If you enjoy reading books by Mario Puzo then you might also like the following authors:
Leon Uris is an author who wrote stories filled with strong characters and deep family ties, often set against historic backdrops. If you’re a fan of Mario Puzo, you might enjoy his book “Exodus.”
It tells the story of the founding of Israel, focusing on a ship carrying Jewish Holocaust survivors to Palestine. There’s a mix of personal sacrifice, loyalty, and struggles for identity, all woven into larger historical events.
Uris’s ability to tie individual lives to sweeping historical moments is something that gives his work a lot of heart.
Albert Maltz was an American writer best known for his social and political themes. One of his powerful books, “The Cross and the Arrow,” is set during World War II in Nazi-occupied Europe. It follows the lives of ordinary people resisting the oppressive regime.
The story focuses on courage, showing how small acts of defiance can make a difference. If you enjoy stories about loyalty and resilience in the face of danger, this book is worth exploring.
James Ellroy is known for his dark, hard-hitting crime novels set in gritty urban landscapes. His book “The Black Dahlia” dives into the murder of Elizabeth Short, a young woman found mutilated in 1947 Los Angeles.
The story follows two cops, Bleichert and Blanchard, as they investigate the brutal crime while dealing with their own personal issues and a love triangle. The novel captures the seedy underbelly of post-war LA, blending crime, corruption, and obsession.
Don Winslow writes crime novels that pull you deep into the world of organized crime and power struggles. If you enjoyed Mario Puzo’s “The Godfather,” you might like Winslow’s book “The Power of the Dog.”
It follows Art Keller, a DEA agent, as he battles Mexican drug cartels over decades. The story doesn’t just focus on drugs; it also dives into betrayal, revenge, and the effects of violence on those caught in the conflict.
It paints a vivid picture of how far people will go to gain control, whether it’s cartels or law enforcement.
Dennis Lehane writes stories with crime, loyalty, and family at their core. His book “Mystic River” tells the story of three childhood friends whose lives take dark turns after a tragedy.
Years later, they are brought back into each other’s lives when a murder occurs, stirring up old scars and forcing them to confront their past. Lehane explores how choices and circumstances shape these characters, and the tension builds as their secrets come to light.
Fans of Mario Puzo’s focus on family ties and moral struggles might find Lehane’s writing captivating in a different yet familiar way.
Elmore Leonard was a brilliant storyteller who knew how to craft memorable characters and put them in tense, unpredictable situations. If you’re a fan of Mario Puzo’s ability to dive into the world of crime and flawed human ambition, you might enjoy Leonard’s “Get Shorty.”
The story follows Chili Palmer, a loan shark with big dreams of breaking into Hollywood. He discovers the movie industry might be even shadier than his own line of work.
The book is filled with schemes, tough-talking characters, and a sense of danger that keeps you turning the pages. Leonard had a gift for sharp dialogue and cool, charismatic antiheroes.
George V. Higgins was a master of crime fiction, known for realistic dialogue and gritty stories about the lives of criminals and law enforcement. His book “The Friends of Eddie Coyle” follows Eddie, a small-time gunrunner in Boston who is desperately trying to stay out of jail.
The story shows the messy, dangerous world of deals, betrayals, and survival on the edges of organized crime. The characters feel authentic, and their conversations pull you right into their lives.
If you enjoy stories about the underworld and the tension between loyalty and self-preservation, this is one to check out.
Richard Condon is an author known for writing stories filled with twists and darker sides of power. One of his most famous books, “The Manchurian Candidate,” tells the story of a decorated soldier returning home from the Korean War.
Something feels off, and as the tale unfolds, you discover a sinister plot involving brainwashing, political manipulation, and a chilling assassin.
The book dives deep into the secrets and schemes of politics, creating a tense, unforgettable atmosphere that keeps readers wondering who can be trusted.
Nelson DeMille is known for his fast-paced stories and sharp dialogue, often centering on crime, power struggles, and larger-than-life characters.
His book “The Gold Coast” dives into the life of John Sutter, a Long Island lawyer, whose quiet existence is upended when a notorious Mafia boss, Frank Bellarosa, moves in next door.
Their strange and tense relationship grows as Sutter gets pulled into Bellarosa’s dangerous world, full of secrets and the pull of forbidden choices. Fans of Mario Puzo’s exploration of family, loyalty, and crime might find this book an exciting discovery.
Tom Clancy is known for crafting detailed stories that pull you into the world of espionage, politics, and military operations. In his book “The Hunt for Red October,” he tells the story of a Soviet submarine captain who decides to defect to the United States.
The captain takes his advanced submarine, Red October, with him, hoping to avoid detection by his own navy. The book follows a tense game of cat and mouse between the U.S. and Soviet forces, with CIA analyst Jack Ryan at the center of the action.
The military strategies and suspenseful plot twists make it hard to put down.
Robert Ludlum was a master of thrillers, blending intense action and layered characters. His book “The Bourne Identity” tells the story of a man who wakes up with no memory of who he is, but he quickly realizes others are hunting him.
As he pieces things together, he discovers he’s trained in combat and espionage. The chase scenes and twists keep you hooked, and the tension never lets up. If you enjoy stories with secretive organizations and dangerous plots, Ludlum’s writing feels right at home.
Frederick Forsyth is a master at weaving detailed, fast-paced thrillers filled with intrigue and power plays. One of his most popular novels, “The Day of the Jackal,” follows a professional assassin hired to kill French President Charles de Gaulle.
The story takes you through the methodical planning of the hitman, codenamed the Jackal, and the dogged investigation by law enforcement to stop him. The tension builds as the clock ticks down to the assassination attempt, creating a vivid game of cat and mouse.
Forsyth’s sharp storytelling draws you into the world of high stakes and dangerous schemes.
John Grisham is known for his legal thrillers that center on lawyers, corruption, and high-stakes courtroom battles. In “The Firm”, a young lawyer named Mitch graduates top of his class and takes a lucrative job at a small law firm.
Everything looks perfect, until he uncovers dangerous secrets about the firm’s true nature. The story brings tension and unexpected twists as Mitch is forced into a game of survival. If you enjoy gripping stories about power and intrigue, you might want to check it out.
Iain Pears is a writer known for stories that bring together history, art, and crime. One of his books, “An Instance of the Fingerpost,” is set in 17th-century England during a time of political chaos and scientific discovery.
The story is told through four very different characters, each giving their own version of the same events. At its heart is the mysterious death of a scholar in Oxford.
One narrator describes a strange young woman accused of murder, while another paints a picture of secrets tied to England’s religious struggles. The book mixes historical detail with the twists of a murder mystery, creating a layered tale filled with intrigue and deception.
If you enjoy stories about power, loyalty, and betrayal, this might draw you in.
Raymond Chandler was a master of hard-boiled detective fiction, weaving tales of crime and corruption through the eyes of his iconic private investigator, Philip Marlowe.
In “The Long Goodbye,” Marlowe befriends Terry Lennox, a charming but troubled man tied to a wealthy and mysterious family. As their paths cross, Marlowe gets pulled into a world filled with scandals, betrayal, and dangerous secrets.
Chandler captures the darker side of humanity, with sharp dialogue and vivid settings that make his stories unforgettable. If you enjoy characters caught up in morally complex situations, his work has that same gritty tension you’d find in Mario Puzo’s novels.