Mark Burnell is a British novelist known for his suspenseful thrillers. He is best recognized for the popular Stephanie Patrick series, including the acclaimed book The Rhythm Section.
If you enjoy reading books by Mark Burnell then you might also like the following authors:
Lee Child creates suspenseful, action-oriented thrillers with well-crafted plots and intense pacing. Readers who enjoy Mark Burnell's strong, complex characters might appreciate Child's Jack Reacher novels.
Start with Killing Floor, the first book in the series, introducing Reacher—a tough, capable hero navigating dangerous twists and thrilling confrontations.
Daniel Silva blends espionage intrigue with sophisticated international settings. His thrilling plots and engaging characters would appeal to readers who enjoyed Mark Burnell's intricate spy stories.
Try The Kill Artist, featuring Gabriel Allon, a skilled Israeli intelligence operative facing complex missions with high stakes.
Vince Flynn is known for fast-paced political thrillers packed with suspense and realistic depictions of espionage operations. Like Mark Burnell, he explores spycraft, hidden motives, and tense high-stakes situations.
Flynn's American Assassin introduces Mitch Rapp, a relentless and dedicated counterterrorism agent whose adventures are hard to put down.
Brad Thor writes thrilling, tightly plotted international spy novels full of action-packed scenes, detailed spy techniques, and realistic political scenarios.
Fans of Mark Burnell's gritty style and spy intrigue might enjoy Thor's The Lions of Lucerne, the first exciting adventure of Secret Service agent Scot Harvath, who must unravel a dangerous and explosive conspiracy.
Gregg Hurwitz delivers suspenseful, fast-moving thrillers with great attention to psychology and character depth. Readers who like Mark Burnell's psychologically complex characters will appreciate Hurwitz's Orphan X.
This gripping story follows Evan Smoak, a trained assassin operating under a strict personal moral code, balancing intense action with emotional insight.
Barry Eisler writes fast-paced thrillers featuring assassins and espionage plots. He grounds his stories in real-world details, including spycraft and surveillance.
His novel Rain Fall introduces John Rain, a meticulous and skilled assassin navigating the violent underworld of Tokyo, blending action-packed sequences and cultural depth.
Mick Herron specializes in spy novels loaded with dark humor, sharp dialogue, and intriguing plots. He often portrays intelligence operatives sidelined by their failures or internal politics.
In Slow Horses, Herron introduces a group of disgraced British spies exiled to tedious work but drawn back into high-stakes operations, mixing espionage twists with clever wit.
Taylor Stevens offers thrillers driven by intense action and complex characters navigating dangerous international settings. Her stories feature tough protagonists and intricate plots built upon espionage and survival themes.
Her book The Informationist introduces Vanessa "Michael" Munroe, a fierce and resourceful operative hired to find a missing person amid corruption and violence in Africa.
Jason Matthews writes espionage thrillers that draw from his own extensive background as a former CIA officer. His narratives present realistic, detailed spycraft embedded in tense plots during heightened geopolitical stakes.
Red Sparrow is his most notable novel, featuring Dominika Egorova, a Russian intelligence operative entangled in elaborate games of deception and betrayal.
Robert Ludlum is famed for writing intense, action-filled thrillers marked by global conspiracies, shadowy organizations, and complex plots. His storytelling makes you question whom to trust and keeps you on edge.
A prime example is his classic novel The Bourne Identity, where Jason Bourne wakes up with no memory, pursued by assassins and trying to uncover his true identity amid international intrigue.
Alex Berenson writes tightly plotted spy thrillers featuring vivid international settings and realistically drawn secret agents. His novels contain suspenseful storylines, authentic spycraft, and complex conflicts set against contemporary global issues.
If you're a fan of fast-paced espionage novels, you might enjoy The Faithful Spy, the first installment in Berenson's John Wells series. It's a tense thriller about a CIA agent who has infiltrated al-Qaeda and must prevent a terrorist attack.
Stella Rimington brings a uniquely authentic perspective to espionage fiction, using insights gained from her own experience as the former Director-General of MI5.
Her books spotlight realistic characters and credible intelligence work with engaging plots grounded in actual spy procedures and tactics.
Try Rimington's At Risk, introducing intelligence officer Liz Carlyle, as she works to uncover and prevent a terrorist threat against Britain.
Charles Cumming creates intelligent spy novels that blend real-world issues and meticulous attention to detail into suspenseful narratives.
His character-driven stories focus more on psychological tension and moral ambiguity than non-stop action, making them thoughtful and engaging for espionage fans.
A Foreign Country is especially recommended—it follows the MI6 agent Thomas Kell as he investigates the mysterious disappearance of the agency's new Chief.
Olen Steinhauer crafts smart, atmospheric spy thrillers focusing on international intrigue, political complexities, and moral uncertainty.
His writing offers absorbing plots and nuanced portrayals of espionage life, touching on issues like secrecy, betrayal, and espionage's ethical costs.
Readers may want to check out The Tourist, which introduces CIA operative Milo Weaver as he navigates covert, dangerous assignments against a backdrop of shifting alliances.
David Baldacci writes readable, high-octane thrillers driven by intricate plots and compelling characters. Often incorporating elements of espionage, political conspiracy, and suspense, his style appeals particularly to fans who appreciate strong twists and exciting pacing.
Try his novel The Innocent, featuring government assassin Will Robie caught up in a conspiracy that puts his skills and loyalty to the test.