George Pelecanos lives in Washington D.C. (USA), the city he was born in in 1957, and the city he uses as a background for all of his novels.  Before publishing his first novel ("A firing offense") in 1957, he earned his living as a cook, dishwasher, bartender, shoe salesman, electronics salesman, and construction worker.

Typically, he employs the sport as a symbol of cooperation amongst the races, suggesting the dynamism of D.C. as reflective of the good will generated by multi-ethnic pick up games.  However, he also indulges the reverse of the equasion, wherein the basketball court becomes the sight of unresolved hostilities.  In such cases, violent criminal behavior typically emerges amongst the participants, usually escalating the mystery.

George Pelecanos is active in the movie- and TV industry as well, as producer, script writer, staff writer or story editor.  He has received awards for his books, such as the 2003 Los Angeles Times Book Award for "Hell to pay", or the International Crime Novel of the Year award in France, Germany, and Japan for "The Big Blowdown".