If you are looking for authors like David Baldacci, then the 13 authors on our list are sure to please you. Discover your next favorite suspense author in our guide.
In 1996, David Baldacci published his first novel, Absolute Power. With that book and the subsequent Clint Eastwood film, he became well-known for his crime and legal thriller novels. His novels are now in 45 languages in over 80 countries and have 150 million copies sold. He has 47 bestselling novels, 7 children’s books, and several famous book series, including Aloysius Archer, Atlee Pine, Amos Decker, Will Robie, and John Puller.
Though he is best known for his writing, Baldacci is also a philanthropist. His Wish You Well Foundation supports literacy programs throughout the United States. Baldacci was born in 1960 and lived in Virginia. If you are a fan of this style of suspense novel, then these 13 authors, like David Baldacci, are an excellent choice for your next book.
The thriller genre continues to evolve in 2025, with both established masters and emerging voices delivering the kind of page-turning suspense that made Baldacci a household name. These authors share his ability to craft complex plots, memorable characters, and the perfect balance of action and intrigue.
For more recommendations, you might also enjoy exploring authors like Harlan Coben, authors like Gillian Flynn, best detective novel series.
Best-Selling Authors Like David Baldacci
1. James Patterson
James Patterson was born in 1947 and currently lives in Florida. He is on the Forbes list of highest-paid authors and has sold over 400 million copies of his books. He has also fully embraced the e-book world, with over 1 million e-book copies sold.
This bestselling author has many books similar to the political thrillers and historical mysteries David Baldacci is known for. He has two series, Alex Cross and Women’s Murder Club, that are popular among those who love crime fiction. He also has a handful of books for younger readers.
Patterson’s prolific approach continues to dominate the thriller market in 2025. His collaborative writing method allows him to maintain multiple series simultaneously, ensuring readers always have new content. The Alex Cross series, in particular, shares Baldacci’s focus on law enforcement professionals facing personal and professional challenges while solving complex cases.
“It’s all right to put the weight of the world on your shoulders sometimes, if you know how to take it off.”
James Patterson
2. John Grisham
John Grisham is a famous author and New York Times bestselling writer specializing in legal thrillers. He was born in 1955 and lived on a farm in Virginia and has won the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction twice and earned the Library of Congress Creative Achievement Award for Fiction.
In his books, Grisham shows the behind-the-scenes world of the legal system and what happens to people when they pursue criminal cases. He draws from his experiences as a lawyer in Mississippi. Many of Grisham’s books, including The Firm and The Client, are now major motion pictures.
Grisham’s mastery of legal thriller territory makes him an essential read for Baldacci fans. In 2025, his recent works continue to explore contemporary legal issues while maintaining the accessible storytelling that made him famous. His ability to explain complex legal concepts through compelling narratives mirrors Baldacci’s talent for making political intrigue understandable and engaging.
“The theory was simple: If a man had enough sense to accumulate a bunch of cash, then he would certainly make a worthy U.S senator.”
John Grisham
3. Harlan Coben
Harlan Coben was born in Newark in 1962 and currently lives in New Jersey with his family. Over the years, he has earned many awards for his works, including the Edgar, Shamus, and Anthony awards.
In addition to writing novels, he has worked as the executive producer for a French television mini-series. His novel Tell No One is one of his most famous, and it was turned into an award-winning French film.
Coben’s psychological thrillers have gained tremendous momentum, particularly with his Netflix adaptations bringing his work to global audiences in 2025. His ability to weave domestic drama with criminal elements creates the same compelling mix of personal stakes and broader conspiracy that characterizes Baldacci’s best work. The suburban settings of his mysteries provide an interesting contrast to Baldacci’s often Washington-centric plots.
“Memories, you see, hurt. The good ones most of all.”
Harlan Coben
4. Lee Child
The author of the Jack Reacher series, Lee Child, deserves a spot on this list because of these well-known books. Lee Child is the pen name of James Dover Grant, and he is a British author of thriller stories. He was born in 1954 and currently resides in New York with his wife and daughter.
His first novel, Killing Floor, was crafted after being fired from his job, putting his knowledge of excellent writing from years of voracious reading into practice. In 2009, the author was elected president of the Mystery Writers of America.
