Julian Stockwin joined the Royal Navy at 15 and transferred to the Royal Australian Navy when his family emigrated. Stockwin served eight years, and was eventually rated petty officer. He has also worked in the manufacture and design of computers and software development. Returning to the navy and the Royal Navy Reserve, Stockwin was honored with an MBE and retired as Lt Commander. He returned to the United Kingdom in 1990 and started to write in 1996.

"[Stockwin] writes evocatively of shipboard routine, the panic and confusion of combat, and the terrifying approach of a storm at sea, and he knows how to stage enthralling action scenes." -- Publishers Weekly