William Krasner was born June 8, 1917, in St. Louis, Missouri, the son of Russian Jewish immigrants. After joining the military in World War II, he earned a degree in psychology from Columbia University, then began his writing career with Walk the Dark Streets in 1949. The book was nominated for an Edgar Award and was also adapted into a Studio One TV episode. This novel also introduced the character of police lieutenant Sam Birge whom Krasner featured in four other books including one that was only published in Germany (Opfer einer Razzia). In 1955 Krasner received an award for literature from the National Institute of Arts and Letters. He died October 29, 2003, in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.