📖 Overview
Andrew Gross is an American thriller novelist who gained prominence through his collaborations with James Patterson and later established himself as a successful solo author. His work includes multiple New York Times bestsellers and he is known for writing suspense novels that combine family dynamics with broader criminal conspiracies.
After transitioning from a successful career in the apparel industry, Gross began his writing career in the early 2000s co-authoring books with James Patterson, including "The Women's Murder Club" series. He launched his solo career in 2006 with "The Blue Zone" and has since written numerous standalone thrillers.
Gross's novels typically feature themes of family loyalty, betrayal, and emotional conflict that escalates into larger criminal conspiracies. His writing style emphasizes psychological suspense and complex relationships, while maintaining fast-paced narratives that span both contemporary and historical settings.
The author has published all his works through William Morrow, a HarperCollins imprint, and continues to produce regular thriller releases. His notable works include "The One Man," "Button Man," and "The Fifth Column," which demonstrate his ability to weave historical elements into contemporary thriller frameworks.
👀 Reviews
Readers appreciate Gross's fast pacing and ability to build tension, particularly in his thrillers like "The Fifth Column" and "Button Man." Many note his talent for historical research and detail in his period pieces. Multiple reviews mention getting "hooked from page one" and staying up late to finish his books.
Common criticisms include predictable plots, flat characters, and dialogue that can feel forced or unrealistic. Some readers point out historical inaccuracies or find the writing style basic compared to other thriller authors.
Average ratings across platforms:
Goodreads: 3.8/5 (averaged across all books)
Amazon: 4.2/5
Barnes & Noble: 4.1/5
Recent reader comment from Goodreads: "The action moves at breakneck speed, but I never connected with any of the characters. They felt like cardboard cutouts moving through the plot."
His collaborations with James Patterson receive lower ratings (3.5/5 average) than his solo works, with readers noting these feel more formulaic and rushed.
📚 Books by Andrew Gross
3rd Degree - A Women's Murder Club thriller co-authored with James Patterson following Detective Lindsay Boxer as she investigates a series of political assassinations in San Francisco.
The Jester - A historical thriller co-authored with James Patterson about a medieval innkeeper who becomes entangled in dangerous adventures after returning from the Crusades.
Reckless - A suspense novel about successful financial advisor Ty Hauck who investigates a seemingly accidental hit-and-run that leads to a complex conspiracy.
The Blue Zone - A thriller following Kate Raab's search for truth after her father enters witness protection and disappears.
The Dark Tide - A novel centered on Karen Friedman, whose investigation of her husband's death in a Grand Central Station bombing reveals dangerous secrets.
Don't Look Twice - Detective Ty Hauck returns to investigate a deadly drive-by shooting at a local gas station that connects to high-level corruption.
The One Man - A World War II thriller about a Jewish physicist who must break into Auschwitz to rescue another scientist with critical atomic knowledge.
Button Man - A historical thriller set in 1930s New York about a Jewish garment maker fighting against organized crime in the industry.
The Fifth Column - A World War II-era novel about a man uncovering a Nazi spy ring in New York City while trying to clear his name of murder charges.
No Way Back - A story about a woman who becomes entangled in an international conspiracy after witnessing a murder in a hotel room.
The Jester - A historical thriller co-authored with James Patterson about a medieval innkeeper who becomes entangled in dangerous adventures after returning from the Crusades.
Reckless - A suspense novel about successful financial advisor Ty Hauck who investigates a seemingly accidental hit-and-run that leads to a complex conspiracy.
The Blue Zone - A thriller following Kate Raab's search for truth after her father enters witness protection and disappears.
The Dark Tide - A novel centered on Karen Friedman, whose investigation of her husband's death in a Grand Central Station bombing reveals dangerous secrets.
Don't Look Twice - Detective Ty Hauck returns to investigate a deadly drive-by shooting at a local gas station that connects to high-level corruption.
The One Man - A World War II thriller about a Jewish physicist who must break into Auschwitz to rescue another scientist with critical atomic knowledge.
Button Man - A historical thriller set in 1930s New York about a Jewish garment maker fighting against organized crime in the industry.
The Fifth Column - A World War II-era novel about a man uncovering a Nazi spy ring in New York City while trying to clear his name of murder charges.
No Way Back - A story about a woman who becomes entangled in an international conspiracy after witnessing a murder in a hotel room.
👥 Similar authors
James Patterson
As Gross's early collaborator, Patterson writes thrillers with similar pacing and plot complexity. Patterson's works feature comparable themes of family, crime, and conspiracy across both standalone novels and series.
Harlan Coben Coben writes domestic thrillers that blend family drama with larger criminal conspiracies. His novels focus on ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances, similar to Gross's approach to character development.
Steve Berry Berry combines historical elements with modern thriller plots in his work. His novels feature detailed research and complex conspiracies that span different time periods, matching Gross's style in his historical thrillers.
Joseph Finder Finder writes suspense novels about ordinary people thrust into dangerous situations involving corporate and criminal elements. His background in business influences his plots, similar to how Gross's business experience shapes his narratives.
David Baldacci Baldacci creates thrillers with intricate plots and family dynamics at their core. His work features detailed character relationships and government conspiracies that parallel Gross's storytelling approach.
Harlan Coben Coben writes domestic thrillers that blend family drama with larger criminal conspiracies. His novels focus on ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances, similar to Gross's approach to character development.
Steve Berry Berry combines historical elements with modern thriller plots in his work. His novels feature detailed research and complex conspiracies that span different time periods, matching Gross's style in his historical thrillers.
Joseph Finder Finder writes suspense novels about ordinary people thrust into dangerous situations involving corporate and criminal elements. His background in business influences his plots, similar to how Gross's business experience shapes his narratives.
David Baldacci Baldacci creates thrillers with intricate plots and family dynamics at their core. His work features detailed character relationships and government conspiracies that parallel Gross's storytelling approach.