While Child officially retired from writing Jack Reacher books in 2020, passing the series to his brother Andrew Grant (writing as Andrew Child), the Reacher legacy continues strong in 2025. The series maintains the same formula that appeals to Baldacci readers: a highly skilled protagonist navigating dangerous situations while uncovering larger conspiracies. Both authors excel at creating characters who operate outside traditional law enforcement but maintain a strong moral compass.
“My name is Jack Reacher. No middle name, no address.”
Lee Child
5. Brad Thor
Brad Thor is an American author who has landed the top spot on the New York Times best-seller list. Thor studied creative writing at the University of Southern California and has published 22 thriller books, including Spymaster and The Last Patriot. His books follow the work of counterterrorism operative Scot Harvath, and he draws on his experience working for the Department of Homeland Security to write his thriller novels.
Thor’s expertise in national security matters continues to make his novels incredibly relevant in 2025’s global political climate. His Scot Harvath series offers the same blend of authentic tradecraft and high-stakes action that Baldacci delivers in his Will Robie and John Puller series. Thor’s background in homeland security provides the same insider authenticity that makes Baldacci’s political thrillers so compelling.
“In Grossman’s mind, there were just three categories of human beings—sheep, sheepdogs, and wolves.”
Brad Thor
6. Tom Clancy
Born in 1947, Tom Clancy wrote many books that looked at the world of spies and espionage. Many of his books, including The Hunt for Red October, became major motion pictures. Some, including the Rainbow Six series, became video games.
He is most famous for the Jack Ryan series, which continues to grow through authors who write through Clancy’s estate. Clancy died in 2013 after publishing multiple New York Times best-sellers, including Clear and Present Danger, the top bestselling novel of the 1980s, which sold 1.6 million hardcover copies.
The Tom Clancy brand remains incredibly strong in 2025, with multiple authors continuing his various series under the Clancy name. The Jack Ryan universe, in particular, shares DNA with Baldacci’s political thrillers, featuring government operatives who must navigate complex international situations. The recent success of Amazon’s “Jack Ryan” series has introduced Clancy’s style of techno-thriller to new audiences who will appreciate Baldacci’s similar approach.
“The point of life was to press on, to do the best you can, to make the world a better place.”
Tom Clancy
7. Michael Connelly
Michael Connelly has 37 novels to his name, with over 80 million copies sold worldwide. He is also the executive producer of Bosch and The Lincoln Lawyer, two television shows based on his books.
This prolific author was born in 1956 and attended the University of Florida, where he majored in journalism. His first novel, The Black Echo, won the Mystery Writers of America Edgar Award for Best First Novel in 1992 when it was published. It is the first Harry Bosch series, one of his most famous.
Connelly’s continued success with both his literary work and television adaptations makes him a powerhouse in 2025. His ability to create interconnected series featuring Harry Bosch, Mickey Haller, and Renée Ballard demonstrates the same skill Baldacci shows in developing multiple compelling protagonists. Both authors excel at procedural elements while maintaining the personal drama that keeps readers invested in their characters’ lives.
“You can’t patch a wounded soul with a Band-Aid.”
Michael Connelly
8. Tess Gerritsen
Tess Gerritsen deserves a spot on this list because she is an international bestselling author. She did not start her career to be a writer, however. Instead, she was working as a physician when she took maternity leave and started writing. Call After Midnight was her first novel, a romantic suspense novel, and it quickly became a success. She found her niche in 1996 when she published her first medical thriller, Harvest.
She uses her knowledge of the medical world to write engaging and thrilling stories that have sold over 40 million copies. The Surgeon introduced her series, Rizzoli and Isles, which now has 13 novels.
Gerritsen’s medical background provides the same professional expertise that enhances Baldacci’s legal and political knowledge. In 2025, her Rizzoli & Isles series continues to deliver the forensic detail and character development that appeals to thriller readers. Her transition from medicine to writing mirrors the career pivots of many Baldacci characters, adding authenticity to stories about professionals who find themselves in extraordinary circumstances.
“Where we go depends on what we know, and what we know depends on where we go.”
