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15 Authors like Carter Brown

Carter Brown was a popular Australian author known for detective fiction. He entertained readers with fast-paced plots and vivid characters in works like The Body and The Blonde.

If you enjoy reading books by Carter Brown then you might also like the following authors:

  1. Peter Corris

    Australian author Peter Corris is well known for his gritty detective stories set in Sydney. Like Carter Brown, he writes sharp dialogue, fast-paced plots, and memorable characters. Corris often explores corruption, crime, and moral ambiguity within the urban landscape.

    His detective Cliff Hardy headlines many engaging novels, including The Dying Trade, a solid introduction into his accessible yet tough detective style.

  2. Mickey Spillane

    Mickey Spillane writes hard-hitting detective fiction featuring Mike Hammer, a private eye with a tough attitude and relentless approach to solving crimes.

    His novels have punchy dialogue and action-driven storytelling, with larger-than-life characters similar to Carter Brown's energetic style.

    I, the Jury is Spillane's first Mike Hammer novel and a great place to start, filled with suspense, shady characters, and plenty of tension.

  3. Raymond Chandler

    Raymond Chandler is a classic author who shaped much of what we love about detective fiction today. His tales feature private investigator Philip Marlowe, whose wry wit, cynical outlook, and moral code remind readers of Carter Brown's resourceful detectives.

    Often set in gritty Los Angeles, Chandler’s novels like The Big Sleep blend sharp dialogue, intriguing mysteries, and complex characterization.

  4. Dashiell Hammett

    If you appreciate Carter Brown's straightforward storytelling, you'll likely enjoy Dashiell Hammett, whose hard-boiled crime fiction set new standards in the genre. Hammett writes realistically about tough characters navigating a corrupt and dangerous world.

    His novel The Maltese Falcon is a prime example, with private investigator Sam Spade exploring deceit, betrayal, and moral dilemmas in an absorbing narrative.

  5. Ross Macdonald

    Ross Macdonald crafts detective stories featuring Lew Archer, a thoughtful private eye with keen insights into human psychology and family secrets.

    Macdonald's narratives blend emotional depth and tightly constructed puzzles, with smooth prose and engaging dialogue fans of Carter Brown might thoroughly appreciate.

    Check out The Moving Target, a gripping Archer investigation into family mysteries and hidden motives in sunny Southern California.

  6. Brett Halliday

    Brett Halliday wrote fast-paced detective stories filled with tough dialogue and sharp wit. Like Carter Brown, Halliday creates a vibrant atmosphere mixing crime and humor.

    His private detective Mike Shayne is resourceful and street-smart, making each case satisfying and entertaining. Dividend on Death is one notable novel, featuring Shayne navigating Miami's crime scene with quick thinking and plenty of charm.

  7. Erle Stanley Gardner

    Erle Stanley Gardner's detective fiction is lively, full of courtroom drama and quick plotting. His writing style remains clear and easy to follow, perfect for readers who appreciate Carter Brown's direct storytelling approach.

    Gardner is best known for creating Perry Mason, a sharp defense attorney who always stays two steps ahead. The Case of the Velvet Claws introduces Mason brilliantly, showing Gardner's skill at blending mystery with legal twists.

  8. James M. Cain

    James M. Cain specializes in gritty, dark novels exploring crime and human flaws. Readers who enjoy Carter Brown's quick-moving, morally complex narratives will be drawn to Cain. His characters often find themselves trapped by desperate choices.

    In Double Indemnity, Cain delivers a sharp, suspenseful story of love, greed, and betrayal, revealing just how easily lives can unravel.

  9. Jim Thompson

    Jim Thompson writes hard-edged crime fiction filled with intense psychological depth. His novels dig into the minds of flawed, troubled characters, creating plots full of tension and unpredictability.

    Fans of Carter Brown's gritty style and emotional realism will appreciate Thompson's approach. The Killer Inside Me is a powerful example, vividly portraying the twisted mind of a crime-committing sheriff whose dark impulses drive a compelling story.

  10. Shane Maloney

    Shane Maloney brings humor and cleverness to his mysteries, showing a sharp eye for political absurdity and human folly. Maloney's characters operate in witty, realistically observed urban settings.

    Readers who treasure Carter Brown's playful mysteries and fast pacing will find plenty to appreciate in Maloney's work.

    Stiff, one of Maloney's finest, introduces Murray Whelan, a warm-hearted political fixer who navigates Melbourne's politics and crime scenes with equal humor and intelligence.

  11. Garry Disher

    Fans of Carter Brown's sharp dialogue and entertaining plots might enjoy Garry Disher's tightly constructed mysteries. Disher writes suspenseful crime fiction filled with intriguing characters and believable settings.

    His book Bitter Wash Road follows Constable Paul Hirschhausen, who finds himself assigned to a remote Australian town. It mixes a strong sense of place with tense, believable suspense.

  12. Robert G. Barrett

    If you appreciate Carter Brown's humor and playful style, you might like Robert G. Barrett. His writing captures Australian character and culture vividly, with quick wit and lively storytelling.

    Start with his entertaining novel You Wouldn't Be Dead for Quids, which introduces Les Norton, a relatable hero whose adventures blend crime, humor, and everyday Australian life.

  13. Max Allan Collins

    Readers interested in Carter Brown's straightforward storytelling might find Max Allan Collins appealing. Collins is a versatile crime author whose stories feature a fast-paced plot and authentic dialogue.

    His engaging mystery True Detective introduces Nathan Heller, a tough, no-nonsense private investigator who navigates corruption and danger in 1930s Chicago.

  14. Lawrence Block

    Like Carter Brown, Lawrence Block writes crime fiction that feels energetic and entertaining. Block explores New York City's darker side with humor, insight, and memorable characters.

    His novel The Sins of the Fathers features popular detective Matthew Scudder, drawing you into a case filled with morally complex situations and rich atmosphere.

  15. Donald E. Westlake

    If Carter Brown's clever plots and witty dialogue appeal to you, Donald E. Westlake might become one of your new favorites. Westlake's stories often blend crime with humor seamlessly.

    Try his sharply funny caper The Hot Rock, which follows unlucky thief John Dortmunder and his troubled crew through a series of comic misadventures.