Kjell Hallbing was a Norwegian author. He was born November 5 1934 in Bærum, and died May 6 2004 in Tønsberg)

Under the pseudonym Louis Masterson, he wrote a series of books about the westernhero Morgan Kane during 1966-1978. The 83 Morgan Kane books have been sold in more than 11 million copies. He has also written another nine books series known as the Diablo- and Diablito books.

Earlier in his career Hallbing used the pseudonyms Ward Cameron, Leo Manning, Lee Morgan og Colin Hawkins. His debut "Ubåt-kontakt" came in 1961, written under his real name. The same year came his first westernbook, "Portrett av en revolvermann".

Before he started to write full-time in 1969, Hallbing worked as a bank-employee.