Читать книгу Final Stand - Helen Myers R. - Страница 6

Acknowledgments

While suspense novels are always and foremost marketed as entertainment, it’s not wholly my approach to writing. Fortunately, I have an agent who both challenges me as he encourages, while I try to transfer today’s social and political issues into scenarios where the Jane and John Does of the world can associate. It was he who pointed out as I developed Final Stand that I’d managed to create the contemporary version of one of his favorite stories, the Western classic High Noon. Seeing the themes of justice and honor, I immediately recognized that we all have mini “high noons” in our lives. To have the opportunity to tell the story with a woman in the courageous role that Gary Cooper made so memorable was both intimidating as it was irresistible.

As usual, Sasha’s nemesis, Melor Borodin, came as a result of disturbing newspaper headlines. That my dialogue with my agent occurred shortly after a fascinating discussion I’d had regarding the Russian Mafia and their growing presence as a result of the World Trade Treaty seemed to me one of those innumerable “gifts” that guide a writer’s way.

In many ways this is once again a personal story. It speaks to a part of my ancestry, and so I’m particularly grateful to my aunt, Pauline Serpas, affectionately known as “The Duchess” by those who have spent any time with her. Without her generosity of sharing her insights into the Russian culture, I couldn’t have gotten beyond my own recollections and textbook agendas. Spasibo, Tante.

Thank you, “Gator,” for being researcher, tour guide and bodyguard as I realized the need to hunt the right location for this story. When you finish building that plane, I want to fly into Sonora with you and watch the field light up.

Gail Reed, you came to my rescue and made the world of the veterinarian a little more clear to this animal lover. Whenever I need a laugh, I will think of the antibiotics line.

Karen Kelley, friend and author, your EMS background was invaluable, even when you had me muttering.

And to Lynette Bagley, who sent the timely bit of inspiration in the epilogue when your own world’s axis was doing a tilt. Once again we learn that timing, intent and heart mean everything.

Readers, please be assured that any inaccuracies that slipped through are completely my error.

Finally, and always, to my friends and family—most of all Robert, for getting us through that five-day, six-hour-and-ten-minute stint without electricity after the ice storm—my love and thanks.

In memory of Jake, who made the title Final Stand literal.