Matthew Reilly is an Australian thriller writer known for breakneck pacing, blockbuster set pieces, and globe-spanning adventures. Novels such as Ice Station and the Scarecrow series have made him a favorite with readers who want action, spectacle, and stories that never slow down.
If you enjoy Matthew Reilly, these authors are well worth adding to your reading list:
If Matthew Reilly’s mix of relentless action, big set pieces, and larger-than-life heroes works for you, Clive Cussler is a natural next pick. Cussler built his reputation on adventure novels that combine historical intrigue, treasure hunting, and high-risk missions.
His novel Raise the Titanic! showcases his famous hero Dirk Pitt. In the story, Pitt takes on a daring mission to recover the RMS Titanic, uncover hidden secrets, and secure rare minerals with major national importance.
With underwater danger, constant complications, and a strong sense of adventure, it delivers the kind of momentum Reilly fans tend to love.
James Rollins writes high-energy thrillers filled with historical mysteries, scientific intrigue, and cinematic action. His books are especially appealing if you like Matthew Reilly’s blend of speed, scale, and clever plotting.
A strong place to begin is Map of Bones.
The novel opens with a deadly attack at a cathedral in Germany, sending Sigma Force agents into an investigation tied to ancient religious artifacts and secrets stretching back to the dawn of Christianity.
From Europe to Egypt, the story follows a trail of long-buried clues, secret societies, cutting-edge science, and enemies willing to kill to control the truth.
Rollins is particularly good at balancing research with suspense, so the result feels both smart and thrilling.
Andy McDermott is a great choice for readers who want the same fast-moving energy and explosive set pieces that make Matthew Reilly so entertaining. His novels lean hard into adventure, danger, and nonstop momentum.
That style is on full display in The Hunt for Atlantis.
The story introduces archaeologist Nina Wilde, who discovers a clue that may lead to the lost city of Atlantis. To reach it first, she joins forces with former SAS soldier Eddie Chase before ruthless rivals can get there ahead of them.
What follows is a globe-trotting chase through hidden ruins, deadly confrontations, and historical riddles, with plenty of narrow escapes along the way.
Steve Berry should appeal to readers who enjoy Matthew Reilly’s combination of pace and mystery, especially when the story draws on real history. Berry’s thrillers often center on hidden truths, lost treasures, and powerful groups guarding dangerous secrets.
A good starting point is The Templar Legacy . Here, former government agent Cotton Malone is pulled into a centuries-old mystery involving the Knights Templar and their legendary treasure.
Set largely in France, the novel mixes puzzles, conspiracy, and pursuit as ruthless opponents close in from every side. Berry’s historical detail gives the story weight, while the action keeps it moving.
David Gibbins is another strong recommendation for Matthew Reilly fans, particularly those who enjoy thrillers built around ancient history and archaeological discovery. His academic background helps give his adventures extra authenticity.
In Atlantis, marine archaeologist Jack Howard uncovers evidence that may point to the lost city of Atlantis. The novel blends underwater exploration, ancient mysteries, and dangerous modern-day conflict.
If you like stories that pair action with myth, history, and discovery, Gibbins is well worth a look.
Douglas Preston is a strong pick for readers who enjoy suspenseful adventures with a scientific or exploratory edge. Although he is often known for collaborations with Lincoln Child, his solo work also captures that same sense of danger and discovery.
One excellent place to start is The Lost City of the Monkey God. This nonfiction account follows Preston into a remote Honduran rainforest in search of the remains of an ancient civilization.
The expedition encounters punishing terrain, disease, and the unnerving sense that the jungle is still hiding far more than anyone expected.
It reads with the tension of a thriller while offering the added fascination of a real-life archaeological quest.
Lincoln Child writes sleek, fast-paced thrillers that combine suspense, technology, and mystery in ways that often resonate with Matthew Reilly readers. His stories tend to build tension quickly and rarely let up.
A standout example is his novel Deep Storm, which centers on a secretive mission far beneath the Atlantic Ocean. A scientific team investigating a strange discovery under the seabed soon realizes they may have uncovered something astonishing.
As the situation spirals, unexplained events and mounting danger place everyone aboard at risk.
Child handles atmosphere especially well, making the setting feel claustrophobic, eerie, and intensely suspenseful.
