Mark de Castrique was born in Hendersonville, N.C., near Asheville. He went straight from the hospital to the funeral home, where his father was the funeral director and the family lived upstairs. Mark is the author of twenty-four novels. His novels have received starred reviews from *Publishers Weekly*, *Library Journal*, and *Booklist*. Mark is a veteran of the broadcast and film production business. In Washington, D.C., he directed numerous news and public affairs programs and received an EMMY Award for his documentary film work. Through his company, MARK et al., he writes and produces videos for corporate and broadcast clients. Mark and his wife, Linda, live in Alexandria VA. They have two daughters, Melissa and Lindsay. Source: [Author's website](https://www.markdecastrique.com/styled/)