If you enjoy reading novels by John Sandford then you might also like the following authors:
Books by Michael Connelly are a perfect match for readers who enjoy John Sandford’s crime thrillers. Connelly crafts intricate police procedurals featuring detective Hieronymus “Harry” Bosch, a dedicated investigator rough around the edges yet deeply committed to justice.
In “The Black Echo,” Bosch investigates the suspicious death of a fellow Vietnam veteran, whose body is found in a drainpipe beneath Los Angeles. At first glance, it appears to be a simple overdose, but Bosch quickly senses there’s more to the story.
Bosch pushes deeper into a hidden crime that links back to his wartime service, blurring lines between past secrets, present corruption, and personal stakes.
Fans of John Sandford’s strong, resourceful protagonists and authentic detective work will appreciate Connelly’s storytelling style.
James Lee Burke is an author whose mysteries combine sharp crime storytelling with vivid atmosphere and flawed, memorable characters. If you enjoy John Sandford’s intense thrillers, Burke’s “The Neon Rain” might appeal to you.
This novel introduces detective Dave Robicheaux, a complex and haunted investigator in New Orleans. Dave gets drawn into a disturbing mystery after discovering the body of a young woman floating in the bayou.
As he searches for answers, he becomes entangled in corruption, drug trafficking, and dangerous figures from his past. The story keeps readers deeply immersed in the depth of Robicheaux’s character while offering gritty action and suspense that lasts to the final page.
Books by Lee Child often appeal to readers who enjoy John Sandford’s style of tight suspense and strong, no-nonsense main characters.
Child created one of modern fiction’s memorable heroes, Jack Reacher, an ex-military investigator who travels across America with just the clothes on his back.
In “Killing Floor,” Child introduces Reacher as he drifts into the small town of Margrave, Georgia and quickly gets arrested for a murder he did not commit.
As the body count starts to rise, Reacher must use his sharp instincts and tough investigative skills to unravel a dangerous criminal operation and clear his own name.
Fast-paced, filled with surprises, and featuring authentic investigative details, Child’s novels deliver the kind of tension and pacing familiar to fans of Sandford’s Lucas Davenport series.
Readers who enjoy John Sandford’s fast-paced mysteries should check out Harlan Coben. Coben writes thrillers packed with suspense and surprising plot turns. In his novel “Tell No One,” pediatrician David Beck lost his wife in a tragic crime eight years earlier.
Beck has struggled with moving on, but suddenly receives an email containing information only his late wife would know. With each twist, Beck searches desperately for answers, and the suspense builds as buried secrets surface.
Coben’s style offers the same kind of action-packed storytelling and clever plot construction that Sandford fans appreciate.
Tess Gerritsen is a master at crafting tense thrillers with intriguing characters and sharp storytelling. If you’re a fan of John Sandford’s Lucas Davenport series, you’ll appreciate Gerritsen’s medical suspense.
Check out “The Surgeon,” the first novel in her Jane Rizzoli series. Detective Jane Rizzoli investigates a disturbing string of murders in which the killer precisely targets women using medical expertise.
Gerritsen draws readers into the killer’s twisted mindset, combining police procedural details and intense psychological depth. Fans of gritty storytelling that combines police work with chilling suspense will find plenty to enjoy in Gerritsen’s books.
C.J. Box is an author who crafts vivid, atmospheric crime thrillers set in the rugged landscapes of the American West. Fans of John Sandford’s suspenseful storytelling and realistic characters will find plenty to enjoy in Box’s novels.
One example is “Open Season,” the first entry in Box’s Joe Pickett series. Joe Pickett is a Wyoming game warden, an honest family man dealing with illegal hunters and environmental politics.
When he discovers a murder victim in his own backyard, Joe finds himself dragged into a dangerous investigation filled with secrets, corruption, and unexpected danger.
The story combines a captivating protagonist, a detailed Wyoming backdrop, and a tightly woven plot full of surprising twists. Readers looking for gritty realism and memorable characters should consider giving “Open Season” a try.
Readers who enjoy John Sandford’s fast-paced thrillers filled with smart detectives might find Jeffery Deaver an exciting choice. Deaver crafts sharp, suspenseful stories known for their clever twists and intelligent plots.
A great place to start is his novel “The Bone Collector.” In this book, detective Lincoln Rhyme, once a brilliant forensic expert but now paralyzed, is persuaded to investigate a chilling serial killer from his bed.
Paired with the smart and determined Amelia Sachs, Rhyme must decipher creepy clues and disturbing crime scenes before it’s too late. “The Bone Collector” will appeal to readers who appreciate Sandford’s strong characters and intricate mysteries.
Books by Stuart Woods often appeal to fans of John Sandford due to their fast-paced plots, engaging characters, and clever twists.
