My favorite author was Michael Crichton. I read everything he published. Then he died.
My next favorite author was Vince Flynn. I read everything he published. Then he died.
My next favorite author was Elmore Leonard. I read everything he published. Then he died.
I no longer have a favorite author. It’s too dangerous.
At least Leonard died an old man. But the problem with Leonard is he spoils you for any other author.
There is no accounting for taste when it comes to writing styles. I never cared for Elmore Leonard’s clippy all-dialogue method. When it works, it’s great, but it can get tedious.
I would strongly recommend reading some early Gerald Seymour: Harry’s Game, Archangel, The Contract. His later work is uneven, this happens with “book a year” contracts.