Books Like...
The Grifters by Jim Thompson follows the life of Roy Dillon, a young grifter struggling to navigate his relationships with his con artist mother, Lilly, and his girlfriend, Moira. The story delves into the dark underworld of cons and rackets, portraying a life filled with deception, manipulation, and the constant struggle to survive. Thompson's writing style immerses the reader in a world where characters are morally ambiguous, relationships are fraught with tension, and the plot unfolds with unexpected twists and turns.
If you liked The Grifters, here are the top 100 books to read next:
- #1
Save:'Pop. 1280' by Jim Thompson is a dark and cynical novel set in a small southern town, focusing on the sociopathic high sheriff, Nick Corey. The book delves into Corey's manipulative and deceptive nature as he navigates through various relationships and schemes, all while maintaining a facade of laziness and incompetence. The writing style is described as straightforward yet engaging, with a touch of dark humor and unexpected plot twists that keep the reader intrigued and surprised till the end.
Well, sir, I should have been sitting pretty, just about as pretty as a man could sit. Here I was, the high sheriff of Potts County, and I was drawing almost two thousand dollars a year—not to mention... - #2
Save:'The Killer Inside Me' by Jim Thompson is a disturbing and fast-paced thriller that delves into the mind of Lou Ford, a small-town deputy sheriff who harbors a dark and sociopathic side. The book is narrated in the first person by Lou Ford, who presents himself as affable and slow-witted to those around him, while secretly indulging in a spree of calculated murders. The story unfolds in a chillingly realistic manner, showcasing the psychological complexities of a killer living among unsuspecting townsfolk in 1950s Texas.
The narrative style of 'The Killer Inside Me' is described as raw, powerful, and unapologetically dark, drawing readers into the twisted mind of the protagonist. Through a first-person perspective, Jim Thompson skillfully portrays Lou Ford's descent into violence and depravity, keeping the readers on edge with its fast-paced storytelling and unsettling exploration of the protagonist's psyche.
I’d finished my pie and was having a second cup of coffee when I saw him. The midnight freight had come in a few minutes before; and he was peering in one end of the restaurant window, the end nearest... - #3
Save:Set in 1950s Los Angeles, "Die a Little" by Megan Abbott follows the story of Lora, a schoolteacher, whose life is disrupted when her close relationship with her police detective brother, Bill, is threatened by his marriage to the enigmatic Alice. As Lora delves deeper into Alice's mysterious past, she becomes entangled in a web of dark secrets and deception. The novel gradually unravels its layers, revealing complex characters and a noir-inspired plot that keeps readers captivated with its atmospheric setting and suspenseful narrative style.
LATER, the things I would think about. Things like this: My brother never wore hats. When we were young, he wouldn’t wear one even to church and my mother and then grandmother would force one on his h... - #4
Save:In 'Double Indemnity', insurance salesman Walter Huff becomes entangled with the femme fatale Phyllis Nirdlinger, leading to a plot to murder her husband for the insurance money. The story unfolds with intricate murder plots, double crosses, and a dark, twisted tale of crime set in 1930s Los Angeles. Written in a hard-boiled style, the book delves into themes of murder, betrayal, revenge, and questions about human nature, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.
I drove out to Glendale to put three new truck drivers on a brewery company bond, and then I remembered this renewal over in Hollywoodland. I decided to run over there. That was how I came to this Hou... - #5
Save:'The Getaway' by Jim Thompson follows the story of Doc McCoy and his wife, Carol, as they attempt to escape after a bank robbery goes awry. The narrative explores themes of desperation, betrayal, and violence as the couple navigates a dangerous journey to evade the law and their criminal associates. The writing style is described as dark, unglamorous, and deeply nihilistic, portraying a gritty and realistic depiction of crime and its consequences.
Carter "Doc" McCoy had left a morning call for six o'clock, and he was reaching for the telephone the moment the night clerk rang. He had always awakened easily and pleasantly; a man with not a regret... - #6
Save:'The Confidence Game' by Maria Konnikova is a deep dive into the world of cons and scams, exploring the psychology behind both the grifter and the mark. The book delves into the tactics used by confidence artists to manipulate their victims, weaving together true stories of cons with insights from psychology and neuroscience. The writing style is a blend of journalism and psychology, offering a riveting look at how people can be convinced to act against their own self-interests through the power of belief and emotion.
Whenever people ask me if I’ve ever been conned, I tell them the truth: I have no idea. I’ve never given money to a Ponzi scheme or gotten tripped up on an unwinnable game of three-card monte—that muc... 'The Big Con: The Story of the Confidence Man' by David W. Maurer delves into the history and evolution of confidence tricks and cons, providing a detailed account of the grift in the 1940s. The book offers insights into the different roles involved in a con, the psychology of the mark, and the intricate schemes employed by confidence men. Maurer's narrative style combines academic research with anecdotes and stories from those involved in the con game, presenting a slice of Americana that sheds light on a forgotten aspect of society.
The book you are holding in your hands, now reprinted after a shamefully long hiatus, is, like its subjects, crowned with many hats. Its origins are in linguistics; it is nominally a work of criminolo...- #8
Save:Queenpin by Megan Abbott is a noir novel that follows a young woman who starts working at a small casino and quickly rises in the underworld using her looks and intelligence. The story delves into the complexities of loyalty, passion, lies, and violence as she navigates her relationships in the criminal world. The book is well-written, with a mysterious unnamed narrator who idolizes a legendary figure in the noir world, Gloria Denton, and aims to prove herself worthy of her mentor's attention.
It was a tall, pistachio-colored building along the scenic ridge outside of town. The lobby was covered with mirrors and tall, potted plants. There was an automatic elevator with a carpet in it and wh... - #9
Save:The Contortionist's Handbook by Craig Clevenger follows the story of Daniel Fletcher, a man who constantly changes his identity after each overdose due to a recurring headache. The protagonist, skilled in forging new identities and documents, navigates a life on the fringes of American society while battling with his inner demons and the harsh realities of 1980s LA. The narrative alternates between Daniel's psychiatric evaluation following an overdose and his past, showcasing a complex web of lies and identity crises that challenge traditional narrative forms and delve into the world of forgery and neo-noir.
August 1985. Percocet. The 5 mg tablets were identical to the 325 mg tablets which were identical to the generic laxatives. I was in no shape for fine print. ER, three ounces of ipecac and solid heave... Matchstick Men is a novel that delves into the world of con artists, focusing on the partnership between Roy and Frankie as they navigate through various cons. The plot follows Roy, who suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder, as he discovers he has a daughter named Angela and the dynamics that unfold between them. The writing style is described as descriptive, funny, and hard to put down, with a well-developed storyline that includes twists and cons that keep the readers engaged till the very end.
Roy walks into the diner and takes a seat at the counter. He doesn’t know how long it’s been since he’s come here. Days, maybe. Weeks. The counter is filthy, grime coating the edges. He finds a seat t...
