Joe Ide
American novelist
-
Books Esther Newberg
+1 212 556 5600
Email Esther Newberg -
Translation Rights Sophie Baker
+44 (0)20 7393 4425
Email Sophie Baker
Current Publishers
Publishers Worldwide
Biography
Joe Ide is of Japanese American descent. He grew up in South Central Los Angeles, an economically depressed area with a largely black population. Gangs and street crime were rampant. Like a lot of kids, Joe wanted to belong and his speech, style, musical tastes and attitudes reflected the neighborhood. His favorite books were the Conan Doyle Sherlock Holmes stories. That a person could make his way in the world and vanquish his enemies with just his intelligence fascinated him. Eventually, he went on to university and received a graduate degree in education. He worked as a school teacher, a college lecturer, a corporate middle manager and director of an NGO that offered paralegal services and emergency shelter to abused women and children. He went on to write screenplays for a number of major studios but none of the projects came to fruition. It was then he decided to write his debut novel, IQ, about an unlicensed, underground detective; a character inspired by his early experiences and love of Sherlock Holmes. Joe lives in Santa Monica, California, with his wife and Golden Retriever, Gusto.
Joe Ide has that rarest of writerly skills—a wholly unique voice, one that is at once irreverent and compelling, moving and incisive. IQ will become a reader favorite. It will get glowing reviews. It will be nominated for awards. Let me save you waiting around for the word of mouth to reach you—buy this book now.
Gregg Hurwitz, NYT bestselling author of Orphan X
on IQ
“First-novelist Ide…does here what few first novelists can manage: dexterously juggling multiple styles and tones to create a seamless, utterly entertaining blend of coming-of-age saga, old-school detective story, and comic-caper novel. This is one of those rare debuts that leaves us panting for more—and soon.
Bill Ott
Booklist (starred review) on IQ