ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Like crime-solving itself, producing a book is very much a collaborative effort, not only between the two of us, but also the solid team that has worked with us and backed us up each step of the way.

First, we want to acknowledge and thank Michaela Hamilton, our talented, sensitive and insightful editor at Kensington. It is largely her enthusiasm that has seen this project through, and we are grateful to the entire publishing staff. We are so grateful to the entire team at Kensington.

Our fine agent, Jake Elwell at Harold Ober Associates, understood from the beginning what we wanted to do this time, then helped us shape and refine our ideas. He has been a continual friend, offering support and acting as a sounding board. Likewise, our attorney, advisor and friend, Steven Mark, who, in addition to everything else, is responsible for a substantial portion of the West Memphis Three research and organization. Sarah Lessa is in charge of our website, www.mindhuntersinc.com. Dave Lessa helped immensely with its planning and design, and Nikki Cheshire conducted our photo research. All three are welcome additions to the Mindhunters team. And as always, Mark’s wife, Carolyn, remains our in-house counsel, Mindhunters, Inc. chief of staff and our first-line reader, among her many other talents and virtues.

Profound gratitude goes out to the many individuals who freely contributed their time, talents and insights. Since they all helped so much, we will simply list them alphabetically: Bob Barnett, Philip Bermingham, Stephen Braga, Jackie and John Mark Byers, Ben Cheshire, Jack, Trudy and Stephen Collins, Lorri Davis, Damien Echols, Krista Errickson, the Honorable Bob Graham, Peter Jackson, Amanda, Curt and Deanna Knox, former special agent Kenneth Lanning, Ken Light, Jim Lovering, Chris and Edda Mellas, former special agent Steve Moore, Madison Paxton, John Ramsey, Mark Smit, Lynne Sparks, Mark Stein, Fran Walsh, Jonesboro Sun editor Chris Wessel, and Tom Wright.

And finally, to all of those who continually strive to see justice rendered—and right the wrongs when it is not—you have our sincere and undying admiration.

 

John Douglas and Mark Olshaker

October 2012