Nelson DeMille

Nelson Richard DeMille is a renowned American novelist, born in Jamaica, Queens, New York on August 23, 1943. He is the son of Huron DeMille, a builder, and his wife Antonia Panzera. DeMille's family moved to Long Island when he was a child, where he attended Elmont Memorial high school and developed a love for football and track.

After graduating from high school, DeMille spent three years at Hofstra University before joining the Army. He attended Officer Candidate School and was commissioned a Lieutenant in the United States Army, serving from 1966-69. DeMille saw action in Vietnam as an infantry platoon leader with the First Cavalry Division and was decorated with the Air Medal, Bronze Star, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. After his discharge, he returned to Hofstra University and received his bachelor’s degree in Political Science and History. He has three children and currently resides on Long Island.

DeMille is most known for his thrillers and crime fiction, with notable works including "The General's Daughter," "The Gold Coast," and the John Corey series. Although he primarily writes in this genre, he has also ventured into non-fiction using pseudonyms. Many of his works are set in Long Island, where he grew up. His first major novel, "By the Rivers of Babylon," was published in 1978 and is still in print today, along with all his subsequent works.

DeMille is a member of various professional organizations, including American Mensa, The Authors Guild, and International Thriller Writers. He has served as the past president of the Mystery Writers of America and is a Book-of-the-Month Club Judge. He has received three honorary doctorates from Hofstra University, Long Island University, and Dowling College. In 2015, DeMille was chosen as ThrillerMaster of the Year by International Thriller Writers. He has also contributed short stories to anthologies and book reviews and articles to magazines and newspapers.