Dennis Lehane is an American author born on August 4, 1965. He has published more than a dozen novels, with his early works being a series of mysteries featuring recurring characters, including A Drink Before the War. Lehane's work has garnered significant attention and success, with several of his novels adapted into films. Notable film adaptations include Clint Eastwood's Mystic River (2003), Martin Scorsese's Shutter Island (2010), Gone Baby Gone (2007), and Live by Night (2016), both directed by Ben Affleck. His short story "Animal Rescue" was adapted into the film The Drop, noted for being the final film role for actor James Gandolfini.

Dennis Lehane's novels often explore the urban environments of his native Boston, inspired by the city's spaces and culture. With Irish ancestry, his stories frequently depict immigrant or marginalized communities in Boston, painting a portrait of Irish culture and highlighting the influence of Catholicism in his characters' lives.

Lehane has also worked as a staff writer on the acclaimed HBO series, The Wire, and as a writer-producer on HBO’s Boardwalk Empire and the Netflix series, Bloodline. He contributed to the television adaptations of Stephen King novels Mr. Mercedes, End of Watch, and The Outsider. Additionally, he wrote and produced the acclaimed limited series Black Bird for Apple TV+ and is currently developing a new series for Apple. Dennis Lehane and his family reside in California.