Thomas Harris is an American writer known for his suspense and horror novels, especially for the series featuring Dr. Hannibal Lecter. Born in Jackson, Mississippi, Harris worked as a reporter for the Associated Press in New York, covering crime and the police. This experience influenced his writing. His works include "Black Sunday", "Red Dragon", "The Silence of the Lambs", "Hannibal", and "Hannibal Rising". Several of his novels have been successfully adapted into films. He is known for his reserved lifestyle and for giving few interviews.