Ross Thomas wrote crime novels; they had a sharp, witty style. If you enjoy that style of writing, you might wonder about authors who are similar. Thomas was excellent at creating twisty plots and cynical characters; you really remember those characters.
His stories often unfolded in political worlds, and this gave them another layer. For readers who like clever writing and stories full of suspense, there are other authors with a similar approach.
Readers who enjoy Ross Thomas’ sharp dialogue and clever twists may appreciate Elmore Leonard’s style. Leonard is known for realistic crime stories packed with memorable, savvy characters and sharp humor.
His novel “Get Shorty” showcases Chili Palmer, a loan shark from Miami sent to Los Angeles to collect a debt from Harry Zimm, a B-movie producer.
Instead of simply settling business and moving on, Chili finds himself intrigued by the movie industry’s shady side deals and colorful scams. The book features witty exchanges and vivid characters who navigate Hollywood’s criminal underbelly with humor and charm.
Donald E. Westlake is a great choice for readers who enjoy Ross Thomas’s sly humor and twisty plots. Westlake often explores the world of thieves, con artists, and shady deals with a clever wit, sharp dialogue, and surprising turns.
In his novel “The Hot Rock,” we follow Dortmunder, a skillful thief whose plans never quite work out smoothly. Dortmunder has been hired to steal a precious emerald, but once he sets his team together, one disaster leads to another.
Every brilliantly laid plan falls apart in darkly funny ways. Fans of quirky characters, smart writing, and offbeat heist scenarios will probably find Westlake exactly what they’re seeking.
Readers who enjoy Ross Thomas may appreciate Carl Hiaasen’s sharp wit and sharp observations about corruption and intrigue in sunny Florida. His novel “Skinny Dip” starts out with Joey Perrone tossed overboard by her shady marine biologist husband during a cruise.
But Joey survives the plunge and decides to quietly fight back. Unexpected friendships and quirky characters emerge as Joey works to expose her husband’s environmental scams.
Hiaasen expertly blends humor, suspense, and vivid personalities in a story of clever revenge and justice.
Books by Lawrence Block offer smart, tightly-plotted crime fiction with sharp dialogue and memorable characters, a combination readers of Ross Thomas often enjoy. If you want a good place to begin, try “When the Sacred Ginmill Closes.”
Set in the shadowy world of mid-70s Manhattan, this novel features hard-drinking private detective Matthew Scudder as he navigates a series of unexpected robberies and a suspicious blackmail scheme.
Block weaves a vivid portrayal of gritty city life, focusing on Scudder’s complicated moral choices and layered relationships. The dialogue crackles, and the setting puts you right there in every neon-lit bar and back-alley encounter.
Fans of clever storytelling like Ross Thomas will quickly connect with Block’s engaging writing and his understated humor.
Readers who appreciate Ross Thomas’s sharp dialogue and witty storytelling may find George V. Higgins equally entertaining. Higgins, a former prosecutor and journalist, authored crime fiction that feels authentic and gritty.
His novel “The Friends of Eddie Coyle” paints a vivid picture of Boston’s underground crime scene through rich and realistic conversations between criminals.
The story revolves around Eddie, a small-time gun dealer who faces serious jail time and must balance loyalty against survival. With smart characters, street-wise talk, and realistic plotting, Higgins offers a compelling narrative that crime fiction fans will likely savor.
James Crumley writes gritty detective fiction full of sharp wit and vivid characters. If you’re a fan of Ross Thomas’s smart narratives and dry humor, Crumley’s “The Last Good Kiss” might be a perfect next read.
In this novel, private investigator C.W. Sughrue takes on a seemingly straightforward case—tracking down a missing writer—which quickly turns complicated with blackmail schemes, twisted relationships, and unexpected alliances.
Crumley’s understated humor, richly drawn characters, and tight plotting will appeal to anyone who enjoys Thomas’s distinct style of crime fiction.
Robert B. Parker was known for sharp dialogue, intriguing mysteries, and characters you quickly grow to love. If you enjoyed Ross Thomas’s intelligence operatives, complex storylines, and clever humor, Robert B. Parker’s “The Godwulf Manuscript” might appeal to you.
It introduces Spenser—a tough, smart private investigator with a strong moral code—who tackles the disappearance of a rare manuscript from a university campus.
This seemingly straightforward case quickly develops layers of campus politics, murder, and unexpected twists that will keep you turning pages. Parker’s punchy style, engaging banter, and careful plotting offer the conversational charm readers loved in Thomas’s novels.
Readers who enjoy Ross Thomas’s blend of espionage, intrigue, and sharp political insight may appreciate Charles McCarry. McCarry, a former CIA operative himself, crafts spy novels filled with authenticity and suspenseful twists.
His book “The Tears of Autumn” follows seasoned intelligence agent Paul Christopher, who begins to suspect secret motives behind President Kennedy’s assassination.
