Thomas Perry is an American mystery and thriller author of thirty novels. Born in Tonawanda, New York in 1947, he received a Bachelor of Arts from Cornell University in 1969 and a PhD in English literature in 1974. He published his first novel
The Butcher's Boy in 1982, which received the Edgar Award for Best First Novel. He has also received a Gumshoe Award and two Barry Awards. His novel
Vanishing Act was included in The Independent Mystery Booksellers Association's list of 100 Favorite Mysteries of the 20th Century. He was also the guest of honor at the Bouchercon World Mystery Convention in Anchorage in 2007.
He currently lives in Southern California with his wife, Jo, and two children.