Marshall Karp

Before Marshall Karp was plotting murder, he was writing comedy. That unexpected pairing—mischief wrapped in mystery—is exactly what makes his thrillers hit differently. Karp is best known for co-authoring the bestselling NYPD Red series with James Patterson, but long before the flashing sirens and high-profile crimes, he was building a career in advertising, television, and screenwriting. That sense of timing—of when to make readers laugh and when to make their hearts race—never left him.

Born and raised in New York, Karp has a lifelong love for the city’s rhythm and grit, which pulses through his crime fiction. His solo work, including the Lomax and Biggs series, offers a signature blend of sharp dialogue, cinematic pacing, and character-driven plots. Whether he’s exploring the cutthroat world of Hollywood or diving into a twisted conspiracy in Manhattan, Karp writes with a wink and a loaded gun.

Behind the clever setups and high-stakes chases is a writer who knows his audience wants more than just a body count—they want characters they can root for, crimes they can almost solve, and just enough levity to keep them hooked. It’s that balance—deadly serious with a smile—that’s earned him a loyal following.

Now writing under his own name again, Marshall Karp continues to deliver crime novels that don’t just entertain—they move. Each book feels like a conversation with an old friend who just happens to have a wicked sense of humor and a deep knowledge of police procedure. And maybe, just maybe, a few secrets of his own.