The angel's game

Books and art are the focus of these haunting, somewhat gothic tales. The Evidence Trilogy is leisurely, character-driven, and densely written, while the Cemetery of Forgotten Books is more fast-paced and romantic, with a stronger sense of place. -- Mike Nilsson

These atmospheric, intricately plotted series explore the uncanny power of literature. Although Map of Time takes place in Victorian England and Cemetery of Forgotten Books is set in 20th-century Spain, both integrate social and political issues into their fantastical narratives. -- NoveList Contributor

Though the Famished Road novels take place in Nigeria just before independence, and Cemetery of Forgotten Books portrays Barcelona at various times in the 20th century, both evoke a strong sense of place and unsettling events through elegant, haunting descriptions. -- Katherine Johnson

Both literary fiction series feature a compelling mystery centering on rare books and the people imperiled by them. Cemetery adds historical and magical realism elements into the storyline that Forgers lacks, but both possess vivid atmospherics and intricate plots. -- Andrienne Cruz

Set in Barcelona (Cemetery) and Canada (Cornish), these novels combine erudite wit and dark humor with magical realism. Both series are intellectual romances with art, music, and literature, told by quirky characters who may or may not be entirely reliable. -- Mike Nilsson

These series have the appeal factors romantic and stylistically complex, and they have the genre "literary fiction"; the subject "authors"; and characters that are "complex characters" and "flawed characters."

These series have the appeal factors stylistically complex, strong sense of place, and lyrical, and they have the genres "literary fiction" and "psychological fiction"; and characters that are "complex characters" and "flawed characters."

These series have the appeal factors stylistically complex and unconventional, and they have the theme "books about books"; and the subject "books and reading."

These series have the appeal factors haunting and stylistically complex, and they have the genre "literary fiction"; the subject "obsession"; and characters that are "complex characters" and "introspective characters."

Umberto Eco and Carlos Ruiz Zafon write richly-textured and genre-expanding Literary Fiction with historical subject matter. Setting their tales against detailed historical backdrops, both authors tell complex and elaborate stories combining history, suspense, and thought-provoking ideas with an elegant and witty literary style. Ruiz Zafon is more accessible to the general reader. -- Victoria Fredrick

Catalonian author Carlos Ruiz Zafon and Danish writer Peter Hoeg craft intricately plotted tales with elements of magical realism to portray people who are caught in circumstances that require them to use all their wits and talents to survive. Both include either explicit or implicit critiques of corrupt political regimes. -- Katherine Johnson

Though Carlos Ruiz Zafon's work incorporates horror elements not present in Isabel Allende's books, both authors write atmospheric, sometimes romantic stories filled with magical realism and complex characters. -- Stephen Ashley

Though Carlos Ruiz Zafon's work veers into horror territory, both he and Gabriel Garcia Marquez are known for their romantic and haunting magical realism-forward literary fiction with intricately crafted characters and stylistically complex prose. -- Stephen Ashley

These authors' works have the appeal factors romantic, creepy, and multiple perspectives, and they have the genres "horror" and "contemporary fantasy"; and characters that are "complex characters."

These authors' works have the subjects "rare books," "supernatural," and "teenagers."

These authors' works have the appeal factors haunting, creepy, and lyrical, and they have the genre "horror"; and the subjects "supernatural" and "curses."

These authors' works have the appeal factors haunting and stylistically complex, and they have the subjects "fathers and sons," "coastal towns," and "fifteen-year-old girls."

These authors' works have the genre "magical realism"; and the subjects "supernatural," "curses," and "sixteen-year-old girls."

These authors' works have the appeal factors haunting, creepy, and melancholy, and they have the genre "horror"; and the subjects "supernatural" and "vampires."

These authors' works have the appeal factors haunting, moving, and lyrical, and they have the subjects "authors," "eccentrics and eccentricities," and "thirteen-year-old girls."