Rogues

Rogues is a gripping work of narrative nonfiction and investigative journalism by acclaimed New Yorker writer Patrick Radden Keefe. Gathering some of his most celebrated long-form reporting, this collection pulls back the curtain on a fascinating gallery of con artists, criminals, arms dealers, fraudsters, and morally complex individuals who operate in the shadowy margins of society. Each profile reads like a tightly wound thriller, yet every detail is rigorously true.

At the heart of Rogues lies an exploration of deception, greed, and human ambition. Keefe examines how ordinary people rationalize extraordinary wrongdoing, weaving together courtroom dramas, international scandals, and intimate portraits of characters ranging from a notorious wine forger to a family torn apart by the opioid crisis. The stories span continents and industries, yet they are united by a single haunting question — what drives people to cross the line?

What sets Rogues apart is Keefe's extraordinary ability to make complex, morally troubling stories feel deeply personal and utterly unputdownable. His prose is elegant and precise, never sensational, drawing readers into worlds they would never encounter firsthand. The writing balances empathy with accountability, asking us to understand — without forgiving — those who choose deception over integrity.

For fans of true crime, investigative journalism, and literary nonfiction, Rogues is an essential read. Whether you are discovering Patrick Radden Keefe for the first time or returning after his bestselling books Say Nothing and Empire of Pain, this collection proves once again why he is one of the most important nonfiction writers of his generation.