Joe Carr was born in West Hartlepool, County Durham, in the northeast of England. The youngest of seven children, he was educated at the Sacred Heart School. He then completed five years as an apprentice decorator. At the conclusion of which, he was conscripted into military service and served in the Royal Military Police. In 1964, he joined Birmingham City Police. He later met and married Mary Elizabeth, his wife, in 1968. They have two children, Jane and Sally, and six grandchildren. He resides in the Birmingham area. The Corrupt Costermonger is the first crime novel written by Joe Carr. He has had two children's fairy tale books published. He brings to the book lots of experience and knowledge, which lends credence to the story.