PATRICK TAYLOR, M.D., was born and raised in Bangor, County Down, in Northern Ireland. Dr. Taylor is a distinguished medical researcher, offshore sailor, model-boat builder, and father of two grown children. He is best-known for the New York Times-bestselling Irish Country series, starting with An Irish Country Doctor; he is also the author of the novels Pray for Us Sinners and Now and in the Hour of our Death. He now lives on Saltspring Island, British Columbia.