Traveling across Asia and Europe, Christopher uncovers connections leading to shocking political revelations and dangerous betrayals. Fans of intricate plots, believable espionage, and global settings will find Charles McCarry’s storytelling both credible and absorbing.
John D. MacDonald was a master at crafting sharp, intriguing mysteries filled with vivid characters and moral ambiguity. Readers who enjoy Ross Thomas’s clever plots and memorable protagonists often appreciate MacDonald’s Travis McGee series.
A great place to start is “The Deep Blue Good-by,” the first Travis McGee novel. In it, McGee, a laid-back Floridian living on a houseboat, helps people recover property they’ve lost in shady circumstances. This isn’t standard detective work.
McGee sets his own rules, using his wit and charm to tackle rough situations. The novel pulls you into complex dealings in Florida’s shady underworld, involving deceitful characters, stolen money, and broken trust.
MacDonald’s writing keeps readers engaged through his authentic dialogue and keen observations. It’s the kind of book that leaves you ready for more adventures with Travis McGee.
Readers who enjoy Ross Thomas may find James Ellroy’s gritty noir style appealing. Ellroy specializes in crime fiction that dives deep into the dark underworld of corruption and mystery.
His novel “L.A. Confidential” is set in 1950s Los Angeles, a world filled with shady cops, scandalous politicians, and glamorous movie stars. Three very different policemen struggle with their own ethics as they investigate a brutal murder at an all-night diner.
The deeper they dig, the more they uncover disturbing truths about the city’s hidden corruption. Ellroy crafts a tense atmosphere with sharp dialogue and morally complicated characters, showing the hidden side of glamorous Hollywood.
Readers who enjoy Ross Thomas might also appreciate Walter Mosley, an author known for vivid characters and sharp dialogue. Mosley’s novel “Devil in a Blue Dress” introduces Easy Rawlins, a war veteran drawn into the complex politics and secret dealings of postwar Los Angeles.
Easy accepts a seemingly straightforward job to locate a missing woman named Daphne Monet, but soon finds himself in over his head. The investigation reveals clues involving dangerous figures, racial tensions, and high-level corruption.
Mosley blends detective storytelling with compelling social commentary, giving readers a gritty and atmospheric glimpse into 1940s Los Angeles.
Books by Dennis Lehane often explore crime, corruption, and moral ambiguity, themes that fans of Ross Thomas appreciate. In “Gone, Baby, Gone,” Lehane introduces readers to private investigators Patrick Kenzie and Angie Gennaro.
Set in gritty, working-class Boston, the story follows their search for a missing four-year-old girl. As they navigate through tangled webs of deception, the investigators confront troubling ethical dilemmas and complex truths.
Lehane builds vivid characters and a suspenseful plot that reveals the uncomfortable line between right and wrong, justice and law. Readers drawn to Ross Thomas’s sharp writing, layered characters, and corruption-laced stories might find Dennis Lehane equally satisfying.
Readers who enjoy Ross Thomas may find Barry Eisler’s thrillers to their taste. Eisler, a former CIA operative and technology lawyer, writes spy novels that feel authentic and grounded in real-world events.
His book “Rain Fall” introduces John Rain, a half-American, half-Japanese hitman who specializes in staging deaths that look accidental. The novel is set against the backdrop of modern-day Tokyo.
Rain navigates the shadows of espionage, assassination contracts, and deep government intrigue. Eisler captures Tokyo’s hidden sides, from bustling cafes to quiet, dangerous alleyways. The tension rises steadily with every page.
Fans of clever plotting, morally ambiguous characters, and gritty espionage might appreciate Eisler’s work.
Readers who enjoy the suspense and crafty plots of Ross Thomas might also appreciate author Greg Iles. Iles is known for thrillers that blend intrigue, corruption, and engaging characters.
His novel “The Quiet Game” introduces Penn Cage, a former prosecutor who returns home to Natchez, Mississippi and becomes entangled in a decades-old unsolved murder. As Cage digs deeper, he uncovers layers of small-town politics, buried secrets, and dangerous confrontations.
With quick twists, clever dialogue, and hidden motives behind smiling facades, Greg Iles offers exactly the kind of mystery Ross Thomas fans tend to seek out.
Readers who appreciate Ross Thomas might also enjoy the work of Thomas Perry. Known for crafting stories filled with clever plots, sharp pacing, and resourceful characters, Perry delivers captivating crime fiction.
In “The Butcher’s Boy,” Perry introduces readers to a skilled and elusive contract killer pursued by both the mob and federal agents.
The novel layers tension and intrigue while shifting perspectives between the meticulous assassin and the determined Justice Department analyst, Elizabeth Waring.
With compelling storytelling and smartly drawn characters, Perry delivers a narrative filled with wit, suspense, and memorable twists.