Robert Kolker is an acclaimed American journalist and author known for his immersive approach to long-form journalism. His work has appeared in several prestigious publications, including The New York Times Magazine, where he contributes articles covering a wide range of topics. Kolker has also been a contributing editor at New York Magazine and has served as projects and investigations reporter for Bloomberg News and Bloomberg Businessweek.

Kolker's literary contributions are equally noteworthy. He is the author of Lost Girls, a New York Times best-selling true crime book that delves into the intricate details of an unsolved case. This work was lauded as one of Publishers Weekly's Top Ten Books of 2013. In 2020, Kolker published Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family, a book that provides a compelling look into the complexities of mental illness within a family. This book was selected for the revival of Oprah's Book Club, marking a significant milestone in Kolker's career.