John (Jack) Rooney was born and educated in Springfield, Massachusetts (Classical High School and American International College). He wrote book reviews and feature articles for the Springfield newspapers.

After receiving his M.A. in Arts and Science from Columbia University, he worked for the Cunard Cruise Lines as a business correspondent at 25 Broadway, went on to serve in the U.S. Army as a military policeman in the Times Square detachment, in civies in AWOL apprehension, and in Vienna, Austria. At various times he was an advertising manager, a real estate broker, and an expeditor in a magneto factory.

He completed his course work for his Ph.D at NYU, and worked as a teacher, a department chair, and a curriculum coordinator in the Farmingdale, NY, public schools.

He has published travel articles, feature articles, and four novels. His writing has included  seven screenplays and a stage play. He is the author of the terrorist thriller NINE LIVES TOO MANY featuring his series detective Denny Delaney and the arch-terrorist Felix the Cat. His latest published novel is CLAWED BACK FROM THE DEAD, a suspense thriller sequel to NINE LIVES starring Delaney.

In 2007 he published the gay erotic novel THE RICE QUEEN SPY about a veteran British spy who faced a life crisis and thumbed his nose at the intelligence establishment. It pleased readers across a wide social spectrum. Also in 2007 he published the suspense novel THE DAEMON IN OUR DREAMS, a blend of the naturalistic and the supernatural. His work schedule includes a new Denny Delaney effort and a gripping suspense novel about a sea journey from Buenos Aires to Santiago around Cape Horn entitled LAST PASSAGE TO SANTIAGO.

Rooney is a world traveler and cruise ship enthusiast whose favorite cities are New York, London, Venice, and Sydney, Australia. He is an avid theatergoer, movie buff, and reader of British procedural mysteries. His favorite drink is a vodka martini on the rocks, extra extra dry with a twist of lemon, which for the most part, he drinks in moderation.