Mr. Somes is a lifelong resident of the State of Maine.  He worked in a commercial bank for seven years and during that time investigated a robbery of one of the bank's branches.  He was also a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician.  He is a graduate of the COPS program (Citizens Only Police School) and spent time with the FBI in Washington researching information for this book.  He is also the creator of the Mary and Terry children's story.  "Beware of the Banker" is based largely on the author's own experiences.