Mark Abernethy is an Australian novelist, ghost-writer and journalist. His latest release is The Contractor, a selection of six true stories about an Australian carpenter who is also a private intelligence contractor, operating in the counter-terrorism area. A sequel to this extraordinary story - At Hell's Gate - will be released by Pan Macmillan before Christmas 2017.

Abernethy grew up in New Zealand and has been living in Australia for most of his adult life. He has written for The Bulletin, Sydney Morning Herald and the Australian Financial Review, and is the author of the spy-thrillers Golden Serpent, Second Strike, Double Back and Counter Attack. He has also written military thrillers Arctic Floor and Strikeforce Lightning as Mark Aitken.