Collins, Max Allan - Nathan Heller 11 (32 page)

I would again like to thank editors Joseph Pittman and Michaela Hamilton for giving Nate Heller and his creator the opportunity to enjoy the classic Mickey Spillane Dutton/Signet imprimatur; and of course Dominick Abel, my friend and agent, who went to bat for his author with characteristic tenacity, courage and loyalty.

With the magic of her patience and love, my talented wife helped me through this particularly harrowing race to make deadline in the midst of a chaotically busy year, protecting and advising me as only she can. Nate Heller has many women, and so do I: but mine are all named Barbara Collins.

Photo Credit: Bamford Studio

Max Allan Collins has earned fifteen Private Eye Writers of America “Shamus” nominations, winning for his Nathan Heller novels,
True Detective
and
Stolen Away
, and receiving the PWA life achievement award, the Eye. His graphic novel,
Road to Perdition
, which is the basis of the Academy Award-winning film starring Tom Hanks, was followed by two novels,
Road to Purgatory
and
Road to Paradise
. His suspense series include Quarry, Nolan, Mallory, and Eliot Ness, and his numerous comics credits include the syndicated
Dick Tracy
and his own
Ms. Tree
. He has written and directed four feature films and two documentaries. His other produced screenplays include “The Expert,” an HBO World Premiere. His coffee-table book
The History of Mystery
received nominations for every major mystery award and
Men’s Adventure Magazines
won the Anthony Award. Collins lives in Muscatine, Iowa, with his wife, writer Barbara Collins. They have collaborated on seven novels and numerous short stories, and are currently writing the “Trash ‘n’ Treasures” mysteries.