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Megan Abbott

ミーガン・アボット

Megan Abbott

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1971-08-21 （Detroit, Michigan, U.S.）
Nationality
United States
Languages
English
Residence History
Grosse Pointe (Detroit suburb) — childhood → New York — has lived

Career

Occupations
Author, Screenwriter, Journalist
Active Years
2002-2025
Affiliations
New York University (teaching), State University of New York (teaching), The New School (teaching), University of Mississippi (John Grisham Writer in Residence)
Influenced By
Film noir, Classic noir / Hardboiled fiction, Jeffrey Eugenides (The Virgin Suicides)

Education

University of Michigan
Degree: Bachelor's
Country: United States
Earned bachelor's degree (year not specified)
New York University
English and American Literature
Degree: Ph.D.
Country: United States
Ph.D. in English and American literature (year not specified)

Awards

Anthony Award (Best Novel)
2006
Work: Die a Little
Category: Best Novel
Organization: Bouchercon (Anthony Awards)
Result: Finalist
Barry Award (Best First Novel)
2006
Work: Die a Little
Category: Best First Novel
Organization: Deadly Pleasures (Barry Awards)
Result: Finalist
Edgar Award (Best First Novel)
2006
Work: Die a Little
Category: Best First Novel
Organization: Mystery Writers of America
Result: Finalist
Barry Award (Best Paperback Original)
2008
Work: Queenpin
Category: Best Paperback Original
Organization: Deadly Pleasures (Barry Awards)
Result: Won
Edgar Award (Best Paperback Original)
2008
Work: Queenpin
Category: Best Paperback Original
Organization: Mystery Writers of America
Result: Won
Hammett Prize
2009
Work: Bury Me Deep
Organization: International/Harsh Crime Literature organizations
Result: Finalist
ITW Thriller Award (Novel)
2015
Category: Novel
Organization: International Thriller Writers
Result: Won
Anthony Award (Best Short Story)
2016
Work: Little Men
Category: Best Short Story
Organization: Bouchercon (Anthony Awards)
Result: Won
Los Angeles Times Book Prize (Mystery/Thriller)
2021
Work: The Turnout
Category: Mystery/Thriller
Organization: Los Angeles Times
Result: Won
Booklist Editors' Choice
2021
Work: The Turnout
Category: Adult Books for Young Adults (Selection)
Organization: Booklist
Result: Selection
ITW Thriller Award (Hardcover Novel)
2022
Category: Hardcover Novel
Organization: International Thriller Writers
Result: Finalist

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Die a Little

2005 Crime fiction / Noir

A noir novel set in midcentury Los Angeles about jealousy and the darker side of Hollywood.

JealousyFemale-centered noirDark side of Hollywood

The Song Is You

2007 Crime fiction / Fiction inspired by historical events

A novel drawing on the 1949 disappearance of Jean Spangler; explores secrets from the past influencing the present.

DisappearanceShadows of the pastFemale perspective

Queenpin

2007 Crime fiction

A crime novel about women involved in drug trade and crime networks; themes of power and betrayal.

PowerBetrayalFemale relationships

Bury Me Deep

2009 Historical crime fiction

A novel inspired by the 1931 Winnie Ruth Judd case, examining media and crime.

Fame and scandalRole of mediaMemory of crime

The End of Everything

2011 Psychological suspense

A suspense novel about adolescent anxiety and lost friendships; received critical acclaim.

AdolescenceFriendshipLoss

Dare Me

2012 Psychological thriller

A psychological thriller set in a high school cheerleading squad; explores power, ambition, and the breakdown of friendships.

AmbitionManipulationBreakdown of friendships
Adaptations
  • [TV series] Dare Me (2019)

The Fever

2014 Psychological suspense

A suspense novel set in a suburban community, delving into secrets surrounding adolescent girls and their families.

Suburban societyFamily secretsAdolescence

You Will Know Me

2016 Thriller

A family thriller set around competitive gymnastics; explores pressure to win and its effects on family dynamics.

Competition and pressureFamily dynamicsSecrets

Give Me Your Hand

2018 Psychological thriller

A suspenseful tale of female friendship and jealousy, where ethics and ambition collide.

FriendshipJealousyAmbition

The Turnout

2021 Psychological suspense

A suspense novel centered on a dance studio and dark family secrets; drew critical attention.

Family secretsArt and expectationsHidden dangers
Adaptations
  • [Film/TV adaptation (planned)] The Turnout

Beware the Woman

2023 Thriller

A recent thriller exploring distrust and tension surrounding women; detailed synopsis omitted.

DistrustTension

Bibliography

  • The Street Was Mine: White Masculinity in Hardboiled Fiction and Film Noir
  • Die a Little
  • The Song Is You
  • Queenpin
  • Bury Me Deep
  • The End of Everything
  • Dare Me
  • The Fever
  • You Will Know Me
  • Give Me Your Hand
  • The Turnout
  • Beware the Woman
  • El Dorado Drive

Adaptations

  • Dare Me (2019 TV series, USA Network; Abbott served as co-showrunner)
  • The Turnout (adaptation planned)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Noir-inflected proseFocus on psychological interiorityReinterpretation of classic genres from a female perspective
Recurring Motifs
Boundaries between adolescence and adulthoodFemale relationshipsDark underside of suburban/middle-class life

Legacy

Megan Abbott is recognized for reworking noir and hardboiled traditions from a female perspective. She has received critical acclaim, multiple awards and nominations, and is known for adaptations of her work for television.

Academic Societies

  • Mystery Writers of America (associated)

In Popular Culture

  • TV adaptation of Dare Me (2019)
  • Work as a writer on The Deuce (TV)

Trivia

  • Her father is Philip Abbott (academic).
  • She co-ran a blog with novelist Sara Gran.
  • She adapted her novel Dare Me into a TV series and served as co-showrunner.
  • Served as John Grisham Writer in Residence at the University of Mississippi in 2013 and 2014.