There's also C. J. Sansom. His 'Shardlake' series, which is set in the Tudor period (a part of the broader medieval time frame in terms of the genre), has been quite popular. His books are known for their detailed historical research and engaging crime plots. They often deal with political intrigue and murder mysteries in the context of the Tudor court and society.
Geoffrey Chaucer is quite famous. His 'The Canterbury Tales' gives a great look into medieval life. Another is Sir Thomas Malory. His 'Le Morte d'Arthur' is a classic work of Arthurian legend, which is a big part of medieval fiction.
Chrétien de Troyes. He wrote several important works in this genre. His stories often centered around Arthurian legends.
J.R.R. Tolkien is one of the most well - known. His 'The Lord of the Rings' is a classic in the genre. Another is George R.R. Martin. His 'A Song of Ice and Fire' series, which includes 'Game of Thrones', has a medieval - like fantasy world. And then there's C.S. Lewis with his 'The Chronicles of Narnia' which has elements of medieval fantasy too.
One well - known author is Ellis Peters. Her Brother Cadfael series is very popular. The stories feature a Benedictine monk, Brother Cadfael, who uses his knowledge of herbs and his astute mind to solve mysteries in a medieval English setting. Another is Umberto Eco. His novel 'The Name of the Rose' is set in a medieval monastery and involves complex detective - like investigations into a series of murders.
Agatha Christie is very famous. She created characters like Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. Her stories are full of clever plots and unexpected twists. Another one is Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes, a brilliant detective who has become an iconic figure in crime fiction.
There's Georges Simenon. He created the character Maigret, and his works are a significant part of la crime fiction. Also, Patricia Highsmith, whose books often deal with complex psychological aspects in crime stories.
Patricia Cornwell is quite famous. Her books often feature the character Kay Scarpetta, a forensic pathologist. Another is Kathy Reichs. She writes novels with Temperance Brennan, a forensic anthropologist.
James Elroy. His works often deal with the seedy underbelly of Los Angeles and the gangs and crime that exist there. Another one is Dennis Lehane. His books like 'Mystic River' have elements of gang crime in them.
Well, Agatha Christie is a giant in this genre. Her books are known for their intricate plots and clever twists. Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories are iconic, with Holmes' brilliant deductive skills. Another great author is Patricia Cornwell. Her 'Kay Scarpetta' series is very popular. These authors have influenced the development of crime and detective fiction over the years, each bringing their own flavor to the genre.
Well, E. W. Hornung is also a significant author. He created the character Raffles, a gentleman thief. These authors were able to capture the essence of the Edwardian period in their crime fiction, with its unique social and cultural aspects. Their characters and plots were influenced by the values and mores of that time.