Christopher Pike
"Death never comes at the right time, despite what mortals believe. Death always comes like a thief."
McFadden was born in New York but grew up in California where he stills lives in today. A college drop-out, he did factory work, painted houses and programmed computers before becoming a recognized author. Initially unsuccessful when he set out to write science fiction and adult mystery, it was not until his work caught the attention of an editor who suggested he write a teen thriller that he became a hit. The result was Slumber Party (1985), a book about a group of teenagers who run into bizarre and violent events during a ski weekend. After that he wrote Weekend and Chain Letter. All three books went on to become bestsellers.
His other well-known works include The Last Vampire (a series of six books), the Final Friends Trilogy, Remember Me (a trilogy), The Lost Mind, Witch, Whisper of Death, Alosha, The Shaktra, The Yanti, Bury Me Deep, The Tachyon Web, and Fall into Darkness.
McFadden is also the author of the popular children's series Spooksville, and several adult novels: Sati, The Season of Passage, The Listeners, The Cold One, The Blind Mirror and Falling.
What genres does Christopher Pike write?
He is best known for young adult and children's fiction, especially thriller, supernatural and horror-tinged stories. He has also written speculative and science fiction and several adult novels.
Which age groups are his books aimed at?
Many of his titles are aimed at young adults and older children. He also has adult novels for mature readers, so you can find work for both younger and adult audiences.
What are Christopher Pike's major series and notable titles?
Major series include The Last Vampire (a six-book series), the Final Friends trilogy, the Remember Me trilogy, the Spooksville children's series and Alosha. Notable standalone or other titles cited include Slumber Party, Weekend, Chain Letter, The Midnight Club, The Tachyon Web, Witch, Whisper of Death, Bury Me Deep and several adult novels such as Sati and The Season of Passage.
How should I read his series—is there a recommended order?
Read each series in its series or publication order for the best experience (for example, the six Last Vampire books in sequence and the three-book Remember Me and Final Friends trilogies in order). Standalone novels can be read independently at any time.
Where is a good place to start if I'm new to his work?
For a gateway into his YA thrillers try Slumber Party or the Remember Me trilogy. If you prefer series, start with the first book of The Last Vampire or the Spooksville series for younger readers. For adult fiction try Sati or The Season of Passage.
