If you enjoy reading books by James Ellroy then you might also like the following authors:
Dennis Lehane writes dark, hard-hitting stories with layered characters and gritty settings. Fans of James Ellroy might enjoy “Mystic River,” which explores the fallout of a childhood tragedy on three men in Boston.
“Gone, Baby, Gone” follows two private detectives as they search for a missing girl, unraveling secrets that challenge their beliefs. If you like crime fiction with moral complexity, his books are worth checking out.
Michael Connelly writes crime and detective stories that are easy to get lost in. In “The Black Echo,” LAPD detective Harry Bosch investigates a murder tied to his time in Vietnam. “The Lincoln Lawyer” introduces Mickey Haller, a defense attorney working cases out of his car.
“The Poet” focuses on a journalist tracking a killer who leaves haunting clues behind. His books often focus on strong characters and gripping mysteries.
Don Winslow writes hard-hitting crime stories with sharp prose and gritty characters. If you’re into James Ellroy, you might enjoy his books. “The Power of the Dog” dives into the dark world of drug cartels, focusing on the corruption and violence that comes with it.
“Savages” tells a tense story about two young weed dealers in California whose lives spiral out of control when they cross paths with a Mexican cartel. His stories are raw and fast-paced, pulling you right into the chaos.
Elmore Leonard wrote sharp, witty crime stories with unforgettable characters. In “Get Shorty,” a loan shark tries his hand at the movie business, running into all kinds of trouble.
“Out of Sight” tells the story of a bank robber who escapes prison and crosses paths with a federal marshal. Another hit, “Rum Punch,” involves gun smuggling and a clever flight attendant caught in the middle. His books are known for fast-paced plots and snappy dialogue.
Ross Macdonald’s novels have a way of peeling back layers of crime to reveal dark secrets and family tensions. If you like James Ellroy’s focus on corruption and personal ruin, you might enjoy “The Chill” or “The Galton Case.”
“The Chill” digs into a cold murder case tied to a missing woman, with pieces of the truth emerging through betrayal and lies. “The Galton Case” explores identity and inheritance, centered around a missing heir who may not be who he seems.
Both stories unravel messy pasts that won’t stay buried.
Dashiell Hammett wrote sharp, hard-edged novels that defined the crime genre. In “The Maltese Falcon,” a private detective gets pulled into a case involving a mysterious statue.
“The Thin Man” features a retired detective and his wife solving a murder while navigating their witty, booze-filled world. These stories are packed with clever dialogue and twists.
Raymond Chandler is known for sharp, hard-hitting crime stories that dig into the darker side of human nature. If you’re into James Ellroy, his work will feel familiar, with morally messy characters and gritty urban settings.
“The Big Sleep” introduces Philip Marlowe, a private eye navigating a web of lies and corruption in Los Angeles. “Farewell, My Lovely” throws Marlowe into a case full of gangsters and crooked cops. Both books paint a raw, unfiltered picture of crime and power.
George Pelecanos is known for crime fiction that often explores life in Washington, D.C. In “The Big Blowdown,” he tells the story of immigrant families, friendships, and the danger tied to organized crime.
“Right as Rain” focuses on a private investigator uncovering police corruption while tackling racial tensions. His books often bring out the struggles and choices of everyday people.
If you enjoy the dark, twisted worlds of James Ellroy, you might want to check out Patricia Highsmith. Her book “Strangers on a Train” tells the story of two men who meet and agree to swap murders, setting off a deadly chain of events.
“The Talented Mr. Ripley” introduces Tom Ripley, a man who stops at nothing to climb the social ladder, including lying and killing. Highsmith’s writing digs deep into crime and the darker side of human nature, which might scratch the same itch Ellroy fans have.
Jim Thompson wrote dark, gritty stories about crime and flawed characters. “The Killer Inside Me” tells the story of a small-town deputy with a sinister secret. “Pop. 1280” follows a sheriff who seems dim-witted but hides a sharp mind and a deadly agenda.
His books often explore twisted minds and moral decay, pulling readers into bleak and gripping worlds.
Lawrence Block tells stories that grab you. If you like James Ellroy, you might enjoy his dark and gritty style. “Eight Million Ways to Die” follows Matthew Scudder, an ex-cop, as he tries to solve a murder in the seedy underbelly of New York.
“When the Sacred Ginmill Closes” dives into Scudder’s world again, full of crime, regret, and tough choices. For something a little different, “Grifter’s Game” is about a con artist whose latest scheme spirals out of control.
These books dig into flawed characters and the shadows they live in.
Megan Abbott writes stories that often explore crime, secrets, and the darker sides of relationships. In “Dare Me,” she looks at the intense world of high school cheerleading and the power struggles within it.
In “Give Me Your Hand,” she tells a story about two women whose shared secret from the past resurfaces, threatening their lives and careers. Her books are tense and filled with sharp insights into human behavior.
Andrew Vachss writes hard-hitting crime stories with a dark edge. His Burke series, starting with “Flood,” dives into the underworld of a vigilante who goes after abusers and predators.
In “Strega,” Burke takes on a case to recover stolen photos, unraveling dangerous secrets along the way. Another standout is “Down in the Zero,” where he faces the darker side of teenage life and family fractures.
Fans of James Ellroy’s gritty, no-nonsense storytelling might find Vachss right up their alley.
David Peace is known for his dark and atmospheric stories. His novel “The Damned Utd” explores the turbulent 44-day tenure of Brian Clough as manager of Leeds United.
Another well-known work, “Tokyo Year Zero,” follows a detective in post-war Japan, uncovering crimes while dealing with the chaos around him. Peace’s writing often focuses on obsession, corruption, and the struggles of his characters.
Walter Mosley writes crime stories with a strong sense of noir and rich characters. If you’re into James Ellroy, you might enjoy his work. “Devil in a Blue Dress” kicks off the Easy Rawlins series, following a Black war veteran turned private detective in 1940s Los Angeles.
Another great read is “White Butterfly,” where Easy gets tangled in a murder case that shakes his community. Mosley’s stories are sharp, gritty, and full of tension.