Originally from Scotland, Dave Duncan has lived all his adult life in western Canada, having enjoyed a long career as a petroleum geologist before taking up writing. Since discovering that inventing imaginary worlds is more satisfying than poking holes in the real one, he has published more than forty novels, mostly in the fantasy genre, but also in young adult, science fiction, and historical. His books include Speak to the Devil and When the Saints. He has at times written as Sarah B. Franklin and Ken Hood. He and his wife, Janet, have one son and two daughters.