Louise Penny is known for her mystery novels that often involve dark secrets. In her books set in the fictional village of Three Pines, there are always secrets lurking beneath the idyllic surface, whether it's about the villagers' pasts or events that have taken place in the village long ago.
Patricia Highsmith is another. Her works, like 'The Talented Mr. Ripley', are filled with dark secrets. Ripley has a lot of secrets regarding his identity and his actions, and the story unfolds with these secrets gradually coming to light, creating a sense of unease and mystery.
Gillian Flynn is one. Her novel 'Gone Girl' is full of dark secrets. The relationship between the two main characters is filled with hidden motives and secrets that are gradually revealed, keeping the readers on the edge of their seats.
Edgar Allan Poe is a well - known author of dark novels. His works are filled with mystery and a sense of the macabre. Another is H.P. Lovecraft, whose stories often involve cosmic horror and the unknown, which are very much in the realm of the dark novel.
Alan Moore is one. His works often have dark and complex themes.
Suzanne Collins is a well - known author of a 'dark game novel' like 'The Hunger Games'. Her writing is known for creating a vivid and often harsh world where the characters are forced to play a deadly game.
I'm not sure of a specific author who is widely known for only 'dark earth novel'. However, some authors who often write in the dark and dystopian genre like Margaret Atwood might potentially write something that could be considered in the vein of a 'dark earth novel'.
Neal Stephenson. His novel 'Snow Crash' is a great example. It combines elements of cyberpunk and post - apocalyptic settings, with a lot of dark undertones about society, technology, and power.
Jonathan Rabb. His works often capture the essence of Berlin in different historical periods, exploring the city's dark corners. Another one is Philip Kerr. His novels set in Berlin are known for their gritty and noir - like portrayals of the city and its inhabitants.
Edgar Allan Poe is a very well - known author in this genre. His works, such as 'The Fall of the House of Usher', are filled with dark and macabre elements. Another is Shirley Jackson, famous for 'The Haunting of Hill House'. It's a classic of dark literary fiction with its exploration of the psychological and the supernatural in a very dark context.
George R. R. Martin is a well - known author associated with grim dark stories. His 'A Song of Ice and Fire' series is filled with political intrigue, violence, and moral ambiguity. Another is Joe Abercrombie. His works often feature gritty and morally grey characters in a harsh, unforgiving world. Richard K. Morgan is also notable. His books, like 'Altered Carbon', explore dark themes of identity and power in a future society.
I'm not aware of many authors specifically known for 'dark swan novels' as it's not a very common genre term. But an author who might write something similar could be Margaret Atwood. She often writes about complex and sometimes dark themes, and could potentially incorporate the idea of a 'dark swan' in her work, perhaps as a symbol for a corrupted or complex femininity.
Scott Lynch, the author of 'The Lies of Locke Lamora', is known for writing a 'dark ascension' - like story. Mark Lawrence, who penned 'Prince of Thorns', creates dark worlds where characters strive for ascension. Glen Cook, the creator of 'The Black Company', is also among those who write about such themes.