Searching to get your Jack Reacher fix? Check out our seven favorite authors like Lee Child, the phenom behind the Jack Reacher series.
Born James Dover Grant, Lee Child was born in England in 1954. The author is known for his Jack Reacher series, which follows the life of policeman Jack Reacher, a former military member who travels the world seeking revenge on behalf of himself and others.
Child is famous for his hardboiled writing style. Some of the Jack Reacher novels are written in the first person, while others are written in the third person. In total, there are 26 books in the Jack Reacher series. If you’ve gone through all that Lee Child has written, and you’re ready for some more suspenseful writers to keep you on the edge of your seat, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading to learn about seven suspense authors you’ll want to check out next.
The thriller landscape has evolved significantly in 2025, with new voices emerging alongside established masters. These authors represent the best of hardboiled detective fiction, combining relentless pacing with complex characters that will satisfy any Jack Reacher fan.
For more recommendations, you might also enjoy exploring authors like Harlan Coben, authors like Gillian Flynn, best detective novel series.
Must-Read Books if You Love Lee Child’s Jack Reacher Series
If you enjoy mystery and suspense, consider exploring best detective novel series, authors like Harlan Coben, authors like Agatha Christie.
1. David Baldacci
Baldacci’s first novel, Absolute Power, was published in 1996. The book was made into a major motion picture directed by and starring Clint Eastwood. The author writes both legal thrillers and suspense novels. After the success of Absolute Power, Baldacci wrote 45 more novels and seven young adult novels.
In 2025, Baldacci remains one of the most prolific thriller writers, continuing his multiple series including Amos Decker, Will Robie, and Atlee Pine. His ability to create standalone thrillers alongside compelling series characters makes him perfect for readers who appreciate Jack Reacher’s blend of action and investigation. Baldacci’s protagonists share Reacher’s moral compass and willingness to fight for justice outside traditional law enforcement channels.
“All you have to do [to win a Pulitzer Prize] is spend your life running from one awful place to another, write about every horrible thing you see. The civilized world reads about it, then forgets it, but pats you on the head for doing it and gives you a reward as appreciation for changing nothing.”
David Baldacci, The Christmas Train
2. Robert Crais
Author of the Elvis Cole novels, Robert Crais, has been praised by Lee Child as one of the best American crime writers today. The author’s debut novel, The Monkey’s Raincoat, was released in 1987 and won both the Anthony Award for Best Paperback Original and the Macavity Award for Best First Novel.
Crais continues to be a powerhouse in crime fiction in 2025, with his Elvis Cole and Joe Pike series maintaining devoted readership worldwide. His Los Angeles-based stories offer the same gritty realism and complex plotting that Reacher fans crave. The partnership between private detective Cole and his enigmatic partner Pike mirrors the dynamic relationships Child creates, while delivering the hard-hitting action sequences that define the genre.
“Some of us find our way with a single light to guide us; others lose themselves even when the star field is as sharp as a neon ceiling. Ethics may not be situational, but feelings are. We learn to adjust, and, over time, the stars we use to guide ourselves come to reside within rather than without.”
Robert Crais, L.A. Requiem
3. Michael Connelly
American author Michael Connelly writes crime fiction, including detective novels. Many of his stories feature Harry Bosch, an LAPD detective, and criminal defense lawyer Mickey Haller. Connelly has sold more than 74 million copies of his novels worldwide. His 1997 novel Blood Work was made into a major motion picture.
Connelly’s influence on modern crime fiction cannot be overstated, and in 2025 he remains at the top of his game. The Harry Bosch series has evolved beyond the original character to include his daughter Maddie and half-brother Mickey Haller, creating a connected universe that spans generations. His Netflix adaptation success with “Bosch” and “The Lincoln Lawyer” has introduced his work to new audiences who appreciate the same methodical investigation and moral clarity that drives Jack Reacher.
“Los Angeles was the kind of place where everybody was from somewhere else and nobody really dropped anchor. It was a transient place. People drawn by the dream, people running from the nightmare. Twelve million people and all of them ready to make a break for it if necessary. Figuratively, literally, metaphorically — any way you want to look at it — everybody in L.A. keeps a bag packed. Just in case.”
Michael Connelly, The Brass Verdict
4. John Sandford
New York Times bestselling author John Sandford is a Pulitzer Prize winner and the author of the Prey series. The writer got his start in the literary world by earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Iowa before earning some of the most coveted honors in literature. His Prey series books star Lucas Davenport, a detective with the Minneapolis Police Department who is forced to leave the squad and run his own intelligence business.
