The Lock Artist A Novel

STEVE HAMILTON’s first novel, A Cold Day in Paradise, won the Private Eye Writers of America/St. Martin’s Press Best First Private Eye Novel Contest before becoming a USA Today Bestseller and winning both an Edgar and a Shamus Award for Best First Novel.  His standalone novel The Lock Artist was named a New York Times Notable Book, was given an Alex Award by the American Library Association, and then went on to win the Edgar Award for Best Novel, making Steve Hamilton only the second author (after Ross Thomas) to win Edgars for both Best First Novel and Best Novel.  He attended the University of Michigan, where he won the prestigious Hopwood Award for writing, and now he lives in Cottekill, New York with his wife and their two children.

A NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE CRIME BOOK OF THE YEAR

WINNER OF THE ALEX AWARD

WINNER OF THE EDGAR AWARD FOR BEST NOVEL

NOMINATED FOR THE DILYS AWARD

"This one is too good for words."--The New York Times Book Review

"Hamilton … understands what’s truly scary, what’s truly suspenseful.”--The Washington Post

“Mike is one of those unreliable narrators you can’t help rooting for-- a traumatized soul fighting his way back from the brink-- and the mystery of his silence will have you blazing through pages. A smart, inventive thriller, The Lock Artist is packed with a standout cast of characters, plus enough safe-cracking trade secrets to tempt you to dig up that old combination lock and test your newfound knowledge.”--Louisville Courier Journal

"An enthralling read . . . Michael [is] an utterly believable and thoroughly captivating character . . . The Lock Artist is a terrific coming-of-age tale and a great crime novel all wrapped in one, with a liberal sprinkling of romance and teenage rebellion to boot."--San Francisco Book Review

“Fascinating, with enough bits of high-voltage action to keep the pulse pounding.”--Houston Chronicle

"The unconventional The Lock Artist surpasses even Hamilton's high standards. . . . Hamilton delves deeply into Mike’s psyche, saving the tragedy that propelled him to silence until near the end. When the story of why Mike cannot speak is revealed, it is a devastating moment and Hamilton knows how to draw out all the emotional impact.”--Florida Sun-Sentinel

“The Lock Artist is far more than a suspenseful heist caper. It’s the story of a boy emerging into his own life… The talent Steve Hamilton has developed over the course of the Alex McKnight series is in full bloom here in this daring and deeply satisfying novel.”--Reviewing the Evidence

"Propelled by an aching desire to recover his voice, [protagonist] Mike has brushes with the law, flirts with romance and makes alliances with criminals, from rank amateurs to consummate professionals. Along the way, Hamilton drops tantalizing clues about Mike’s troubled past and his uncertain future. Readers will hope to hear more from Mike."--Publishers Weekly

“Sharp prose and a strong cast.”--Kirkus Reviews

“Intense and involving.”--Booklist

"Hamilton has a knack for weaving a complicated web of intrigue and irony and a knack for hoisting the system on its own petard."--Chronogram Magazine

"Hamilton maintains a seamless narrative of escalating suspense as he juggles alternating adolescent and late-teen storylines that merge in the revelation of Mike's brutal secret. With this absorbing coming-of-age tale scarred by horror and adversity, the New York author breathes new life into the oldest chestnut of all, the redemptive power of love."--Winnipeg Free Press

"Hypnotic ... a proven master of suspense moves in a brand new direction - and the result is can't-put-it-down spectacular."--Lee Child

"I haven't read a book this captivating in a long time. The Lock Artist is gutsy, genuine and, flat out, a great read. You won't be disappointed."--Michael Connelly

Praise for Steve Hamilton:

"Hamilton's prose . . . remains an unself-consciously terse pleasure."--Entertainment Weekly on Blood Is the Sky

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