Raymond Chandler was an influential American crime novelist. He is celebrated for creating iconic detective Philip Marlowe in hard-boiled mysteries like The Big Sleep and Farewell, My Lovely.
If you enjoy reading books by Raymond Chandler then you might also like the following authors:
If you like Raymond Chandler's tough detectives and gritty atmospheres, Dashiell Hammett might be a perfect fit. Hammett defined the hard-boiled detective genre, creating cynical investigators who chase criminals through shadowy city streets.
In his classic novel, The Maltese Falcon, detective Sam Spade navigates deception, greed, and betrayal to find a priceless statue. Hammett's spare, direct prose makes his crime fiction feel realistic and intense.
Readers who enjoy Chandler’s intricate, psychological approach to detective stories will appreciate Ross Macdonald. His novels about detective Lew Archer explore family secrets and past mistakes, revealing how old sins lead to new crimes.
One of his best-known books, The Chill, brings out hidden tensions and dark motivations beneath seemingly respectable lives. Macdonald's stories move at a careful pace, combining thoughtful investigation with emotional depth.
If you love Chandler’s suspenseful, morally ambiguous worlds, James M. Cain offers similar thrills. Cain specialized in depicting ordinary people swept into crime by temptation and desire.
His novel, Double Indemnity, tells the dark tale of an insurance salesman ensnared by his attraction to a ruthless woman, leading to murder. Cain's prose is sharp and lean, capturing the powerful emotions and dangerous choices that ruin lives.
Fans of Raymond Chandler’s smart, insightful sleuths who work on the edges of society might enjoy John D. MacDonald. He created Travis McGee, a resourceful investigator recovering stolen goods and solving crimes in a world filled with corruption and shady deals.
The Deep Blue Good-by, the first Travis McGee novel, pulls readers into the world of shady characters and personal ethics. MacDonald's smooth narrative style and thoughtful reflections on society make him a rewarding author.
If you connect with Chandler’s hard-boiled style but want stories set in a richly imagined, racially diverse Los Angeles, Walter Mosley is an excellent pick. His Easy Rawlins series features a thoughtful, resilient detective navigating crime, race, and society.
In Devil in a Blue Dress, Rawlins faces dangerous criminals and complex moral decisions, against a vivid backdrop of post-war L.A. Mosley writes clearly and powerfully, giving readers stylish detective stories with meaning.
James Ellroy is perfect for readers who appreciate Chandler's gritty view of crime and corruption in Los Angeles. Ellroy's style is sharp and realistic, often highlighting moral ambiguity and dark secrets beneath polished city surfaces.
His novel L.A. Confidential portrays the violent intersection of law enforcement, politics, and Hollywood glamour in 1950s Los Angeles, making it a must-read for Chandler fans.
If you like Chandler's crisp dialogue and characters with strong personal moral codes, give Robert B. Parker a try. Parker created private investigator Spenser, a detective whose wit and integrity carry him through dangerous, morally complicated cases.
Start with his novel The Godwulf Manuscript, where Spenser navigates academic intrigue and crime, showing Parker's lively pacing and clever dialogue.
Dennis Lehane offers Chandler fans intricate crime dramas rooted in complex characters and tight-knit urban communities, often set in his hometown Boston. He combines suspenseful plotting with emotional depth.
Gone, Baby, Gone, featuring private detectives Patrick Kenzie and Angela Gennaro, explores crime, morality, and difficult decisions in a tense, deeply personal investigation.
For Chandler readers who appreciate morally gray characters and introspective narratives, Lawrence Block is a great choice. Block’s protagonist, Matthew Scudder, is a former detective haunted by regrets, who seeks redemption while working as an unlicensed private investigator.
When the Sacred Ginmill Closes is a popular Scudder novel, blending dark mysteries with insightful explorations of guilt and human frailty.
Fans of Raymond Chandler's colorful dialogue and sharp humor will probably enjoy Elmore Leonard. Leonard creates entertaining, morally ambiguous characters and clever, twisting plots.
His book Get Shorty blends crime with comedy as it introduces readers to Chili Palmer, a witty loan shark who gets pulled into Hollywood's chaotic movie industry, making it entertaining and unforgettable.
George Pelecanos writes gritty crime stories that capture the dark streets of urban life. His characters often struggle with ethical dilemmas, and his books explore themes of corruption, redemption, and justice.
If you enjoy Raymond Chandler's hard-boiled style, try Pelecanos's The Night Gardener, a crime novel that vividly portrays the neighborhoods and people of Washington D.C.
Tana French offers psychological depth and complex character development in her suspenseful mysteries. Her works often focus on the emotional lives of detectives, examining personal struggles, secrets, and the darker sides of human nature.
For readers who appreciate Chandler's moody atmosphere, French's In the Woods provides an intense and haunting psychological mystery set in Ireland.
Sara Paretsky is known for her tough and independent female detective, V.I. Warshawski. Her mysteries combine sharp social commentary, fast-paced plots, and smart dialogue.
Like Chandler, Paretsky explores corruption and moral ambiguity through a detective dedicated to uncovering the truth. A great starting point is her novel Indemnity Only, which introduces readers to Warshawski’s relentless pursuit of justice.
Sue Grafton creates engaging detective stories featuring the witty, resourceful private investigator Kinsey Millhone. Her novels unfold in a clearly drawn, suspenseful style with a strong voice and vivid sense of place.
Fans of Chandler's sharp narrators with dry humor will enjoy Grafton's A is for Alibi, the first book in her acclaimed alphabet mystery series.
Megan Abbott writes noir-infused crime fiction exploring dark psychological twists and complicated female characters. Her prose is stylish and atmospheric, capturing the tensions beneath everyday appearances.
Readers who enjoy the shadowy world of Chandler may find Abbott’s novel Queenpin particularly appealing with its tough narrative voice and evocative storyline.