Spymaster

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I always start out the acknowledgments with a special thank-you to the most important people on my list — you, the readers. Thank you not only for reading and enjoying my novels, but most of all for the wonderful word of mouth. There is no greater honor you can pay a writer than to recommend one of his books.

I also want to thank the fabulous booksellers around the world who carry my novels and introduce new people to them every day. Yours is truly a noble profession, which allows all of us to share in the love of books.

One of my greatest honors is being able to spend time with the selfless men and women engaged in the worlds of espionage, counterterrorism, special operations, law enforcement, and politics. Many of them provided assistance for this novel, and to them I am extremely grateful. Thank you.

My lifelong friend, Sean Fontaine, had no idea Spymaster would be dedicated to him. Thank you for everything over the years, Sean, but most important, thank you for your friendship and the fearless service you have rendered our country.

James Ryan, another dear friend, picked up the phone every time I called and always had answers for me. Thank you for your friendship, your patriotism, and the deep dives into many of the subjects in Spymaster.

I also want to thank Richard Grenell. Ric and I have been friends for many years, and his help with the novel is much appreciated. Thank you for your service, your patriotism, and your friendship.

On the first night of the Los Angeles riots, I stood on a rooftop there with a group of strangers, watching the city burn. Unbeknownst to me, I would be brought back together with one of those strangers two decades later. Robert O’Brien is an amazing patriot and an outstanding font of expertise in regard to military and foreign affairs. On the day I finished the manuscript for Spymaster, a pair of OSS cuff links appeared on my doorstep. I don’t know how he knew, but he knew. Thank you for your friendship and all of your help with Spymaster.

Chad Norberg is another longtime and extremely valued friend, whose dedication and service to the nation never cease to humble me. He is scary smart, very funny, and always available to lend a hand; I thank him for his years of friendship and the help he provided on Spymaster.

The incomparable Rita Cosby and my amazing Polish publisher, Sonia Draga, provided me with some very important on-the-ground insights into Poland. I am grateful to you both. Thank you.

Former National Security Agency analyst, and now journalist, John R. Schindler couldn’t have been more helpful when it came to information about the Baltic States, Russia, NATO, and hybrid/special warfare. His fearless assessments of the threats the West faces are must-reads. Thank you, John.

U.S. Navy SEALs Jack Carr (ret.) and Pete Scobell (ret.) were once again both available and incredibly helpful whenever I had questions. I thank you both for your service, your assistance, your patriotism, and your friendship.

The older I get, the better I am trying to become in all areas of my life. The key to accomplishing such a goal is to surround myself with the best possible people. Brian Williams is one of them. His example as a husband, father, and warrior serves as inspiration to me. I am honored to call him my friend and appreciate his help with the novel.

My good pal at Axon, Steve Tuttle, is always helpful and always available when I reach out to him — even on a Sunday. Thank you for your help, Steve, as well as your wonderful friendship over these many years.

Ulrika Nyberg and I became fast friends during my junior year of college when I lived overseas. I cannot thank her enough for all of her help on all things Swedish in this novel. Tack så mycket!

The character of the American Ambassador to the United Nations, Rebecca Strum, was named by a generous contributor at a fundraiser for an organization near and dear to my heart. Thank you for your generosity, and I hope you enjoy the character.

I am very proud to say that we have just signed a new, three-book contract with the wonderful people at Simon & Schuster. It is an honor, a privilege, and a lot of fun to work with all of them, especially the brilliant Carolyn Reidy. Thank you for all that you have done for me.

And speaking of doing things, I couldn’t do what I do, year after year, without my spectacular publisher and editor, Emily Bestler. You and your team at Emily Bestler Books are not only the best in the business, but you are also an absolute joy to work with. Thank you for your friendship, your professionalism, and all of your hard work!

At Pocket Books, I’d be lost without the fabulous Jen Long and Lisa Litwack. It is a pleasure to be working with you and I look forward to the many adventures ahead. Thank you!

The extraordinary David Brown is not only my publicist par excellence, but also one of the most wonderful people I know. David, I cannot thank you enough for all that you do for me.

In addition to David, I want to thank the phenomenal Cindi Berger and her fantastic team at PMK-BNC. You achieve great results by aligning yourself with great people. In the PR world, there are none better. Thank you.

It is a matter of immense pride to call myself a member of the Simon & Schuster family, and I want to thank everyone there, as well as a few who have recently begun exciting new chapters in their lives. Thank you to one of the all-time greats and publishing giants, Louise Burke; thank you to the dynamic and charming Michael Selleck, and to the wonderful Judith Curr.

Thank you to my good friend, the outstanding Gary Urda; thank you to another good friend, the fantastic John Hardy; and thank you to the marvelous Jonathan Karp.

The incredible Paula Amendolara, Adene Corns, Janice Fryer, Lisa Keim, Suzanne Donohue, Colin Shields, Chrissy Festa, and Paul Olsewski—as well as the marvelous Gregory Hruska, Mark Speer, and Stuart Smith. Thank you for every single thing you have done, and continue to do for me.

My gratitude extends to every single person at Simon & Schuster, especially the remarkable Lara Jones, Tasha Hilton, Irene Lipsky, and Michael Gorman.

A special shout-out goes to super-talented Albert Tang of the Atria/Emily Bestler Books Art Department and the awesome Al Madocs of the Atria/Emily Bestler Books Production Department, and many thanks to copy editor Sean Devlin. A novel is a work of art on so many levels. Thank you for the work you and your incredible artists did on Spymaster.

The Atria, Emily Bestler Books, and Pocket Books sales teams have knocked it out of the park again this year. You all are unbelievable, and I thank you for every single sale.

In addition to the rest of the terrific members of the Atria, Emily Bestler Books, and Pocket Books teams, I’d like to give my thanks to the exceptional Liz Perl, Saimah Haque, Sienna Farris, Whitney McNamara, and David Krivda for all their help over the past year. Thank you.

Audio books are booming, and I want to thank the entire Simon & Schuster audio division, especially the superhero team of Chris Lynch, Tom Spain, Sarah Lieberman, Desiree Vecchio, and Armand Schultz. I love working with you all. Thank you for everything.

I am never at a loss for words when it comes to describing my dynamite agent, Heide Lange of Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. I am so grateful for all that you have done for me. You have not only helped make my dreams come true, you have helped me exceed them. For that, I will be forever grateful. Thank you, Heide.

Heide’s stupendous team, including the wonderful Samantha Isman and Iwalani Kim, keep everything humming. My thanks to everyone at Sanford J. Greenburger Associates for another fabulous year!

Every day I am thankful for the friendship and professionalism of the astounding Yvonne Ralsky. Asking her to join my team was one of the smartest things I have ever done. Thank you for all things great and small, far too many to list here. My gratitude for you knows no bounds.

To my dear friend and the world’s absolute best entertainment attorney, Scott Schwimer, I say thank you for another incredible year. Your indefatigable efforts on my behalf are only outpaced by your love and friendship. I am honored to have you in my life.

I always save the absolute best for last. To my phenomenal family—thank you. Thank you for your love, your support, and all the things you gave up, or put on hold, so I could finish writing Spymaster. This book belongs to you. Without a single complaint, my gorgeous wife, Trish, kept all interruptions at bay, while my beautiful children found countless ways to keep everything on track and running smoothly. This truly is a “family” business, and I couldn’t do it without all of you. I love you more than words can say.