Discover our list of the best authors like Quintin Jardine. If youāre a fan of great detective fiction, these books are a must-read for your collection.
Born in 1945 in Lanarkshire in Scotland, Quintin Jardine is a successful crime fiction author. Jardine was raised in Motherwell in Glasgow and studied at Glasgow University. A born writer, he started his career as a journalist, but he also worked as a government information officer and media relations consultant. This experience allowed him to write knowledgeably about the world of crime fighting.
Jardine is a prolific author with 79 works across three series. The Bob Skinner series is the longest, with 33 novels featuring a police officer from Edinburgh. The first, Skinnerās Rules, came out in 1993. In 1996 he published Blackstoneās Pursuits, the first book in the Oz Blackstone series, and 2009 he published Inhuman Remains, the first in the Primavera Blackstone series.
Why Quintin Jardineās Appeal Endures in 2025
Quintin Jardineās crime fiction has maintained its relevance and popularity well into the 2025 literary landscape for several compelling reasons:
Authentic Scottish Crime Writing: Jardineās deep roots in Scottish journalism and government work provide insider knowledge that gives his crime procedurals genuine authenticity. In an era where readers increasingly value realistic portrayals of law enforcement, his background creates trust and credibility.
Long-Running Character Development: With series spanning decades, Jardine pioneered the concept of characters aging in real time, dealing with career changes, family evolution, and personal growth. This approach has become the gold standard for contemporary crime series, influencing how readers expect character continuity.
Political and Media Savvy: His experience in government and media relations allows him to incorporate contemporary political themes and media manipulation into his plotsāincreasingly relevant as readers seek crime fiction that reflects modern complexities of information warfare and political corruption.
Multi-Series Universe: Jardineās interconnected series featuring the Skinner and Blackstone families created a comprehensive fictional universe before ācinematic universesā became mainstream. This approach satisfies modern readersā desire for rich, interconnected storytelling.
Balanced Approach to Violence: Unlike the extreme violence common in contemporary Nordic noir, Jardine focuses on character development and procedural authenticity while maintaining appropriate tensionāappealing to readers seeking sophisticated crime fiction without gratuitous brutality.
If you are a fan of the works of exciting crime thriller authors, these authors like Quintin Jardine may be an excellent choice to read.
For more recommendations, you might also enjoy exploring authors like Harlan Coben, authors like Gillian Flynn, best detective novel series.
Must-Read Authors Like Quintin Jardine
If you enjoy mystery and suspense, consider exploring best detective novel series, authors like Harlan Coben, authors like Agatha Christie.
1. Ian Rankin, 1960 -
Scottish crime writer Ian Rankin grew up in Fife, and he chose to study literature at college instead of going into a trade, which upset his parents. However, the gamble paid off, as he became a successful novelist. When he published his first two books, The Flood and Knots and Crosses, they were classified as traditional fiction. Dissatisfied with this classification, he further developed the Inspector Rebus character from Knots and Crosses and created a successful series.
In 1997, he earned the CWA Gold Dagger for Fiction and an Edgar Award shortlist nomination for Black and Blue. In 2004 he won the Edgar for Resurrection Men. Rankin sometimes publishes under the pen name Jack Harvey.
Why Jardine fans will love him: Rankin shares Jardineās commitment to authentic Scottish crime writing and complex character development. Both authors excel at creating flawed, realistic detectives who reflect the social and political tensions of contemporary Scotland.
Contemporary relevance: Rankinās Inspector Rebus series has successfully transitioned into the streaming era, with new adaptations reflecting modern concerns about police accountability and social justiceāthemes increasingly important to crime fiction readers in 2025.
āHis eyes beheld beauty not in reality but in the printed word. Standing in the waiting-room, he realized that in his life he had accepted secondary experience ā the experience of reading someone elseās thoughts ā over real life.ā āIan Rankin, Knots and Crosses
2. Lin Anderson
Lin Anderson is a Scottish crime novelist who developed the Rhona MacLeod series. As the daughter of a detective in the CID, Anderson got a taste for crime fighting as a young girl. As a young woman, she spent five years working in the Nigerian bush, later becoming the subject of an African short story.
Anderson published her first MacLeod book, Driftnet, in 2003, and it became pretty popular. The author also has two books in the Patrick de Courvoisier series and one in the Blaze Dog Detective series. With Alex Gray, she co-founded Bloody Scotland, the Scottish crime writerās festival.
Connection to Jardineās themes: Andersonās background in forensic science and international experience mirrors Jardineās multi-faceted career background. Both authors bring professional expertise to their crime writing, creating procedural accuracy that satisfies knowledgeable readers.
Scottish crime community: Her role in founding Bloody Scotland demonstrates the collaborative spirit of Scottish crime writing that Jardine helped establish, showing how the genre has become a cultural force in Scottish literature.
āThe boy who had been abused and strangled in that hideous little room looked so like her, he could have been her brother.ā āLin Anderson, Driftnet
3. Peter May, 1951 -
Peter May is a Scottish writer and screenwriter most famous for his three series: The Lewis Trilogy, The China Thrillers, and The Enzo Files. Born in Glasgow, May was sure he wanted to be a writer from an early age, so he took a job as a journalist as a young man. At 19, he wrote his first novel, which was rejected. Though not published, this novelās rejection came from the publisher with the encouragement to keep writing.
