Pelecanos was born in Washington, D.C. in 1957. He is a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, and worked at a variety of jobs before getting involved in the film industry. He lives in Silver Spring, Maryland, with his wife and two children. As a modern crime fiction author, Pelecanos is very much a descendant of the hard-boiled and noir schools. His style is tough and direct. All of his novels take place in Washington, D.C. and in the Maryland and Virginia suburbs; however, his plots do not involve the usual cadre of politicians or national intrigue, but instead depict the crimes and passions of the streets. All of his novels have received strong critical praise.