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A note from the author:
My
introduction to Baltimore was like that of many other avid viewers
of the groundbreaking and brilliant NBC series Homicide: Life on
the Streets based on the stellar book written by David Simon in
1991 – a virtual bible of the inner workings of a homicide unit in a
city plagued by drugs and violence.
However, my personal introduction to the city came in a rather
unassuming email over ten years ago from an active-duty sergeant
with the Homicide Unit. Detective Sergeant Steve Lehmann – a.k.a.
Sparky – had answered a query I’d posted to a newsgroup
requesting feedback for research on "Baltimore: the city, the
streets and its people." |
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I
accepted Sparky’s invitation to visit, and that first venture to
Baltimore during Thanksgiving 1995 was truly unforgettable.
Expecting the 15-minute tour, I was met instead with a
generosity and graciousness I couldn’t have dreamed. Of course,
I’m not completely naive: it could have been those bar tabs I
picked up as well. Either way, hours led into nights, and
subsequent visits would have me spending entire midnight shifts
with Sparky and the squad, going out on calls, witnessing the
workings on a crime scene, bringing in informants with DEA,
sitting in on interviews, and sifting through case folders back
at the offices when the dark morning hours drew to a close.
It was while living in Baltimore for a period of time and
developing close relationships with some members on the Homicide
Unit, that Kay Delaney’s character took firm root. There are
many individuals, as well as ‘Charm City’ itself, to whom I am
indebted. It’s the men and women of the city’s police
department, Sparky and his squad and the rest of the men and
women on the Homicide Unit who were the true inspirations behind
the characters that inhabit the world of my novels.
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"The
Major Players" |
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(from left to
right: Vickie Wash, Asst. State's
Attorney, Illona, Dr. Mary Ripple,
M.E., Deputy Chief Medical
Examiner, Sgt. (retired) Steve 'Sparky' Lehmann,
BPD
Homicide, Det. Mike Hammel, Homicide) |
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Deep
gratitude also goes to Vickie Wash of the States Attorney’s
Office, Dr. Mary Ripple, Deputy Chief Medical Examiner for the
State of Maryland, and Detective Bobby Cherry Jr. – constant
sources of information, fonts of knowledge, and great sports for
humoring my many often gruesome and somewhat deviant questions.
I also owe huge thanks to Bob Cox and Anna Stella for their
constant hospitality, and especially to Bob for not only
chauffeuring me throughout Baltimore and the beautiful state of
Maryland, but for always knowing where best to hide a body
(fictional, of course!).
But
it’s Sparky to whom I owe the most: for introducing me to it
all, for trusting me, for sticking with me, for having faith,
and for being the model of a true hero.
Illona Haus
(Haus currently resides in Ontario, Canada, taking frequent
trips to the city that continues to inspire her, and is
researching and writing the next exciting Kay Delaney novel.)
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"[Haus] shows a veteran's skill."
--Baltimore Sun |
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“ ... fast-paced gritty thriller ... A heart-thumping and
satisfying read!”
--Futures Mystery Anthology Magazine |
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"Illona
Haus shows no mercy in this taut tale of one cop's quest for
justice."
--Lisa Gardner,
New York Times bestselling author |
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"..a
voice to listen for in this genre."
--Tom Mayes,
I Love a Mystery Website |
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"…a chilling first novel, a psychological thriller…The author’s
impressive ability to get inside the heads of multiple
characters (particularly the killer’s) without betraying plot
twists, and her refusal to shy away from morbid detail, will
keep readers enthralled."
--Publishers
Weekly |
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