Lawrence Block is a writer of crime novels, and his Matthew Scudder series is especially well-regarded. These books, set in New York City, examine the complexities of people and often show morally gray areas.
If you enjoy authors with a similar atmosphere and similar thematic interests, here are some writers you might enjoy.
Donald E. Westlake was a prolific writer known for witty crime novels featuring clever plots and memorable characters. Fans of Lawrence Block’s entertaining crime fiction may enjoy Westlake’s novel “The Hot Rock.”
In this book, John Dortmunder, a resourceful thief with notoriously bad luck, assembles a quirky team to steal a priceless emerald. Of course, things never go smoothly for Dortmunder.
The emerald repeatedly slips through their fingers, leading to increasingly absurd and hilarious attempts to retrieve it.
Westlake’s sharp humor and cleverly constructed misadventures make “The Hot Rock” an entertaining read for crime fiction lovers who appreciate dry wit, quirky characters, and laugh-out-loud mix-ups.
Readers who enjoy Lawrence Block’s sharp dialogue and vivid characters often find Elmore Leonard’s work equally enjoyable. Leonard was an American novelist famous for crime fiction filled with clever wit and quick pacing.
His novel “Get Shorty” centers on Chili Palmer, a Miami loan shark, who travels to Hollywood to collect a debt but soon gets drawn into the glamor and absurdity of the movie business.
Palmer navigates through eccentric movie executives, unpredictable actors, and dangerous mob types as he attempts to put together a movie deal. Leonard’s skillful dialogue and unpredictable plots make the story humorous, tense, and addictive page after page.
Ed McBain is perfect for anyone who enjoys Lawrence Block’s gritty crime fiction and sharp storytelling style. McBain’s “Cop Hater” is the first installment of the famous 87th Precinct series.
It introduces readers to Detective Steve Carella and his colleagues as they investigate a brutal series of murders targeting local police officers.
Set in a fictional city modeled loosely after New York, the story offers detailed police procedures, sharp dialogue, and authentic characters, all trademarks of McBain’s gripping style.
Anyone looking to explore well-crafted mysteries with a vivid sense of place and realistic depiction of detective work will appreciate McBain’s writing.
Readers who enjoy Lawrence Block might find Ross Macdonald an equally exciting author to explore. Macdonald is known for his detective Lew Archer, a smart private investigator who gets caught up in complex crimes and family secrets.
In “The Chill,” Archer investigates the sudden disappearance of a young bride, which quickly leads him to revisit a decade-old murder. With each clue, he uncovers old wounds, hidden relationships, and unexpected connections that build to a surprising conclusion.
Macdonald’s skill at weaving together psychological depth and classic detective storytelling makes this a satisfying read.
Readers who enjoy Lawrence Block’s sharp dialogue and intriguing detectives may also appreciate the works of Robert B. Parker. Parker is best known for his Spenser series, featuring a witty, street-smart detective named Spenser.
One notable entry in the series is “Looking for Rachel Wallace,” where Spenser takes on a job protecting Rachel, a controversial feminist author with death threats against her. Rachel isn’t fond of his macho style, resulting in tension right off the bat.
But when Rachel goes missing, Spenser puts aside differences and dives headfirst into Boston’s underside to track her down. Parker provides engaging dialogue, nuanced relationships, and a satisfying detective story that fans of Block’s Matthew Scudder novels would surely enjoy.
James M. Cain was an American crime novelist who mastered hard-boiled fiction and dark, morally complex characters, similar in style to author Lawrence Block. His novel “The Postman Always Rings Twice” explores deceit, passion, and criminal impulse.
The story centers on drifter Frank Chambers, who stops at a rural diner run by Nick Papadakis and his restless wife, Cora. Frank and Cora soon begin an affair and plot to escape their dull lives by killing Nick.
Cain brings readers close to characters who choose their dark paths willingly, making the turn of each page tense and unsettling in its realism.
Dashiell Hammett was a master of sharp, gritty crime fiction, known for crafting tight, suspenseful plots and tough, memorable characters. Readers who appreciate Lawrence Block’s vivid characters and hard-edged crime stories might enjoy Hammett’s work as well.
In his classic novel “The Maltese Falcon,” private detective Sam Spade gets pulled into a tangled web of deceit, betrayal, and murder when his partner is killed during a seemingly straightforward case.
As Spade searches for answers, he crosses paths with ruthless criminals, dangerous beauties, and a priceless object everyone wants and no one trusts.
Hammett’s precise dialogue and swift pacing make the story stand out, drawing readers into a shadowy, unpredictable world of crime.
Readers who enjoy Lawrence Block’s gritty storytelling and dark character portrayals might appreciate Jim Thompson. Thompson’s noir novels often center around morally ambiguous characters caught in crime-filled situations.
