Zoë Heller is a British journalist and novelist born in 1965 in London, England. She is best known for her sharp wit and keen observational skills, which she utilizes to explore complex interpersonal dynamics and ethical dilemmas within her narratives. Heller studied at Oxford University and Columbia University, initially pursuing a career in journalism, where she received accolades for her columns in various UK newspapers and magazines. Transitioning to fiction, she gained widespread recognition with works such as "Everything You Know" and "What Was She Thinking? [Notes on a Scandal]," the latter being shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize in 2003 and later adapted into a successful film. Heller's novels are celebrated for their intelligence, dark humor, and the vivid portrayal of flawed, compelling characters.