James Patterson has written over 200 novels and is one of the world’s bestselling and most prolific authors. His crime thrillers include the Alex Cross series, the Women’s Murder Club novels, and the Michael Bennett series. Patterson’s plots are suspense-driven, fast-paced, and action-packed. His distinctive literary style is characterized by direct, straightforward prose and short, punchy chapters that often end in cliff-hangers. This page-turning technique is designed to keep readers engaged and entertained, making his books easy to read and difficult to put down. Patterson’s novels typically feature strong, relatable protagonists like Alex Cross, a detective/psychologist who solves murder cases.

Patterson has professionally collaborated with celebrities and public figures; for example, he worked alongside President Bill Clinton to create the political thriller, The President is Missing (2018). He also frequently joins forces with other established authors, introducing diverse voices and ideas into his work. Lies He Told Me is one of several collaborations with author David Ellis, known for complex crime thrillers such as Look Closer (2022). Former collaborative works of Patterson and Ellis include The Black Book series, featuring police detective Billy Harney, and the standalone thriller The Murder House (2015).