Meet The Award-Winning Author J. Lee

I was born and raised in the Midwest, between the Chicago suburbs and rural Southern Illinois.  Through high school, I spent most of my time playing basketball and baseball in a farming community of 2,000 people with no stoplights.  So, going from there to Duke University was a life-changing experience for me. I met many brilliant, talented people from all over the world and forged some friendships I’m confident will last for life.  As much as I learned in the classroom in those four years, I learned even more outside of it.

After graduating with dual degrees in Engineering & Sociology with a minor in Business, I lived in the RTP for a few years before moving back to Chicago.  Over the course of my career, I’ve worked in Engineering, Marketing, Product Management, Program Management, Supply Chain and Operations, but writing in my spare time has been the one constant.  It started as a hobby, a creative outlet that helped me balance the stress of a day spent in numbers; I never imagined at the time I’d seek publication. Then at some point, it morphed into a passion.  The rest is history.

On the personal front, I like to think of myself as down-to-earth and relatively simple.  My wife is my biggest fan, and she rigorously edits (and improves) every page I write. In my spare time, I like to be with my family, play golf and ride my bike.  

J. Lee’s debut novel, The Hubley Case, won the New York City Big Book Award® and The Best Book Award for Best Thriller. His second book, The Silent Cardinal, was released on August 3, 2021.