10 Best Books Like The Outsiders
If you loved The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton, here are the most similar books our readers recommend.
Quick Answer
The best books like The Outsiders are:
- 1The Tenant by Freida McFadden4.2
- 2Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn4.2
- 3The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware4.0
- 4Red Dragon (Hannibal Lecter) by Thomas Harris4.5#1
- 5Perfect Strangers by J.T. Geissinger4.5
- 6Mystic River by Dennis Lehane4.1
- 7Faithful Place by Tana French4.3#3
- 8In the Woods by Tana French4.1#1
- 9Along Came a Spider (Alex Cross) by James Patterson4.5#1
- 10The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson4.6#2

Fourteen-year-old Ponyboy Curtis navigates life as a "greaser" on the wrong side of town, relying on his brothers and close-knit gang while facing constant conflict with the wealthy "Socs." When a violent confrontation spirals out of control one night, Ponyboy's world is turned upside down, forcing him to confront harsh realities about loyalty, family, and survival. This groundbreaking coming-of-age story explores the bonds of brotherhood and the struggle to find belonging in a world divided by class and violence.
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Detailed Recommendations

Red Dragon (Hannibal Lecter)
Hannibal Lecter #1 (works standalone)by Thomas Harris
Why you'll love it:
This thriller shares a dark and cerebral tone that will resonate with The Outsiders fans.

Faithful Place
Dublin Murder Squad #3 (works standalone)by Tana French
Why you'll love it:
This thriller shares a melancholy and introspective tone that will resonate with The Outsiders fans.

In the Woods
Dublin Murder Squad #1 (works standalone)by Tana French
Why you'll love it:
This thriller shares a haunting and melancholic tone that will resonate with The Outsiders fans.

Along Came a Spider (Alex Cross)
Alex Cross #1 (works standalone)by James Patterson
Why you'll love it:
This thriller shares a tense and methodical tone that will resonate with The Outsiders fans.

The Girl Who Played with Fire
Millennium #2 (works standalone)by Stieg Larsson
Why you'll love it:
This thriller shares a dark and relentless tone that will resonate with The Outsiders fans.
Quick Comparison: Books Like The Outsiders
| Book | Author | Rating | Year | Pages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Tenant | Freida McFadden | 4.2 | 2025 | 368 | Closest match |
| Sharp Objects | Gillian Flynn | 4.2 | 2018 | 393 | Similar vibes |
| The Woman in Cabin 10 | Ruth Ware | 4.0 | 2016 | 352 | Similar vibes |
| Red Dragon (Hannibal Lecter) | Thomas Harris | 4.5 | 2008 | — | Similar vibes |
| Perfect Strangers | J.T. Geissinger | 4.5 | 2019 | 342 | Similar vibes |
| Mystic River | Dennis Lehane | 4.1 | 2016 | 592 | Similar vibes |
| Faithful Place | Tana French | 4.3 | 2010 | 416 | Similar vibes |
| In the Woods | Tana French | 4.1 | 2019 | 560 | Similar vibes |
| Along Came a Spider (Alex Cross) | James Patterson | 4.5 | 2024 | 464 | Similar vibes |
| The Girl Who Played with Fire | Stieg Larsson | 4.6 | 2009 | 832 | Similar vibes |
Authors Who Write Like S. E. Hinton
If you enjoy S. E. Hinton's writing style, explore these similar authors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What books are most similar to The Outsiders?
The most similar books to The Outsiders are The Tenant, Sharp Objects, The Woman in Cabin 10.
What should I read after The Outsiders?
After finishing The Outsiders, readers most commonly pick up The Tenant next.
Who writes books like S. E. Hinton?
Authors similar to S. E. Hinton include Freida McFadden, Gillian Flynn, Alex Michaelides.
What genre is The Outsiders?
The Outsiders is a Thriller novel by S. E. Hinton, published in 2006.
How long is The Outsiders?
The Outsiders is 224 pages long.
About The Outsiders
Inspiration for the 2024 Tony Award Winner for Best Musical!Over 50 years of an iconic classic! The international bestseller-- a heroic story of friendship and belonging.No one ever said life was easy. But Ponyboy is pretty sure that he's got things figured out. He knows that he can count on his brothers, Darry and Sodapop. And he knows that he can count on his friends-true friends who would do anything for him, like Johnny and Two-Bit. But not on much else besides trouble with the Socs, a vicious gang of rich kids whose idea of a good time is beating up on “greasers” like Ponyboy. At least he knows what to expect-until the night someone takes things too far.The Outsiders is a dramatic and enduring work of fiction that laid the groundwork for the YA genre. S. E. Hinton's classic story of a boy who finds himself on the outskirts of regular society remains as powerful today as it was the day it was first published. "The Outsiders transformed young-adult fiction from a genre mostly about prom queens, football players and high school crushes to one that portrayed a darker, truer world." -The New York Times"Taut with tension, filled with drama." -The Chicago Tribune"[A] classic coming-of-age book." -Philadelphia Daily NewsA New York Herald Tribune Best Teenage BookA Chicago Tribune Book World Spring Book Festival Honor BookAn ALA Best Book for Young AdultsWinner of the Massachusetts Children's Book Award




