List of 15 authors like Ross Macdonald

Ross Macdonald’s novels blend the hardboiled detective style with psychological depth and complex storylines.

Here are fifteen authors who write novels that share some similarities with Macdonald’s works:

1. 1
   Michael Connelly – Known for his Harry Bosch series, Connelly’s stories often explore the protagonist’s inner struggles alongside the external case.
2. 2
   Dennis Lehane – His Kenzie-Gennaro series and other books often delve deep into character psychology and social issues, similar to Macdonald’s works.
3. 3
   Walter Mosley – The Easy Rawlins series is renowned for its strong sense of place and character-driven stories.
4. 4
   James Ellroy – His L.A. Quartet books offer a deeply psychological and complex view of crime in a historical Los Angeles setting.
5. 5
   James Sallis – The Lew Griffin series has a lyrical quality and a deep focus on the protagonist’s internal life.
6. 6
   John D. MacDonald – Though not related, John D.'s Travis McGee series also combines mystery with explorations of society and character.
7. 7
   Lawrence Block – The Matthew Scudder novels explore the detective’s personal development alongside his cases.
8. 8
   Robert B. Parker – The Spenser series, with its strong focus on the titular character’s moral code and relationships, echoes some elements of Macdonald’s work.
9. 9
   Tana French – Her Dublin Murder Squad series is known for its deep psychological character studies and intricate plots.
10. 10
    Megan Abbott – Her contemporary noir novels often explore themes of violence and psychology, with complex female characters.
11. 11
    Sara Paretsky – Her V.I. Warshawski novels probe social and political themes while presenting a tough and complex detective.
12. 12
    George Pelecanos – Writes hardboiled fiction with a focus on character and societal issues, reminiscent of Macdonald’s themes.
13. 13
    Jonathan Kellerman – His Alex Delaware series mixes crime-solving with psychological insight.
14. 14
    Sue Grafton – Her “Alphabet Series” featuring Kinsey Millhone offers a female perspective on the hardboiled genre with an emphasis on psychological depth.
15. 15
    Raymond Chandler – While he was an influence on Macdonald rather than a follower, Chandler’s Philip Marlowe novels laid much of the groundwork for the psychological complexity that Macdonald would develop further.

Each of these authors shares elements with Ross Macdonald’s style, whether it’s the layered, character-driven plots, the hardboiled elements, the exploration of psychology and societal issues, or a focus on a strong sense of place.