If you enjoy reading books by Joe Ide then you might also like the following authors:
Walter Mosley is a writer known for his sharp and straightforward storytelling. His work often centers on crime and mystery, with characters that feel real and rooted in their time.
In “Devil in a Blue Dress,” Mosley introduces Easy Rawlins, a Black World War II veteran in 1940s Los Angeles. Easy takes a job looking for a missing woman, but things take a darker turn as he uncovers hidden secrets.
The book captures the atmosphere of post-war LA while giving readers a personal view of race and survival during that era.
Raymond Chandler is a master of detective fiction, known for creating the iconic private investigator Philip Marlowe. In his novel “The Big Sleep,” Marlowe is hired by a wealthy man to handle a blackmail case involving one of his daughters.
What starts as a seemingly straightforward job soon unravels into a shadowy world of crime and lies. The story roams through Los Angeles, uncovering secrets and ruthless schemes at every turn.
Marlowe’s sharp wit and the gritty atmosphere bring the city’s seedy underbelly to life, making the book an unforgettable read for crime fiction fans.
James Lee Burke writes stories that feel rooted in place, with characters who are deeply human and flawed. His book, “The Neon Rain,” introduces Detective Dave Robicheaux, a man balancing a tough job with personal struggles.
Set in Louisiana, the story follows Robicheaux as he investigates the murder of a young woman, uncovering layers of corruption and danger along the way. The atmosphere of the bayou and the raw emotion of the characters make it hard to put down.
Fans of Joe Ide’s gritty, character-driven mysteries will likely appreciate Burke’s vivid storytelling.
Michael Connelly is known for crime fiction that keeps you hooked. One of his books, “The Poet,” follows reporter Jack McEvoy as he investigates his brother’s suicide. Jack starts to suspect it might be murder connected to a string of deaths disguised as suicides.
A chilling poem is left behind at each crime scene. As Jack digs deeper, he uncovers a dangerous trail of a killer who seems to stay one step ahead. It’s dark, clever, and full of twists.
Dennis Lehane writes crime novels that pull you into the gritty corners of urban life. One of his best-known books, “Mystic River,” follows three childhood friends whose lives take wildly different paths after a haunting event in their past.
When a murder strikes close to home years later, their connections resurface in unexpected and tense ways. It’s a story packed with secrets and raw emotion, and Lehane’s sharp dialogue and memorable characters stand out.
Fans of Joe Ide’s sharp storytelling might really enjoy Lehane’s work.
Tana French writes crime stories that feel rich with atmosphere and layers of character. Her book “The Trespasser” follows Detective Antoinette Conway, who works in the Dublin Murder Squad. She’s tough and sharp but faces hostility from her own team.
In this story, she investigates what looks like a straightforward domestic murder, but there’s a strange detail that doesn’t sit right. The more she digs, the more the case seems to twist, leading her to question who she can trust.
The way French weaves tension and personal struggles into the investigation makes it hard to put down.
Richard Price is known for writing stories that dive deep into urban life and complex characters. His novel, “Clockers,” tells the story of a drug dealer named Strike and a detective named Rocco. Their lives intersect after a murder in a small New Jersey city.
Strike struggles with the pull between the life he knows and the chance to leave it behind, while Rocco wrestles with the moral weight of his job. The book captures street life and the tense, human choices of its characters.
Don Winslow writes crime novels that are full of sharp dialogue and characters that feel real. One of his standout books is “The Power of the Dog,” which takes a raw look at the drug trade over decades.
It follows Art Keller, a DEA agent who becomes obsessed with taking down a powerful cartel. The story shows how far he’s willing to go, what he loses along the way, and how corruption and violence ripple through lives.
If you enjoy stories where personal battles are as intense as the action, this is a book to check out.
Chester Himes wrote stories filled with sharp dialogue and vivid characters. He’s best known for his Harlem Detective series, which focuses on the chaotic and colorful streets of Harlem.
In “A Rage in Harlem,” two detectives, Coffin Ed Johnson and Gravedigger Jones, try to track down a missing stash of gold. The book weaves through a world of hustlers, crooks, and schemes, keeping the tension high.
Himes’ writing brings Harlem to life through his bold, no-nonsense style.
Colson Whitehead writes stories that grab your attention with their originality and depth. One of his standout works, “The Nickel Boys,” is based on a real reform school in Florida.
It follows two boys, Elwood and Turner, as they navigate the harsh realities of life at a corrupt institution. Elwood, inspired by Dr. King, believes in doing the right thing, while Turner leans more toward survival above all else.
The different ways they react to their surroundings reveal a lot about their characters and the cruel system they are trapped in. Whitehead’s storytelling cuts straight to the heart, and his books often explore the struggles people face while holding onto hope.
Lawrence Block is a crime writer with a knack for creating memorable characters and tense, gritty stories. One of his best-known works is “A Walk Among the Tombstones.”
It follows Matthew Scudder, an ex-cop turned unlicensed private investigator, as he takes on a case involving a drug dealer’s kidnapped wife. The story reveals the dark and dangerous side of New York City, with Scudder navigating a world of criminals and moral gray areas.
If you enjoy intricate mysteries with sharp dialogue, Block’s work might grab your attention.
Sue Grafton was a mystery writer best known for her “Alphabet Series,” which follows private investigator Kinsey Millhone. Set in 1980s California, the stories have a gritty, straightforward style.
In “A is for Alibi,” Kinsey is hired by a woman recently released from prison for poisoning her husband. The woman claims she’s innocent and wants Kinsey to find the real killer.
As Kinsey starts digging, she uncovers secrets about the victim’s life, including affairs and shady dealings. The book has a no-nonsense tone and sharp, smart dialogue, which makes the investigation feel real.
George Pelecanos is a writer known for crafting gritty crime stories set in Washington, D.C. His novel, “The Night Gardener,” follows three detectives who reopen a decades-old case when a fresh murder echoes one from their past.
The book weaves together their personal struggles and the grim realities of their city. Pelecanos draws sharp characters, and his dialogue feels authentic, showing the tension and hard choices that come with their lives.
If you’re into street-level crime and sharp storytelling, his work could be worth exploring.
Elmore Leonard is known for his sharp dialogue and characters that feel alive on the page. If you like Joe Ide’s works, you’ll probably enjoy Leonard’s knack for blending crime with wit.
In his novel “Get Shorty,” the story follows Chili Palmer, a loan shark who ends up in Hollywood chasing down a debt. He quickly gets tangled up in the world of movie-making, finding it just as cutthroat as the criminal underworld he’s used to.
Leonard captures the quirks of both worlds, delivering characters who are layered and unpredictable. Chili’s interactions with the arrogant filmmakers and shady producers make the book a fun mix of crime and Hollywood satire.
C.J. Box writes crime and mystery books with a strong sense of place, often set in the rugged landscapes of Wyoming and the American West.
In “Open Season,” the first book in the Joe Pickett series, readers meet Joe, a wildlife game warden juggling his job, family, and a threat to his small-town community.
The story begins when Joe stumbles on a murdered outfitter with ties to a bigger conspiracy, and his determination to uncover the truth puts him in danger. Box’s writing takes you into the wilderness, where survival and justice collide in unexpected ways.