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The creation of Twisted involved an extensive learning experience for me. I always spend months on research before and during the writing of a novel, but this time I did far more in-the-trenches detailed field research than I can begin to describe. And I’ve never been more fascinated. My writing took me into the world of the FBI, where I met and spoke with some of the most dedicated professionals I’ve ever had the good fortune to consult with. Without their cooperation and their generosity—sharing their time and expertise with me—I could never have infused Twisted with the level of depth and realism I did, nor could I have brought my characters and their stories so vividly to life. I’m immensely grateful to everyone at the Bureau who went out of their way to help me. I hope I did you all proud.
Specifically, I’d like to thank the following:
Angela Bell, public affairs specialist at FBI Headquarters. Angela, working with you was a true privilege. You coordinated every aspect of my Bureau-related research thoroughly, intuitively, and in record time—and you were always spot-on with every contact you put me in touch with. You are awesome!
SA Steve Siegel and the Newark field office, including SSA Bill Evanina, SA Laura Robinson, and an enormous special thank-you to SA Sherri Evanina, who just made things happen. Sherri, you either knew the answers to my million and one questions, or produced someone who did. You’re a real miracle worker.
SA James Margolin of the New York field office, who connected me up with all the right people, and made the necessary meetings happen no matter how busy the most densely populated FBI field office in the country was. Included in that list of outstanding contacts were SA Rich DeFilippo, SA Leslie
Berens, SABT Pete Licata, and SSA Konrad Motyka, the supervisor of C-6, who, along with all the members of his squad, taught me what I needed to know about the Asian Criminal Enterprise Task Force in order to bring the squad to life in Twisted. He also educated me in various Chinese dialects (including how to curse in each of them, which was necessary to the book), and in the workings of Enhanced SWAT. Konrad, your knowledge base is extensive—thank you for taking so much time to share it with me.
The two principal firearms instructors at Fort Dix: SA Jody Roberson and SA Mike Adams, who allowed me the opportunity to watch a Pistol Qualification Course (PQC) firsthand. Mike also skillfully (and patiently) taught me how to load and shoot a Glock 22, working on my grip, aim, and accuracy, until I was hitting every target. I was very proud, but very sore. Trust me, it’s not as easy as it looks on TV.
Kurt Crawford, who escorted me through the FBI Academy at Quantico, and showed me where qualified men and women evolve into special agents.
And an overwhelming, special thank you to the awe-inspiring agents at CIRG who helped me create the heart and soul of this book:
CNU Unit Chief John Flood, who took me through an entire day of crisis (hostage) negotiation training with his unit and his trainees, so I could witness and experience firsthand the astounding skills and strategies employed by real FBI crisis negotiators. The commitment and solidarity of the CNU is a tribute to Unit Chief Flood’s skill and team-building efforts. He is a true leader in every sense of the word, and I have tremendous admiration and respect for him, his team, and their contribution to our country.
SSA James McNamara of the BAU, who exemplifies the term the real deal. Extensively published and a true expert in his field, he taught me so much about psychological and behavioral techniques used by the BAU in order to understand who and what a person is—including the ability to analyze the mind and actions of a serial killer.
My thanks also to SA Al Tribble, SSA Russ Atanasio, and SSA Bob Holley for taking the time to explain so many Bureau nuances to me—from the different squad responsibilities and how things are broken down, to the additional training that’s necessary for various ancillary responsibilities, to what it’s like to be a retired Army Ranger who becomes an FBI agent.
If I’ve inadvertently omitted anyone, I apologize. I talked with so many Bureau professionals, each of whom was a unique learning experience unto him or herself. Each field-office visit, each trip to Quantico and Fort Dix, was filled with amazing agents, technical staff, and media contacts/specialists, who were more than willing to answer all my questions, and explain the many, many roles of the FBI.
In addition, many of the special agents I’ve acknowledged were also kind enough and thorough enough to read the finished manuscript of Twisted for accuracy, and to then provide their feedback. I thank them all for that.
To that end, I take full responsibility for any unintentional errors that might have slipped by me, and for any literary license I took. I did so only when absolutely necessary.
With the NYPD being such a vital part of Twisted, I must thank my constant, smart-as-a-whip consultant, Detective Mike Oliver, who knows the NYPD like the back of his hand, and who, as always, spent hours helping me—this time dissecting and understanding federal and local jurisdiction so I could accurately depict where the FBI’s and the NYPD’s jurisdiction began and ended.
After working with two of the finest law enforcement organizations in the world—the FBI and the NYPD—I have a newfound appreciation for all they do on our behalf.
In addition to law enforcement, my research required consulting with a highly regarded expert in orthopedic surgery of the hand and upper extremities, and an equally effective hand therapist, so that I could accurately portray Sloane’s injuries, her surgeries, and the stages of her recovery. I had the good fortune of being put in touch with Dr. Daniel Mass, an expert in his field, and a professor at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. Dr. Mass spent hours educating me, through text, visuals, and lengthy telephone conferences, answering my numerous layperson questions, until I could describe the surgeries and complications Sloane endured.
Through Dr. Mass, and in conjunction with the medical education he provided me, I was introduced to Candice Brattstrom, an experienced and knowledgeable hand therapist, who’s an important member of Dr. Mass’s team. Candice taught me the intricate occupational-therapy regimen Sloane would have to adhere to, as well as the tools she would have to use, to recover the mobility and use of her hand. Candice, you were an excellent, thorough, and patient teacher—and a pleasure to get to know.
In conjunction with the above, I want to thank Saurabh Agarwal, soon-to-be MD, of the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, for introducing me to Dr. Mass. I very much appreciate your spotting such an outstanding surgeon, and arranging our initial contact.
While I’m thanking medical consultants, my thanks, as always, goes to Hillel Ben-Asher, MD, who reviewed each medical and drug-administering scenario of Twisted with me, and helped me orchestrate the details as authentically as possible.
Last (but definitely not least) on my medical consultant list is Dr. Paul Sedlacek, DVM, who educated me in ketamine—its effects and dosages—and spent a good part of his vacation answering my frantic e-mails about drugging people versus drugging animals.
My appreciation to Adam Cuddyer, head instructor at ATA Black Belt Academy, Hillsborough, New Jersey, for teaching me the complex Krav Maga techniques that were an integral part of Sloane’s life and an exciting addition to the plot of Twisted.
I want to thank everyone at HarperCollins who believes in me, and who works tirelessly on my behalf proving it, particularly: Brian Grogan, Rhonda Rose, Donna Waitkus, Lisa Gallagher, Lynn Grady, Tavia Kowalchek, Liate Stehlik, Adrienne DiPietro, Pamela Spengler-Jaffee, Tom Egner, and Rich Aquan.
A special thank-you to my editor at HarperCollins, Lucia Macro, for recognizing this book as “the one,” and for touting it as such. An additional thanks to Lucia’s assistant, Esi Sogah, for all she does to facilitate the process we work so hard to perfect.
I can’t close without thanking Andrea Cirillo, whose caring and commitment know no bounds.
And, most of all, thank you to my family, for loving and supporting me and one another. I’m proud of your accomplishments, and grateful for your ever-present involvement and input—all of which prevailed despite the pain of loss. We’re still the best team there is, and I continually treasure the unique bond we share. I could never have done this without you.
