Lee Mossel was born in Eugene, Oregon, and raised in a small logging and lumber mill town in western Oregon. After graduating the University of Oregon with an advanced degree in geology, he spent nearly thirty-five years as a petroleum exploration geologist in Denver, CO. The author of several op/ed pieces focusing on oil and gas issues, he also gives occasional talks on energy topics. He is the author of two previous Cortlandt Scott mystery thrillers: THE MURDER PROSPECT and THE TALUS SLOPE. He lives in Parker, CO, and enjoys travel, good food, fine wines, golf, and most sports.