Sam Reaves was raised in small Midwestern towns but has lived in Chicago or its environs for most of his life. He has also lived or made extended journeys in Europe, Latin America and the Middle East and speaks five foreign languages fluently. He has worked as a translator and a teacher. He was president of the Midwest Chapter of the Mystery Writers of America from 2001 to 2003. He has published nine novels prior to Mean Town Blues, six as Sam Reaves and three as Dominic Martell. He lives in Evanston, Illinois with his wife, son and daughter.