acknowledgments

Sincere thanks and kudos to my publisher and cover designer extraordinaire, Kristina Blank Makansi, Blank Slate Press, and all the advance readers who helped put Interrogation under the bare light bulb and beat more sense into it. I’m lucky to be surrounded by a quality team of talented, hard-working pros.

My undying thanks and love to my wife Beta, the world’s best nurse, who shared her expertise in ICU treatment to lend authenticity to medical scenes in the novel. And for her patience through all the hours I spent pecking away at my computer. She gave up a job she loved to care for her mother in our home. How many people do that these days? You gave her three good years, hon. You’re a heroine. Betty Brown’s looking down on you and smiling.

Thanks also go out to Dr. Felix Vincenz for his insights on private practice.

Thanks to my mom, Virginia Miller, for being so great.

For those familiar with St. Louis and its buildings, pardon my anachronistic license with certain buildings. I used a number of real places and addresses, taking liberties with a building that is no longer there or changing the sizes of certain rooms to fit the scene.

To those in psychiatric and medical professions, with each life you touch you make the world a kinder, better place. You have tough jobs; remember to laugh.

To people with mental illness, be not too hard on yourselves.

May Jeremiah Healy, best-selling author, rest in peace. I had the pleasure of briefly collaborating with him this year on a movie synopsis. What a talent and a nice man. He will be sorely missed.