Chad Taylor (writer)

Chad Taylor (born 1964) is a New Zealand novelist and screenwriter. He is known for his crime novels featuring Auckland private investigator Derek Strange, and for his experimental and genre-bending fiction.

Taylor studied law at the University of Auckland. His first novel, Paraguyan Sea, was published in 1996 and won the Deutz Medal for Fiction at the Montana New Zealand Book Awards. Subsequent Derek Strange novels include Heaven, Electric, Shirker, and Gutenberg's Bicycle. He has also written standalone novels such as Departure Lounge, After Life, and The Idol Thief.

Taylor's work often explores themes of identity, memory, and the impact of globalization on New Zealand society. His writing style is characterized by its distinctive voice, use of black humour, and exploration of philosophical ideas within the framework of popular genres.

In addition to his novels, Taylor has written for film and television. He co-wrote the screenplay for the film 99 and has worked on several television projects. He has also been involved in collaborative projects with other writers and artists.

Taylor has received numerous awards and accolades for his writing, establishing him as a significant figure in contemporary New Zealand literature.