Harlan Coben

Harlan Coben (born January 4, 1962) is an American author of mystery novels and thrillers. The plots of his novels often involve the resurfacing of unresolved or misinterpreted events in the past (murders, fatal accidents, etc.) and often have multiple plot twists. Both series of Coben's books are set in and around New York and New Jersey, and some of the supporting characters in the two series have appeared in both.

Background

Coben was born to a Jewish family in Newark, New Jersey, but was raised in Livingston and schooled at Livingston High School, together with childhood friend and future politician Chris Christie. While studying political science at Amherst College, he was a member of Psi Upsilon fraternity with author Dan Brown. After Amherst, Coben worked in the travel industry, in a company owned by his grandfather. He lives in Ridgewood, New Jersey, with his wife, Anne Armstrong-Coben, a pediatrician, and their four children: Charlotte, Benjamin, Will and Eve.

Career

Coben was in his senior year at college when he realized he wanted to write. His first book was accepted when he was twenty-six, but after publishing two stand-alone thrillers in the 1990s (Play Dead in 1990 and Miracle Cure in 1991) he decided on a change of direction and began a series of thrillers featuring his character Myron Bolitar. The novels of the popular series follow the tales of a former basketball player turned sports agent (Bolitar), who often finds himself investigating murders involving his clients.