Kirk Mitchell has written fifteen original novels and penned numerous blockbuster movie tie-ins, including Lethal Weapon and Backdraft, under the pseudonym of Joel Norst. In 1996, his ecological thriller High Desert Malice was an Edgar Mystery Award finalist. The descendant of California pioneers, Mitchell graduated magna cum laude in English from the University of Redlands. Prior to becoming a full-time writer in 1983, he served in law enforcement as a deputy sheriff in Indian country and a metropolitan SWAT sergeant. He lives in northern California.