If you enjoy reading novels by James Hadley Chase then you might also like the following authors:
If you enjoy James Hadley Chase’s sharp dialogue and intriguing crime plots, Raymond Chandler might be a writer you will appreciate. Chandler’s detective, Philip Marlowe, stars in “The Big Sleep,” a classic noir story full of twists, betrayals, and unforgettable encounters.
Marlowe is hired by General Sternwood, a wealthy and aging businessman, to solve a blackmail case involving his youngest daughter, Carmen. The detective quickly finds himself caught up in the shadowy underworld of 1930s Los Angeles.
Dark secrets and ruthless criminals surface in every chapter as Marlowe digs deeper into a case far more dangerous than it first seemed. The vivid storytelling and tense atmosphere make Chandler’s writing addictive for lovers of crime fiction.
Dashiell Hammett was an American author who defined the hard-boiled detective genre with sharp dialogue, tough characters and intricate mysteries. If you enjoy James Hadley Chase’s gritty stories and suspenseful twists, Hammett’s “The Maltese Falcon” is an excellent read.
In this novel, detective Sam Spade hunts for a priceless statue, becoming entangled with double-crossing criminals and a mysterious woman. The story revolves around deceit, murder and moral ambiguity, set against the vivid backdrop of 1930s San Francisco.
Hammett’s realistic style and sharp pacing keep the reader absorbed until the very end.
If you enjoy James Hadley Chase’s fast-paced crime stories with sharp dialogue, you’ll appreciate Mickey Spillane’s style. Spillane created the iconic detective Mike Hammer, a tough investigator known for his gritty methods and quick fists.
In “I, the Jury,” Hammer sets out to solve the murder of his war buddy, determined to deliver his own brand of justice. As the body count rises, Hammer navigates an underworld filled with shady characters, betrayal, and dangerous motives.
Spillane packs the story with suspense, clues that challenge your imagination, and unforgettable confrontations. If a classic hard-boiled detective tale is what you crave, “I, the Jury” is a solid pick.
If you enjoy James Hadley Chase’s fast-paced thrillers filled with twists and gritty characters, Ross Macdonald may be a great author for you. Macdonald is known for classic detective novels that center around his private investigator, Lew Archer.
In “The Chill,” Archer investigates the mystery of a young bride who suddenly disappears, uncovering family secrets and troubled pasts along the way.
With complex characters, suspenseful storytelling, and Macdonald’s sharp dialogue, the plot twists will keep you absorbed until the surprising end.
Books by Donald E. Westlake offer readers a sharp blend of crime, suspense, and wit. Fans of James Hadley Chase may find Westlake’s storytelling equally engaging. A great place to start is his novel “The Hot Rock”.
The story centers on John Dortmunder, a professional thief whose meticulous plans never seem to go according to schedule. Dortmunder and his team set out to steal a valuable gem, but each attempt turns into a comedic mess.
The heists pile up, becoming more chaotic and hilarious each time. Westlake creates humor out of crime, giving readers an entertaining twist on the classic heist novel.
If you enjoy James Hadley Chase’s sharp dialogue and tense plot twists, then Elmore Leonard is a writer you’ll appreciate. Leonard’s book “Get Shorty” introduces Chili Palmer, a Miami mobster who winds up in Hollywood chasing down a debt.
There he finds out the movie business is just as dirty as the crime world he left behind. With clever schemes, shady deals, and witty banter, the story keeps you hooked as Chili navigates actors, producers, and gangsters.
Leonard captures crime and deception with a sense of humor and style that fans of Chase will recognize and enjoy.
Jim Thompson was an American crime novelist known for gritty stories with dark twists and morally complex characters. His novel “The Killer Inside Me” follows Lou Ford, a small-town deputy sheriff who seems friendly and well-liked by everyone.
Underneath this likable facade, Lou hides violent urges and a dangerous obsession that leads him down a sinister path. Thompson builds suspense page by page, painting a chilling picture of how seemingly ordinary people can harbor terrifying depths.
For readers who enjoy James Hadley Chase’s sharp, straightforward storytelling and psychological tension, “The Killer Inside Me” offers an intense, memorable ride into darkness.
Books by Lawrence Block offer fast-paced plots, gritty characters, and tight storytelling that fans of James Hadley Chase can appreciate.
One of his most absorbing novels is “Eight Million Ways to Die,” which follows detective Matthew Scudder through the dark side of New York City. Scudder, a former cop turned private investigator, struggles with alcoholism and tackles cases other detectives won’t touch.
