John Lawrence Reynolds is a Canadian author known for a prolific career spanning both fiction and non-fiction. Born in Hamilton, Ontario, his early life was marked by hardship before he pursued a diverse career path. He spent time in advertising, eventually reaching the position of Creative Director, before leaving to explore writing, photography, film, and radio. Reynolds also hosted jazz radio programs. He has authored more than 30 books, including a notable series of crime novels featuring Joe McGuire. His non-fiction work includes collaborations on autobiographies and books on financial topics, secret societies, and healthcare. Reynolds has received significant recognition for his writing, including multiple Arthur Ellis Awards for crime fiction and a National Business Book Award.

Reynolds has established himself as a prolific author with over thirty published works, encompassing both fiction and non-fiction. His contributions to crime fiction have been particularly recognized, with his novels "The Man Who Murdered God" (1990), "Gypsy Sins" (1994), and "Murder Among the Pines" (2019) all earning Arthur Ellis Awards. "The Man Who Murdered God" initiated a series of six crime novels centered on Boston policeman Joe McGuire. In the mid-1990s, Reynolds shifted his focus primarily to non-fiction, a field in which he gained renown as a ghostwriter for prominent Canadian figures in politics and business. He later returned to crime fiction, with "Beach Strip" (2012) being a notable example. His work "Shadow People: Inside History's Most Notorious Secret Societies" explores the history and mysteries of clandestine organizations and has been translated into multiple languages, indicating international interest in the subject matter.

Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Reynolds's childhood was described as challenging, marked by instability and poverty. Despite these early difficulties, he pursued education and creative endeavors, graduating from Westdale Secondary School. During his school years, he co-founded an early rock-and-roll band. His professional journey began in the advertising industry, where he advanced to become Creative Director and a shareholder at Russell T. Kelley Advertising. After obtaining a degree in English and Psychology from McMaster University through extension studies, Reynolds left advertising in 1974 to pursue a broader range of interests. This included extensive travel, feature writing, photography, and work in film, video, and radio. His radio career included hosting jazz programs on CING-FM and CKDS-FM.