Barry Eisler writes thrillers featuring vivid action and espionage themes. He achieved fame with his John Rain assassin series, including books like Rain Fall, and for the tense standalone thriller The God's Eye View.
If you enjoy reading books by Barry Eisler then you might also like the following authors:
Books by Lee Child feature intense action, sharp intelligence, and memorable main characters. If Barry Eisler’s John Rain series appeals to you, Lee Child’s Jack Reacher novels might match your taste perfectly.
In Killing Floor, the first Jack Reacher novel, the reader meets Reacher, an ex-military policeman turned drifter. Reacher arrives in Margrave, Georgia, a small town where he is wrongly arrested for murder soon after stepping off a Greyhound bus.
He must call on his investigative skills, intuition, and military experience to clear himself and unravel a sinister conspiracy that runs deeper than he could have imagined.
Lee Child brings readers a story filled with suspense, gritty realism, and a protagonist who is impossible to forget.
Vince Flynn wrote fast-paced political thrillers that are perfect for fans of Barry Eisler.
His bestselling novel Transfer of Power introduces Mitch Rapp, a resilient CIA counter-terrorism operative whose mission is to stop terrorists who have seized control of the White House.
Flynn’s writing mixes realistic espionage scenes with sharp political insights, capturing the tense negotiations between intelligence communities and government leaders.
The detailed tactics, intense action sequences, and a strong protagonist facing impossible challenges make this an exciting read for anyone who enjoys Eisler’s suspenseful thrillers.
Books by Brad Thor often appeal to fans of Barry Eisler. Thor is known for high-octane thrillers filled with espionage, political intrigue, and gripping international action.
In The Lions of Lucerne, readers follow Scot Harvath, a former Navy SEAL turned Secret Service agent, who finds himself the only survivor of a disastrous kidnapping of the President during a ski vacation in Switzerland.
Harvath gets framed for murder, and must outsmart enemy spies to clear his name and save the President. Thor weaves suspenseful twists, fast-paced action, and vivid exotic settings that readers of Eisler’s John Rain series will instantly appreciate.
Daniel Silva is a popular author known for fast-paced espionage stories and memorable characters. If you’re a fan of Barry Eisler’s thrillers, Silva’s Gabriel Allon series will likely appeal to you as well.
A good book to start with is The Kill Artist, the first novel in the Gabriel Allon series. The story brings readers into the shadowy world of Israeli intelligence through Gabriel Allon, a former operative now working as an art restorer.
After a dangerous terrorist reappears, Gabriel must come back into the spy game and face his past to stop a deadly plot.
Silva’s vivid storytelling and sharp attention to detail bring both espionage and art restoration to life, creating a fascinating blend of action and intrigue.
Books by Mark Greaney deliver fast-paced thrillers filled with espionage and action that appeal to Barry Eisler fans. His novel The Gray Man introduces readers to Court Gentry, a freelance assassin and former CIA operative.
Gentry finds himself hunted by international assassins, betrayed by the very agency he once served. The plot moves quickly from Europe to Asia, packed with tense confrontations, intelligence intrigues, and high-stakes conflicts.
Greaney crafts scenes with realistic and detailed tactical operations, fitting perfectly into readers’ collections who enjoy Barry Eisler’s John Rain novels.
If you enjoy Barry Eisler’s tight thrillers filled with espionage and realistic action, Tom Clancy might be an author you’ll appreciate. Clancy is famous for detailed military and intelligence fiction that feels believable and intense.
His book The Hunt for Red October tells the story of a Soviet submarine captain who attempts to defect to the US with his advanced vessel. CIA analyst Jack Ryan must navigate tense waters as both Americans and Soviets race to figure out the captain’s true intentions.
The tension, smart strategy, and behind-the-scenes political moves make Clancy’s stories exciting to follow.
Books by Robert Ludlum often deliver fast-paced espionage plots packed with suspense, detailed spycraft, and international intrigue. If you enjoy Barry Eisler’s style of weaving realistic elements of spy work into high-stakes stories, Ludlum might appeal to you as well.
One of his most famous thrillers is The Bourne Identity. It introduces Jason Bourne, a man pulled wounded from the Mediterranean Sea with no memory of who he is or why trained operatives repeatedly attempt to kill him.
As Bourne tries to piece together his identity, the stakes rise higher with each stunning revelation. The novel combines action, meticulous intelligence operations, and suspenseful storytelling in a way that fans of Barry Eisler will recognize and enjoy.
David Baldacci writes intense, fast-paced thrillers full of suspense and engaging characters. If you’re drawn to Barry Eisler’s sharp plots and shadowy worlds, Baldacci’s The Innocent might capture your interest.
