Born in Buffalo, NY, Duncan R. Smith spent his childhood summers 30 miles north at a summer home on the lower Niagara River. He and his wife now live on the river half the year, and the house inspires the thriller and family drama The Summer House.

He spent much of his life in Los Angeles, where he and Kathy raised two wonderful daughters. After writing film and tv scripts for years, he became a certified financial planner and ran a small business. He never stopped writing though. 

Duncan's currently working on a new novel, Toxin. Like many of his projects, it has its roots in Western New York — specifically in the toxic soil of one of the nation's worst dumping grounds. Of course, the companies responsible are all headquartered elsewhere.