Christopher Bollen is an American author, hailing from Cincinnati, Ohio, who is well-known for his contemporary suspense thrillers. After attending a Catholic high school, Bollen moved to New York and pursued his undergraduate studies at Columbia University. His professional journey began in the magazine industry, where he gained invaluable experience and insights into literature, fashion, and art. Although he never obtained his Master of Fine Arts (MFA), Bollen considers his work with Interview magazine as a practical alternative to graduate school. This experience provided him with the opportunity to interact with literary greats such as Toni Morrison and Norman Mailer, which significantly contributed to his growth as a writer. Bollen's exceptional dialogue writing skills are evident in his work, particularly in "The Destroyers," where the characters engage in highly realistic and ruminative conversations, rather than the typical expository style seen in the genre.
Bollen is a New York City-based writer who regularly contributes to discussions about art, literature, and culture. His writing career took off with the publication of his first novel, "Lightning People," in 2011. His second novel, "Orient," was published by Harper in May 2015. He continued to build his literary portfolio with the release of "The Destroyers" in June 2017, and his fourth novel, "A Beautiful Crime," was published in Spring 2020. Apart from his fiction works, Bollen is an accomplished editor and critic, with his writing appearing in numerous prestigious publications such as The New York Times, Artforum, New York Magazine, and The Believer. Currently, Bollen serves as the Editor at Large at Interview Magazine and a contributing editor at Vanity Fair.