Tess Gerritsen
9. Daniel Silva
In 1997, Daniel Silva published The Unlikely Spy and quickly showed that he was a force to be reckoned with in the spy novel genre. He was born in 1960 and attended Fresno State University. Early in his career, Silva created two well-known characters, CIA officer Michael Osbourne and hitman Jean-Paul Delaroche.
His career took off when he introduced Gabriel Allon in The Kill Artist. Before becoming a full-time novelist, Silva worked for CNN as an executive producer of its talk show unit.
Silva’s Gabriel Allon series has become one of the most acclaimed spy thriller series of the 21st century, with the character serving as both art restorer and Israeli intelligence operative. In 2025, Silva continues to explore complex Middle Eastern politics through his protagonist, offering the same blend of authentic detail and compelling narrative that characterizes Baldacci’s best political thrillers.
“I suppose I needed to share it with her. I suppose I needed someone to forgive me.”
Daniel Silva
10. Patricia Cornwell
Patricia Cornwell is the bestselling author of the Dr. Kay Scarpetta series, which follows a chief medical examiner who ends up in several thrilling mysteries. Cornwell was born in 1956 and published her first novel, Postmortem, in 1990. Though it was slow to take off, she quickly became a famous writer. She worked at the Chief Medical Examiner’s office in the late 1980s and used that knowledge to write her works, including a non-fiction novel on Jack the Ripper entitled Portrait of a Killer.
Cornwell’s Kay Scarpetta series pioneered the forensic thriller subgenre that remains incredibly popular in 2025. Her scientific approach to crime solving provides the same methodical investigation style that appears in Baldacci’s work, particularly in his Amos Decker series featuring a detective with perfect memory. Both authors understand how professional expertise can drive compelling narratives.
“The dead have never bothered me. It’s the living that I fear.”
Patricia Cornwell
11. Stuart Woods
With over 75 novels, Stuart Woods was a prolific crime fiction writer. His books were known for their page-turning style, and over 50 of them were best-sellers. Chiefs was his debut novel, and it won the Edgar Award. It introduced Will Lee, one of his primary characters. Woods was born in 1938, received his education at the University of Georgia, and died in 2022.
Although Woods passed away in 2022, his literary legacy continues to influence thriller writing in 2025. His Stone Barrington series, in particular, demonstrated the same ability to blend high-stakes action with sophisticated plotting that characterizes Baldacci’s work. Woods’ approach to series writing, with interconnected characters and storylines, provided a template that many contemporary thriller writers, including Baldacci, have adopted.
“Holmes prided himself on being able to look at a man as he entered the bank and predict what the man would want.”
Stuart Woods
12. Dean Koontz
Known as the Master of Suspense, Dean Koontz deserves a spot on this list. He knows how to create suspense in his books, and he has over 500 million copies of his books sold to date, with Odd Thomas as one of his most famous books.
He got his writing start when he won a short story competition in Atlantic Monthly as just a college senior and has not stopped writing since.
Koontz’s mastery of psychological suspense continues to evolve in 2025, with his recent works exploring contemporary fears and anxieties. While his style tends toward supernatural elements more than Baldacci’s realistic thrillers, both authors excel at creating ordinary protagonists who face extraordinary circumstances. Koontz’s ability to build tension through character development rather than just plot mechanics provides lessons that enhance any thriller reader’s appreciation.
“Given my heritage and the ordeal of my childhood, I sometimes wonder why I myself am not insane. Maybe I am.”
Dean Koontz
13. Vince Flynn
Vince Flynn rounds out the list of best suspense authors like David Baldacci. Creator of the Mitch Rapp thriller series, Flynn was born in 1966 and died in 2013. Even though he died young, he published 15 novels, many of which were best-sellers. His first Mitch Rapp book, American Assassin, continues to thrill readers today.
Though Flynn passed away over a decade ago, his Mitch Rapp series continues through Kyle Mills, who has successfully maintained the series’ quality and popularity. In 2025, the Rapp books continue to deliver the same counterterrorism expertise and moral complexity that defines Baldacci’s best work. Both Flynn and Baldacci understood how to create protagonists who operate in morally gray areas while maintaining reader sympathy and support.
“If you’re not busy living, you’re dying.”
Vince Flynn
