Martin Limón retired from military service after twenty years in the US Army. He calls his military career "exceedingly undistinguished," comprising odd jobs, writing for Stars and Stripes, serving as an artillery gun crew chief, and working in military intelligence. It was during his time in the army that he took up card counting for extra money. He is the author of fifteen mysteries in the cult classic Sueño and Bascom series, beginning with Jade Lady Burning, as well as the short story collection Nightmare Range. He lives near Seattle.