Sandford’s prolific output continues to impress in 2025, with multiple active series including the Virgil Flowers books and the Letty Davenport novels featuring Lucas’s adopted daughter. His ability to blend police procedural with thriller elements creates the same page-turning momentum that makes the Jack Reacher books so addictive. The Minnesota setting provides a unique backdrop that contrasts beautifully with Reacher’s nomadic lifestyle while delivering similar themes of justice and retribution.
“Was it possible that politicians and hedge-fund operators were some kind of garbled cosmic computer code? That the Opponent, instead of having horns and a forked tail, was a fat bearded guy drinking Big Gulps and eating anchovy pizzas and writing viruses down in a hellish basement? That prayers weren’t answered because Satan was running denial-of-service attacks?”
John Sandford, Mad River
5. Vince Flynn
Political thriller author Vince Flynn passed away in 2013. The writer began writing in a quest to overcome dyslexia. As he worked to express himself in a way others could easily understand, he discovered a hidden talent for story development. Throughout his storied career, he was known for writing novels, starting with Mitch Rapp, a political assassin. Flynn wrote six New York Times bestsellers and was known for creating works that translated well to the small screen.
Though Flynn passed away over a decade ago, his legacy lives on in 2025 through Kyle Mills, who has successfully continued the Mitch Rapp series. The character shares many qualities with Jack Reacher – both are highly skilled former military operatives who operate outside conventional boundaries to protect America. The political thriller elements add layers of complexity while maintaining the straightforward action that thriller readers demand. The upcoming television adaptation continues to generate buzz, ensuring Flynn’s vision reaches new audiences.
“In that Declaration, Thomas Jefferson wrote “that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive… it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government.” We are invoking this right to rise up and alter the course of our government. You have had your chance to correct America’s course, and you have failed.”
Vince Flynn, Term Limits
6. James Patterson
Patterson is known for writing legal thrillers and has sold over 300 million copies of his books worldwide. In addition to writing suspenseful novels based in the courtroom, Patterson also writes Southern Gothic literature and stories surrounding sports, including baseball, football, and basketball.
Patterson’s dominance in the thriller market continues unabated in 2025, with his collaborative approach allowing him to maintain multiple series simultaneously. The Alex Cross series, in particular, offers readers the same blend of psychological insight and relentless pacing that characterizes the best Jack Reacher novels. Patterson’s recent focus on shorter, more focused narratives appeals to modern readers who appreciate tight plotting and rapid-fire action sequences.
“Life is hard, and a lot of people come home tired from work. If they’re gonna spend half an hour reading, they want some entertainment and a sense of achievement. So that’s what I give them. That’s all I’m trying to do. Is that really so wrong?”
James Patterson
7. Stephen Hunter
Northwestern University alum and Kansas City native Stephen Hunter has written many crime thrillers, including Point of Impact, Time to Hunt, Night of Thunder, and Havana. The author has also written several non-fiction books, including Violent Screen: A Critic’s 13 Years on the Front Lines of Movie Mayhem, which details his former career as a film critic.
Hunter’s Bob Lee Swagger series continues to evolve in 2025, with recent entries exploring contemporary themes while maintaining the series’ signature attention to firearms detail and military precision. His background as a film critic brings a cinematic quality to his action sequences that rivals any thriller on screen. The technical expertise and moral complexity of his protagonists create the same compelling combination of brain and brawn that makes Jack Reacher so appealing to readers.
“The worst moment was always taps. It didn’t matter if the bugler played it well or poorly, in tune or out; there was something in the mournful ache of the music, and how it spoke of men dying before their time for something they only vaguely understood and being only vaguely appreciated by the people on whose behalf they died, that made it hurt so much.”
Stephen Hunter, Dirty White Boys
FAQs About The Best Authors Like Lee Child
What is considered the best Jack Reacher novel?
Many Lee Child fans believe Killing Floor is the best Jack Reacher novel. This is the first novel in the Jack Reacher series.
Who is the best suspense writer?
While determining who is the best suspense writer is up to personal opinion, many agree that Lee Child is the best. Others feel that Agatha Christie, Stephen King, Thomas Harris, and Dennis Lehane are the best suspense writers.
What suspense writer should I start with if I haven’t read any?
If you’re reading suspense novels, some great authors are Gillian Flynn, Stieg Larsson, Dean Koontz, and Lee Child.
