Pete Nelson

Pete Nelson is an accomplished author with a diverse literary career spanning fiction, nonfiction, and young adult literature. He earned his MFA from the University of Iowa Writers' Workshop and has contributed to prominent magazines such as Harper's, Playboy, Esquire, and Outside. His notable works include the Edgar Award-nominated Sylvia Smith-Smith young adult mystery series and the critically acclaimed nonfiction book "Left For Dead," which chronicles the sinking of the USS Indianapolis and won the 2003 Christopher Award. His fiction ranges from the holiday-themed novel "The Christmas List" to the military thriller series co-authored with Dave DeBatto, including "CI: Team Red" and "CI: Homeland Threat."

Nelson's writing reflects his versatility, blending meticulous research with engaging storytelling. His nonfiction often explores historical and social themes, as seen in "A More Unbending Battle," which details the Harlem Hellfighters' WWII experiences, and "That Others May Live," a narrative about search-and-rescue operations. His lighter works, such as "Real Man Tells All" and "Marry Like a Man," showcase his wit and observational humor. Beyond writing, Nelson has also released two music albums, "The Restless Boys Club" and "Days Like Horses," further demonstrating his creative range. He continues to reside in Westchester, New York, with his family.
Army Counterintelligence Books (with David DeBatto)
# Title Year
1 CI: Dark Target 2006
2 CI: Mission Liberty 2006
3 CI: Team Red 2007
4 CI: Homeland Threat 2009
East Salem Trilogy Books (with Lis Wiehl)
# Title Year
1 Waking Hours 2011
2 Darkness Rising 2012
3 Fatal Tide 2013
Sylvia Smith-Smith Books
# Title Year
1 Night of Fire 1991
2 Scarface 1991
3 Fast Lane West 1991
4 Sylvia Smith-Smith 1992
5 Deadly Games 1992
6 Dangerous Waters 1992
Standalone Novels
# Title Year
1 The Christmas List 2004
2 I Thought You Were Dead 2010
Non-Fiction Books
# Title Year
1 King! When Elvis Rocked The World 1985
2 Real Man Tells All 1988
3 Marry Like a Man 1992
4 That Others May Live (With: Jack Brehm) 2000
5 Left for Dead 2002
6 Chile & Easter Island Adventure Guide 2005
7 Success Under Fire (With: Jamaal Wilkes, Gail Schaper-Gordon) 2006
8 A More Unbending Battle 2009
9 Plant Biomass Conversion (With: Elizabeth E. Hood, Randy Powell) 2010
10 Rescuing Riley, Saving Myself (With: Zachary Anderegg) 2013
11 My Journey through the Valley 2020
Crosswinds Books
# Title Year
1 Sylvia Smith-Smith 1987
2 Shock Effect (By: Glen Ebisch) 1987
3 Lou Dunlop: Private Eye (By: Glen Ebisch) 1987
4 Lou Dunlop: Cliffhanger (By: Glen Ebisch) 1987
5 Kaleidoscope (By: Candice Ransom) 1987
6 Angel In The Snow (By: Glen Ebisch) 1988
7 My Beautiful Fat Friend (By: Josephine Carr) 1988