Acknowledgements

Sincere gratitude for so many contributions of expertise, time, effort and friendship:

TOM JOYCE of Joyce and Company Rare Books, Chicago, IL - Great friend, overall font of wisdom and a very real character in the Literati mystery.

AUGIE ALEKSY, proprietor of Centuries and Sleuths Bookstore, Forest Park, IL. for his enthusiasm, friendship and great conversations about Holmes, Doyle and the Ripper.

THOMAS MANN, Reference Librarian at the Library of Congress - Erudite, skilled and a delight to know, whose treatise on the Ripper’s handwriting is a touchstone work.

OFFICER PAUL (BUD) WHITTENHALL, former Chicago Police Officer, who patiently shared so many stories and so much invaluable knowledge of police procedure.

CARL PATRICK, Attorney and friend, whose honesty and forthrightness make the world spin on the right axis.

ELY M. LIEBOW, Holmes fan (Inspector Gregory, BSI)) and scholar. I miss you and treasure the times we discussed The Method. His book, “Dr. Joe Bell - Model for Sherlock Holmes,” inspired me and became an integral part of this story.

DEBRA YATES of the Caxton Club in Chicago, IL - Auction winner and named character in this mystery. Thanks for your support.

KAREN DANCZAK-LYONS, former First Deputy Commissioner, Chicago Public Library - Thanks for your timely, helpful assistance with a myriad of questions.

STAN HOWELL, Business, Science, and Technology Division, Chicago Public Library. Many thanks for your excellent research on autos and Doyle’s 1894 visit to Chicago.

SHEILA LOWE, Graphologist and Mystery Writer - Many thanks for the fascinating world of character analysis through handwriting.

PHIL RITCHEY, DICK MARTENS AND RAY HEISE, for so many good times and for always being there to answer questions, advise and keep me (mostly) out of trouble.

RICK KOGAN, a true Chicago gentleman, scholar and radio icon. Thanks for “being hooked” on my books.

THE CRITERION BAR ASSOCIATION, Chicago. Always stimulating and greatly missed since we moved to FL. We still treasure the mugs won in the Outrageous Theory Contest.