Michael Koryta is an American author, known for his crime fiction and supernatural thrillers. He was born in Bloomington, Indiana, and his love for writing and books developed at a very young age. By the time he was eight, he had already started corresponding with his favorite authors. During his high school years, he made the decision to pursue a career in writing crime fiction and even interned with a private investigator. His last name, Koryta, is pronounced as "ko-ree-ta."
Koryta has established himself as a successful author, with fourteen suspense novels under his belt, many of which have become bestsellers. His work has been highly praised by other renowned authors such as Stephen King, Michael Connelly, and Lee Child. His books have been translated into more than twenty languages and have won or been nominated for prestigious awards like the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, Edgar® Award, Shamus Award, Barry Award, Quill Award, International Thriller Writers Award, and the Golden Dagger. They have also been featured as "best books of the year" by various publications, including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Amazon.com.
One of his recent thrillers, "Those Who Wish Me Dead," was particularly well-received, being named the best thriller of the summer by both Amazon and Entertainment Weekly, and selected as one of the year's best books by more than ten publications. The novel is currently being adapted into a major motion picture by 20th Century Fox. Koryta's previous work encompasses a range of genres, from supernatural novels like "So Cold the River," "The Cypress House," and "The Ridge," to stand-alone crime novels such as "The Prophet" and "Envy the Night," to a series of award-winning novels featuring private investigator Lincoln Perry. Various film and television adaptations of his books are in the works, with projects attached to Oscar and Emmy winners.
Before turning to writing full-time, Koryta worked as a private investigator and a newspaper reporter, and also taught at the Indiana University School of Journalism. He began working for a private investigator as an intern while in high school, turning it into his day job in the early stages of his writing career, and still maintains an interest in the firm. As a journalist, he won numerous awards from the Society of Professional Journalists. His first novel, "Tonight I Said Goodbye," was accepted for publication when he was only 20 years old.
Koryta's passions outside of writing and reading include various outdoor pursuits, such as hiking, camping, boating, and fishing. Some of his favorite spots in the world include the Beartooth Mountains, the flowages of the Northwoods in Wisconsin, St. Petersburg, FL, and the Maine coast. He remains a native of Bloomington, Indiana, where he lives with his wife, Christine, and their pets. He continues to seek out the world's best microbrew and coffee, and is active on social media.