Christopher Pike is the pen name of Kevin Christopher McFadden, a bestselling American author known for his young adult thrillers, horror, sci-fi, and children's novels. Pike was born in New York on November 12, 1955, but spent his formative years in California, where he currently resides. Before achieving success as an author, Pike worked a variety of jobs, including factory work, house painting, and computer programming.
Pike's writing career began with adult mysteries, but he found greater success in the teen thriller genre after an editor suggested he try writing for a younger audience. His first significant success in this genre was with the novel "Slumber Party," published in 1985, which focused on a group of teenagers who encounter bizarre and violent events during a ski weekend. This breakthrough was followed by other bestsellers such as "Weekend" and "Chain Letter".
While Pike's popularity grew, he maintained a private persona, granting few interviews. He has cited several influences for his work, including Arthur C. Clarke, Isaac Asimov, Agatha Christie, and Stephen King. Despite his success in the young adult and children's fiction markets, Pike's bibliography reflects a wide range of interests and genres, showcasing his versatility as a writer.