Joseph Ide is a Japanese-American author who has been hailed as an exciting new voice in the mystery genre. He was born and raised in South Central Los Angeles, a neighborhood that was marked by economic depression and a predominantly black population. Growing up, Ide was surrounded by street crime and gangs, and like many of his peers, he sought to fit in by adopting the speech, style, and musical tastes of his neighborhood.
Despite the challenges of his environment, Ide developed a love for the Sherlock Holmes stories of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. He was fascinated by the idea that a person could use their intelligence to make their way in the world and vanquish their enemies. This fascination would later serve as inspiration for his own writing.
Ide went on to pursue higher education, earning a graduate degree in education. He worked as a school teacher, college lecturer, and corporate middle manager before eventually transitioning to a career in screenwriting. Although none of his screenplays were produced, his experiences in the industry would prove invaluable when he decided to write his debut novel.
Inspired by his early experiences and his love of Sherlock Holmes, Ide wrote "IQ," a novel about an unlicensed, underground detective. The character was inspired by his own experiences growing up in South Central Los Angeles and his love of the Conan Doyle stories. Ide's work has been well-received by critics and readers alike, earning him a reputation as a talented and innovative mystery writer. He currently lives in Santa Monica, California, with his wife and Golden Retriever, Gusto.