Dr. Mark James brings an extraordinary combination of military experience, academic expertise, and storytelling ability to his fiction. A U.S. Navy veteran who served during the final years of the Cold War, James witnessed firsthand the complex dynamics of international relations while deployed across the Pacific, from the Philippines to the Aleutian Islands.

Following his military service, James leveraged the GI Bill to pursue his passion for understanding global politics and geography. His academic journey led him from a BS in Political Science at Towson University through graduate studies at the University of Alabama, culminating in a Ph.D. in Geography from the University of Cincinnati. His research, published in prestigious journals including Antipode and Regional Studies, focuses on political, economic, and urban geography—expertise that informs the geopolitical complexities of his fiction.

When not teaching as a professor of geography or writing his next thriller, James can often be found catching waves off the Delmarva coast. This blend of scholarly insight, military experience, and adventurous spirit gives his novels a unique authenticity that sets them apart in the thriller genre.