Born and raised in New Orleans, Matthew Randazzo V is the product of a classic Louisiana mix of Sicilian, Cajun French, and Isleño Spanish heritages. Raised in a family of colorful Louisiana raconteurs, MRV grew up with a passion for storytelling and history. Determined to be a writer from an early age, he was first published as a journalist as a teenager and obtained his first book deals in his early 20s, traveling around the world in the process.

Shortly after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, MRV resettled permanently in the Olympic Peninsula of Washington with his wife, Melissa, and their four pets. He volunteers his time as the Public Relations Director of the Northwest Raptor and Wildlife Center, a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation organization, where he works regularly with eagles, owls, hawks, falcons, and other animals such as Wiley, the coyote pictured with MRV on the left. MRV is also active in many other local animal charities, community groups, and political organizations.