If you enjoy reading novels by James Hadley Chase then you might also like the following authors:
Raymond Chandler wrote sharp, atmospheric stories packed with twists and flawed characters. If you enjoy James Hadley Chase, you might like Chandler’s tough-talking detective, Philip Marlowe.
“The Big Sleep” and “Farewell, My Lovely” are filled with danger, double-crossing, and gritty urban settings. His writing pulls you into a darker side of life, full of smart dialogue and unpredictable turns.
Dashiell Hammett wrote tough, sharp stories that hit hard and didn’t waste words. If you like James Hadley Chase, you’ll probably enjoy the gritty style of “The Maltese Falcon” or “The Thin Man.” His characters are cold, calculating, and always looking for an edge.
Another one worth checking out is “Red Harvest,” where a detective walks into a corrupt town and tears it apart piece by piece.
If you enjoy James Hadley Chase, you might want to check out Mickey Spillane. He’s known for tough stories with sharp dialogue and hard-edged characters. His Mike Hammer series is a great place to start.
“I, the Jury” is the first book and kicks off with a murder that Hammer is dead set on avenging. Another standout is “My Gun Is Quick,” where Hammer gets wrapped up in a dangerous case after a chance encounter.
For something darker, there’s “Kiss Me, Deadly,” where trust is scarce and survival isn’t guaranteed.
If you’re into James Hadley Chase, you might want to check out Ross Macdonald. His books have a similar style—sharp, fast-paced, and full of twists. Start with “The Galton Case” or “The Goodbye Look.”
Both dive into dark family secrets, mixed with crime and some solid detective work. “The Chill” is another one worth picking up if you enjoy stories where nothing is as it seems.
Donald E. Westlake wrote sharp, clever crime stories with a good dose of humor. If you enjoy James Hadley Chase, his work might grab your attention. “The Hot Rock” kicks off a series about a group of thieves, always trying to pull off heists that never go as planned.
“The Hunter,” written under the name Richard Stark, introduces Parker, a cold and calculating criminal out for revenge. Westlake keeps the pace steady and the twists entertaining.
If you enjoy James Hadley Chase, you might like Elmore Leonard’s sharp, no-nonsense style. His stories are built around fast plots, street-smart dialogue, and characters with plenty of edge. “Get Shorty” is a standout, blending crime with Hollywood schemes.
“Rum Punch” introduces unforgettable characters caught in a dangerous game, while “Killshot” delivers a tense tale about people in over their heads with cold-blooded killers. Leonard keeps it tight and to the point, which makes his books hard to put down.
If you enjoy James Hadley Chase, you might like the dark, gritty tales Jim Thompson is known for. He writes sharp, no-nonsense crime stories with characters who often find themselves in bad situations.
“The Killer Inside Me” pulls you into the twisted mind of a small-town deputy with dangerous secrets. “Pop. 1280” offers a similarly unsettling experience, showing a corrupt and manipulative sheriff in a small, seedy town.
Thompson’s books are lean and unforgiving, making them hard to put down.
Lawrence Block writes sharp and fast-paced stories that grab your attention. Fans of James Hadley Chase might enjoy books like “Eight Million Ways to Die” or “Grifter’s Game.” His characters live in a gritty world where danger feels close, and every choice carries weight.
Block knows how to keep the tension high without overcomplicating things.
If you enjoy James Hadley Chase, you might want to pick up Ed McBain. He writes sharp, no-nonsense crime stories packed with snappy dialogue and gritty characters. “Cop Hater” dives into the dangers faced by detectives in a city that feels alive with crime.
“The Pusher” explores the seedy underworld of drugs and how it tangles people’s lives. His books have a fast pace and keep you hooked.
Robert B. Parker is known for sharp dialogue and straightforward stories. If you enjoy James Hadley Chase, you might like Parker’s “The Godwulf Manuscript,” the first in his Spenser series. It mixes crime with sarcasm and a fast-moving plot.
Another good one is “Looking for Rachel Wallace,” where Spenser goes head-to-head with dangerous criminals while protecting a feminist author. Parker’s writing keeps things direct, while still giving you characters with plenty of personality.
Patricia Highsmith wrote sharp, twist-filled stories that grab your attention and keep you guessing. If you like the fast-paced plots of James Hadley Chase, you’ll enjoy her work. “Strangers on a Train” explores a dangerous deal between two strangers with deadly consequences.
“The Talented Mr. Ripley” introduces Tom Ripley, a charming con artist who will do anything to get ahead. Her characters are bold, and her plots never go where you expect.
Chester Himes wrote sharp, fast-paced stories with vivid characters and gritty action. Fans of James Hadley Chase might enjoy his Harlem Detectives series, especially novels like “Cotton Comes to Harlem” and “The Heat’s On.”
They’re packed with twists and raw, unpredictable energy that keeps things moving. Himes had a knack for showing the darker sides of life while keeping the reader hooked.
Richard Stark wrote sharp, no-nonsense crime stories that hit hard and don’t waste time. If you enjoy James Hadley Chase, you’ll probably like his Parker series. Start with “The Hunter,” where Parker seeks revenge after being double-crossed.
“The Mourner” is another great one, full of cold plans and tough decisions. Stark creates characters who live by their own rules, and the action keeps things tense all the way through.
Andrew Vachss writes hard-hitting crime stories with a raw, no-nonsense approach that might appeal if you’re into James Hadley Chase. His books often focus on the gritty underworld and characters who live by their own code.
“Flood” introduces Burke, a tough-as-nails antihero who’s willing to go to extremes for justice. Another standout is “Strega,” where Burke takes on a dangerous case involving child predators.
If you like dark plots and straight-to-the-point storytelling, Vachss could be worth a look.
If you’re into James Hadley Chase, you might find David Goodis worth exploring. His stories are dark and atmospheric, pulling you into seedy underworlds. “Dark Passage” is one of his best-known works, following a man on the run after escaping prison for a crime he didn’t commit.
Another standout is “Shoot the Piano Player,” which mixes crime with a touch of melancholy, focusing on a down-and-out musician caught in a dangerous mess. Goodis writes in a way that makes you feel the grit and desperation of his characters.