If you enjoy reading books by Tom Rob Smith then you might also like the following authors:
Fans of Tom Rob Smith who appreciate atmospheric storytelling and sharp historical detail may enjoy Martin Cruz Smith. His novel Gorky Park introduces detective Arkady Renko in Soviet Moscow.
Smith creates a tense narrative full of intrigue, political tension, and complex characters set vividly against a bleak Cold War backdrop.
For readers intrigued by morally complex protagonists and historically rich settings, Philip Kerr is worth exploring. His novel March Violets introduces Bernie Gunther, a private investigator navigating 1930s Nazi Germany.
Kerr skillfully blends historical fact with engaging mysteries, capturing the dangers and compromises of that perilous era.
Alan Furst's writing is ideal for readers seeking spy novels steeped in the shadowy intrigue of pre-World War II Europe. With novels like Night Soldiers, Furst creates authentic and nuanced portrayals of espionage.
His characters move through a realistically portrayed dark and uncertain Europe, caught up in the complex forces driving the continent to war.
Joseph Kanon writes suspenseful, smartly paced novels set in challenging post-war periods. In The Good German, Kanon explores occupied Berlin, blending suspense, political intrigue, and ethical dilemmas.
His writing appeals to readers who enjoy exploring moral ambiguity in war's immediate aftermath, much like Tom Rob Smith's thoughtful approach to historical fiction.
William Ryan's historical thrillers offer a compelling look at Soviet-era Russia, making him a natural choice for Tom Rob Smith's fans. In The Holy Thief, Ryan presents Captain Alexei Korolev, who investigates dangerous crimes amidst Stalinist paranoia and brutality.
Ryan's vivid settings and tense plots provide readers with a gripping window into a time shaped by distrust and danger.
Sam Eastland writes atmospheric historical thrillers with sharp plotting and strong characters. If you're drawn to Tom Rob Smith's vivid scenes of Soviet history, you'll likely enjoy Eastland's Eye of the Red Tsar.
The book follows Inspector Pekkala, once a trusted detective of Tsar Nicholas II, as he searches for clues amid the uncertainty and political paranoia of Stalinist Russia.
Robert Harris offers suspenseful novels that immerse readers in historical settings and complex political plots. Readers who appreciate the tense, historical intrigue of Smith’s novels might particularly enjoy Harris's Fatherland.
In this alternate history thriller, Harris imagines Nazi Germany victorious in World War II, crafting a chilling mystery set in 1960s Berlin filled with secret police, cover-ups, and conspiracies.
John le Carré sets a high standard in espionage fiction, offering understated stories filled with moral complexity and nuanced characters.
Fans of Tom Rob Smith's thoughtful portrayal of spies and moral dilemmas will find a similar appeal in le Carré’s classic Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.
This book reveals the quiet yet deadly struggle among rival intelligence agents, highlighting intricate human relationships and the ambiguity of trust.
Dennis Lehane's crime novels deliver intense psychological drama and vivid character studies. His gritty, emotionally driven style will resonate with readers who admire Tom Rob Smith's suspenseful storytelling.
A great entry point into Lehane's work is Shutter Island, a gripping psychological thriller about a U.S. Marshal investigating a mysterious disappearance at a mental institution, filled with paranoia, claustrophobia, and startling twists.
Jo Nesbø's work is marked by gripping plots, psychological depth, and gritty realism. If you like Tom Rob Smith's complex characters and dark suspense, Nesbø's Harry Hole crime series, especially the novel The Snowman, is a compelling choice.
Set in the bleak Norwegian winter, this story follows detective Hole as he hunts a ruthless serial killer, combining intense suspense with emotionally rich drama.
Stieg Larsson is known for gritty crime novels set in modern Sweden. His stories combine twisted mysteries, memorable characters, and social commentary. Like Tom Rob Smith, Larsson tells dark stories with a tense, suspenseful atmosphere.
In The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Larsson introduces investigative journalist Mikael Blomkvist and hacker Lisbeth Salander, who uncover disturbing secrets hidden within powerful institutions.
Yrsa Sigurðardóttir writes atmospheric Icelandic thrillers that blend crime plots with psychological depth and eerie suspense. Fans of Tom Rob Smith will appreciate her skillful plotting and complex characters, as well as her psychological insights.
Her novel I Remember You mixes crime, suspense, and supernatural elements, creating a haunting and unsettling mood in the isolated Icelandic countryside.
James Ellroy writes intense, violent crime fiction. His prose style is sharp and concise, and he often highlights the dark underside of politics and law enforcement.
Readers who enjoyed Smith's historical contradictions and morally ambiguous characters might find Ellroy appealing as well. L.A. Confidential is a prime example, where corruption, scandal, and violence drive the compelling plot.
David Peace crafts dark historical crime novels based on actual events, vividly portraying the corruption and gritty atmosphere of real historical settings. Readers who enjoy Smith’s use of historical context and morally complex narratives may find Peace intriguing as well.
In Tokyo Year Zero, Peace depicts post-war Tokyo, weaving crime drama into the chaos, loss, and corruption of a devastated society.
Jason Matthews spent decades as a CIA officer, and his work provides suspenseful, insider portrayals of espionage during high-stakes international conflicts.
Similar to Tom Rob Smith, Matthews brings realism, tension, and carefully built characters into stories of intelligence, betrayal, and intrigue.
In Red Sparrow, Matthews develops a gripping spy thriller with a strong focus on character motives and espionage methods amid simmering international tensions.