In this story, he’s hired by a prostitute named Kim to help her quit the trade safely, but soon after, Kim ends up dead. Driven by regret and obligation, Scudder navigates the city’s complex underworld to find her killer.
The vivid atmosphere, realistic dialogue, and flawed but relatable characters make Lawrence Block a strong choice for readers who enjoyed the sharp, no-nonsense style of Chase.
Ed McBain was a master storyteller who set the gold standard in crime fiction with his gritty police procedurals and memorable characters. If you enjoy James Hadley Chase’s punchy dialogue and tight plotting, pick up McBain’s “Cop Hater.”
This book introduces readers to the detectives of the 87th Precinct, a team tasked to catch a ruthless killer targeting police officers. As the tension rises and clues surface, the detectives navigate through false leads, city politics, and their own personal demons.
McBain expertly captures the rough energy and atmosphere of urban crime, making sure readers finish the book eager to continue with the rest of his 87th Precinct series.
Readers who enjoy James Hadley Chase’s hard-boiled suspense might appreciate Robert B. Parker’s style. Parker created the iconic detective Spenser, a tough, sharp-witted private investigator with a strong moral core, first featured in “The Godwulf Manuscript.”
In this novel, Spenser is hired to recover a precious medieval manuscript stolen from a university library. But what starts as a straightforward theft soon turns violent, pulling him into a tangled web of murder, deception, and campus politics.
Parker’s writing delivers tight dialogue, strong action, and a detective whose dry humor keeps you engaged page after page.
Patricia Highsmith was an American author famous for her psychological thrillers packed with suspense and tense human drama. Readers who enjoy James Hadley Chase’s gritty crime stories and sharp twists might also appreciate Highsmith’s novel “Strangers on a Train.”
In this book, two strangers cross paths on a train journey. Guy, a successful architect, and Bruno, a charming yet unsettling young man, strike up a casual conversation about murder—but what begins as idle talk soon turns dangerously serious.
This encounter leads both characters down paths they never expected, filled with guilt, paranoia, and consequences spiraling beyond control. Highsmith delivers psychological depth, morally complex characters, and a storyline full of tension and surprises.
If you enjoy James Hadley Chase for the gritty crime scenes and sharp dialogue, Chester Himes is another crime fiction author worth your time.
His novel “A Rage in Harlem” pulls you into 1950s Harlem, a vivid neighborhood full of con artists, gamblers, and danger lurking around every corner. The story follows Jackson, an innocent, churchgoing man tricked out of his money by a clever scheme.
In desperation, he teams up with his streetwise brother, Goldy, leading to a chaotic chase around Harlem as they search for the crooks and stolen cash.
Himes fills the story with fast-paced action, dark humor, and compelling characters, bringing Harlem to life through vivid and chaotic storytelling.
If you enjoy James Hadley Chase’s sharp dialogue, tough characters, and relentless storytelling, you might appreciate Richard Stark. Stark is the pseudonym Donald E. Westlake used for his darker crime fiction, especially noted for his “Parker” series.
One great starting point is “The Hunter,” the first Parker novel. In it, Parker is betrayed after a heist and left for dead by his partner and wife. But Parker survives with one aim only: hard, cold revenge.
The plot quickly becomes a tense, rapid-fire chase through the criminal world, as Parker systematically tracks down every person responsible. Stark’s style is stripped down and lean, perfectly suited to Parker’s ruthless determination.
Readers who enjoy the dark yet punchy style of James Hadley Chase will likely appreciate Andrew Vachss. Vachss weaves tight narratives that dive deep into crime without shying away from harsh realities.
In his novel “Flood,” readers meet Burke—an ex-con who makes a living off New York City’s shadowy underbelly. When a woman named Flood hires Burke to track down a dangerous child predator, the story takes off quickly with gritty dialogue and realistic action scenes.
This story moves fast, introducing characters you’ll remember long after you’ve turned the last page.
Books by David Goodis often explore dark themes with tense storylines and memorable characters trapped in tough circumstances. If you enjoy James Hadley Chase’s style of suspense and gritty plots, you might find yourself drawn to “Dark Passage” by Goodis.
In this novel, Vincent Parry escapes from prison where he’s doing time for a crime he says he didn’t commit. He’s determined to clear his name, but everything is stacked against him.
His desperate search sends him through shadowy streets and hidden corners of San Francisco, pursued relentlessly by cops and criminals alike. Goodis creates a suspenseful feeling of urgency and paranoia that keeps you glued to the pages all the way through.