T. Jefferson Parker, 63, is an American author from southern California. He as written 22 novels in his career as Novelist, however he also had previously worked as a journalist. Out of his 22 novels, 6 of them have been part of the Charlie Hood series. Iron River is the third book in the series. The purpose of the series isn't anything like commenting on the government or society. Parker's reason for writing Iron River, and the rest of the series, is that he sees writing as his job. In interviews with Parker, he says that he doesn't see writing as a hobby, but as a full-time position. Of course this isn't to say he doesn't enjoy his job, after he completed his first novel, he began writing the next novel 3 days later (The View From Elsewhere).