If you enjoy reading books by James Ellroy then you might also like the following authors:
Dennis Lehane is an author readers of James Ellroy might enjoy. He writes crime fiction set in vividly portrayed neighborhoods of Boston. One good example is “Mystic River,” a story that follows three childhood friends who drift apart after a terrible event.
Years later, tragedy strikes again, and the friends reconnect under difficult circumstances. The characters are complex, but the style is clear and direct. Fans of Ellroy’s portrayal of dark situations could find Lehane’s storytelling appealing.
Michael Connelly is a crime author known for realistic police stories set in Los Angeles. His book “The Black Echo” introduces detective Harry Bosch, a cop with a troubled past and a clear sense of justice.
When Bosch finds the body of a fellow soldier from his Vietnam days, he suspects there is more to the death than a simple overdose. The investigation reveals hidden connections between wartime events and current crimes in the city.
Fans of James Ellroy’s stories about LA criminals and corruption will find Connelly’s portrayal of police work accurate and engaging.
Don Winslow is an author known for exciting crime fiction with realistic characters and sharp dialogue. Fans of James Ellroy will find much to appreciate in Don Winslow’s book “The Power of the Dog.”
This book introduces Art Keller, a tough DEA agent who starts a long battle against Mexico’s drug cartels. Winslow explores violence, corruption, and betrayal through Keller’s experiences, set against the backdrop of America’s war on drugs.
The detailed portrayal of cartel operations draws readers into the dangerous world of international crime.
Elmore Leonard writes crime novels with sharp dialogue and interesting characters. If you enjoy James Ellroy’s style, Leonard’s writing could appeal to you too.
His novel “Out of Sight” starts with a bank robber named Jack Foley escaping from prison and accidentally ending up in the trunk of a car alongside Karen Sisco, a federal marshal.
The unusual pairing leads to unpredictable situations as Foley plans another job and Karen attempts to track him down. The way Leonard mixes humor and crime makes the story feel fresh and authentic.
Ross Macdonald wrote detective fiction that explores the hidden secrets of California’s wealthy families. His stories often feature the private detective Lew Archer, a character both sharp and insightful.
In “The Galton Case,” Archer searches for a young heir who has disappeared years earlier. The investigation leads Archer into the past lives of the Galton family. Secrets buried for decades gradually come to light, and Archer finds connections no one expected.
Readers who enjoy James Ellroy’s complex mysteries and dark family dramas will likely connect with Macdonald’s clear storytelling style and intriguing plots.
Dashiell Hammett wrote detective stories set in tough cities with dark alleyways and shady characters. In his book “The Maltese Falcon,” detective Sam Spade takes on a case full of lies, betrayal and valuable objects people would kill to have.
Spade is sharp, talks in quick dialogue and faces trouble without hesitation. Hammett captures the hard edge and suspense readers of James Ellroy appreciate.
Raymond Chandler wrote classic detective fiction set in the gritty streets of Los Angeles. His style is tough and straightforward, filled with quick dialogue and memorable characters.
A good example is “The Big Sleep,” which introduces Philip Marlowe, a detective hired by a rich family to handle a blackmail case. Marlowe encounters a shady underworld of criminals and deceit along the way.
If you enjoy James Ellroy’s portrayal of crime in Los Angeles, you may appreciate Chandler’s detailed depiction of corruption and secrets hidden in the city.
George Pelecanos writes crime fiction set in Washington D.C., often focusing on everyday lives and realistic conflicts. Readers who enjoy the style of James Ellroy might appreciate Pelecanos’ novel “The Night Gardener.”
The story begins with the body of a teenager found in a quiet community garden. Years later the crime still haunts the detectives who couldn’t solve it. When another body appears, detectives reunite to face the case again.
Pelecanos captures the streets and neighborhoods of D.C. vividly. He creates detectives, criminals and normal residents who feel authentic in their struggles.
Patricia Highsmith wrote novels with tense plots and memorable characters. Her style fits well for readers who appreciate the dark atmosphere and flawed characters in James Ellroy’s work.
Her book “Strangers on a Train” starts with two men who share their troubles during a short conversation on a train ride. One of them offers an unusual deal, murder traded for murder, which at first seems like a bad joke.
Soon the reader sees how tensions and suspicions build around the characters. The story moves forward with unexpected turns and strong suspense.
Jim Thompson is an author known for crime novels that explore dark and troubled minds. His book “The Killer Inside Me” tells the story of Lou Ford, a sheriff in a small Texas town in the 1950s. Lou seems friendly and ordinary to everyone around him.
But beneath that surface, he hides violent secrets and disturbing urges. The book gives readers an intimate look into the mind of someone who moves quietly among neighbors, yet carries dangerous thoughts and desires.
Fans of James Ellroy’s style of crime fiction and complex psychological characters often find Thompson’s stories appealing.
Lawrence Block writes crime fiction that often explores darker themes in city life. If you enjoyed James Ellroy’s style, you might appreciate Block’s novel “Eight Million Ways to Die.” The book follows Matthew Scudder, an ex-cop from New York.
Scudder agrees to help a woman named Kim, who wants out of her troubled life. When Kim ends up dead, Scudder commits himself to finding out why. The story moves through the rough streets and neighborhoods of New York, filled with real conversations and believable characters.
Block carefully brings the city itself to life, making readers feel they walk alongside Scudder.
Megan Abbott writes crime novels set in dark and gritty worlds often similar to those shown by James Ellroy. One good example is her book “Queenpin,” which tells the story of a young woman drawn into the dangerous life of organized crime.
Abbott creates tense relationships between characters who trust nobody. The book’s narrator starts as an assistant to a sophisticated criminal boss, and she quickly learns about shady dealings and violent betrayals.
Abbott skillfully shows how ambition can lead characters into dangerous trouble. “Queenpin” features sharp dialogue and a story full of surprising twists.
Andrew Vachss writes gritty crime novels that dig deep into the darker sides of human behavior. His stories deal with corruption, revenge and harsh realities. In his novel “Flood,” readers meet Burke, a hardened investigator who operates in New York City’s hidden corners.
Burke takes on a case to track down an abuser, but justice isn’t straightforward in Burke’s world. The story reveals a dangerous underground society filled with ruthless characters, hidden motives and moral lines that blur.
Fans of James Ellroy’s tough and direct style may find that Vachss’s hard-edged narratives speak to their tastes.
David Peace is an author who tells crime stories in a dark and realistic style. His book “1974” follows a young reporter named Edward Dunford in Yorkshire, who investigates the disappearance of a child.
Dunford struggles against local corruption and uncovers troubling truths hidden inside his own community. Peace sets the narrative within a bleak atmosphere and tells the story through tense scenes filled with secrets and surprises.
Readers who appreciate James Ellroy’s crime narratives will find David Peace’s approach familiar, both in tone and in the unflinching exploration of crime and corruption.
Walter Mosley is a writer known for his detective stories set in post-war Los Angeles. His novels offer readers characters who deal with complicated moral situations and troubled pasts.
In “Devil in a Blue Dress,” Mosley introduces Easy Rawlins, a war veteran looking for stability in life. When Easy needs cash, he accepts a mysterious task: finding a woman named Daphne Monet.
The job seems simple at first but quickly becomes dangerous, pulling Rawlins into a shadowy part of the city. For readers who enjoy James Ellroy’s stories about 1940s and 1950s Los Angeles crime, Mosley’s work provides a fresh angle and memorable characters.