Picture a storyteller who spun a chilling tale of Atlantic City’s underbelly, weaving suspense with heart—meet Caitlin Mullen! This American author burst onto the thriller scene with her debut novel, Please See Us, a haunting narrative inspired by real-life mysteries and her Jersey Shore roots. With a knack for crafting complex characters and eerie atmospheres, Mullen is carving a unique space in contemporary fiction.
Her stories don’t just thrill; they dig deep into the human condition, shining a light on society’s overlooked. Ready to dive into Mullen’s world? Let’s explore her journey, works, and why she’s a voice to watch!
The Making of Caitlin Mullen
Born and raised in upstate New York and the Jersey Shore, Caitlin Mullen grew up surrounded by the faded glamour of coastal towns, which later fueled her atmospheric storytelling. She earned a BA in English and Creative Writing from Colgate University, followed by an MA in English from NYU, and an MFA in fiction from Stony Brook University. At Stony Brook, she honed her craft, teaching creative writing, editing for The Southampton Review, and working as a bookseller at WORD in Greenpoint. These experiences shaped her sharp, empathetic prose, blending literary depth with thriller pacing.
Mullen’s Jersey Shore upbringing, with its mix of tourist glitz and hidden struggles, deeply influenced her perspective. Residencies at the Saltonstall Foundation and Vermont Studio Center gave her space to refine her voice, setting the stage for her gripping debut.
Caitlin Mullen’s Unforgettable Stories
Mullen’s debut novel, Please See Us (2020), is a tour de force that nabbed the 2021 Edgar Award for Best First Novel. Set in a decaying Atlantic City, it follows Clara, a young psychic, and Lily, a former art gallery worker, as they uncover a string of murders. Inspired by the unsolved 2006 killings of four women in Atlantic City, the novel blends suspense with poignant commentary on violence against women. Mullen’s use of multiple perspectives, including the voices of the victims, creates a haunting, Greek chorus-like effect.
Before Please See Us, Mullen dipped her toes into fiction with Deep Enough (2017), a short story about a grieving widow in the New Jersey Pine Barrens. Published by Day One, it showcased her ability to weave emotional depth with unsettling settings. Her prose is lyrical yet gritty, painting vivid portraits of flawed, relatable characters navigating dark circumstances. Themes of loss, societal neglect, and resilience thread through her work, making her thrillers both thrilling and thought-provoking.
Mullen’s style stands out for its balance of literary finesse and page-turning suspense. She avoids clichés, focusing on the humanity of her characters—especially women who society often ignores. Her Jersey Shore roots lend authenticity, grounding her stories in a palpable sense of place.
Why Caitlin Mullen Matters
Caitlin Mullen’s impact lies in her ability to elevate the thriller genre beyond mere whodunits. By centering marginalized voices, particularly women facing poverty or exploitation, she challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths. Please See Us has been praised by outlets like The New York Times and Publishers Weekly for its “spellbinding” and “exceptional” storytelling, cementing Mullen as a fresh voice in crime fiction. Her work resonates with fans of authors like Laura Lippman and Chloe Benjamin, blending suspense with social commentary.
As an emerging author, Mullen’s influence is just beginning. Her focus on character-driven narratives and real-world issues positions her as a vital contributor to modern thrillers, inspiring readers to see the unseen. With more stories likely on the horizon, she’s one to watch in the literary world.
About Caitlin Mullen
- Key Work: Please See Us (2020), winner of the 2021 Edgar Award.
- First Published: Deep Enough (2017), a short story.
- Hometown: Upstate New York and the Jersey Shore.
- Current Home: Princeton, New Jersey.
Snag Please See Us and dive into Caitlin Mullen’s gripping, heartfelt thrillers! Her stories will keep you up late, turning pages and pondering the shadows of the Jersey Shore.