About Steve

Steve Urszenyi is the critically acclaimed author of the Special Agent Alexandra Martel thriller series, which includes Perfect Shot (2023) and Out in the Cold (2024), with the third installment, Blood Oath, scheduled for release on November 18, 2025. His debut novel, Perfect Shot, earned nominations for three prestigious literary awards: the International Thriller Writers 2024 Best First Novel Award, the Crime Writers of Canada 2024 Best Crime First Novel Award, and the Rakuten Kobo Emerging Writer 2024 Prize for Mystery. Publishers Weekly has hailed him as “a writer to watch,” and his action-packed thrillers have drawn comparisons to the works of Jack Carr, Mark Greaney, and John le Carré.

Extensive Professional Background

Steve brings exceptional authenticity to his high-stakes thrillers, drawing from over thirty years of experience as a paramedic in Toronto and as a tactical medic with the Ontario Provincial Police. Throughout his distinguished career, he served on specialized units, including TRU/SWAT, CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives), HUSAR (Heavy Urban Search and Rescue), and public order units. His expertise in CBRNE/WMD incident response informs the technical precision and realistic scenarios found in his novels.

Most recently, Steve served as the commander of the Ontario Emergency Medical Assistance Team (EMAT), the province of Ontario’s disaster medical response and all-hazards incident management team, once referred to admiringly by Ontario Premier Doug Ford as “Ontario’s medical SWAT team.” His career achievements were recognized with the Governor General of Canada EMS Exemplary Service Medal and Bar in honor of his more than three decades of distinguished service.

Writing Journey

Steve nurtured a love for writing from a young age, though he first pursued his calling to serve as a front-line first responder. Throughout his emergency services career, his passion for storytelling never wavered. His breakthrough came at ThrillerFest 2019, where he connected with his agent, John Talbot of the Talbot Fortune Agency, during PitchFest.

The Alexandra Martel series features a formidable female protagonist who combines tactical brilliance with deep emotional complexity. Drawing from his experiences working alongside remarkable women in emergency services, law enforcement, and medicine, Steve has created a heroine who resonates with readers seeking authentic, capable female characters in the thriller genre.

Beyond the Page

When not crafting intricate international thrillers, Steve enjoys touring on his Harley-Davidson motorcycle across North America, with a particular fondness for the Rocky Mountains and the American Southwest. An avid photographer and outdoorsman, he loves hiking, camping, canoeing, and exploring wilderness areas. His photography can be viewed at https://flickr.com/photos/zaniac/.

Steve resides in Toronto with his wife, Lynne. They have two grown children and have shared their lives with several dogs over the years, including Steve’s former search and rescue dogs, K9 Timber and K9 Radar.

Contact and Representation

Steve is represented by John Talbot of the Talbot Fortune Agency. For media inquiries, speaking engagements, or other questions, please use the contact form on his website at www.steveurszenyi.com/contact/ or use the contact form there to get in touch directly.