Woods is particularly known for his Stone Barrington series, which follows a resourceful investigator and lawyer through intriguing criminal cases and tangled political scenarios.
In “New York Dead,” the first book of the series, Stone Barrington witnesses the shocking fall of a prominent TV anchorwoman from a twelfth-floor balcony.
Despite surviving the initial accident, the victim later mysteriously vanishes from the ambulance, which sets off a tense investigation filled with twists, dangerous suspects, and hidden motives. Woods combines suspense and quick dialogue into an entertaining crime thriller.
Lisa Gardner writes fast-paced thrillers that hit hard, with characters who feel real and cases that grip readers long after the last page. If you enjoy John Sandford’s thrillers featuring relentless detective work, you might appreciate Gardner’s book “The Perfect Husband.”
This novel introduces readers to Tess Beckett, a woman fighting to survive after her marriage to a charismatic officer turns into a chilling nightmare.
After discovering her husband is a dangerous predator, she flees to rebuild her life, only to realize that escape might not be enough. Gardner’s tense storytelling and vivid characters pull readers into the heart of danger, making her books tough to put down.
Vince Flynn was an American author known for fast-paced thrillers focused on espionage, government intrigues, and counter-terrorism operations. Readers who enjoy John Sandford’s tight plots and dynamic characters usually find Flynn’s Mitch Rapp series captivating.
A notable novel in this series is “Transfer of Power.” In this book, a group of terrorists attacks the White House, takes dozens of hostages, and captures the President inside the secure bunker.
CIA operative Mitch Rapp must navigate tense political maneuvers and brutal action as he attempts a daring rescue. The story offers suspense, realism, and an inside look at crisis management at the highest levels.
Readers who enjoy John Sandford’s thrilling detective novels may also appreciate Robert Crais. Crais crafts quick-paced crime fiction set on the gritty streets of Los Angeles.
His popular book, “The Monkey’s Raincoat,” introduces Elvis Cole—an easygoing, witty private investigator drawn into a challenging missing-person case.
Cole teams up with his strong, silent partner, Joe Pike, to navigate shady characters, seedy locales, and dangerous confrontations. The sharp dialogue, vivid characters, and clever twists create an enjoyable detective story that holds readers from start to finish.
Greg Iles is a solid choice for readers who appreciate John Sandford’s style of storytelling. His novel “The Quiet Game” introduces Penn Cage, a prosecutor who returns to his Mississippi hometown seeking a fresh start after personal tragedy.
But in Natchez, secrets from the past don’t stay hidden for long. Cage quickly gets drawn into the unsolved murder of a black factory worker from decades ago, a case tangled in political corruption and dark local secrets.
Iles sets a brisk pace filled with twists, engaging dialogue, and richly detailed Southern settings that pull readers deep into his characters’ lives. Fans of crime fiction grounded in complex characters and layered plots will find plenty to enjoy here.
David Baldacci writes exciting thrillers packed with sharp dialogue, memorable characters, and clever plot twists. If you enjoy John Sandford’s style, Baldacci’s “Memory Man” is a great place to start.
The story follows Amos Decker, a former detective with a unique ability—he never forgets anything due to a brain injury. Haunted by memories of a tragic family loss, Decker is pulled back into action when a brutal mass shooting occurs at a high school.
Readers will find themselves hooked as Decker digs deeper into the case, uncovering clues that push him to his mental and emotional limits. Baldacci’s smooth storytelling and suspenseful narrative make this a book that’s tough to put down.
Karin Slaughter is a great writer to explore if you enjoy John Sandford’s fast-paced thrillers filled with memorable characters and intricate plots. Her writing combines gritty detail, sharp dialogue, and storylines that stay vibrant and immediate.
A good book to start with is “Pretty Girls.” It follows two sisters, Claire and Lydia, who haven’t spoken in years after family tragedy pushed them apart. Now, after another tragic event, secrets start surfacing, and the sisters find themselves tied together once again.
As they dig into hidden family histories and dark truths, you’ll find it hard to stop turning the pages. Slaughter’s storytelling pulls no punches, making it the kind of thriller that keeps you alert and immersed throughout.
Patricia Cornwell is an excellent option for readers who enjoy John Sandford’s sharp crime thrillers featuring smart, determined detectives.
Her novel “Postmortem” introduces Dr. Kay Scarpetta, a savvy chief medical examiner confronted by a series of chilling, unsolved murders in Richmond, Virginia. Scarpetta’s detailed forensic analysis and strategic thinking draw you deep into the investigation.
As the killings escalate in complexity and danger, her persistence becomes crucial to unraveling the disturbing truth.
Cornwell’s blend of forensic detail, tension-filled plotting, and realistic, engaging characters makes “Postmortem” an absorbing read—a standout choice for anyone who enjoys smart, well-written thrillers.