Marisha Pessl, born on October 26, 1977, in Clarkston, Michigan, is a distinguished American author celebrated for her enthralling thriller novels. Pessl's literary journey is marked by the acclaimed successes of her novels Special Topics in Calamity Physics, Night Film, and Neverworld Wake. Her debut novel, Special Topics in Calamity Physics, not only secured its place as a bestseller in both hardcover and paperback formats but also garnered the prestigious 2006 John Sargent Sr. First Novel Prize (presently known as the Center for Fiction’s Flaherty-Dunnan First Novel Prize), and was honored as one of the 10 Best Books of the Year by The New York Times Book Review.

Pessl's journey from Asheville, North Carolina, where she grew up, to her current residence in New York City, exhibits her fascinating transition from a Northwestern University student majoring in Film to an English Literature major with a Playwriting minor at Barnard College, advancing to a successful career as a novelist. Prior to her literary breakthrough, Pessl worked as a financial consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers, a role that secretly fueled her passion for writing as she jotted down character names for her novels while ostensibly engaged in her consulting duties.

Her writing process, which she describes as a combination of meditation, a brutal trek through the wilderness, and a magic trick, is notably influenced by a range of artists including Agatha Christie, John Hughes, Mark Twain, David Lynch, Shel Silverstein, and Truman Capote. Pessl's dedication to her craft and her admiration for fearless individuals who break the mold or stand alone in their pursuits resonate deeply within her narrative style and thematic exploration.

With her books translated into over twenty-five languages, Pessl continues to captivate readers around the globe, affirming her position as a master storyteller in the contemporary literary world.