Seven years ago, my good friend Jill Thevenin and her family opened their small flat to me in Paris and let me live with them while I started work on my first thriller. I wrote about three or four chapters of a promising novel (that I may still finish and have published) before I decided writing was too solitary a life for me. I shelved the manuscript and shipped my “slab” top back home to the States so I could travel “lite” throughout Europe. To be honest, writing a book was one of the most difficult challenges I had ever faced.
I eventually made it back to the Greek island of Paros, where I had lived and worked two summers before. I was having a good old time until I met someone, not far in age from me, who was writing a book of his own. The encounter made me realize how deeply I wanted to be a writer. So, what did I do? Did I grab pen and paper and get back to it? Nope. I had another idea. The writing could continue to wait. I wanted to create my own television travel series. Whether that was avoidance behavior or not, I don’t know.
In a five-year odyssey that saw me bloodied, battered, and bruised, I made my television dream a reality. Traveling Lite now numbers twenty-three episodes and is seen across more than eighty-five percent of the United States, as well as in Canada, Europe, South America, Asia, and the Middle East.
Even though that was a wonderful feeling of accomplishment, I still felt something was missing. That something was writing. I knew it was the one thing I would regret on my deathbed not having done. So, with my wife spouting Arnold Schwarzenegger’s words of advice to his author-spouse, “Don’t talk about it, do it!” I plunged into what I have always wanted to do since I was a child-write books.
That being said, I want to thank the people who have shown me that an author’s life is anything but solitary and who, through their extreme generosity of time, wisdom, and hard-won experience, have made this book and the Scot Harvath character possible.
Gary Penrith, FBI (retired), a great family friend, a sharp dresser, and my guide through the myriad levels of local, federal, and international law enforcement. Peter A. Cavicchia II, Secret Service (retired), who never took the “secret” out of Secret Service, but trusted me enough to let me peek behind the curtain. Harry Humphries, Navy SEAL (retired), a man who, despite having everyone and their brother knocking on his door for his expertise, not only found time to answer my questions about the lives of some of America’s most honorable warriors, but also paid attention to what I was trying to do and gave me suggestions on how to make it even better. Bart Berry and John Krambo, the master networkers, for helping introduce me to Harry Humphries.
John Clair, FBI (retired), an incredible font of tactical information and someone whom I still owe a drink the next time I’m in Wisconsin. To my D.C. contacts Joan Harvath and Patrick Doak, as far as where they work, let’s just say their backgrounds were extremely helpful and I greatly appreciate their assistance with the novel. Chad Norberg, for always being available and always having the right answer. My team in Switzerland-Simon Dryer, Phil Boesiger, and Sebastian Ritscher-thanks for trying to make sure I got everything right. Richard Levy, my good friend, who not only guided my wife and me through the streets of Munich and the tents of Oktoberfest, but who also aided in the novel’s German translations. Sam Perocevic, who helped with the Serbian translations and is the main reason I hope to visit Montenegro some day. John Morris, of the London Telegraph, whose wonderful series, The Grail Trail, exposed me to Vin de Constance.
Sharon Maddux and David Sinkkonen, my good friends, who know a good time and a good idea when they see one and are ready with constructive criticism on how to make either better. Their attentive reading of the manuscript early on is much appreciated.
Emily Bestler, my editor at Pocket Books, who really is the best in the business, and Heide Lange, of Sanford J. Greenburger Associates, my Lion of an agent-I will always be grateful for everything they have done. The assistants of these two ladies, Sarah Branham and Esther Sung. The L.A. Dream Team-my film agent, Angela Cheng, of Writers and Artists, and my entertainment attorney, Scott Schwimer-for their friendship, unfailing commitment, great advice, and knowledge of the proper weapon to bring to a gunfight.
T. C. Boyle, Steve Binder, Stanley Ralph-Ross, David Cosnett, and Gloria Russo, for all the things they taught me, which are too numerous to list. Scot Thor and Joseph P. Fawcett, two of the nicest “landlords,” whose hospitality and couches I relied upon heavily in the early days and who are two of my biggest heroes. To that list I have to add my father and mother, Brad Thor, Sr., and Judy Thor, without whom I wouldn’t be here today. In all seriousness, it is their love of reading and strong belief in education that has helped me reach my goals.
Finally, I want to thank two wonderful ladies. The first is my wife, Trish, who always encouraged and supported me in my dream of writing. Trish also gets a big thanks for her help with the medical sections of the novel and her willingness to read chapters over and over again until they were just right. The second wonderful lady is our dear friend Cynthia Jackson, of Pocket Books, whom Trish and I met on an overnight train from Munich to Amsterdam. Cindy was one of the first people to read and believe in my manuscript. It is because of Cindy that I found my place in the Pocket family. I can’t imagine how things might have turned out if Trish and I hadn’t taken that train. It just goes to show you that everything happens for a reason and it all works out for the best. That being said, Trish and I are pretty heavy sleepers, and I am still missing a pair of hiking boots and a couple hundred Deutsche Marks.