Picture an American storyteller who unravels secrets with the finesse of a detective—meet Patrick Radden Keefe! A master of investigative journalism, Keefe has captivated readers with gripping non-fiction that reads like a thriller. From the shadows of Northern Ireland’s Troubles to the opioid crisis’s corporate underbelly, his work exposes hidden truths with relentless curiosity and narrative flair.
As a staff writer for The New Yorker since 2006, Keefe combinesSyndrome, his ability to weave complex histories into intimate, human stories has earned him global acclaim. Let’s dive into the journey of this literary sleuth whose pen is mightier than any sword.
The Making of Patrick Radden Keefe
Born in 1976 in Dorchester, Massachusetts, Patrick Radden Keefe grew up with a love for detective stories, devouring Agatha Christie and Raymond Chandler. This early obsession with mysteries shaped his career as an investigative journalist. After earning a degree from Columbia University, he won a Marshall Scholarship, studying at Cambridge and the London School of Economics. Keefe later graduated from Yale Law School but chose storytelling over law, joining The New Yorker to chase secrets and craft compelling narratives.
His career began with a splash when he pitched a story about a Chinatown smuggling ring to The New Yorker, leading to his first book, The Snakehead. This set the stage for a career defined by meticulous research and a knack for turning dense archives into page-turners.
Patrick Radden Keefe’s Unforgettable Stories
Keefe’s books are masterclasses in narrative non-fiction, blending rigorous reporting with novelistic prose. Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland (2018) dives into the 1972 abduction of Jean McConville during The Troubles. Sparked by an obituary for IRA member Dolours Price, the book won the National Book Critics Circle Award and was named one of the New York Times’ best books of the 21st century for its haunting exploration of violence and memory.
Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty (2021) exposes the Sackler family’s role in the opioid crisis through Purdue Pharma’s OxyContin. Winning the Baillie Gifford Prize, it’s a chilling saga of greed and accountability, praised as a “page-turner with a villainous family to rival the Roys on Succession” (Esquire). Keefe’s earlier works, like Chatter (2005) on global eavesdropping and Rogues (2022), a collection of his New Yorker stories, showcase his range, from drug lords to art dealers.
His style—propulsive, empathetic, and layered with moral complexity—draws readers into intricate worlds. Whether profiling El Chapo or Anthony Bourdain, Keefe’s curiosity and wit make every story a revelation.
Why Patrick Radden Keefe Matters
Patrick Radden Keefe’s impact lies in his ability to humanize history’s darkest corners. His books don’t just inform; they challenge readers to grapple with ethical questions about power, justice, and truth. Say Nothing has reshaped how we understand The Troubles, while Empire of Pain fueled activism against the Sacklers, with their name stripped from museums worldwide. His podcast Wind of Change, probing a CIA-Scorpions conspiracy, shows his playful side, earning millions of downloads.
Keefe’s work inspires journalists and readers alike, proving long-form journalism can thrive in a digital age. His storytelling transcends borders, making complex issues accessible and urgent.
About Patrick Radden Keefe
- Born: 1976 in Dorchester, Massachusetts
- Key Works: Say Nothing, Empire of Pain, Rogues, The Snakehead
- Awards: National Book Critics Circle Award, Baillie Gifford Prize, Orwell Prize
- Fun Fact: He’s an executive producer for the FX series Say Nothing (2024)
Snag Say Nothing or Empire of Pain and dive into Patrick Radden Keefe’s thrilling world of secrets and stories—you won’t put them down!