Belletto, known for his mastery of the crime novel, was born in Lyon and became a prominent figure in French literature. His work earned him the Grand Prix de littérature policière in 1983 for Sur la terre comme au ciel, which was later adapted into the film Péril en la demeure. In 1986 he received both the Prix du Livre Inter and the Femina for his novel L’Enfer. The publisher P.O.L. confirmed his passing on 25 October, marking the loss of a significant voice in French crime fiction.