Clifford Irving was an American novelist known for controversy. His most notable work, The Hoax, details the infamous Howard Hughes autobiography scandal.
If you enjoy reading books by Clifford Irving then you might also like the following authors:
If you enjoy Clifford Irving’s suspenseful tales of deception and intrigue, you might also appreciate John le Carré. Le Carré crafts spy thrillers filled with nuanced characters and moral ambiguity.
A great place to start is The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, a classic of espionage fiction. This novel follows British agent Alec Leamas, who is sent to East Germany as part of a carefully planned deception.
His mission is tense and uncertain, with shifting loyalties and unexpected betrayals. The story shows the darker, less glamorous side of espionage, making a sharp commentary on Cold War politics.
Fans of intricate plots and realistic, morally complex characters will find plenty to enjoy in le Carré's works.
Graham Greene was an English novelist known for tense stories of espionage, moral ambiguity, and complex characters. If you enjoyed Clifford Irving’s intricate mix of deception and suspense, you might consider Greene’s novel The Quiet American .
Set in 1950s Vietnam, the story explores political intrigues through the experiences of Thomas Fowler, a British journalist, as he becomes entangled with Alden Pyle, an idealistic young American.
With shifting loyalties and personal conflicts, Greene captures the atmosphere of impending conflict and sharply portrays the ambiguous ethics of intervention and responsibility.
If you enjoy Clifford Irving’s intriguing portraits of real-life mysteries and impressive character studies, Robert Littell could be a great addition to your bookshelf. Littell crafts spy thrillers that explore shadowy espionage worlds with authenticity and strong characters.
In his novel The Company, Littell takes you inside the CIA across several decades and around the world. This epic story chronicles key historical events through the lives of fictional agents, depicting friendships, betrayals and the blurred lines between loyalty and deception.
Littell meshes fact and fiction in a way that makes history feel alive. Readers who liked Irving’s realistic storytelling will appreciate Littell’s blend of suspense and carefully researched historical detail.
Alan Furst is a master of historical espionage fiction, known especially for his vivid portrayals of Europe in the dark days leading to and during World War II.
Readers who enjoyed Clifford Irving’s carefully researched, historically rich storytelling might find Furst’s Night Soldiers particularly intriguing.
This novel introduces Khristo Stoianev, a young Bulgarian who witnesses violence firsthand and becomes entangled in the dangerous world of Soviet espionage.
Stoianev’s journey takes readers across the tense streets of pre-war Paris, to the oppressive atmosphere of Stalinist Moscow, and deep into wartime intrigue. Furst paints a realistic picture of spies, secrets, betrayal, and courage in uncertain times.
Readers who enjoy Clifford Irving might also appreciate Eric Ambler. Ambler is famous for creating suspenseful spy thrillers with realistic settings and everyday protagonists caught in dangerous situations.
His novel Epitaph for a Spy follows Josef Vadassy, an ordinary language teacher who becomes accidentally involved in espionage while vacationing in France.
As suspicion falls wrongly upon him, Vadassy must clear his name by identifying the real spy among his fellow hotel guests. Ambler skillfully captures intrigue and tension in a plot filled with unexpected twists and smart storytelling.
Joseph Kanon is an author worth checking out if you enjoy Clifford Irving’s style. Kanon specializes in atmospheric thrillers set against historical backdrops.
His novel The Good German takes place in post-war Berlin, where American journalist Jake Geismar returns in search of an old flame, Lena Brandt. Soon Jake becomes tangled in a murder investigation and uncovers complex plots that involve espionage and secrets of war.
Kanon fills his scenes with tension, betrayal, and moral ambiguity that pull readers into the shadows of Germany’s reconstruction period.
If the intrigue and suspense of Irving’s works appeal to you, Kanon’s The Good German provides a similar reading experience rich in historical depth.
Charles McCarry was a former CIA operative turned novelist who wrote exciting espionage thrillers filled with authenticity and intrigue. Readers who enjoy the suspenseful narratives of Clifford Irving might appreciate McCarry’s The Tears of Autumn.
In this story, agent Paul Christopher investigates the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Christopher’s quest for truth sends him through shadowy corridors of international espionage and conspiracy.
His journey reveals surprising ties to historical events and powerful political players, making readers question the official versions they’ve always known.
McCarry’s stylish writing and deep insider knowledge offer a fascinating look into the secretive world of spies and government plots.
Daniel Silva is a skilled storyteller known for blending espionage thrillers with rich, detailed settings. His work often explores political tensions, art, and international intrigue. A good introduction is his novel The English Assassin.