In his novel “The Killer Inside Me,” readers meet Lou Ford, a small-town deputy sheriff who appears polite and easy-going on the surface. Beneath that calm exterior lies a chilling secret—a violent and sadistic personality he struggles to hide.
As the story unfolds, Lou’s careful facade starts to crack, pulling readers along a disturbing and suspense-filled narrative. This exploration of hidden evil and psychological tension is characteristic of Thompson’s unsettling yet fascinating style.
If you enjoy Lawrence Block’s gritty crime novels and sharp-tongued private eyes, Raymond Chandler could be a perfect fit for you. Chandler is famous for creating the detective Philip Marlowe, a tough, wisecracking sleuth who navigates the darker side of Los Angeles.
In “The Big Sleep,” Marlowe is hired by wealthy General Sternwood to resolve a blackmail scandal involving one of his two daughters. The investigation quickly turns messy, tangled with murder, deception, and shady dealings.
The dialogue is witty and sharp; the plot twists keep coming. Chandler’s atmospheric writing puts you right into the rainy streets and smoky rooms of 1930s L.A.
If you like complex characters and noir mysteries full of surprises, “The Big Sleep” may be exactly what you’re looking for.
Mickey Spillane was a master at crafting gritty crime novels with sharp-edged characters. Readers who enjoy Lawrence Block’s distinctively tough yet complex protagonists will find a similar appeal in Spillane’s famous detective Mike Hammer.
In “I, the Jury,” Hammer investigates the murder of his friend, driven by vengeance and a personal code of justice. The detective navigates through New York City’s underworld, confronting shady characters and uncovering dangerous secrets at every turn.
Spillane delivers action-packed sequences, intense confrontations, and razor-sharp dialogue that’ll keep crime fiction lovers hooked until the very last page.
Readers who enjoy Lawrence Block’s sharp characters and clever mysteries might also appreciate John D. MacDonald’s engaging crime fiction. MacDonald crafted complex, memorable protagonists, notably seen in his popular Travis McGee series.
In the book “The Deep Blue Good-by,” the first in the series, Travis McGee is a Florida-based salvage consultant who helps victims reclaim stolen property—for a substantial percentage fee.
When McGee tries to recover a fortune taken by the ruthless Junior Allen, he gets involved in danger, deception, and violence. MacDonald’s storytelling combines action, intriguing plots, and insightful commentary on human nature and morality.
Fans of Block’s Matthew Scudder novels could find a new favorite in Travis McGee’s morally ambiguous adventures.
Books by Michael Connelly are a great match for anyone who enjoys Lawrence Block’s sharp crime stories and sly character work. Connelly creates strong, vivid detectives who track down criminals through the dark streets of Los Angeles.
In “The Black Echo,” readers meet LAPD detective Harry Bosch, a relentless investigator haunted by his experiences in the Vietnam War.
When the body of a fellow war veteran is discovered in a drainage pipe, Bosch refuses to accept easy answers, pushing deeper into the city’s hidden crimes. Twists and turns pile up as Bosch pieces together connections between past betrayal and present corruption.
Fans of Lawrence Block will appreciate Connelly’s gritty realism, clear-eyed style, and depth of character in this compelling crime thriller.
Readers who enjoy Lawrence Block’s gritty crime fiction and dark humor will appreciate Ken Bruen’s style. Bruen is an Irish author known for sharp prose, vivid characters, and hard-edged storylines.
His novel “The Guards” introduces Detective Jack Taylor, a former police officer turned reluctant private investigator. Set in Galway, Ireland, the story follows Jack as he searches for answers about the mysterious death of a young woman.
Jack is deeply flawed yet impossible not to root for, and Bruen’s writing captures his struggles and the bleak atmosphere of the city. Fans of Lawrence Block’s Matthew Scudder series will find familiar territory in Bruen’s books.
Books by Andrew Vachss share a gritty atmosphere and street-wise voice that fans of Lawrence Block will recognize. His novel “Flood” introduces readers to Burke, a hard-edged investigator who operates in New York City’s shadowy corners.
Burke is hired to find a child predator stalking the city’s streets. The search brings Burke into contact with various figures from his underground network, including ex-cons, hackers, and street informants, each vividly portrayed.
With his deep knowledge of criminal psychology and urban crime, Vachss creates stories that are dark, realistic, and impossible to put down.
Readers who enjoy Lawrence Block’s detective fiction might also appreciate Stuart Kaminsky. Kaminsky created the Toby Peters series, set in the Hollywood of the 1940s.
His novel “Bullet for a Star” introduces witty private eye Toby Peters, who gets involved in a tricky situation with actor Errol Flynn. Flynn seeks Peters’ help when someone blackmails him with scandalous photographs, but the case quickly spins into murder and deception.
Kaminsky combines sharp detective work with historical settings and famous film stars, perfectly blending mystery and nostalgia.