Arthur J. Rees (Arthur John 1872-1942) was born in Australia and worked as a newspaperman before moving to England in his twenties. He wrote numerous mystery novels starting with the Merry Marauders in 1913. He collaborated with John R. Watson on two books, The Hampstead Mystery (1916) and The Mystery of the Downs (1928). Other works include The Shrieking Pit (1919), The Hand in the Dark (1920) and The Moon Rock (1922). His last book, The Single Clue was published shortly before his death in 1940.