89 books like Myron Bolitar

As I indicated earlier, I am a Lee Child superfan. I’ve read all his original books. A thick (and expensive) biography. A long essay he wrote on heroism. All his short stories. You get the idea. So it was fun to re-read this book, his first.

It wasn’t what I remembered, that’s for sure! Yes, the action scenes are vivid and instructive (Child writes about the utility of a headbutt versus the risk of breaking your hand with a punch), and the action is what I remember most. But there’s more to this book than fights: there’s a major romance, which the author writes with gusto and in detail, heavy on feelings, not on private parts; the prose is better than solid, with imagery that really makes it come alive; and the story is plausible and tightly woven, with plenty of surprises. 

One of the best books I’ve ever read. The story’s puzzle is terrific, and the action is constant, intense, and entirely plausible.

This novel was one of the reasons I fell in love with the thriller genre, thanks to its continuous redirection and explosive revelations sprinkled throughout. Completely devourable.

If there was ever a novel I wish I could read again for the first time to be shocked all over again, this is unquestionably the one.   

I don’t even remember everything about this book, except that this was the book that made me an instant Sandra Brown fan. In Envy, a NY book editor is riveted by the tale of an unsolicited manuscript and begins working with the author…only to learn along the way that this story reveals a long-concealed crime. I’ve read it twice, years apart, and I’m due for another reading. It’s that good. Explosive is the only way to describe this suspenseful story with an amazing twist at the end! One of my absolute favs!

In the world of crime, the “two-minute rule” is sacrosanct: linger longer than two minutes during a heist, and you’re destined for a lifetime behind bars. But not everyone plays by the rules. When ex-con Max Holman is released from prison, his thoughts are consumed by the hope of reconciling with his estranged son, a police officer.

Tragically, he learns that his son and three fellow LAPD officers were brutally murdered the night before his release. Crais’s storytelling prowess shines through in this tightly plotted psychological thriller, where every page is essential. The plot is both inventive and realistic, with richly drawn characters that resonate. New writers can learn from his presentation of setting, characterization, as well as crisp plotting. I admit that I unabashedly love Robert Crais’ serial work, but this stand-alone resonated with me from the moment I read it.

This author showcases her mastery of the police procedural in a standalone set against the gritty backdrop of 1974 Atlanta. The story follows rookie cop Kate Murphy as she steps into the testosterone-fueled world of the Atlanta police force.

From day one, Kate faces a barrage of challenges, navigating an environment that’s as welcoming to women as a porcupine in a balloon factory. As the department dives into the investigation of a fellow officer’s murder, Kate and her partner, Maggie Lawson, suspect they’re being sidelined from the real action. Slaughter expertly weaves a tale of tension and intrigue, highlighting the systemic hurdles and the relentless pursuit of justice in a male-dominated world.

Any book with this author’s Detectives Bosch and/or Ballard is a tour de force in police procedurals. He can make reading a murder file or a newspaper article informative, stimulating, and evocative. In this story, Ballard and the LAPD’s Open-Unsolved Unit are thrust into the spotlight with a breakthrough DNA match linking a recent arrestee to a notorious serial rapist and murderer who vanished two decades ago. The twist? The suspect is only twenty-four, pointing to a familial connection: his father, the infamous Pillowcase Rapist, who terrorized Los Angeles for five years.

As Ballard and her team close in, they unravel a complex web of secrets and legal challenges that test their procedural prowess. The narrative is complex, satisfying, and brimming with skillful twists that showcase the author’s expertise in crafting compelling procedurals.

I admit that I am intrigued by the ingenuity and the training of the Israeli Defense Forces. This is a thriller of a different kind.

I read this book to research and understand how the Israelis evolved their “we have no choice but to be the best” ethic. This is not a book about politics or moral judgments. It is an objective overview of how the army came into being and how, to this day, they discard conventional military thinking in defending their country—whether through battlefield strategy, innovation in defense technology, or intelligence services.

I found the book fascinating, especially the Israelis’ lateral thinking, encouragement, and application of ideas.

For research or just for the “I gotta find out more about these guys,” this memoir caught my attention. The book by Chuck Pfarrer shows the breadth of what U.S. Navy SEALS do. But that’s not why I liked this book so much.

The part I found most intriguing was Pfarrer’s deployment in Lebanon to support the multi-national peacekeeping force during the Lebanese Civil War. Pfarrer’s reflections are comments on the nature of the enemy that the US and Western Forces faced (and currently face) in the battle against terrorism. He witnessed the horrific Beirut barracks bombings and described the emotional and political impact of those attacks. I found it riveting.

When federal judge Alex Sand and his two young sons are brutally murdered in their upscale St. Paul home, the shocking crime sends ripples through their affluent community. With a long list of potential enemies and a major charitable donation left in limbo, suspicion quickly turns to his devastated widow.

As the pressure mounts and both local police and the FBI find themselves at a standstill, seasoned investigators Lucas Davenport and Virgil Flowers are brought in to untangle the web of deceit. Known for their expertise, the duo meticulously explores every lead and theory, determined to uncover the truth behind the Sand family murders.

The narrative showcases the author’s skill in crafting intricate procedurals, where each twist and turn brings them closer to unraveling the mystery. Every book in the Davenport series could be included in this list, but I liked this one.

What a surprise find! I was introduced to Fractured by the ABC/Hulu series Will Trent—credit to my wife. After watching the premiere episode together, she informed me it was based on a Karin Slaughter novel. While the characters' histories were the same in both media, they were quite different in print, physically, and culturally. They’re equally intriguing but different. 

Nevertheless, the main character is totally fascinating because of his background—raised in a children’s home, abused by foster parents, dyslexic, but incredibly observant—which makes him a great detective for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. As the author, Slaughter must have done copious research for the background information and details. Her great writing made it all believable. I was—and am—hooked.