Books & Authors: Identify the author of the celebrated novel 'The Godfather'. Which writer authored the world-famous crime family novel 'The Godfather', later adapted into landmark films? Choose the correct author.

Given data

• Work: The Godfather (novel)
• Task: Identify the correct author from the options.

Concept/Approach
Match the novel to its widely known author from literary history.

Step-by-step reasoning
The Godfather is a landmark crime novel published in 1969.Its author is Mario Puzo, whose story about the Corleone family became a cultural phenomenon and inspired the Academy Award–winning films directed by Francis Ford Coppola.

Verification
Other listed authors are famous for different works: Arthur Hailey (Airport), John Grisham (legal thrillers like The Firm), Harper Lee (To Kill a Mockingbird), Sidney Sheldon (Master of the Game).

Common pitfalls
Confusing film director/actors with the novelist; mixing up with other crime or legal fiction writers.

Final Answer
Mario Puzo