Evans, Justin 1971(?)–

PERSONAL:

Born c. 1971; married; children: son. Education: Columbia University, B.A.; New York University, M.B.A.

ADDRESSES:

Home—New York, NY. Agent—Diane Bartoli, Artists Literary Group, 27 W. 20th St., 10th Fl., New York, NY 10011. E-mail—justin@justinevans.com.

CAREER:

Writer. Paramount Pictures, New York, NY, former talent scout; New York Times, New York, NY, former member of advertising group and business strategist; The Nielsen Company, New York, NY, former business strategist; The Pluck Corporation, New York, NY, strategy executive.

WRITINGS:

A Good and Happy Child: A Novel, Shaye Areheart Books (New York, NY), 2007.

SIDELIGHTS:

Justin Evans earned his degree in English from Columbia University and went on to earn an M.B.A. in finance from New York University. He has worked in business development and strategy for a number of organizations, including The Pluck Corporation, a social media technology company where he now serves as a strategy executive, in addition to pursuing his interest in writing. Evans's debut, A Good and Happy Child: A Novel, was published in 2007 to favorable reviews. The book tells the story of George Davies, from the time he was a child struggling with the death of his father until he is himself an adult and father. Problems develop when an invisible visitor appears to George and torments him regarding the circumstances of his father's death. Even as George eventually goes into therapy to deal with his hallucinations, there are individuals in his life suggesting he is actually being haunted by a real demon. A reviewer for Publishers Weekly opined that "this stunning novel marks the debut of a serious talent," and went on to praise Evans's effort for its "psychological depth and riveting suspense." Ian Chipman, in a review for Booklist, dubbed the book "an edgy, compelling read more unnerving than scary—that will slide its hooks deep inside and throttle you." In a critique for Kirkus Reviews, one writer found A Good and Happy Child to be "a psychological thriller that keeps the reader on edge until the last page."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Booklist, March 1, 2007, Ian Chipman, review of A Good and Happy Child: A Novel, p. 62.

Books, June 2, 2007, Kristin Kloberdanz, review of A Good and Happy Child, p. 9.

Entertainment Weekly, May 25, 2007, Thom Geier, review of A Good and Happy Child, p. 89.

Kirkus Reviews, January 15, 2007, review of A Good and Happy Child, p. 40.

Library Journal, March 1, 2007, Marianne Fitzgerald, review of A Good and Happy Child, p. 72.

Publishers Weekly, March 12, 2007, review of A Good and Happy Child, p. 34; March 26, 2007, "PW Talks with Justin Evans: Everyone Where I Grew up Believed in Ghosts," p. 62.

ONLINE

Bookreporter.com,http://www.bookreporter.com/ (October 3, 2007), Joe Hartlaub, review of A Good and Happy Child.

Justin Evans Home Page,http://www.justinevans.com (October 3, 2007).

USA Today Online,http://www.usatoday.com/ (May 16, 2007), Carol Memmott, review of A Good and Happy Child.