If you enjoy reading books by Dashiell Hammett then you might also like the following authors:
Books by Raymond Chandler offer sharp, gritty detective stories that fans of Dashiell Hammett will recognize and enjoy. Chandlers’ most famous creation, private investigator Philip Marlowe, inhabits a world of shady dealings, crime, and moral ambiguity.
In “The Big Sleep,” Marlowe navigates through the wealthy yet corrupt circles of Los Angeles. He is hired by General Sternwood, a dying millionaire whose daughters find themselves tangled up with blackmail and scandal.
Chandler’s writing style features tough, memorable dialogue and vivid descriptions that pull the reader into the mean streets and smoky rooms of 1930s Los Angeles.
Readers who appreciated Hammett’s “The Maltese Falcon” and Sam Spade’s no-nonsense attitude will find Philip Marlowe equally engaging and entertaining.
Ross Macdonald is an author worth exploring for anyone who enjoys Dashiell Hammett’s sharp, noir detective stories. Macdonald’s work brings complex mysteries to life through detective Lew Archer, known for his insightful approach and moral compass.
In “The Chill,” Archer investigates the disappearance of a young bride, a case that first seems simple, but soon spirals into a complicated web of old family secrets and hidden resentments.
Macdonald masterfully combines psychological depth with compelling detective work, creating tension that steadily builds toward an unexpected climax. Fans of carefully crafted mysteries and detectives facing moral dilemmas will find Ross Macdonald an appealing writer to explore.
Readers who enjoy Dashiell Hammett’s crisp style and noir storytelling would appreciate James M. Cain’s novels. Cain crafts raw crime stories filled with intrigue, betrayal, and intense characters.
His novel “The Postman Always Rings Twice” tells the dark tale of Frank Chambers, a drifter who becomes dangerously involved with Cora, a married woman unhappy with her mundane life.
Together, they plan a crime to escape their situation, but their choices soon lead to unexpected consequences. Cain creates tension and vivid atmosphere, pulling readers into an unforgettable, shadowy world.
Readers who enjoy Dashiell Hammett’s hard-boiled detective fiction might appreciate Mickey Spillane’s gritty style and tough-talking heroes. Spillane’s novel “I, the Jury” introduces readers to the rugged private detective Mike Hammer.
Hammer is determined to track down his best friend’s killer. He follows a trail of violence, danger, and corruption. The story runs through shadowy streets and dives into the criminal underworld, filled with memorable characters, fast action, and unexpected twists.
Spillane brings readers along on Hammer’s relentless pursuit of justice right through to an unforgettable conclusion.
John D. MacDonald is a writer worth exploring if you enjoy the detective fiction of Dashiell Hammett. MacDonald wrote crisp, hard-edged crime novels filled with sharp dialogue and clever twists.
His Travis McGee series is especially popular, with McGee a tough, street-smart investigator who operates from his Florida houseboat. In “The Deep Blue Good-by,” McGee tracks down a ruthless con man named Junior Allen who preys on vulnerable women.
As McGee follows a trail of victims, stolen gems, and deception, MacDonald paints a gritty picture of mid-century America. Fans of classic detective fiction will appreciate Travis McGee’s wit, resourcefulness, and deep sense of justice.
The author Ellery Queen, actually the pen name of cousins Frederic Dannay and Manfred Bennington Lee, offers clever detective stories with intriguing mysteries and sharp deductions.
Fans of Dashiell Hammett who enjoy intelligent puzzles and engaging characters will find Queen a delight. In “The Greek Coffin Mystery,” famous detective Ellery Queen investigates the strange case of a missing will after a wealthy art dealer’s death.
Each clue and revelation tests even Queen’s abilities, and readers are treated to carefully spun logic and surprising plot twists. For readers who crave smart, complex detective tales reminiscent of Hammett’s style, Ellery Queen is a satisfying choice.
If you enjoy Dashiell Hammett’s tightly plotted crime stories and morally ambiguous characters, you might also appreciate the works of Patricia Highsmith. Her psychological thrillers often explore twisted minds, hidden motives, and unsettling suspense.
A great starting point is her classic novel “Strangers on a Train.” In this chilling story, two men casually meet during a train ride and jokingly discuss swapping murders to escape suspicion.
What begins as idle conversation quickly spirals into a tense and dangerous nightmare, where guilt, obsession, and paranoia take hold.
The novel’s suspense lies not only in the actual crimes but also in the psychological games the characters play, keeping readers absorbed until the very last page.
Readers who enjoy Dashiell Hammett’s detective fiction might appreciate Robert B. Parker, a novelist known for sharp dialogue and memorable characters. Parker’s style echoes Hammett’s no-nonsense approach and gritty atmosphere.
In his novel “The Godwulf Manuscript,” Parker introduces Spenser, a tough private detective who works the streets of Boston. Spenser gets hired to recover a rare medieval manuscript stolen from a university library.