In this novel, Will Robie, a lethal hitman employed by the U.S. government, faces a job that doesn’t feel right. For the first time, Robie refuses the assignment and turns into a target himself.
Before he knows it, he’s fleeing for his life and crosses paths with a teenage runaway named Julie, whose parents have been murdered. They quickly realize their troubles are connected, thrusting them into a dangerous conspiracy that reaches high levels of power.
Baldacci crafts a story filled with unexpected twists, secret agendas, and relentless action that keeps readers glued to every page.
Gregg Hurwitz is an author known for fast-paced thrillers filled with action, suspense, and dark secrets. If you enjoyed Barry Eisler’s John Rain series, then Hurwitz’s thrillers might appeal to you as well.
His novel Orphan X introduces Evan Smoak, a skilled assassin trained and raised in a secret government program who now helps those with nowhere else to turn.
In the story, Evan’s past catches up with him when a mysterious enemy tries to eliminate him, and he must use all of his training to stay alive and protect the innocent.
The plot is tightly paced, filled with intense action, complex characters, and a gritty big-city atmosphere that pulls you into Evan’s dangerous world.
Readers who enjoy Barry Eisler’s fast-paced thrillers filled with action and sharp detail might appreciate Stephen Hunter. Hunter specializes in military and sniper-focused stories, bringing authenticity and tension to every page.
His book Point of Impact introduces Bob Lee Swagger, a highly skilled Vietnam veteran sniper framed for an assassination attempt. Swagger goes on the run, determined to uncover who set him up and why. The chase leads to twists, conspiracy, and high-stakes showdown scenes.
Hunter’s clear storytelling style, precise military insights, and intense characters often resonate strongly with fans of Eisler’s suspenseful narratives.
Kyle Mills is a notable thriller author whose fast-paced storytelling and sharp dialogue appeal to fans of Barry Eisler. In his novel Lethal Agent, Mills takes readers into a chilling scenario where terrorists plan a bioweapon attack on American soil.
Mitch Rapp, the fearless operative, races against time to stop the imminent threat, navigating political complications and dangerous foes at every turn.
The stakes are high, the action swift, and Mills provides a realistic look into the shadowy world of government espionage and homeland security.
Fans of Eisler’s no-nonsense spy thrillers like the John Rain series will enjoy the tense pace and tough, resourceful protagonist Mills offers in Lethal Agent.
Andy McNab is a British author known for his intense thrillers, especially the ones focused on espionage and military covert operations. Readers who enjoy Barry Eisler’s John Rain novels will feel at home in Andy McNab’s world. One of his standout books is Remote Control.
This novel introduces Nick Stone, an ex-SAS operative whose skills and bravery are unmatched. In this story, Stone finds himself pulled back into dangerous territory when a seemingly simple job spirals out of control.
Betrayed from every side, Stone navigates dark twists and international intrigue, where trust is sparse, and survival is uncertain. Fans of Eisler’s gritty action and deep conspiracies will appreciate McNab’s realistic detail and suspenseful storytelling.
Chris Ryan is a former SAS soldier turned novelist whose books offer action-packed plots and realistic espionage scenarios. If you enjoyed Barry Eisler’s realistic spy thrillers, you would probably appreciate Ryan’s Strike Back.
This novel follows John Porter, a disgraced SAS operative seeking redemption after a botched hostage rescue. Porter must navigate dangerous territory and complex political intrigue to save lives and confront his past.
Ryan’s background in special forces adds an authenticity to the tactical details and tense action scenes, making Strike Back a suspenseful and satisfying read.
Readers who enjoy Barry Eisler’s fast-paced suspense and characters grounded in espionage realism might find Marc Cameron appealing. Cameron’s background in law enforcement and security gives his thrillers an authentic feel.
His novel National Security features Jericho Quinn, an elite special agent pulled into action when terrorists threaten the United States with devastating attacks. Quinn pursues clues from icy Alaska to bustling cities, facing ruthless enemies and shadowy plots at every turn.
The chase is intense, packed with sharp twists and realistic details about counter-terrorism operations. Fans of Eisler’s John Rain series could find Jericho Quinn an equally intriguing protagonist.
Olen Steinhauer is an author known for his sharp writing and strong narrative pacing. Readers who enjoy Barry Eisler’s smart espionage thrillers will find plenty to like in Steinhauer’s books.
His novel The Tourist introduces Milo Weaver, a former CIA operative pulled back into the shadowy world of spies and assassins. Weaver faces navigating betrayals, layers of secrecy, and dangerous alliances as he tries to untangle an international conspiracy.
With precise plotting and complex characters, Steinhauer crafts an espionage tale that’s both satisfying and intelligent.