Picture a New Yorker swapping Madison Avenue’s glitz for the foggy shores of Portland, Maine, to spin gripping thrillers—meet James Hayman! This former advertising guru turned bestselling author has captivated readers with his McCabe & Savage series, blending heart-pounding suspense with the gritty charm of Maine’s coastal cities. Hayman’s knack for crafting complex characters and twisty plots has earned him a spot on bestseller lists and in the hearts of thriller fans worldwide.
The Making of James Hayman
Born in Brooklyn, New York, James Hayman grew up with a flair for storytelling. After graduating from Brown University, he dove into the fast-paced world of advertising, spending over two decades as a creative director on Madison Avenue. Working with clients like Procter & Gamble and the U.S. Army, he honed his ability to distill ideas into compelling narratives. But the call to write fiction was too strong to ignore. In 2001, Hayman and his wife relocated to Portland, Maine, where he traded ad campaigns for novels, inspired by thriller giants like Dennis Lehane and Michael Connelly.
James Hayman’s Unforgettable Stories
Hayman’s McCabe & Savage series, set in Portland, Maine, is his crowning achievement. The series follows Detective Sergeant Michael McCabe, a former NYPD cop with a troubled past, and his sharp-witted partner, Maggie Savage, as they tackle chilling crimes. His debut, The Cutting (2009), introduces McCabe chasing a surgically precise killer targeting young women, blending police procedural with psychological depth. The Chill of Night (2010) ups the ante with a frozen corpse and a schizophrenic witness, showcasing Hayman’s talent for weaving personal drama into suspense. Darkness First (2013) shifts to Maine’s drug trade, spotlighting Maggie Savage, while A Fatal Obsession (2018) takes the duo to New York to hunt a serial killer dubbed the 'Star Struck Strangler.' Hayman’s style—taut pacing, vivid settings, and flawed, relatable heroes—makes each book a page-turner.
His novels reflect Maine’s rugged beauty and small-town intimacy, drawing from Hayman’s own love for Portland’s cobblestone streets and waterfront. With over half a million copies sold, his work has hit bestseller lists, including The New York Times and USA Today, proving his ability to rival thriller heavyweights.
Why James Hayman Matters
James Hayman’s impact lies in his ability to transform Portland, Maine, into a vivid backdrop for modern crime fiction, much like Dennis Lehane did for Boston. His McCabe & Savage series offers more than thrills—it explores human resilience, fractured relationships, and the cost of justice. Fans praise his authentic characters and unpredictable plots, while his shift from advertising to writing inspires aspiring authors to chase their creative dreams. Hayman’s legacy endures through his gripping stories and the way he’s put Maine on the crime fiction map.
- Born: Brooklyn, New York
- Key Works: The Cutting, The Chill of Night, Darkness First, A Fatal Obsession
- Notable: Over 500,000 books sold; New York Times bestseller
About James Hayman
Snag The Cutting and dive into James Hayman’s thrilling world of suspense!