R. E. McDermott is a merchant seaman by training. After graduation from the Merchant Marine Academy, he sailed for several years, and then spent thirty years as a marine consultant. He has traveled widely, seen interesting things, and lived in several countries. He has come to know more than a few interesting characters in his travels, and bits and pieces of them populate his novels.
When marine engineer and very part-time spook Tom Dugan becomes collateral damage in the War on Terror, he's not about to take it lying down. Deadly Straits is a non-stop thrill ride, fast-paced, multilayered and gripping.