1
by Rhys Bowen
4.22007336 pages
Why you'll love it:
This mystery shares a light and charming tone that will resonate with Small Mercies fans.
10 Best Books Like Small Mercies
If you loved Small Mercies by Dennis Lehane, here are the most similar books our readers recommend.
Quick Answer
The best books like Small Mercies are:
- 1Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen4.2
- 2The Queens of Crime by Marie Benedict4.2
- 3The River Knows Your Name by Kelly Mustian4.3
- 4Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens0
- 5The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley0#1
- 6Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan0
- 7Murder at Gulls Nest by Jess Kidd4.3
- 8Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco0
- 9A Death on Corfu by Emily Sullivan4.4
- 10Twice as Dead by Harry Turtledove4.4Series starter
Set during Boston's volatile busing crisis of 1974, this noir thriller follows Mary Pat Fennessy as she searches for her missing daughter while navigating the racial tensions and violence tearing her
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Detailed Recommendations
2
by Marie Benedict
4.22025310 pages
Why you'll love it:
This mystery shares a scholarly and atmospheric tone that will resonate with Small Mercies fans.
3
by Kelly Mustian
4.32025432 pages
Why you'll love it:
This mystery shares a haunting and atmospheric tone that will resonate with Small Mercies fans.
4
by Delia Owens
0
Why you'll love it:
This mystery shares a melancholy yet hopeful tone that will resonate with Small Mercies fans.
5
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie
Flavia De Luce #1 (works standalone)by Alan Bradley
02009
Why you'll love it:
This mystery shares a witty and charming tone that will resonate with Small Mercies fans.
6
by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan
0
Why you'll love it:
This mystery shares a heartbreaking yet compassionate tone that will resonate with Small Mercies fans.
7
by Jess Kidd
4.32026336 pages
Why you'll love it:
This mystery shares a atmospheric and unsettling tone that will resonate with Small Mercies fans.
8
by Umberto Eco
01995
Why you'll love it:
This mystery shares a cerebral and melancholic tone that will resonate with Small Mercies fans.
9
by Emily Sullivan
4.42025288 pages
Why you'll love it:
This mystery shares a atmospheric and determined tone that will resonate with Small Mercies fans.
10
Twice as Dead
Start of City of Shadows seriesby Harry Turtledove
4.42025294 pages
Why you'll love it:
This mystery shares a cynical and atmospheric tone that will resonate with Small Mercies fans.
Quick Comparison: Books Like Small Mercies
| Book | Author | Rating | Year | Pages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Her Royal Spyness | Rhys Bowen | 4.2 | 2007 | 336 | Closest match |
| The Queens of Crime | Marie Benedict | 4.2 | 2025 | 310 | Similar vibes |
| The River Knows Your Name | Kelly Mustian | 4.3 | 2025 | 432 | Similar vibes |
| Where the Crawdads Sing | Delia Owens | 0 | — | — | Similar vibes |
| The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie | Alan Bradley | 0 | 2009 | — | Similar vibes |
| Mad Honey | Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan | 0 | — | — | Similar vibes |
| Murder at Gulls Nest | Jess Kidd | 4.3 | 2026 | 336 | Similar vibes |
| Name of the Rose | Umberto Eco | 0 | 1995 | — | Similar vibes |
| A Death on Corfu | Emily Sullivan | 4.4 | 2025 | 288 | Similar vibes |
| Twice as Dead 📚 Series starter | Harry Turtledove | 4.4 | 2025 | 294 | Start a new series |
Authors Who Write Like Dennis Lehane
If you enjoy Dennis Lehane's writing style, explore these similar authors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What books are most similar to Small Mercies?
The most similar books to Small Mercies are Her Royal Spyness, The Queens of Crime, The River Knows Your Name.
What should I read after Small Mercies?
After finishing Small Mercies, readers most commonly pick up Her Royal Spyness next. Alternatively, you might enjoy more books by Dennis Lehane, such as Mystic River.
Who writes books like Dennis Lehane?
Authors similar to Dennis Lehane include Tana French.
What genre is Small Mercies?
Small Mercies is a Mystery novel by Dennis Lehane. It features elements of 1974 Boston, Racial Tension, Missing Person.
How long is Small Mercies?
Small Mercies varies in length depending on edition.
Does Small Mercies have romance/spice?
Small Mercies has a spice level of 2/5. This book has moderate romantic content.
About Small Mercies
Set during Boston's volatile busing crisis of 1974, this noir thriller follows Mary Pat Fennessy as she searches for her missing daughter while navigating the racial tensions and violence tearing her neighborhood apart. When Mary Pat's investigation leads her into dangerous territory involving both local criminals and corrupt officials, she must choose between her own safety and finding the truth about what happened to her child. Lehane returns to his Boston roots with a powerful crime novel that explores systemic racism and social upheaval through the lens of one mother's desperate search for justice. Perfect for crime fiction enthusiasts who appreciate historical settings, social justice themes, and stories that examine how larger social forces affect individual families and communities during periods of dramatic change.