Reverend Richard Coles
Former musician turned Church of England priest, Reverend Richard Coles brings a distinctly modern voice to traditional detective fiction. His novel A Death in the Parish combines small-town eccentricities with thoughtful character work and a strong sense of humour.
Like Osman, Coles is interested in community as much as crime – and in the everyday dynamics that sit beneath seemingly quiet lives.
Whether you’re a devoted fan of The Thursday Murder Club or simply looking for your next comforting but clever read, these authors offer different takes on the same appeal: mysteries that entertain, intrigue, and invite readers to solve the puzzle alongside the characters.
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Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: mirror.co.uk
