Picture a Los Angeles storyteller who spun a tale of ambition and deception so wickedly fun it became a USA TODAY bestseller—meet Rachel Koller Croft! This screenwriter-turned-novelist crafts thrilling narratives that dive into the glitzy, cutthroat world of the elite, blending sharp wit and complex characters. With her debut novel, Stone Cold Fox, Croft burst onto the literary scene, promising readers a party-like escape into her deliciously twisted stories.
The Making of Rachel Koller Croft
Born and raised in Chicago, Rachel Koller Croft graduated from Ridgewood High School in 2004 before chasing her dreams to Los Angeles. Her early career in screenwriting, sparked by a spite-fueled script after a breakup, led to success with projects for Blumhouse and Sony Pictures Entertainment. By 2015, she sold her first feature script, honing a knack for crafting compelling narratives. This storytelling prowess, paired with a love for movies and villains, set the stage for her pivot to novels, where she could own her intellectual property and let her voice shine.
Rachel Koller Croft’s Unforgettable Stories
Croft’s debut, Stone Cold Fox (2023), is a provocative thriller about Bea, a cunning woman scheming to marry into wealth while escaping her con-artist past. Its biting humor and twisty plot drew comparisons to Gone Girl, earning praise for its fresh take on ambition and deception. Her follow-up, We Love the Nightlife (2024), transports readers to London’s 1979 disco scene, where two vampire friends navigate a toxic bond and a deadly nightclub venture. Croft’s style—darkly funny, character-driven, and steeped in high-stakes drama—reflects her screenwriting roots, creating vivid, cinematic worlds. She’s currently adapting both novels for film and television, blending her dual talents to captivate audiences across mediums. Her third novel, a marriage thriller, is already generating buzz among fans.
What sets Croft apart is her ability to craft flawed, fascinating protagonists who challenge societal norms. Her stories explore themes of power, betrayal, and the complexities of female ambition, often with a nod to the absurdities of wealth and privilege. Readers are drawn to her snarky, unapologetic voice, which feels like gossiping with a witty friend over cocktails.
Why Rachel Koller Croft Matters
Rachel Koller Croft is redefining the thriller genre by infusing it with humor and heart, making her stories both escapist and thought-provoking. Her WGA award-nominated screenwriting and bestselling novels have cemented her as a rising star, particularly for readers craving strong, morally gray female leads. By tackling themes like toxic friendships and societal sexism, Croft’s work resonates with a generation navigating ambition in a world of double standards. Her mission to be a “literary party host” invites readers into thrilling, inclusive narratives that leave them eager for more.
- Key Works: Stone Cold Fox (2023), We Love the Nightlife (2024)
- Awards: WGA award-nominated screenwriter
- Hometown: Originally from Chicago, now lives in Los Angeles
- Fun Fact: Lives with her husband, Charles, and rescue pitbull, Juniper
About Rachel Koller Croft
Snag Stone Cold Fox or We Love the Nightlife and dive into Rachel Koller Croft’s thrilling, snarky world of deception and disco! You’ll be hooked from the first page.