Phyllis Karas is an American author known for writing both non-fiction and fiction works. She has a particular focus on true crime and biographies and is recognized for her ability to delve into the personal lives and backgrounds of her subjects to bring their stories to light in a detailed and engaging manner. Her notable works include collaborations with real-life individuals to tell their stories, such as "Brutal: The Untold Story of My Life Inside Whitey Bulger's Irish Mob" co-authored with Kevin Weeks, a close associate of the infamous mobster James "Whitey" Bulger. Karas has also written about the fashion industry and taught at the respected Boston University College of Communication.