Japanese Literary Awards

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John Hart

ジョン・ハート

Jon Hāto

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1965-01-01 （Durham, North Carolina, United States）
Nationality
United States
Languages
English
Residence History
North Carolina, United States → Virginia, United States → London, United Kingdom (has spent time working in pubs)

Career

Occupations
Writer, Former criminal lawyer, Former banker, Former stockbroker, Former helicopter mechanic (apprentice), Bartender (experience)
Active Years
2006-
Nominations
Edgar Award (Best First Novel) — Nominee, Macavity Award (Best First Mystery) — Nominee, Anthony Award (Best First Novel) — Nominee, Barry Award (Best First Novel) — Nominee, Translation Mystery Grand Prize — Nominee (Japan)

Education

Davidson College
French Literature
Country: United States
Studied French literature at Davidson College
—
Accounting and Law (graduate studies)
Country: United States
Obtained graduate-level qualifications in accounting and law

Awards

Gumshoe Award (Best Debut/Mystery Newcomer)
2007
Work: The King of Lies
Category: 新人賞
Organization: Gumshoe Awards
Result: 受賞
Edgar Award (Best Novel)
2008
Work: Down River
Category: 長編賞
Organization: Mystery Writers of America
Result: 受賞
Edgar Award (Best Novel)
2010
Work: The Last Child
Category: 長編賞
Organization: Mystery Writers of America
Result: 受賞
Ian Fleming Steel Dagger (Best Thriller)
2010
Work: The Last Child
Category: 最優秀スリラー賞
Organization: Crime Writers' Association (UK)
Result: 受賞
Barry Award (Best Novel)
2010
Work: The Last Child
Category: 長編賞
Organization: Barry Awards
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The King of Lies

2006 Mystery / Crime

Debut novel set in a small community where past events and present crimes intersect in a tense mystery.

familyshadows of the pastsmall-town corruption
Translations
  • Hayakawa Publishing (Japanese translation)

Down River

2007 Mystery / Suspense

Investigation of a disappearance that shakes a community, combining tight plotting with deep character study.

missing personssearch for truthsin and redemption
Translations
  • Hayakawa Publishing (Japanese translation)

The Last Child

2009 Mystery / Thriller

A father's anguished pursuit after a kidnapped child, blending social themes with a personal quest for justice.

kidnappingrevengeparent-child relationships
Translations
  • Hayakawa Publishing (Japanese translation)

Iron House

2010 Mystery / Thriller

A suspenseful tale unveiling secrets of characters as past crimes come to light.

secretsrevelation of the pastlaw and order
Translations
  • Hayakawa Publishing (Japanese translation)

Redemption Road

2016 Mystery / Drama

A story of redemption and atonement focusing on characters confronting their pasts.

atonementrebirthsettling the past
Translations
  • Hayakawa Publishing (Japanese translation)

The Hush

2018 Mystery

Publication status uncertain; detailed information not available.

The Unwilling

2021 Mystery / Thriller

A recent novel addressing conflicts in small-town communities and individuals.

nostalgiareturning homeconflict
Translations
  • Hayakawa Publishing (Japanese translation)

Bibliography

  • The King of Lies (2006)
  • Down River (2007)
  • The Last Child (2009)
  • Iron House (2010)
  • Redemption Road (2016)
  • The Hush (2018)
  • The Unwilling (2021)

Translations of Works

  • The King of Lies — Hayakawa (Japanese translation)
  • Down River — Hayakawa (Japanese translation)
  • The Last Child — Hayakawa (Japanese translation)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Plot-driven, tense proseDetailed character and psychological depictionRealistic depiction of small-town communities
Recurring Motifs
familymissing/kidnappingpast sins and redemptiondark side of small-town life

Legacy

Since his debut, John Hart has received major mystery awards including the Edgar Award and achieved international bestseller status. He is noted for tightly plotted novels and small-town human drama; many works have been translated.

Quotes

  • I still enjoy pouring beer in a London pub more than the writing life.
    Source: Author bio (book jacket), Wikipedia (English/Japanese entries)

Trivia

  • Before becoming a full-time writer, he worked as a lawyer, banker, stockbroker and apprentice helicopter mechanic.
  • His novel The Last Child won multiple international awards and became a bestseller.
  • Many of his works have been translated into Japanese and published by Hayakawa Publishing.