May spent some time writing for the television world, then started his China Thrillers series, making regular trips to the country to learn more about its culture and crime-fighting techniques. Snakehead and Chinese Whispers, two of the books, were listed for the Prix International in France.
Journalistic foundation: Like Jardine, Mayās journalism background provides authentic insights into investigative processes and media dynamics. Both authors understand how information flows and how investigations really work.
International perspective: Mayās China series reflects the increasingly global nature of crime fiction that appeals to 2025 readers seeking stories that cross cultural and national boundaries.
āHe had no idea why the truck had drawn his attention. Maybe it was because the driver had made no attempt to slot it anywhere between the faded white lines. Maybe it was just instinct.ā āPeter May, Snakehead
4. Stuart MacBride, 1969 -
Author Stuart MacBride worked many odd jobs and tech jobs before he landed his first publishing deal. This Scottish writer attended Heriot-Watt University, where he studied architecture. In 2005 he started his literary career with the publication of Cold Granite, a book featuring Detective Sergeant Logan McRae. This started the success of his series, and between 2005 and 2019, he published 16 of them, one book every year. He also writes three standalone novels and the five-book Oldcastle series. MacBrideās most recent book, published in early 2023, is The Dead of Winter.
Dark humor tradition: MacBrideās blend of dark Scottish humor with serious crime mirrors Jardineās ability to balance gravitas with moments of levityāa characteristic that has become increasingly important as readers seek crime fiction that doesnāt overwhelm with constant darkness.
Consistent productivity: His remarkable publishing schedule demonstrates the professional discipline that Jardine exemplified, showing how Scottish crime writers maintain quality while meeting reader demand for regular installments.
āThe bodyās high-vis jacket is the twin of the one hanging from the branch, only thereās a lot more blood. Deep scarlet stains the jacketās fluorescent-yellow back; itās soaked into the grubby-grey suit underneath too. The jacketās owner doesnāt look a day over twenty-four, but he does look very, very dead.ā āStuart MacBride, The Dead of Winter
5. Janie Bolitho, 1950 - 2002
Janie Bolithoās works focus less on blood and gore and more on developing beautiful settings and robust characters. The Ian Roper series, which started with Kindness Can Kill in 1993, is one of her most famous, featuring a chief detective inspector as the main character. Bolitho also introduced Rose Trevelyan in 1997 with Snapped in Cornwall. This character was a painter and photographer who solved crimes on the side.
Character-driven approach: Bolithoās emphasis on character development over graphic violence aligns with Jardineās sophisticated approach to crime writing. Both authors understand that sustainable series require readers to care about the people, not just the crimes.
Setting as character: Her vivid portrayals of Cornwall parallel Jardineās use of Scottish locations as integral story elements, showing how place can drive plot and character development.
āLife always seemed to catch Rose Trevelyan by surprise. She constantly told herself that now she had passed forty she might occasionally try to be a bit more organized: ever since her early twenties, when she wrongly considered herself to be a mature adult, nothing had gone to plan.ā āJanie Bolitho, Snapped in Cornwall
6. Kate Ellis
Kate Ellis has two crime series, with over a million books sold worldwide. In addition, she has written short stories and three historical crime fiction novels. This Liverpudlian author got her start in the writing world by writing plays and winning the North West Playwrights competition.
Ellis developed a love for archaeology and wove that into her crime fiction works through Detective Sergeant Wesley Peterson, an archaeology graduate who solves crimes. The first Wesley Peterson novel was The Merchantās House, which she published in 1998. In 2014, she was elected a member of The Detection Club, and she is also a member of the Crime Writers Association.
Historical-contemporary blend: Ellisās integration of archaeological themes into modern crime fiction reflects the contemporary trend toward interdisciplinary storytelling that appeals to readers seeking depth beyond standard police procedures.
Academic credentials: Her theatrical background and Detection Club membership demonstrate the literary respect that Jardineās work also commands, showing how crime fiction has gained academic and cultural legitimacy.
āSteve considered himself to be Godās gift to women; and if this was the case, thought Rachel, the Lord was seriously short-changing the female sex.ā āKate Ellis, The Merchantās House
7. William McIlvanney, 1936 - 2015
William McIlvanney was a Scottish writer of novels, short stories, and poetry. As a graduate of Glasgow University, where he studied English, he worked as a teacher until 1975 before starting a full-time writing career. While teaching, he started writing and publishing Remedy is None in 1966, which earned him the Geoffrey Faber Memorial Prize the following year.
Several of his novels, including Laidlaw, The Papers of Tony Veitch, and Strange Loyalties, all feature Inspector Jack Laidlaw as the main character, and he won two Crime Writersā Association Silver Dagger awards for the series. The Dark Remains is his final work, which Ian Rankin finished on his behalf. It was published in 2021 after McIlvanneyās death.
Literary foundation: McIlvanney is often credited with founding Scottish crime fiction as a distinct literary movement, establishing the philosophical depth and social consciousness that characterizes authors like Jardine.
