Japanese Literary Awards

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Megan Abbott

ミーガン・アボット

Mīgan Abotto

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
Detroit, Michigan, United States
Nationality
United States
Languages
English
Residence History
Suburbs of Michigan → New York (long-term residence)

Career

Occupations
Writer, Screenwriter, Scholar, Professor
Active Years
2005-
Influenced By
Film noir and classic hardboiled fiction, Jeffrey Eugenides

Education

University of Michigan
Country: United States
Undergraduate degree (details not specified)
New York University
English / American Literature
Degree: Ph.D.
Country: United States
Ph.D. in English and American literature

Awards

Edgar Award (Paperback)
2008
Work: Queenpin
Category: Paperback
Organization: Mystery Writers of America
Result: Winner
Barry Award (Paperback)
2008
Work: Queenpin
Category: Paperback
Organization: Barry Awards (organization)
Result: Winner
Anthony Award (Paperback)
2008
Work: Queenpin
Category: Paperback
Organization: Anthony Awards (Bouchercon)
Result: Nominee
Anthony Award (Paperback)
2010
Work: Bury Me Deep
Category: Paperback
Organization: Anthony Awards (Bouchercon)
Result: Nominee

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Die a Little

2005 Mystery / Noir

A noir-tinged mystery exploring dark events from adolescence and their repercussions.

adolescencetraumasecrets
Translations
  • Hayakawa Publishing (Japanese translation by Atsuko Urushibara, 2007)

The Song Is You

2007 Mystery

A novel dealing with a disappearance and mysteries from the past.

disappearancepast burdens

Queenpin

2007 Mystery / Crime

A story of complex relationships and revenge set in the criminal underworld.

crimerevengerelationships
Translations
  • Hayakawa Publishing (Japanese translation by Atsuko Urushibara)

Bury Me Deep

2009 Mystery

A novel that invokes real-life cases in its narrative structure.

historical casesuncovering truth

The End of Everything

2011 Mystery

A suspenseful novel about friendship and loss.

friendshiploss

Dare Me

2012 Mystery / Suspense

A psychological suspense centered on young women in a cheerleading squad.

adolescencepower dynamicsviolence
Adaptations
  • [TV series] Dare Me (TV series) (2020)

The Fever

2014 Mystery

A novel about suspicion and fear spreading within a closed community.

group psychologysuspicion

You Will Know Me

2016 Mystery

A family drama with shadows and tensions set in the world of gymnastics.

familyambitionpressure

Give Me Your Hand

2018 Mystery

A suspense about rivalry and betrayal among female researchers.

academic sciencejealousycompetition

Bibliography

  • Die a Little (2005)
  • The Song Is You (2007)
  • Queenpin (2007)
  • Bury Me Deep (2009)
  • The End of Everything (2011)
  • Dare Me (2012)
  • The Fever (2014)
  • You Will Know Me (2016)
  • Give Me Your Hand (2018)

Adaptations

  • Dare Me — TV series adaptation (Megan Abbott served as creator/executive producer/writer)

Translations of Works

  • Die a Little — Hayakawa Publishing (Japanese translation by Atsuko Urushibara, 2007)
  • Queenpin — Hayakawa Publishing (Japanese translation by Atsuko Urushibara)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
A terse, noir-influenced style with hardboiled undertonesContemporary mystery prose with strong psychological characterization
Recurring Motifs
anxieties and isolation of young womenfriendship and betrayalshadows from the past

Legacy

Recognized for bringing film-noir and classic hardboiled elements into contemporary crime fiction and for sharp portrayals of young women's psyches. Her work has reached wider audiences through television adaptations.

Academic Societies

  • (no specific academic society information)

In Popular Culture

  • TV series adaptation of Dare Me

Quotes

  • I want readers to feel everything.
    Source: Marie Claire interview (summary) (2019)

Trivia

  • She has scholarly work on film noir and hardboiled fiction (The Street Was Mine, 2002).
  • Has co-written a blog with Sara Gran.
  • Her novel Dare Me was adapted into a TV series; she worked on the series as creator/executive producer/writer.