Don Pendleton created Mack Bolan, the main character in the long-running Executioner series. These books are known for their fast pace and a focus on one man fighting against overwhelming odds.
Readers who enjoy that type of story might wonder about other authors who have crafted works with a similar feel. Here are some authors for you to explore.
Stephen Hunter is an author known for action-packed thrillers featuring deeply skilled protagonists and vivid combat scenes. Fans of Don Pendleton’s swift storytelling and rugged, capable heroes may also appreciate Hunter’s style.
One of his most popular books, “Point of Impact,” introduces Bob Lee Swagger, an exceptional sniper and Vietnam War veteran framed for a crime he didn’t commit.
Swagger must rely on his expertise, resourcefulness, and toughness to clear his name and expose the dark conspiracy set against him. Readers drawn to tense situations, precise military details, and high-stakes danger will find plenty to enjoy in Hunter’s work.
David Morrell is an author known for his fast-paced action thrillers that blend suspense, strong characters, and intense plots. If you enjoy Don Pendleton’s energetic storytelling, you’ll appreciate Morrell’s style in “First Blood.”
This novel introduces John Rambo, a tough and resourceful Vietnam war veteran pushed to his limits in a confrontation with a small-town sheriff. The tension escalates quickly into a deadly game of survival, highlighting Rambo’s resilience and survival skills.
Morrell’s writing keeps you turning pages with suspense, action, and rich detail that fans of Pendleton’s style will certainly find enjoyable.
Lee Child is known for his Jack Reacher thrillers that combine sharp storytelling with action and suspense, elements fans of Don Pendleton’s novels would appreciate.
In “Killing Floor,” the first book of the series, Jack Reacher is a former military police officer who arrives in the small town of Margrave, Georgia. He only wants some peace, but his simple stopover quickly turns complicated when he’s arrested for a murder he didn’t commit.
Reacher sets out to clear his name and soon discovers the crime is tied to dangerous corruption hidden beneath the quiet town. His military training and determination lead him deeper into trouble, yet Reacher doesn’t back down.
Anyone who enjoys fast-paced stories featuring tough characters and well-paced plots will likely find Lee Child’s Jack Reacher novels very engaging.
Vince Flynn is known for fast-paced, intense political thrillers packed with military operations and espionage, perfect for fans of Don Pendleton. His novel “American Assassin” introduces readers to Mitch Rapp, a relentless CIA operative shaped by tragedy and driven by revenge.
After losing someone close in a devastating terrorist attack, Rapp undergoes rigorous training, becoming a formidable tool in America’s fight against terrorism.
The novel takes readers into covert operations behind enemy lines, filled with danger, action, and intriguing political maneuvering. Flynn’s storytelling feels authentic, alive, and suspenseful.
If you enjoy Don Pendleton’s fast-paced action and detailed espionage plots, Brad Thor might become another favorite. Thor writes intense thrillers centered on espionage and covert operations, often featuring rugged agent Scot Harvath.
In “The Lions of Lucerne,” Harvath, a former Navy SEAL turned Secret Service agent, faces an unprecedented crisis. After a well-coordinated kidnapping leaves his team disabled and a high-level target missing, Harvath is forced to pursue ruthless enemies across Europe.
Thor delivers a high-octane tale filled with political intrigue, dangerous conspiracies, and scenes of thrilling action that feel real and immediate.
If you enjoy the action-packed adventures and high-stakes intrigue of Don Pendleton, Clive Cussler may be an author you’ll appreciate. Cussler’s novels frequently combine historical mysteries, thrilling escapes, and undercover operations in exotic locales.
One of his popular books, “Raise the Titanic,” follows Dirk Pitt, an adventurous oceanographer tasked with recovering the legendary lost ship to retrieve a rare mineral crucial to national security.
However, Pitt soon faces dangerous opponents determined to stop him, leading to fierce confrontations both above and below sea level. Cussler smoothly mixes suspense, interesting history, and vivid action scenes that keep readers turning pages until the very end.
Marc Cameron is an author known for fast-paced thrillers packed with intense action and detailed storylines. Fans of Don Pendleton’s tightly woven narratives and skilled fictional heroes might enjoy Cameron’s “National Security.”
In this novel, Jericho Quinn, an undercover operative, is assigned to uncover a terrorist threat deeply rooted in the United States government.
As Quinn races to stop a devastating attack, readers witness a high-stakes game filled with deceitful alliances and nonstop action sequences.
“National Security” offers readers a solid blend of suspense, character depth, and intriguing political tension that keeps the pages turning from start to finish.
