What to read next if you love James Patterson

James Patterson is known for his edge-of-your-seat thrillers, with their fast-paced plots and unforgettable characters. He is one of the best-selling and most prolific writers in the crime and thriller genre and has brought us Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club and countless other series and standalone books.

You can tell when you’re reading a Patterson book: although his novels often have a crime at their centre, the focus is on stopping the bad guys from doing more damage rather than solving a mystery. Patterson’s books are also uniquely addictive because of the danger involved in the hunt for justice, as his main characters – including detectives, homicide inspectors, journalists and medical examiners – race against the clock in pursuit of the culprits, often putting themselves at risk in the process.

If you’ve already whizzed through Patterson’s books and you’re looking for your next read, we’ve got you covered. The following 11 books have a similar style and pacing and would be perfect for avid readers of James Patterson.

When the Bough Breaks by Jonathan Kellerman

Seven-year-old Melody Quinn is a potential witness to the murder of Dr. Morton Hander, a psychiatrist who dealt in fraud, extortion, and sexual manipulation. Dr. Hander may have got what was coming to him, but Dr. Alex Delaware is helping Melody remember what happened so investigators can solve the case. Little does he know this case is about to get personal – much like when Alex Cross built his case against Kyle Craig.