Matthew John Reilly, born on 2 July 1974, is an internationally bestselling Australian action thriller writer. Not always a fan of reading, he discovered its magic after reading To Kill A Mockingbird and Lord of the Flies during Year 10, realizing that reading could transport one to another world. Inspired, he commenced writing his own stories and began his first novel, Contest, at the age of 19 while studying law at university.

After facing numerous rejections from major publishers, Reilly self-published Contest in 1996, printing 1000 copies and selling them in bookstores across Sydney. His persistence paid off in January 1997 when a Commissioning Editor from Pan Macmillan Australia discovered his book and signed him for a two-book deal.

His breakthrough novel, Ice Station, published in 1998, was an instant success, introducing a new style of action thriller to Australian readers. Reilly's work has since gained international acclaim, with many of his books becoming bestsellers in various countries.

Some of his notable works include: Contest, Ice Station, Temple, Area 7, Scarecrow, Hover Car Racer, Hell Island, Seven Ancient Wonders, The Six Sacred Stones, and The Five Greatest Warriors, among others.

In addition to novels, Reilly has penned short stories such as Time Tours, The Mine, Altitude Rush, and The Rock Princess and the Thriller Writer. His passion for writing action-packed scenes stems from his belief that books allow for limitless imagination, unlike movies constrained by budget.

Reilly's work has been optioned for film and television by major studios, though not all projects have come to fruition. Known for his love of pop culture, he owns a DeLorean DMC-12 and a life-sized Han Solo in carbonite. Currently, he resides in Los Angeles, where he continues to write and enjoy golf.