Bruce Alexander was the pseudonym for Bruce Cook, the well-known author of numerous works of fiction and nonfiction. When Alexander died in late 2003, he had completed most of Rules of Engagement, leaving behind notes on how the remainder of the story was to unfold. The novel has been completed by John Shannon and Alexander's wife, Judith Aller. Shannon himself is the author of four novels as well as six books in the highly praised Jack Liffey mystery series, most recently Terminal Island.