If you enjoy reading books by Terry Hayes then you might also like the following authors:
John le Carré was a master of espionage fiction, drawing from his own experiences in British intelligence to create stories full of tension and betrayal.
One of his best-known novels, “The Spy Who Came in from the Cold,” follows Alec Leamas, a disillusioned agent sent on a dangerous mission in East Germany during the Cold War.
The story moves through lies, shifting loyalties, and moral gray areas as Alec navigates a world where trust is a rare commodity.
Frederick Forsyth is known for writing detailed, fast-paced thrillers that often feel like stepping into real-world espionage. One of his most famous books, “The Day of the Jackal,” tells the story of a professional assassin hired to kill French President Charles de Gaulle.
The book takes you through the precise and daring planning of the hitman, known only as “The Jackal,” while police race against time to stop him. Forsyth’s knack for creating tension through tight plotting and realistic characters makes this book impossible to put down.
Daniel Silva writes smart, fast-paced thrillers that keep you glued to the page. His Gabriel Allon series is especially popular, featuring a brilliant art restorer who also works as an Israeli spy.
In “The Kill Artist,” the story begins with Gabriel trying to leave his dangerous past behind, but he’s pulled back into the world of espionage to stop a terrorist plotting a devastating attack.
Silva’s books mix intense action with clever twists and fascinating characters, making them hard to put down.
Vince Flynn wrote fast-paced political thrillers that keep you hooked from start to finish. His book “American Assassin” introduces Mitch Rapp, a young man recruited into a covert CIA program after tragedy shatters his life.
The story follows Mitch as he undergoes brutal training to become a counterterrorism operative and takes on his first mission to stop a plot that could devastate global security. It’s packed with high-stakes action and a hero who doesn’t back down, no matter the cost.
Gregg Hurwitz writes fast-paced thrillers packed with action and twists. One of his standout books is “Orphan X.” It’s about Evan Smoak, a man trained from a young age as part of a secret government program.
He uses his skills to help people in trouble, operating as the Nowhere Man. The story kicks off when a woman calls him with a desperate plea, plunging him into a deadly mission. If you like stories that feel high-stakes and personal at the same time, this is worth checking out.
Brad Thor writes fast-paced thrillers packed with action and espionage. One of his books, “The Lions of Lucerne,” follows Scot Harvath, a Secret Service agent trying to rescue the kidnapped President of the United States.
The story takes you from violent ambushes in Utah’s snowy mountains to shadowy conspiracies reaching into the highest levels of power. Harvath faces relentless assassins while piecing together clues that lead to something far more dangerous than anyone expected.
It’s the kind of book that keeps you turning pages late into the night.
Robert Ludlum is a writer known for fast-paced thrillers that mix espionage with twists and danger. One of his most famous books, “The Bourne Identity,” follows Jason Bourne, a man who wakes up with no memory and a series of deadly skills he doesn’t understand.
As he pieces together who he is, he becomes a target for assassins and uncovers a conspiracy tied to his past. The story balances action with intrigue, keeping readers hooked as Bourne fights to survive and unravel the truth.
David Baldacci writes fast-paced thrillers with twisting plots and sharp characters. One of his books, “The Innocent,” follows Will Robie, a government assassin who excels at taking out threats without hesitation.
Things go sideways when he’s sent on a mission to kill a target in Washington, D.C., but refuses to pull the trigger. Suddenly, he’s on the run, hunted by his own people.
Along the way, he crosses paths with a teenage girl, Julie Getty, whose life is in danger, and their partnership becomes key to uncovering a larger conspiracy. It’s full of action and tension, perfect for fans of Terry Hayes.
Lee Child is a master of action and suspense, known for his Jack Reacher series. Reacher is an ex-military cop who travels the country, stumbling upon dangerous situations and solving problems in his own way.
In “The Killing Floor,” Reacher ends up in a small town in Georgia and is arrested for a murder he didn’t commit. What starts as a prison ordeal quickly turns into a deadly investigation involving counterfeit money, corrupt officials, and deep secrets.
Mark Greaney is known for creating fast-paced action thrillers with intense characters and high-stakes plots. In his book “The Gray Man,” he introduces Court Gentry, a legendary assassin hunted by his own employers.
The story takes readers through a mission gone wrong, as Gentry races across continents while trying to survive relentless enemies. Filled with shootouts, betrayals, and heart-racing escapes, it delivers plenty of twists and nail-biting moments.
If you enjoy tension-filled stories with resourceful protagonists, Mark Greaney’s work can be a satisfying find.
Tom Clancy is known for his fast-paced thrillers that mix political drama and military action. One of his books, “The Hunt for Red October,” follows a Soviet submarine captain who decides to defect to the United States.
The story builds tension as both American and Soviet forces try to track the submarine, all while secrets and strategies unfold. It’s a story packed with global stakes and clever maneuvering. If you like Terry Hayes, you might enjoy the mix of danger and high-level scheming.
Jason Matthews was a former CIA officer who turned his expertise into writing spy thrillers. His book, “Red Sparrow,” introduces readers to Dominika Egorova, a Russian intelligence officer trained as a “sparrow” to seduce and manipulate.
She is sent to target Nathaniel Nash, a young CIA operative handling sensitive intelligence. The book unfolds a tense battle of wits between the two, layered with espionage tactics, betrayal, and survival in dangerous environments.
Matthews uses his real-world experience to create a story that feels grounded and authentic.
Ken Follett writes stories filled with action, tension, and layered characters. His book, “The Eye of the Needle,” is about a German spy in World War II, codenamed The Needle, who discovers a key Allied secret.
His mission depends on his ability to escape England and share his findings. The spy’s path crosses with a resourceful woman living on a remote island, which changes the stakes. It’s a mix of espionage and personal drama that keeps the plot tight.
Stieg Larsson is a Swedish author known for his sharp and intense storytelling, especially in his “Millennium” trilogy. The first book, “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” introduces journalist Mikael Blomkvist and hacker Lisbeth Salander.
Mikael is hired to investigate the decades-old disappearance of a young woman from a wealthy family. As he digs into the case, long-buried secrets come to light, and danger follows at every turn. Lisbeth, with her brilliant mind and a mysterious past, becomes his unlikely ally.
The story is filled with twists, creating a fast-paced and dark mystery. Fans of Terry Hayes might appreciate the layers of conspiracy and the deeply driven characters in Larsson’s work.
Jeffrey Archer is a storyteller known for weaving fast-paced plots filled with twists and unexpected turns. One of his books, “Kane and Abel,” tells the story of two men born on the same day but into very different worlds.
One is the son of a wealthy Boston banker, and the other rises from poverty in Poland. Their lives intersect in a bitter rivalry that spans decades, shaping their families and fortunes. The book is a mix of drama and ambition, keeping readers hooked from the start.