What starts off as a seemingly straightforward job soon pulls Spenser into complex campus politics, shady dealers, and violent crime. The detective’s wit and courage drive the story forward, promising fans of Hammett an exciting and satisfying read.
Readers who enjoy Dashiell Hammett’s gritty detective fiction will find Dorothy B. Hughes equally riveting. Hughes is a master of suspense and psychological depth. Her novel “In a Lonely Place” follows Dix Steele, a former Air Force pilot who settles in postwar Los Angeles.
The city hides dark secrets beneath its glamor, and Steele himself struggles against violent impulses and personal demons.
As suspicions build around a string of chilling crimes nearby, the tension grows, and readers must navigate the dark corners of Steele’s mind to unravel the truth.
Hughes delivers sharp psychological insight alongside tight, tense storytelling—perfect for anyone who appreciates Hammett’s skillful storytelling and rich, atmospheric crime fiction.
Books by Lawrence Block often resonate with readers who appreciate Dashiell Hammett’s sharp dialogue and gritty realism. A standout is “The Sins of the Fathers,” the first in Block’s Matthew Scudder series.
Scudder is an unlicensed private investigator who operates in the shadowy streets of New York City. In this gripping story, he’s hired to uncover the truth behind the brutal murder of a troubled young woman.
As he investigates, Scudder navigates not just clues and leads but also his own personal demons. Like Hammett’s work, Block’s writing gives readers authentic characters, complex plots, and prominent city settings without unnecessary frills.
If you enjoy Dashiell Hammett’s gritty detective stories filled with corrupt cities, tough private eyes, and criminals lurking behind every corner, James Ellroy might be your next favorite author. Ellroy’s style is sharp, direct, and packed with atmosphere.
In his novel “The Black Dahlia,” Ellroy tells a story inspired by a true unsolved murder in 1940s Los Angeles. Two cops, both former boxers, get wrapped up in the investigation into the shocking killing of a young woman named Elizabeth Short.
The lines between obsession and duty blur as the investigation unveils dark secrets beneath the city’s glamorous surface. This book doesn’t hold back, delivering flawed characters, intense drama, and the raw underbelly of post-war L.A.
If you enjoy Dashiell Hammett’s gritty detective stories, Sara Paretsky is an excellent author to explore. Paretsky’s private investigator, V.I. Warshawski, is sharp, determined, and navigates Chicago’s dark underbelly with skill and attitude.
In “Indemnity Only,” Warshawski is hired to find a missing young woman, but quickly discovers more sinister layers beneath a seemingly straightforward case. Corruption surfaces, dangerous characters emerge, and the city itself becomes a vivid and essential piece of the puzzle.
Paretsky’s tough-talking detective, crisp dialogue and urban setting echo what Hammett fans appreciate, while her fresh perspective gives an exciting twist to crime fiction.
Ken Bruen is an Irish author whose gritty crime fiction captures the tough edge and dark atmospheres reminiscent of Dashiell Hammett’s classics.
His novel “The Guards” introduces Jack Taylor, an ex-police officer from Galway whose life spirals downward until he’s working as an occasional private detective.
Taylor is haunted by his past and struggles with alcoholism, yet through that haze emerges determination and surprising humanity.
When he’s hired by a distressed mother searching for answers about her daughter’s supposed suicide, Taylor plunges into the shadowy underworld of Galway.
Bruen’s sharp dialogue, vivid characters, and realistic portrayal of urban Ireland offer Hammett fans a new landscape to explore.
Books by Walter Mosley capture the gritty atmosphere and sharp storytelling style that fans of Dashiell Hammett will appreciate.
Mosley’s novel “Devil in a Blue Dress” introduces Easy Rawlins, a World War II veteran who takes a shady job as an investigator in late 1940s Los Angeles.
Easy’s straightforward task is to find Daphne Monet, but soon he’s tangled up in dangerous schemes and complex racial tensions. Mosley’s dialogue is crisp, his setting vivid, and Easy Rawlins emerges as a memorable hero navigating trouble in a world rife with corruption.
Readers who enjoy Hammett’s hard-edged detectives and tough city streets will easily step into Mosley’s richly described noir landscape.
Chester Himes was an American author known for gritty crime fiction that blends sharp insight and dark humor. If you’re a fan of Dashiell Hammett’s style, Himes might be just your type of writer. A great place to start is “A Rage in Harlem.” Set in 1950s
Harlem, this novel follows Jackson, a naive and kindhearted man who gets caught up in a shady scheme involving counterfeit money and con artists.
When everything goes wrong, he relies on two tough, street-wise detectives—Coffin Ed Johnson and Grave Digger Jones—to help unravel the tangled mess.
With vivid characters, fast-paced dialogue, and unexpected twists, Chester Himes delivers a crime story that’s both entertaining and sharply observed.