Legacy influence: The fact that Ian Rankin completed McIlvanneyās final novel demonstrates the interconnected nature of Scottish crime writing and the respect Jardineās generation holds for their predecessors.
āThe lawās not about justice. Itās a system weāve put in place because we canāt have justice.ā āWilliam McIlvanney, The Dark Remains
8. Ann Cleeves, 1954 -
British mystery crime writer Ann Cleeves is best known for her Vera Stanhope, Jimmy Perez, and Matthew Venn series. All of these works have been adapted into TV shows. Cleeves never graduated from college but spent her time working odd jobs before starting her writing career. She discovered her passion and abilities for writing after meeting and marrying her ornithologist husband, then moving to a remote island without electricity for him to study birds.
Her 2006 novel Raven Black won the Duncan Lawrie Dagger, and in 2014 the University of Sunderland awarded her an honorary Doctorate of Letters. In 2017, the Crime Writerās Association awarded her the Diamond Dagger, their highest honor, for her lifetime work. Cleevesā books have been translated into 20 languages and have been bestsellers in Scandinavia and Germany.
Television success: Cleevesā multiple successful TV adaptations demonstrate how contemporary crime fiction must work across media platformsāa trend that has influenced how new authors, following Jardineās model, construct their series.
International appeal: Her success in Nordic countries shows how British crime fiction has gained global relevance, partly due to the foundation laid by authors like Jardine who established the quality and authenticity of British police procedurals.
āShe fell suddenly and deeply asleep. A reaction to the shock, she thought later. It was as if a fuse had blown. She needed to escape.ā āAnn Cleeves, Raven Black
9. Alex Gray, 1950 -
Author Alex Gray was born Sandra Gray Lang but took the name Alex Gray when she started publishing books. After graduating from Strathclyde University, Gray started working as a teacher until she started focusing on her writing career in 1990. This Scottish crime writer has 20 novels set in Glasgow, featuring Detective Chief Inspector Lorimer and a psychological profiler sidekick named Solomon Brightman.
Gray started her successful writing career in 2002 when she published Never Somewhere Else. Along with fellow writer Lin Anderson, she co-founded the Bloody Scotland international crime writing festival. Her most recent book, Echo of the Dead, was published in 2022, and she continues adding more to her book list.
Psychological profiling: Grayās integration of psychological profiling into traditional police work reflects modern law enforcement trends and satisfies readers seeking scientifically informed crime fiction.
Community building: Her role in establishing Bloody Scotland demonstrates how Scottish crime writers have created a sustainable literary community that supports emerging voices while honoring established authors like Jardine.
āIf he had woken, he might have seen the flash of a blade, bright against the flickering firelight, but death took him even as he dreamed of summer days that would never come again.ā āAlex Gray, Echo of the Dead
10. Robin Jenkins, 1912 - 2005
Author Robin Jenkins published 30 novels during his lifetime and two collections of short stories. This Scottish writer won a scholarship to attend a fee-paying school as a young child, and this caused him to get an education when he otherwise wouldnāt have been able to afford one. After school, he attended the University of Glasgow, where he studied literature.
During World War II, he registered as a conscientious objector. All of these experiences as a child using education to escape difficult circumstances and his work in forestry, due to his registering as an objector, showed up in his works. The Changeling, published in 1958, is one of his more popular works. Though he didnāt write crime fiction, his writing style is popular with fans of Quintin Jardineās work.
Literary influence: While not strictly crime fiction, Jenkinsā exploration of Scottish social issues and moral complexity influenced the thematic depth that characterizes Jardineās work and Scottish crime fiction generally.
Social consciousness: His background as a conscientious objector and social observer provides the moral framework that elevates crime fiction beyond mere puzzle-solvingāa quality that defines the best of Scottish crime writing.
āNever to whine; to accept what came; to wait for better; to take what you could; to let no one, not even yourself, know how near to giving in you were.ā āRobin Jenkins, The Changeling
The Scottish Crime Fiction Renaissance
These authors represent the flowering of Scottish crime fiction that Quintin Jardine helped establish. Several key factors make this tradition particularly relevant for 2025 readers:
Authentic Cultural Voice: Scottish crime writers draw from genuine cultural experiences, providing authenticity that resonates with readers seeking realistic portrayals of law enforcement and community dynamics.
Complex Social Commentary: These authors address real social issuesāclass conflict, political corruption, cultural changeāwhile maintaining entertaining narratives.
Character Longevity: The Scottish tradition of long-running series with evolving characters satisfies modern readersā desire for deep, ongoing relationships with fictional protagonists.
International Recognition: The global success of Scottish crime fiction, from television adaptations to international bestseller lists, demonstrates its universal appeal while maintaining distinct cultural identity.
Professional Quality: Authors like Jardine established professional standards that subsequent writers maintain, ensuring consistent quality and reader satisfaction.
Quintin Jardineās influence extends beyond his own impressive body of work to help establish Scottish crime fiction as a major force in contemporary literature. These recommended authors continue that tradition, offering readers the same blend of authenticity, character development, and engaging storytelling that makes Jardineās work so enduringly popular.