Jeremy Robinson is a smart next stop if you like Matthew Reilly’s relentless pacing and taste for large-scale action. His thrillers often fuse military suspense, science, and conspiracy into propulsive, high-stakes stories.
His novel SecondWorld follows Lincoln Miller, a former Navy SEAL drawn into a global conspiracy after catastrophic attacks wipe out entire cities.
From the ruins of Miami to secret locations beneath Europe, Miller uncovers hidden links to World War II and a terrifying enemy with world-altering ambitions.
It’s the kind of novel that keeps escalating, making it a good fit for readers who want action with a heavy dose of mystery.
Boyd Morrison writes adventurous thrillers that blend modern danger with ancient legends, making him a strong match for Matthew Reilly fans. His novels are packed with momentum but still leave room for puzzle-solving and historical intrigue.
In The Ark. archaeologist Dilara Kenner teams up with engineer Tyler Locke to investigate her father’s disappearance and a mystery connected to Noah’s Ark.
As they dig deeper, they face traps, hostile forces, and a series of increasingly dangerous revelations.
Morrison does a nice job of combining brainy problem-solving with crowd-pleasing action, which gives the book a broad adventure-movie feel.
Chris Kuzneski specializes in fast, entertaining thrillers driven by historical mysteries, danger, and treasure-hunt energy. If you like Matthew Reilly for his breathless pacing and adventurous spirit, Kuzneski should be on your radar.
A solid introduction is The Hunters, in which an elite team of treasure seekers searches for a legendary Romanian fortune hidden for centuries.
Between rival expeditions, deadly traps, and buried secrets, the novel keeps the tension high and the pages turning.
A.G. Riddle writes ambitious adventure thrillers that bring together ancient mysteries, futuristic ideas, and global stakes. That mix makes his work a good fit for readers who enjoy Matthew Reilly’s big-concept approach.
His novel The Atlantis Gene combines action with speculative science as agent David Vale and scientist Kate Warner investigate an ancient genetic secret tied to Atlantis.
As the story expands, they find themselves racing against conspiracies, secret organizations, and threats that could reshape humanity’s future.
If you enjoy thrillers that feel both adventurous and science-driven, Riddle is an easy recommendation.
Wilbur Smith may appeal to Matthew Reilly readers who want vivid action but are also open to richer historical settings. His novels are often sweeping, dramatic, and full of danger.
One standout is River God, set in ancient Egypt.
The story follows Taita, a gifted slave who serves as physician, strategist, and loyal protector to his queen. As war closes in, he must rely on intelligence, courage, and devotion to survive and defend those he loves.
Smith brings the ancient world to life with memorable detail, giving the novel both scale and emotional weight.
Greg Bear is best known for science fiction, but readers who appreciate Matthew Reilly’s speed and high-stakes storytelling may still find a lot to enjoy in his work. Bear excels at taking a huge concept and driving it forward with urgency.
In Eon, a mysterious asteroid appears near Earth, drawing the attention of scientists and governments around the world.
Inside, they discover advanced technology and vast human-made cities, setting off a race to understand what it all means before events spin out of control.
The result is imaginative, tense, and packed with ideas, while still delivering plenty of forward momentum.
Dirk Cussler is a good option for readers who enjoy Matthew Reilly’s fast-moving action and adventurous tone. Continuing the legacy established by his father, Clive Cussler, he writes stories full of danger, mystery, and bold heroes.
In Crescent Dawn, Dirk Pitt and his team investigate a centuries-old mystery that leads them into a far-reaching conspiracy.
An ancient shipwreck, strange artifacts, and a series of startling discoveries push the adventure into increasingly dangerous territory as powerful enemies try to shut them down.
It’s an entertaining choice if you want classic adventure with a brisk, modern thriller rhythm.
Ted Bell writes action thrillers driven by international intrigue, danger, and stylish larger-than-life heroes. Readers who enjoy Matthew Reilly’s high-stakes storytelling may find a similar appeal in Bell’s work.
His novel Hawke. follows British secret agent Alex Hawke as he races to stop a conspiracy with global consequences.
To do it, Hawke must navigate assassins, shifting political loyalties, and hidden enemies operating in the shadows.
With sharp twists, brisk pacing, and a steady stream of action, the book offers the kind of escapist thriller fun that keeps you reading late into the night.
