Morris West was an Australian novelist known for thoughtful thrillers exploring spiritual and moral themes. His novels, notably The Shoes of the Fisherman and The Devil's Advocate, gained international acclaim for their engaging style and insights into human struggles.
If you enjoy reading books by Morris West then you might also like the following authors:
Graham Greene often explores moral challenges, faith, and the inner struggles of his characters. His novels typically have a quiet intensity and highlight political and ethical tensions.
A good book to start with is The Power and the Glory, about a priest facing persecution in Mexico and wrestling with his own faith and failures.
Irving Wallace writes entertaining, intriguing stories set in the worlds of politics, history, and international intrigue. His novels are well-researched and depend on suspense and intricate plots.
Check out The Prize, a novel that revolves around Nobel Prize winners caught up in controversy and political intrigue.
Arthur Hailey is known for mainstream, character-driven drama that immerses readers into the workings of industries or institutions. He carefully weaves together the professional and personal lives of people in high-stakes environments.
For a great example, read Airport, which captures the tensions and dramas unfolding among passengers and staff during a crisis at an international airport.
Frederick Forsyth specializes in tight, realistic thrillers built on well-researched details and fast pace. Many of his novels center on espionage, international politics, and intelligence operations.
His classic The Day of the Jackal follows a professional assassin plotting an attempt on the life of French president Charles de Gaulle and the thrilling chase to stop him.
Robert Ludlum crafts adventurous thrillers filled with fast action, international conspiracies, and complex, mysterious organizations operating behind the scenes. His heroes often face overwhelming odds, uncovering dangerous secrets along the way.
His best-known novel, The Bourne Identity, tells the gripping story of a man struggling to recover his identity while being hunted by ruthless killers.
John le Carré is a master storyteller known for spy novels filled with moral complexity and vivid realism. He explores espionage as a world where truth is often elusive, trust is fragile, and loyalties shift quietly.
If you enjoyed Morris West's thoughtful approach to ethical dilemmas, you'll appreciate le Carré's Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, a fascinating look into Cold War intelligence operations marked by subtle tension and sharp characters.
Ken Follett crafts gripping historical thrillers that blend intricate plotting with detailed, immersive narratives. Like Morris West, Follett expertly portrays political power struggles and ethical conflicts.
Check out The Pillars of the Earth, a sweeping saga set in medieval England where ambition, faith, and corruption intertwine.
Daniel Silva blends international intrigue with thoughtful storytelling in his novels featuring spy and art restorer Gabriel Allon. Silva's stories navigate through moral ambiguity, high-stakes espionage, and cultural history.
If you enjoy Morris West's combination of sophisticated themes and suspenseful plots, try Silva's The Kill Artist, which kicks off a compelling series showcasing shadowy secrets and global espionage.
Dan Brown grabs readers by combining thrilling adventure and puzzles rooted in history, art, and religion. Like Morris West, Brown often explores how belief systems and institutions influence power and conflict.
His popular novel The Da Vinci Code offers a fast-paced blend of secret history, clues hidden in famous artworks, and captivating twists that keep you on your toes.
David Baldacci writes thrilling plots woven into the corridors of power, government secrets, and complex characters struggling with ethical choices. If you enjoyed the thoughtful tension in Morris West's novels, Baldacci's storytelling might resonate with you.
Try Absolute Power, a page-turner where corruption, cover-ups, and compelling characters collide in a high-stakes political thriller.
James Clavell weaves historical adventures packed with drama and cultural immersion. His stories move at a swift pace but also vividly portray different cultures and eras.
In Shōgun, Clavell tells the story of John Blackthorne, an English sailor who gets swept up into Japan's complex society. If you've enjoyed the thoughtful and powerful storytelling of Morris West, Clavell's novels might grab you too.
Leon Uris writes engaging historical fiction, often exploring powerful events from recent history and the deep emotions behind them. His narratives capture readers by mixing personal stories into larger historical events.
Exodus tells an emotional and dramatic story about the founding of Israel, bringing out themes of courage, survival, and faith. Like Morris West, Uris creates spaces where historical tensions meet humanity's struggles and hopes.
Andrew M. Greeley blends mystery, spirituality, and human drama into his storytelling. Similar to Morris West, Greeley explores religious and ethical themes in engaging, suspenseful ways, often through characters questioning and seeking deeper meaning.
In The Cardinal Sins, Greeley dives into the complexities of ambition and temptation, focusing on two Chicago priests and how their choices affect their faith, careers, and relationships.
Jack Higgins is known for tightly-plotted stories focused on espionage, war, and political intrigue. His action-driven style takes readers quickly through tense and suspenseful situations.
One of his most popular novels, The Eagle Has Landed, follows a daring Nazi plot in World War II. If the moral dilemmas and suspenseful plotting typical of Morris West appeal to you, Higgins' novels offer thrilling reading.
Malachi Martin was a Catholic priest and author whose works often examine the internal struggles and controversies of the Catholic Church. Like Morris West, Martin brings readers into the heart of intriguing religious and moral conflicts.
His novel Vatican portrays the inner workings, power struggles, and spiritual crises at the highest levels of the Church, making it a fascinating read for those intrigued by religious drama with richly drawn characters.