Gillian Flynn Books In Order

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas

Publication Order of Anthologies

About Gillian Flynn:

Gillian Flynn is an American author of 3 novels, and a former critic for the popular entertainment magazine Entertainment Weekly. Her novel Gone Girl reached the number one spot on the New York Times Bestsellers List, and has been highly praised by fans. Two of Gillian’s works are being adapted in to feature films slated for releases in 2014 and 2015.

Gillian was born in the year 1971, in Kansas City, Missouri. Her parents were both community college professors and helped to serve as inspiration in writing and film. Her mother taught her about writing, and her father educated her about film. Her childhood was spent reading books and watching several movies. During high school, Gillian worked odd jobs such as unwrapping and wrapping hams. She attended college at the University of Kansas, majoring in English and journalism. After graduation, she moved to California and began writing about human resources for a trade magazine there. She then moved to Chicago to attend Northwestern University where she earned her masters degree in journalism. Initially she had wanted to be a crime reporter, but Gillian decided that profession just wasn’t for her. Being the film fan that she was, she decided to make the move over to New York City and began working for the magazine Entertainment Weekly, where she wrote for ten years. For her last four years she was a television critic. Her position at Entertainment Weekly allowed her to travel to movie and television sets around the globe. She left Entertainment Weekly in 2009 and had begun to focus on her writing full-time.

Gillian released her first novel in 2006, titled Sharp Objects. The novel is about a reporter fresh out of a stay at a psychiatric hospital, working for a smaller daily newspaper. She returns to her hometown in Missouri to cover a story about a serial killer who has murdered two young girls. Camille, the main protagonist, having not communicated with her family in nearly a decade, faces childhood memories that she’s spent her whole life thus far trying to forget. Camille follows clue after clue trying to help solve the mystery behind the violent murders while trying to overcome her past, which she must do in order to accomplish what she set out to do. Sharp Objects was released to high praise from critics and fans. Stephen King exclaimed that he fell in love with the book and was unable to stop turning the pages until he was done. Sharp Objects found new fans in critics at major newspapers located throughout the country. People Style Watch said of Gillian “first-time novelist Flynn is a natural-born thriller.” Alan Cheuse at the Chicago Tribune says of Sharp Objects, “A first novel that reads like the accomplished work of a long time pro.” According to one interview, fans, critics, and personal friends of Flynn’s have asked her to write a sequel to Sharp Objects. Sharp Objects was a finalist for the Edgar Awards and also the winner of two Crime Writers Association Dagger Awards in Britain.

Flynn’s next novel, titled Dark Places was released in May of 2009. The story is about the sole survivor, Libby Day, of a massacre in a small town by a satanic cult. Libby had witnessed her mother and two sisters being murdered, and testified that another member of her family as responsible for their deaths. After meeting investigators who try to prove her family member is innocent, Libby is troubled with memories of the that fateful night, recalling that perhaps her memory of the incident may not exactly be accurate. In May of 2009, Dark Places earned a ranking of number 15 on the New York Times Bestseller List. The novel won a Black Quill award, and like Sharp Objects, received several praises from top American authors and newspaper critics. Several critics labeled the work as their top novel for the year 2009. Dark Places is currently being adapted in to a full feature film, and is currently in the pre-production stages. Award winning actress Charlize Theron is set to play the story’s protagonist Libby Day, and will be directed by Gilles Paquet-Brenner. It is slated for a 2014 release.

Her most recent novel, Gone Girl was released in June of 2012. It landed at the number one spot on the New York Time’s Bestseller list. The story is about a husband who is searching for his missing wife, who disappeared on their fifth wedding anniversary. Nick Dunne, the story’s main character is labeled as the prime suspect in his wife Amy’s disappearance due to their troubled marriage being common knowledge to those around them. Flynn tells the story from both Nick and Amy, leaving the reader to question whether each narrator is telling the truth about their stories. This thriller is considered to be a novel that “just can’t be put down.” Aside from being a New York Times Bestseller, it also stayed on NPR’s bestseller list for 26 consecutive weeks. Gone Girl also was the winner of several awards. The novel is being adapted in to a feature film, and will be staring several A-list celebrities. Ben Affleck has been cast to play the main character of Nick Dunne, and playing his wife Amy is Rosamund Pike. Reese Witherspoon will be playing one of the main female characters as well as playing the role of one of its producers. Director and Actor Tyler Perry along with Neil Patrick-Harris are currently in talks about joining the cast for the film. The film will be directed by David Fincher (Fight Club, The Social Network, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo). The film is slated for a 2015 release and is currently in the pre-production stage.

Gillian Flynn is being ranked as one of the top upcoming authors, praised for her masterful skills in writing well-written thrillers. Gillian is currently residing in Chicago and is married to her husband Brett Nolan. The couple has one son, and a cat named Roy. Gillian is said to be working on her next novel, with no release date known as of yet.