Michael Slade is pseudonym for Jay Clarke, a Vancouver-based trial lawyer specializing in cases for the criminally insane. As both defense and Crown counsel, he has been active in over one hundred murder cases. This background provides inspiration for his series of Special X thrillers. He is the author of six previous books, including Primal Scream, Evil Eye, Ripper, Cutthroat, Ghoul, Headhunter, and Burnt Bones.