Loren D. Estleman was born in Michigan on September 15, 1952. He graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a B.A. in English Literature and Journalism in 1974. He spent several years as a reporter on the police beat before leaving to write full time in 1980. He wrote book reviews for such newspapers as The New York Times and The Washington Post and contributed articles to such periodicals as TV Guide. He is a writer of mysteries and westerns. His first novel was published in 1976 and since then he has published more than 60 books which have been translated into 23 languages. He received four Shamus Awards from the Private Eye Writers of America, five Golden Spur Awards from the Western Writers of America, two American Mystery Awards from Mystery Scene Magazine, and the Michigan Author's Award in 1987.