Black List

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I remember living in Paris, attempting to write my first thriller, and reflecting on what a lonely profession being an author is. Little did I know then, that this was one of many white lies I would tell myself because I was afraid of failing. Only years later, after completing my very first novel, would I realize how wrong I was. Writing and publishing are team sports, and I am happy to be working with some of the best in the business.

First and foremost, my thanks always go to you, my readers. It is because of you that I am able to engage in a career I love. It is also because of you that I strive to improve my craft and get better with every book. Thank you for your support and for that most important ingredient of an author’s success—all of the wonderful word-of-mouth.

My thanks go out to the magnificent, worldwide network of booksellers who stock, sell, and recommend my books. Without them, you wouldn’t be holding this (in any form) in your hands right now.

My dear friend Barrett Moore continues to be an amazing fount of ideas, inspiration, and knowledge. His help on this novel, its concept, and so many of the details was invaluable. Thank you, Barrett, for everything.

Another dear friend, James Ryan, was there (as always) whenever I needed him during the writing process. Thank you for all you have done for me and for what you continue to do for our great nation.

Several more very good friends contributed to this novel and always picked up on the first ring. My thanks go out to Sean Fischer; Scott F. Hill, PhD; Rodney Cox; Chuck Fretwell; Ronald Moore; Steve Tuttle; Jeff Chudwin; and Mitch Shore. I very much appreciate all of your support.

I wish to also thank Katarinna McBride and Clark Pollard for the details they helped authenticate, as well as Jerry Saperstein, who graciously stood on deck ready to help with anything and everything computer related. Any errors in the novel are 100 percent mine.

There are several people who asked that their names not be mentioned in the acknowledgments. All I can say is thank you, and that I am deeply humbled not only by your friendship, but by your undying love and dedication to our country. Thank you for all you do for us.

Now, I get to thank my amazing publishing team. This is my first novel to be published under the new Atria/Simon & Schuster imprint of my stellar editor, Emily Bestler. Emily, I wish you huge success with Emily Bestler Books and look forward to publishing many, many more #1 bestsellers together.

My deepest thanks also go to my phenomenal publishers Carolyn Reidy, Louise Burke, and Judith Curr. Anyone who knows publishing knows how blessed I am to work with Carolyn, Louise, and Judith. Here’s to many more years of success.

Great buzz helps build a great book and nobody builds greater buzz than my extraordinary publicist, David Brown. “Outstanding” doesn’t even come close to describing him, nor does thank you come close to expressing how much I appreciate him.

I also want to thank the superlative Atria/Pocket sales staff, the audio division, and the art and production departments. They do amazing work and I am very grateful for everything.

While on the subject of amazing work, I additionally want to thank the superb Michael Selleck, Gary Urda, Kate Cetrulo, Caroline Porter, Sarah Branham, Irene Lipsky, Ariele Fredman, and Lisa Keim. I hope each of them knows how fortunate I feel to be working with them.

The day I met my sensational literary agent Heide Lange, of Sanford J. Greenburger Associates, Inc., was one of the best days of my life. Every day since then has only gotten better and for that I owe Heide a huge thank you. I hope you know how much you mean to me and how much I appreciate you.

In addition to Heide, I also want to thank the rest of the incredibly talented team at SJGA, particularly the fabulous Rachael Dillon Fried and Jennifer Linnan.

Out on the West Coast, the world’s best entertainment attorney, Scott Schwimer never ceases to amaze me with his business acumen, but also with the depth of his friendship. Thank you, Scottie.

As has become my custom, I always save the best thank-you for last. My two greatest accomplishments in life are as a father and as a husband. I try to be at the dinner table each night, but in the throes of writing, that isn’t always possible. Through it all, I have the undying love and unwavering support of my amazing family. I couldn’t do what I do without them. To my beautiful wife, Trish, and my beautiful children, I extend my biggest thank-you of all. Now that the book is complete, it’s time to have some fun!