by Kira Peikoff
I am greatly indebted to certain people whose support helped me realize my ambitions for this book:
My agent extraordinaire, Erica Silverman at Trident Media Group, whose friendship I cherish and whose guidance I can always trust.
My insightful editor, Michaela Hamilton, who granted me a dream assignment to write this book and whose valuable comments have made it the best it can be.
The entire team at Kensington Books, for their passion and expertise in production, design, marketing, publicity, and distribution.
Dr. Sam Parnia, for giving me a tour of the emergency room at Stony Brook Hospital and answering all of my nitty-gritty questions about resuscitation. His book Erasing Death was indispensable to me.
Dr. Robert Klitzman, my adviser at Columbia University and head of the Bioethics Program, for helping me to gain a deeper grasp of the ethical issues I raise throughout the book.
The late Dr. Michael Palmer, for talking me through the early stages of idea development. His mentorship was a precious gift I deeply miss.
My parents, for their unshakeable belief in my writing ability.
Susan Breen, of Gotham Writers’ Workshop, for reading my earliest drafts and providing spot-on evaluations every time.
My sidekick pup, Wally, the inspiration for Captain, who warmed my lap during a cold, long winter of writing.
My husband, Matt, my first and favorite reader. This one’s for you.
Photo by Matt Jacob
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
KIRA PEIKOFF is a graduate of New York University with a degree in journalism. She also holds a Master of Science degree in Bioethics from Columbia University. Her articles have been published in a variety of major media outlets, including The New York Times, and she writes a regular health column for Cosmopolitan.com. She is a member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors, International Thriller Writers, and Mystery Writers of America. Visit her online at www.kirapeikoff.com.
PINNACLE BOOKS are published by
Kensington Publishing Corp.
119 West 40th Street
New York, NY 10018
Copyright © 2015 Kira Peikoff
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
To the extent that the image or images on the cover of this book depict a person or persons, such person or persons are merely models, and are not intended to portray any character or characters featured in the book.
If you purchased this book without a cover, you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as “unsold and destroyed” to the publisher, and neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment for this “stripped book.”
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
PINNACLE BOOKS and the Pinnacle logo are Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM Off.
ISBN: 978-0-7860-3491-8
First electronic edition: October 2015
ISBN-13: 978-0-7860-3492-5
ISBN-10: 0-7860-3492-0