Kirsten Bakis is an American author best known for her novel "Lives of the Monster Dogs," published in 1997. The book, which was her debut novel, garnered critical acclaim and won several literary awards. It is a work of speculative fiction that tells the story of a group of genetically engineered dogs with human intelligence and the ability to speak, who arrive in New York City wearing 19th-century attire and prosthetic hands. "Lives of the Monster Dogs" blends elements of science fiction, gothic horror, and historical narrative, exploring themes of loneliness, isolation, and the nature of humanity. Bakis's unique storytelling and imaginative prowess have established her as a notable voice in contemporary fiction, although she has maintained a relatively low profile with limited subsequent literary output.