📖 Overview
Robert Liparulo is an American author who writes supernatural thrillers and young adult fiction. He has published multiple bestselling novels including Comes a Horseman, Germ, and the young adult series Dreamhouse Kings.
Before focusing on novels, Liparulo worked as a journalist and wrote over a thousand articles for various publications including New York Times and Reader's Digest. His transition to fiction writing occurred in 2005 with his debut thriller Comes a Horseman.
The Dreamhouse Kings series remains one of his most recognized works, following the King family as they move into a mysterious house with portals to different time periods. His adult thrillers often blend elements of technology, supernatural phenomena, and suspense.
Liparulo's works have received recognition through multiple awards and nominations, including three Christy Awards nominations and a Christy Award win for best suspense novel. His books have been optioned for film adaptation by various Hollywood studios.
👀 Reviews
Readers praise Liparulo's fast-paced plotting and ability to blend technology with supernatural elements. Many reviewers mention staying up late to finish his books, particularly the Dreamhouse Kings series. Parents frequently recommend his YA fiction for being engaging without inappropriate content.
Readers appreciate:
- Well-researched technical details
- Complex character development
- Christian themes without being preachy
- Action sequences that "read like movies"
Common criticisms:
- Some find his adult thrillers overly violent
- Plot pacing can be uneven
- Multiple storylines sometimes feel disconnected
- Religious elements feel forced to some secular readers
Ratings averages:
Goodreads:
- Comes a Horseman: 3.9/5 (2,800+ ratings)
- Dreamhouse Kings series: 4.2/5 (15,000+ ratings)
- Germ: 3.8/5 (2,100+ ratings)
Amazon:
- Average 4.3/5 across all titles
- Dreamhouse Kings consistently rates highest at 4.6/5
Notable reader quote: "Liparulo writes like a combination of Ted Dekker and Michael Crichton - techno-thrillers with heart." - Amazon reviewer
📚 Books by Robert Liparulo
Dreamhouse Kings Series:
House of Dark Shadows - A family moves into an old house in California, discovering mysterious portals that lead to different time periods.
Watcher in the Woods - The King family searches for their missing mother through the house's time portals while confronting a malevolent presence.
Gatekeepers - The King children travel through various historical periods while learning about their family's connection to the house.
Timescape - Xander and David King face increasingly dangerous historical scenarios while trying to rescue their mother.
Whirlwind - The King family races against time to prevent ancient evils from entering their world through the house's portals.
Frenzy - The series concludes as the Kings make their final attempt to reunite their family and seal the dangerous time portals.
Standalone Novels: Comes a Horseman - Two FBI agents investigate a series of murders linked to an ancient prophecy.
Germ - A biotech researcher discovers a deadly engineered virus targeting specific DNA patterns.
Deadfall - A group of business executives on a hunting retreat become the targets of technologically advanced killers.
Deadlock - A Secret Service agent pursues cyber terrorists who have infiltrated the White House security systems.
The 13th Tribe - An immortal group of vigilantes, cursed after worshiping the golden calf at Mount Sinai, hunt down sinners through the centuries.
The Judgment Stone - The immortal tribe discovers a powerful biblical artifact that reveals the spiritual world around them.
Watcher in the Woods - The King family searches for their missing mother through the house's time portals while confronting a malevolent presence.
Gatekeepers - The King children travel through various historical periods while learning about their family's connection to the house.
Timescape - Xander and David King face increasingly dangerous historical scenarios while trying to rescue their mother.
Whirlwind - The King family races against time to prevent ancient evils from entering their world through the house's portals.
Frenzy - The series concludes as the Kings make their final attempt to reunite their family and seal the dangerous time portals.
Standalone Novels: Comes a Horseman - Two FBI agents investigate a series of murders linked to an ancient prophecy.
Germ - A biotech researcher discovers a deadly engineered virus targeting specific DNA patterns.
Deadfall - A group of business executives on a hunting retreat become the targets of technologically advanced killers.
Deadlock - A Secret Service agent pursues cyber terrorists who have infiltrated the White House security systems.
The 13th Tribe - An immortal group of vigilantes, cursed after worshiping the golden calf at Mount Sinai, hunt down sinners through the centuries.
The Judgment Stone - The immortal tribe discovers a powerful biblical artifact that reveals the spiritual world around them.
👥 Similar authors
Ted Dekker writes supernatural thrillers that blend faith elements with action and suspense. His books often feature psychological elements and spiritual warfare themes, similar to Liparulo's blend of supernatural and thriller components.
James Rollins combines scientific concepts with adventure and military action sequences. His Sigma Force series incorporates historical mysteries and modern technology in ways that mirror Liparulo's technical detail and fast-paced plotting.
Steven James creates FBI thrillers with intricate plots and complex character development. His Patrick Bowers series focuses on tracking serial killers while weaving in personal and moral dilemmas.
Frank Peretti crafts stories that mix supernatural elements with contemporary settings and Christian themes. His work features spiritual warfare and good-versus-evil conflicts in modern contexts.
Joel C. Rosenberg writes political thrillers with international espionage and military elements. His books incorporate current events and geopolitical scenarios while maintaining rapid pacing and technical accuracy.
James Rollins combines scientific concepts with adventure and military action sequences. His Sigma Force series incorporates historical mysteries and modern technology in ways that mirror Liparulo's technical detail and fast-paced plotting.
Steven James creates FBI thrillers with intricate plots and complex character development. His Patrick Bowers series focuses on tracking serial killers while weaving in personal and moral dilemmas.
Frank Peretti crafts stories that mix supernatural elements with contemporary settings and Christian themes. His work features spiritual warfare and good-versus-evil conflicts in modern contexts.
Joel C. Rosenberg writes political thrillers with international espionage and military elements. His books incorporate current events and geopolitical scenarios while maintaining rapid pacing and technical accuracy.