Roger Jon Ellory, known as R.J. Ellory, was born in Birmingham, England on June 20, 1965. His mother, Carole, an actress and dancer, passed away when Roger was seven, leaving his maternal grandmother to become his guardian. His early life was marked by challenges, including being sent to boarding schools for orphaned and wayward children. At seventeen, Ellory faced legal troubles, leading to a brief incarceration, after which he explored interests in graphic design, photography, and music.

Ellory's passion for writing began on November 4, 1987. Over the next few years, he composed twenty-two novels and faced numerous rejections from publishers. Frustrated, he paused his writing until 2001, when he resumed with renewed determination, eventually publishing his novel Candlemoth in 2003.

His work is characterized by its unique blend of genres and has gained significant acclaim. Notably, his fifth novel, A Quiet Belief in Angels, has been translated into over twenty languages and garnered numerous awards. Ellory’s books have been optioned for film and translated into multiple languages, reflecting his global appeal.

Aside from writing, Ellory is also a musician, performing as a singer and guitarist in the band The Whiskey Poets.

With a commitment to storytelling, Ellory seeks to explore elements of humanity and life without adhering to specific genre constraints. He draws inspiration from various philosophical and literary sources, and his writing process is marked by discipline and dedication.