Wounds
Refuge
Anyway
the Lost
Ways to Die
Squeeze
Chris Knopf has published 17 mystery/thriller novels and numerous short stories to wide critical acclaim. Known for his hardboiled amateur sleuths, Knopf’s books weave plenty of action through evocative prose often compared to Elmore Leonard, Ross MacDonald and Robert B. Parker.
Publishers Weekly said about Deep Dive, “Witty byplay between Sam and his significant other helps keep the action moving. Robert B. Parker fans will find a lot to like.” Standalone You’re Dead received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Booklist. Back Lash received a starred review from Booklist, who also said that Cop Job “…maintains the high standards of previous entries: smooth prose style, brisk dialogue, smart plotline, well-drawn characters, keen sense of place. Another winner from a consistently strong author.“ Knopf’s first novel, The Last Refuge was a finalist for The Connecticut Book Award. Two Time was one of thirteen mysteries listed in Marilyn Stasio’s “Recommended Summer Reading” column in The New York Times Book Review. Head Wounds was cited as one of the best mysteries of the year in 2008 by both Mysterious Reviews and Deadly Pleasures, and the 2008 Benjamin Franklin Award for Best Mystery.
His thriller series featuring off-the-grid sleuth Arthur Cathcart began with Dead Anyway, which received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Booklist, Kirkus and Library Journal. It was named one of The Best Crime Novels of 2012 by The Boston Globe and won the 2013 Nero Award. The sequels, Cries of the Lost and A Billion Ways To Die, followed. Three Jackie Swaitkowski Hamptons Mysteries were published by Thomas Dunne/St. Martins – Short Squeeze, Bad Bird and Ice Cap.
Kill Switch, included in Best New England Crime Stories, was short-listed for the 2016 Derringer Award. Other stories have appeared in Alfred Hitchcock, Ellery Queen, the Akashic Noir series and Mystery Tribune. Catch and Release was listed as a “Distinguished Story” in The Best American Mystery Stories, 2020.