Daniel O'Malley attended Canberra Grammar School prior to studying in the US. He graduated from Michigan State University and earned a Master's Degree in medieval history from Ohio State University before returning to Australia. O'Malley has worked as a writer for the Australian Transport Safety Bureau in the Australian Public Service, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. His first novel, The Rook, was the only debut novel included on Time magazine's list of books to look forward to in 2012.