Tom Clancy is a favorite among readers who enjoy action-packed thrillers filled with espionage, complex operations, and military intrigue, similar to Don Pendleton’s approach.
His novel “The Hunt for Red October” introduces CIA analyst Jack Ryan as he attempts to unravel a tense Cold War crisis. A Soviet submarine captain, Marko Ramius, decides to defect to the West, but neither the Americans nor the Soviets know his true intentions.
As Ryan tries to understand Ramius’ real plans, tension escalates between superpowers. This story blends realistic military detail and fast-paced storytelling in a way fans of Don Pendleton would appreciate.
Readers who enjoy Don Pendleton’s fast-paced thrillers filled with military action and geopolitical suspense could find Joel C. Rosenberg’s novels equally captivating. Rosenberg is known for blending current geopolitical scenarios with high-stakes drama in his novels.
His book “The Last Jihad” kicks off dramatically with a terrorist attack aimed at assassinating the U.S. president, pulling the reader right into international tension and political intrigue.
Rosenberg’s knowledge of Middle East politics and intelligence operations keeps the plot authentic and intense, making it a suitable pick for Pendleton fans who value believable storylines and action-packed narratives.
Andrew Watts is an author who writes tense, action-packed military thrillers with a realistic edge. If you enjoy Don Pendleton’s intense storytelling, you might find Watts equally engaging.
His novel “The War Planners” throws readers into a scenario where the CIA uncovers a terrifying plot—a secret Chinese plan to strike the United States.
The story revolves around David Manning, a former Navy officer drawn back into service, who faces a looming catastrophe threatening global stability. Watts brings to life authentic military tactics, high-stakes espionage, and strong characters readers can genuinely connect with.
W.E.B. Griffin was a prolific author known for military and thriller novels full of action, drama, and authentic detail. Fans of Don Pendleton’s fast-paced narratives will find Griffin’s “The Lieutenants” particularly engaging.
This first installment in the “Brotherhood of War” series introduces readers to a vivid cast of soldiers building their careers and lives during World War II and the years immediately following.
Griffin masterfully captures military culture, weaving together individual stories of ambition, duty, and courage. The characters face challenges in battlefields, command rooms, and their personal affairs, creating a thorough and realistic depiction of military life.
Books by Matt Hilton will appeal to readers who enjoy action-packed thrillers by Don Pendleton. Hilton’s novels feature Joe Hunter, a rugged ex-soldier turned vigilante. In “Dead Men’s Dust,” Hunter is tracking his estranged brother, who has disappeared in the United States.
Joe discovers that his brother has crossed paths with Tubal Cain, a ruthless, methodical serial killer determined to leave no witnesses behind. The chase intensifies across multiple states as Hunter rushes against time to save his brother and confront Cain.
Hilton delivers a fast-paced narrative filled with relentless tension, memorable villains, and crisp action sequences.
Readers who enjoy the action-packed western stories of Don Pendleton might appreciate the novels of Ralph Cotton. Cotton is known for dynamic storytelling and vivid characters set in the tough backdrop of the Old West.
His book “Gunman’s Song” follows legendary ranger Fast Larry Shaw, who teams up with a mysterious gunfighter named Cray Dawson. Together, they pursue a vicious outlaw gang through unforgiving terrain.
The tense pursuit and dangerous shootouts keep tensions high, as Shaw and Dawson forge an uneasy alliance. Cotton expertly captures the rough justice and raw adventure that fans of Pendleton will recognize and enjoy.
James Rollins is an author known for action-packed novels filled with secret missions, advanced technology, and high-stakes adventure—elements readers of Don Pendleton will readily appreciate.
In “Sandstorm,” Rollins combines history, science, and suspense through a story of an archaeological team sent into the Arabian desert. There, they uncover clues to an ancient city lost beneath the sands.
The mission quickly becomes dangerous as they face a ruthless secret society determined to harness an ancient power buried within the ruins. Rollins captures the urgency and tension of a special ops thriller, making him a good choice for fans accustomed to Pendleton’s style.
Ward Larsen is a writer known for fast-paced thrillers featuring espionage, conspiracies, and action-packed storylines. His book “The Perfect Assassin” features David Slaton, a highly skilled Israeli assassin, who survives a mission that goes terribly wrong.
When authorities find him washed ashore, Slaton realizes he’s been betrayed and framed. Forced into a dangerous game of cat and mouse, he must uncover who set him up before it’s too late.
Fans of Don Pendleton’s Mack Bolan series will appreciate Larsen’s tightly woven plots, authentic details, and tough, resourceful characters.