Backlash (Scot Harvath #19) - Brad Thor Page 0,144

who protect and defend our way of life. They work in intelligence, in the military, and in law enforcement. Several assisted with Backlash, and while I cannot openly name them, I want them to know how deeply grateful I am. Any and all mistakes herein are mine and mine alone.

Robert C. O’Brien (to whom this book is dedicated) is an exceedingly good man who has given much to the country. You couldn’t ask for a better neighbor or friend. I am honored to know him and deeply appreciate all that he has done for me and our nation.

James Ryan, Sean Fontaine, and Chad Norberg are three of my dearest friends. They are always there for me, especially when I need to kick ideas around. I thank them not only for their help with the book, but also for their continued dedication to doing what is right, no matter how hard, nor how dangerous.

Rob Saale, FBI (ret.) provided some incredibly helpful background for the book. Thank you for everything, but especially for your service to our great nation.

Michael Maness, CIA (ret.) was very generous with his time as I assembled the research for the book. Hopefully, by the time this goes to print, I will have taken him for a proper steak dinner and thanked him face-to-face.

Kristian J. Kelley, Deputy Chief, Gilford Police Department, could not have been kinder or more professional. As he is a graduate of the FBI’s National Academy, I was impressed both with his experience and his commitment to his community. Thank you for your help.

U.S. Navy SEAL Jack Carr (ret.) was once again incredibly helpful with details for this book. He also continues to be one hell of a thriller author. If you haven’t checked out his books yet, do it. You’ll love his writing. Thank you, Jack.

U.S. Navy SEALs Pete Scobell (ret.), Marcus Luttrell (ret.), and Paul Craig (ret.) were also very kind with their time. Getting the details right is important to me, and I appreciate their help. Thank you, gentlemen.

John Barklow, U.S. Navy (ret.) has trained some of the most elite warriors on the planet in cold-weather survival. His discussions with me early on helped frame what Harvath would be facing and what he’d need to do to get out alive. I really appreciate all of his insight and exceptional expertise. Thanks, John.

Carey Lohrenz, U.S. Navy (ret.) and Kenneth Johnson are two impressive aviators who were incredibly helpful with all things airplane-related. Thank you.

My thanks as well go to my longtime friend Patrick Ahern for his digging into foreign snowmobiles for me. Hopefully, sometime soon, we’ll get the chance to retrace some of our favorite routes via sled.

I have been with the outstanding people at Simon & Schuster since my very first thriller and want each and every one of them to know how much I value what they do for me, and how much I enjoy working with them.

Captaining the ship is the incomparable Carolyn Reidy. An author couldn’t ask to work with a more respected, talented, and committed pro. Thank you for everything.

My magnificent publisher and editor, Emily Bestler, is what an author dreams about when they imagine a career as a writer. She is not only an incredible editor, but also an unfailing champion of her authors and a stellar publisher. She and her team at Emily Bestler Books blow me away with each book we do together. Thank you, all!

Atria publisher Libby McGuire and Associate publisher Suzanne Donahue, thank you for all of your incredible support!

Kristin Fassler and Dana Trocker in marketing, your enthusiasm, hard work, and fresh ideas are so appreciated.

Tons of work goes on behind the scenes in order to bring a book to market. To that end, I want to also call out and thank the amazing Gary Urda, the remarkable Jonathan Karp, and the unparalleled John Hardy. I couldn’t do it without you.

Jen Long and the entire crew at Pocket Books are nothing short of fantastic. Thank you for your continued commitment to excellence and going the extra mile. I deeply appreciate all of you.

The Simon & Schuster audio division is composed of some of the coolest, most creative people you will ever meet. I extend my deepest thanks for another record-setting year to the phenomenal Chris Lynch, Tom Spain, Sarah Lieberman, Desiree Vecchio, Karen Pearlman, and Armand Schultz. You all are the best.

Speaking of the best, I want to give a BIG thank-you to the outstanding Atria, Emily Bestler Books, and Pocket Books sales teams. They knock it out of the park every single day. Without you, nothing else would be possible. Thank you a million times over.

David Brown, my sensational publicist, continues to crush it. From planning my elaborate tours, to handling all the wonderful media requests that come in, he tackles everything with exuberance and style. It is a pleasure to work with someone who is so good at what he does and takes such joy in doing it. Thank you, David.

Cindi Berger and the team at PMK-BNC are absolutely stupendous. The added PR wizardry they bring each year is simply incredible. Thank you for continuing to knock it out of the park.

One of my greatest joys of being at Simon & Schuster is being able to work with some amazingly talented people. These astonishing folks work tirelessly, and I want to express to them how grateful I am for everything they do for me. My thanks to the remarkable Colin Shields, Paula Amendolara, Janice Fryer, Adene Corns, Liz Perl, and Lisa Keim. In addition, I have to thank the exceptional Gregory Hruska, Mark Speer, and Stuart Smith. Thank you, all.

While I’m calling out stellar members of the Simon & Schuster family, I also want to recognize the fantastic Lara Jones at Emily Bestler Books. You do tons for me all year through. Thank you. I really appreciate you.

One of my favorite people at Simon & Schuster is also one of its hardest working, the unparalleled Al Madocs of the Atria/Emily Bestler Books Production Department. Al, I value your eagle eye more than you will ever know. Thank you for everything.

Thank you to the out-of-this-world talents, especially Jimmy Iacobelli, at the Atria/Emily Bestler Books and Pocket Books Art Departments. The stunning visuals you help to create truly set us apart.

Once again, I’d like to thank the fabulous Saimah Haque, Sienna Farris, Whitney McNamara, and David Krivda for another amazing year. Thank you for all that you do for me.

My beloved agent Heide Lange of Sanford J. Greenburger Associates is simply spectacular. Our partnership, as well as our friendship, continue to be two of my proudest accomplishments. My gratitude for everything that she has done for me knows no bounds. Thank you, Heide, from the bottom of my heart.

Heide is assisted by her world-class team, including Samantha Isman and Iwalani Kim. All of you at Sanford J. Greenburger Associates are like family to me, and I cannot thank you enough for another fantastic year!

Yvonne Ralsky—you are nothing short of superb. Every year, we set the bar higher and you keep coming up with new ways to leap over it. You know how much I value you, but I always enjoy putting it down in writing for everyone else to see. Thank you for everything.

They don’t get any better than my marvelous entertainment attorney, Scott Schwimer. Handsome, humble, and wicked smart, I could neither have written a truer a friend, nor a fiercer advocate into my life. Thank you, Scottie, for being you.

Finally, I get to say my biggest thanks of all. To my absolutely fantastic family—thank you. Thank you for all of your love, your support, and the never-ending joy you bring me. Writing novels is a deeply satisfying career, but it would mean nothing without all of you. I love you more than I can ever put into words.