Stephen Holgate is a fifth-generation Oregonian who served as a diplomat for American embassies in France, Madagascar, Morocco, Mexico and Sri Lanka.

In addition to his Foreign Service posts, Mr. Holgate spent several years as a congressional staffer; headed a committee staff of the Oregon State Senate; managed two electoral campaigns; acted with the national tour of an improvisational theater group; worked as a crew member of a barge on the canals of France; and lived in a tent while working as a gardener in Malibu.

Tangier, his first novel, gained critical acclaim, and made Bookreaders ten-best list in the Indie Mystery/Suspense category. His second novel, Madagascar, has met with similar critical success, receiving a coveted starred review from Publishers Weekly, a nomination from Forward Reviews as Best Book of the Year in the fiction category, as well as another listing from Bookreaders among the ten best Mystery/Suspense novels of the year.

In addition to his novels, Holgate has published several short stories and a successfully produced one-man play, as well as innumerable freelance articles. 

He lives with his wife, Felicia, in Portland, Oregon.