John Hart was born in Durham, North Carolina in 1965, the son of a young surgeon and French teacher who quit teaching to raise her children. Eventually, He moved to Rowan County, where The King of Lies and Down River are both set, and on which the fictional Raven County is loosely based. His favorite memory of childhood is a five hundred acre farm that has since fallen to the sweeping tide of development that is slowly devouring much of North Carolina. He attended Davidson College, a marvelous school just north of Charlotte, where he studied French literature. He has also spent long days sanding teak on the Carolina coast, working on helicopters in Alaska and drawing pints in a London pub.
Forsaken Country (2022) Allen Eskens "In Forsaken Country, Allen Eskens delivers in all the ways that matter. Story, character, suspense--I loved it all. This author deserves a round of applause, and this book a massive audience."
We Begin at the End (2020) Chris Whitaker "Chris Whitaker's third novel, We Begin at the End, is the kind of breakout book that publishers dream about. Rich with character and story, conflict and tension, humor, tragedy and raw, unadulterated guts, this one has it all. Throw in the most compelling young protagonist I've read in at least a decade, and you have a deep and meaningful story that is an absolute delight from first page to last. Nicely done, Mr. Whitaker!"
A Dredging in Swann (2020) (Seb Creek Mystery, book 1) Tim Garvin "Tim Garvin delivers the goods with his first Seb Creek novel, A Dredging in Swann. Sharp and insightful, this story of a former Marine MP turned small-city cop is a welcome addition to the canon of southern mysteries, and sets the stage for great things to come. Well done, Mr. Garvin!"
The Good Detective (2019) (Detective P.T. Marsh, book 1) John McMahon "First fiction is dangerous business: many aspire, few succeed. Not so with John McMahon's debut, The Good Detective. Tight, fast and addictive, I blistered this book in a single day. It has everything top-drawer crime fiction demands: murder, conflict, and a damaged, compelling hero, all delivered in prose so crisp and clean McMahon presents like an old pro. If he had a second novel on the shelves, I'd be reading it right now."
Blood On the Tracks (2016) (Sydney Rose Parnell, book 1) Barbara Nickless "Both evocative and self-assured, Barbara Nickless’s debut novel is an outstanding, hard-hitting story so gritty and real you feel it in your teeth. Do yourself a favor and give this bright talent a read."
The Dry (2016) (Aaron Falk, book 1) Jane Harper "Every so often a debut novel arrives that is so tightly woven and compelling it seems the work of a novelist in her prime. That's what Jane Harper has given us with The Dry, a story so true to setting and tone it seemed I fell asleep in Virginia only to wake in Australian heat. It's rare, that sense of transportation, and I loved every minute of it."
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Awards
2010 Edgar Award for Best Novel : The Last Child
2010 Barry Award for Best Novel : The Last Child
2009 CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger : The Last Child
2008 Edgar Award for Best Novel : Down River
Award nominations
2022 CWA Gold Dagger (shortlist) : The Unwilling
2017 CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger (shortlist) : Redemption Road
2012 Barry Award for Best Novel (nominee) : Iron House
2010 Anthony Award for Best Novel (nominee) : The Last Child
2008 Barry Award for Best Novel (nominee) : Down River
2007 Macavity Award for Best First Novel (nominee) : The King of Lies
2007 Edgar Award for Best First Novel (nominee) : The King of Lies
2007 Barry Award for Best First Novel (nominee) : The King of Lies
2007 Anthony Award for Best First Novel (nominee) : The King of Lies
(b.1965)
