Caroline Mitchell

Caroline Kepnes, born in November 1976 on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, is an American author and screenwriter. She holds a degree in American Civilization from Brown University and previously worked as an entertainment reporter for Entertainment Weekly. Kepnes's literary career gained significant traction with her debut novel, 'You,' released in 2014. This thriller, which deconstructs romantic comedy tropes by centering on a violent stalker, was written during a difficult period in her life following her father's death. The novel's success led to a popular television adaptation, initially developed for Showtime before moving to Lifetime and then Netflix, where it has achieved considerable acclaim and multiple seasons.

Kepnes continued to explore dark psychological themes in her subsequent works. Her second novel, 'Hidden Bodies' (2016), served as a sequel to 'You' and was loosely adapted for the television series. In 2018, she released 'Providence,' a novel described as a romance-suspense-thriller with supernatural elements, which also garnered attention for a potential television adaptation. Her bibliography includes further installments in the 'You' series, such as 'You Love Me' (2021) and 'For You and Only You' (2023), solidifying her reputation for crafting compelling narratives with complex, often unsettling, characters.

Caroline Kepnes's writing career began with an early gig writing about boy bands for Tiger Beat magazine. After graduating from Brown University with a degree in American Civilization, she worked as an entertainment reporter. Her breakthrough came in 2014 with the publication of 'You,' a novel that subverts traditional romantic tropes by featuring a protagonist who is a violent stalker. Kepnes has stated that the novel's dark tone stemmed from a personal period of significant challenges, including the death of her father. Initially, she debated whether her protagonist, Joe Goldberg, qualified as a serial killer, acknowledging the unsettling nature of his actions and her own role in creating such a character.

The immense popularity of 'You' led to its adaptation into a television series, initially slated for Showtime before being picked up by Lifetime and subsequently Netflix. The series premiered in 2018 and quickly garnered a substantial following, securing multiple renewals and seasons. Kepnes continued to develop the narrative universe of 'You,' releasing the sequel 'Hidden Bodies' in 2016, which was later loosely incorporated into the television show's second season. She also penned the stand-alone novel 'Providence' in 2018, a romance-suspense-thriller with supernatural undertones that has also been optioned for television development.

Kepnes's work is characterized by its exploration of dark psychological themes, often deconstructing conventional genre expectations. 'You' specifically challenges romantic comedy conventions by presenting a protagonist whose obsessive behavior escalates to violence. Reviews for 'Providence' have noted its blend of suspense and supernatural elements, with some critics drawing comparisons to authors like Dexter and H.P. Lovecraft, while acknowledging its distinct narrative voice. Kepnes's ability to delve into the complexities of human behavior, even in its most unsettling forms, has been a consistent element in her critical reception.

“he’s not a serial killer, he meets these terrible people and has these awful thoughts, but he’s very sensitive”

“It’s very strange to realise you have written a serial killer”

“Before I was even finished with the first book I knew what my second one was going to be. I wanted to trap Joe somewhere.”