In this book, the art restorer and undercover agent Gabriel Allon travels to Zurich to authenticate a painting.
Things quickly take a dark turn when he discovers a murder and becomes entangled in secrets connected to stolen art and hidden Swiss banking scandals dating back to World War II.
Silva smoothly weaves suspense and history, offering readers twists and depth reminiscent of Clifford Irving’s engaging style in novels like The Hoax.
Readers who enjoy Clifford Irving’s blend of intrigue and detailed character development may appreciate the novels of Olen Steinhauer. Steinhauer is known for weaving suspenseful spy thrillers that explore complex political themes and characters caught in dangerous situations.
His novel The Tourist centers around Milo Weaver, a weary CIA operative drawn back into fieldwork after attempting to step away from espionage.
When he’s pulled into an intricate web of deception, betrayals surface, forcing him to question loyalties and face dangerous truths beneath the surface.
Steinhauer’s realistic storytelling and depth of character make The Tourist appealing to readers drawn to espionage adventures filled with moral ambiguity and compelling drama.
Frank Abagnale is a name synonymous with clever deception and audacity. In his book Catch Me If You Can, Abagnale shares his youthful exploits as one of America’s most daring con artists and impostors.
Before his twenty-first birthday, he posed as a pilot, a doctor, and even a lawyer, successfully fooling corporations, law enforcement, and ordinary people alike.
Abagnale’s story offers readers a front-row seat to his cat-and-mouse games with the FBI, painting an intimate picture of a mastermind at work.
If you enjoyed Clifford Irving’s fascinating accounts of trickery and ambition, then Frank Abagnale’s life story will surely captivate you.
Jon Ronson is a writer and journalist famous for his sharp eye and keen curiosity about bizarre and fascinating true-life stories.
If you like Clifford Irving’s bold approach to uncovering surprising real-world dramas, you will appreciate Ronson’s witty yet thoughtful narratives.
In his book The Psychopath Test, Ronson investigates the world of mental health diagnoses, particularly how psychopaths are identified and labeled.
He explores the surprising stories of individuals involved in crime, business, psychiatry, and media, making readers rethink ideas about sanity, normalcy, and even human nature itself.
Ronson combines sharp storytelling with sincere empathy, leaving you eager to find out where his next unusual journey will lead.
Erik Larson writes fascinating nonfiction stories that read as smoothly as novels. If you’ve enjoyed books by Clifford Irving, Larson’s The Devil in the White City could interest you as well.
In this book, he tells the story of the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago, where glamour and innovation hide darker secrets.
Larson weaves together the tale of Daniel Burnham, the ambitious architect who built the fairgrounds, and H.H. Holmes, a cunning serial killer exploiting the city’s excitement and chaos. Larson blends careful historical research with atmospheric details.
This creates a vivid portrait of a time filled with bold visions, impressive inventions, and unsettling crimes.
Ben Macintyre is a British author who skillfully recounts true stories of espionage and deception. His books bring history to life by exploring fascinating real events and shadowy characters that seem straight from thriller novels.
One of his best-known works, Operation Mincemeat, chronicles a daring World War II deception operation orchestrated by British intelligence. The story centers around planting false documents on a corpse to mislead Nazi Germany about the Allied invasion plans.
Macintyre employs meticulous research and engaging narrative to present extraordinary historical events, which fans of Clifford Irving’s intriguing, carefully documented tales might appreciate.
Readers who enjoy Clifford Irving might also appreciate David Grann, an author who writes nonfiction with the thrill and suspense of a great novel.
In The Lost City of Z, Grann tells the true story of British explorer Percy Fawcett, who ventured into the Amazon jungle in search of a legendary ancient civilization. Fawcett disappeared without a trace in 1925.
Decades later, Grann retraced Fawcett’s steps into the dense and dangerous wilderness. The book mixes history, mystery, adventure, and the obsession of explorers determined to uncover hidden truths.
For readers fascinated by stories about daring escapades and intriguing mysteries based in real events, David Grann provides vivid and unforgettable storytelling.
Readers who enjoyed Clifford Irving’s investigative storytelling might appreciate Gay Talese, a writer known for his meticulous reporting and vivid character portraits.
In his book The Kingdom and the Power, Talese offers a detailed look behind-the-scenes at The New York Times. He uncovers the personal dramas, newsroom rivalries, and editorial decision-making that shaped one of America’s most influential newspapers.
Talese’s talent lies in turning factual accounts into narratives that read like novels, much as Irving did with his nonfiction. His examination of the Times not only reveals fascinating stories of individuals but also provides insight into the workings of journalism itself.