CHRIS GRABENSTEIN is the multiple award-winning, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the LEMONCELLO, WONDERLAND, HAUNTED MYSTERY, SMARTEST KID, and DOG SQUAD series. 

He co-authored the acclaimed SHINE! and the super silly STINKY’S STORIES with his wife J.J. Grabenstein as well as nearly three dozen fast-paced and funny page turners with James Patterson including the I FUNNY, JACKY HA-HA, TREASURE HUNTERS, and MAX EINSTEIN series. He’s written Audible Originals, short stories, and stage plays. 

After graduating from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Chris moved to New York City and started doing improvisational comedy in Greenwich Village. During those years, he also wrote for the Muppets and helped create the CBS holiday classic The Christmas Gift starring John Denver. He then spent seventeen years writing radio and television commercials for brands such as KFC, Dr Pepper, Seven Up, and many others. His first boss in advertising was James Patterson. 

Chris, a past president of the Mystery Writers of America, and J.J. still live in New York City with their dog, two cats, and lots of ideas.