Roger L. Simon is known for his engaging mysteries featuring detective Moses Wine, notably The Big Fix. His concise style and clever plots have earned him loyal readers in crime fiction.
If you enjoy reading books by Roger L. Simon then you might also like the following authors:
Walter Mosley blends mystery with vivid portrayals of modern life and social issues. His Easy Rawlins novels feature sharp dialogue, engaging storytelling, and insightful commentary on race and society.
In Devil in a Blue Dress, Mosley introduces readers to Rawlins, a PI navigating post-WWII Los Angeles while facing prejudice and complex cases.
Ross Macdonald is known for his thoughtful detective novels emphasizing psychological depth and the hidden connections within families. His investigator, Lew Archer, solves intricate mysteries while uncovering buried pasts and troubled relationships.
In The Chill, Macdonald explores themes of guilt, secrecy, and how family histories shape individuals' lives.
Fans of crisp dialogue and tough-but-humorous detectives appreciate Robert B. Parker's style. His iconic character, private detective Spenser, investigates cases with wit, moral courage, and plenty of attitude.
The Godwulf Manuscript is the first Spenser novel, blending crime-solving with sharp observations about modern life.
Lawrence Block writes crime fiction that is gritty, smart, and deeply human. His detective, Matthew Scudder, is a complex figure haunted by toughness and regret, often exploring moral ambiguity.
Eight Million Ways to Die places Scudder in a challenging case involving murder, redemption, and the dark complexities of NYC life.
James Crumley's crime novels have a distinctive hard-boiled sensibility combined with gritty authenticity and darkly humorous dialogue. His detective, C.W. Sughrue, navigates treacherous cases with cynicism and dry wit, revealing flawed characters and ethical mysteries.
In The Last Good Kiss, Crumley offers readers a tough, poetic narrative filled with vivid settings, troubled souls, and unexpected twists.
Readers who appreciate Roger L. Simon's style will likely enjoy Robert Crais. His stories have sharp humor, engaging dialogue, and layers of suspense. His characters often navigate personal dilemmas alongside their detective work.
Check out L.A. Requiem, one of his standout novels featuring private investigator Elvis Cole. It explores friendship, loyalty, and justice through a cleverly constructed mystery.
Raymond Chandler is a classic choice for anyone who enjoys Roger L. Simon's hard-boiled detective style. Chandler excels at atmospheric descriptions of Los Angeles, snappy dialogue, and morally ambiguous characters.
His iconic private investigator Philip Marlowe has set the standard for mysteries that balance realism with cutting wit. Give The Big Sleep a try—it's a defining novel of noir detective fiction.
Like Simon, Michael Connelly delivers suspenseful mysteries set in the urban landscape of Los Angeles. Connelly blends strong character development with intricate plotting, often focusing on moral ambiguity and justice.
A great entry point to his work is The Black Echo, introducing readers to his popular detective Harry Bosch, a relentless investigator who faces the city's darker side.
Dennis Lehane crafts tense thrillers full of psychological depth and gritty realism. His stories mirror Roger L. Simon's in their layered characters and urban settings, often set in Lehane's native Boston.
Mystic River is an excellent example of Lehane's skillful storytelling, exploring complex themes like friendship, betrayal, and the long shadow of past violence.
If you're drawn to Roger L. Simon's mix of crime narratives and vivid urban settings, George Pelecanos delivers similar satisfaction. He captures Washington, D.C.'s complexity through authentic neighborhoods and grounded characters who face challenging moral choices.
His novel The Night Gardener stands out—a thoughtful mystery about crime, race, community, and the lasting effects of violence.
Kem Nunn writes crime novels that dig into the darker side of California surf culture, portraying vivid settings and morally complex characters. Fans of Roger L. Simon's gritty suspense and vivid settings will appreciate Nunn's intense storytelling.
One of his standout novels is Tapping the Source, which explores obsession, mystery, and violence in a seaside surf town.
Stuart M. Kaminsky captures readers with his intricate plots, witty dialogue, and engaging detectives operating across various historical backdrops. His Toby Peters series combines humor and fast-paced detective work, much like Roger L. Simon's approachable, engaging style.
An excellent starting point is Bullet for a Star, starring the funny and resourceful Hollywood private eye, Toby Peters.
T. Jefferson Parker creates well-crafted thrillers set in Southern California, blending suspense, psychological depth, and intense drama.
If you enjoy Roger L. Simon's insightful exploration of Los Angeles life, you'll connect with Parker's realistic characters and detailed storytelling.
His novel Laguna Heat is especially memorable—a vivid thriller that captures the affluent beach community's undercurrents of crime.
Joseph Wambaugh draws from his experience on the LAPD force to craft realistic and often gritty police procedurals with sharp dialogue and dark humor. Like Simon, Wambaugh portrays Los Angeles with honesty, humor, and human complexity.
His classic novel, The Choirboys, offers an intense, sometimes shocking look at police officers dealing with stress, dark humor, and the realities of their demanding jobs.
Jonathan Kellerman creates suspenseful, psychologically-orientated detective fiction with intriguing mysteries and complex characters. Readers of Simon will enjoy Kellerman's nuanced, carefully constructed plots and his thoughtful exploration of human motives.
When the Bough Breaks, Kellerman's introduction to psychologist Alex Delaware, is an absorbing thriller blending psychological insight and investigative suspense.