Brett Halliday is a pseudonym used by the American author Davis Dresser, who is famous for his works in various genres, including mystery, western, and romance. He is best known for his creation of the popular Mike Shayne detective series, which gained widespread recognition and was adapted into various formats such as radio, television, and movies. Dresser's prolific writing career extended beyond the Mike Shayne series, as he also wrote non-series mysteries, westerns, and romances under different pen names, such as Asa Baker, Matthew Blood, Kathryn Culver, Don Davis, Hal Debrett, Anthony Scott, Peter Field, and Anderson Wayne.
Brett Halliday, whose real name is Davis Dresser, was born on July 31, 1904, and passed away on February 4, 1977. Throughout his writing career, he established himself as a prominent figure in the mystery genre, particularly through his creation of the long-lasting Mike Shayne series. The series' success can be attributed to Dresser's ability to create engaging and suspenseful stories that resonated with audiences, leading to its adaptation into various media formats. Moreover, Dresser's versatility as a writer is evident in his use of multiple pen names to explore different genres, further solidifying his reputation as a talented and accomplished author.