Robert Kolker

Robert Kolker is a journalist and New York Times bestselling author recognized for his work in narrative nonfiction, mental health advocacy, and investigative reporting. As a contributing writer for The New York Times Magazine, Kolker's reporting has appeared in publications including The Atlantic, Wired, O, the Oprah Magazine, The Marshall Project, Bloomberg Businessweek, and New York Magazine. His work has been published internationally in multiple languages.

Kolker began his career as a contributing editor at New York Magazine and as a projects and investigations reporter for Bloomberg News and Bloomberg Businessweek. His reporting often focuses on complex human stories, criminal justice, and the intersection of family and mental health.

Kolker's debut book, "Lost Girls," examines the unsolved murders of five sex workers attributed to the Long Island Serial Killer. The book, a New York Times bestseller, was adapted into a Netflix film and was recognized by The New York Times, Publisher's Weekly, Time, and Slate for its contribution to true crime literature. Kolker's journalism has also inspired the feature film "Bad Education," based on his reporting on a public-school embezzlement scandal.

His second book, "Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family," explores the story of the Galvin family, one of the first families studied by the National Institute of Mental Health. The book addresses topics such as schizophrenia, mental illness research, and the impact of family dynamics on health outcomes. "Hidden Valley Road" was a New York Times bestseller, selected for Oprah's Book Club, and named a Top Ten Book of the Year by The New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, and Slate. It was also recognized by GQ and Kirkus Reviews for its contribution to literary journalism and nonfiction.

Kolker has received recognition for his work in journalism, including being a National Magazine Award finalist and receiving the Harry Frank Guggenheim Award for Excellence in Criminal Justice Reporting from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. His reporting on wrongful convictions and police interrogation tactics has contributed to the discourse on criminal justice reform.

Kolker is known for his focus on families facing significant challenges, including high-profile criminal cases, mental illness, and neurodegenerative diseases. His book "The Vanishing Family: Love, Fate, and the Quest to End Dementia" continues his exploration of family narratives and their role in understanding human behavior and resilience.