Mel Bradshaw was born in Toronto. He took his B.A. in English and philosophy at the University of Toronto and continued studying philosophy at New College, Oxford. Between degrees, he travelled and worked in Southeast Asia, Thailand, and Indonesia. He has also travelled to Zambia, Iceland, Poland, and points between. He has since returned to his native Toronto. His first novel was the critically acclaimed historical mystery, Death in the Age of Steam, (©2004 Napoleon), which was ForeWord magazine's choice as best mystery novel of the year in 2005. Bradshaw chose to revisit the past, the 1920s to be exact, for his second novel, Quarrel with the Foe (©2005, Napoleon). He has since been invited to partake in many prestigious literary events throughout Canada. Mel also publishes short stories, many of which are inspired by his wanderings. Victim Impact (Fall 2008) brings Bradshaw's writing firmly into the twenty-first century in a taut, suspenseful tale of violence and retribution.