Mike Maden
Mike Maden's route into thriller fiction began far from the world of bestselling novels. Before writing about intelligence operations, autonomous weapons, and international conspiracies, he worked in the canneries, feed mills, and slaughterhouses of California's San Joaquin Valley. From there came graduate study in political science, years spent thinking about warfare and technology, a detour through politics and screenwriting, and eventually a novel he had originally considered publishing himself. His fascination with military history and conflict led him to the University of California, Davis, where he earned a master's degree and a Ph.D.…