Picture a courtroom whiz turned master of suspense, weaving tales that keep you up all night—meet Meg Gardiner! This American thriller writer has captivated readers with her pulse-pounding crime novels, blending legal savvy with storytelling magic. From her bestselling Evan Delaney series to her chilling UNSUB novels, Gardiner’s knack for morally complex characters and twisty plots has earned her a spot among thriller greats.
Born in Oklahoma and raised in sunny Santa Barbara, California, Gardiner’s journey from lawyer to novelist is as gripping as her books. With a flair for crafting stories that explore the human condition through crime, she’s a must-read for anyone who loves a heart-racing narrative.
The Making of Meg Gardiner
Meg Gardiner, born May 15, 1957, grew up in a book-loving home, daughter of an English professor. At Dos Pueblos High School in Goleta, she sharpened her writing chops on the school paper, but her dad nudged her toward a practical path: law. She aced it, earning a degree from Stanford University and a law degree from Stanford Law School. After practicing law in Los Angeles, she taught at UC Santa Barbara, all while dreaming of novels. In the 1990s, a move to London with her family sparked her leap to writing, and in 2002, her debut, China Lake, launched her career.
Meg Gardiner’s Unforgettable Stories
Gardiner’s novels are rollercoasters of suspense, packed with strong heroines and ethical dilemmas. Her Evan Delaney series, starting with China Lake (2002), follows a gutsy Santa Barbara journalist tackling crimes from serial killers to cult conspiracies. The book snagged the 2009 Edgar Award for Best Paperback Original. Her Jo Beckett series, kicked off by The Dirty Secrets Club (2008), features a forensic psychiatrist diving into psychological autopsies, earning the 2009 Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award.
More recently, the UNSUB series, starring FBI profiler Caitlin Hendrix, has thrilled readers. UNSUB (2017), inspired by the Zodiac killer, won the 2018 Barry Award, while The Dark Corners of the Night (2020) caught Amazon Studios’ eye for a TV series. Gardiner’s standalone novels like Phantom Instinct (2014) showcase her knack for high-stakes action, with critics calling her work “Hitchcockian” and “nailbiting.” Her co-authored Heat 2 (2022) with Michael Mann hit #1 on the New York Times bestseller list.
Her style? Fast-paced, morally layered, and unafraid to probe the line between right and wrong. Gardiner loves tossing readers into danger—think sadistic killers or kids in peril—while keeping her characters relatable and her plots unpredictable.
Why Meg Gardiner Matters
Meg Gardiner’s impact on crime fiction is undeniable. Stephen King dubbed her Evan Delaney novels “the finest crime-suspense series I’ve come across in the last twenty years,” and her ability to blend legal rigor with raw emotion has won her fans worldwide. Her heroines—fierce, flawed, and unforgettable—inspire readers, while her exploration of justice and morality resonates deeply. With awards, bestseller status, and Hollywood interest, Gardiner’s legacy as a thriller titan grows stronger with every book.
- Born: May 15, 1957, Oklahoma City, OK
- Key Works: China Lake, The Dirty Secrets Club, UNSUB, Heat 2
- Awards: Edgar Award (2009), Barry Award (2018), Audie Award (2012)
- Fun Fact: She’s a three-time Jeopardy! champion!
Ready for a thrilling ride? Grab UNSUB or China Lake and dive into Meg Gardiner’s world of suspense!