A: I think betraying someone who trusts you is one of the worst sins a person can commit. And Katie Converse comes face-to-face with that sin, so the title just makes sense.
Q: We’re living in a society where secularism is combating traditional religion. Most Americans are facing that struggle on a regular basis. This important to you, your characters?
A: Absolutely critical. All three women in the book struggle with issues of what to believe and why. For Allison especially, it’s difficult to reconcile a loving God with what she sees everyday at work. For me, my faith is an integral part of who I am, and my own moral compass. As a Christian writing fiction I deal with issues of faith. And I think most Americans can relate to that.
Q: So what do you want readers to get out of the book?
A: First off, I hope readers will have a fun read. This can be “me” time to just enjoy a good mystery—see if you can figure it out kind of thing. And then, because the characters are based on my own background, I hope that readers will learn something about the behind-the-scenes world of a TV station and a criminal courthouse.
Q: I’m almost afraid to ask—what’s next, Wiehl?
A: You should be very afraid, Bill! The next book, Hand of Fate, opens with the murder of Jim Fate, a radio and TV show host, with strong opinions and lots of enemies. Sound like someone you know? And the way he is murdered sets the whole town into chaos. One of the immediate suspects is his smart and witty female radio cohost. Again, sound like someone you know? Turns out Cassidy had been dating Fate, and she may have the critical clue. But I can’t give away any more. You’ll just have to tune in to see how it turns out!
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This book would not have been possible without the unwavering support and encouragement from Bill O’Reilly (really!). Roger Ailes and Dianne Brandi at the Fox News Channel paved the way. And my office buddy, Gregg Jarrett, listened and offered wise guidance along the way.
Although this is a book of fiction, we relied on expert research help to get the facts right. Thank you Dr. Michael Baden, forensic pathologist; Robin Burcell, police investigator/author; Dr. David Farris; George Q. Fong, FBI Unit Chief for Safe Streets and Gang Unit; James Kotecki, former congressional page; and many unnamed law enforcement who asked not to be identified but were incredibly helpful in making sure we got this right. All errors are our own.
Our book agents were absolutely instrumental from inception to execution of this book . . . Wendy Schmalz of the Wendy Schmalz Agency and Todd Shuster and Lane Zachary of Zachary, Shuster, Harmsworth Literary & Entertainment Agency found the perfect home at Thomas Nelson for Allison, Nicole, and Cassidy. Allen Arnold, senior vice president and publisher, got the idea right away . . . as did Ami McConnell, senior acquisitions editor, who provided expert guidance. L.B. Norton helped us finetune the plot and the prose. And the enthusiasm of Jennifer Deshler, Natalie Hanemann, Becky Monds, Mark Ross, Katie Schroder, and the other good folks at Thomas Nelson is both infectious and inspiring. Thank you.
If you enjoyed Face of Betrayal, you’ll love the next novel in the Triple Threat Series:
HAND OF FATE
AVAILABLE APRIL 2010
Chapter 1
KNWS RADIO STUDIO
February 7
Jim Fate bounced on the toes of his black Salvatore Ferragamo loafers. He liked to work on his feet. Listeners could hear in your voice if you were sitting down, could detect the lack of energy. He leaned forward, his lips nearly touching the silver mesh of the mike.
“Global warming may well be real. But there’s no evidence that the main cause is carbon emissions. This is a natural cycle that’s been occurring long before mankind built the first combustion engine. Carbon dioxide emissions play, at most, a minor role. And we need energy, people. It’s what makes America great. Economies need energy to grow. How are people going to get to work if they can’t afford gasoline? We can’t all get to work by bicycle. For the past umpteen years, environmental extremists have driving energy policy in this country, saying no to everything. Well now the chickens have come to roost.”
“So what are you suggesting, Jim?” Victoria Hanawa asked. She sat on a high stool on the other side of the U-shaped table, her back to the glass wall that separated the radio studio from the screener’s booth. To Jim’s right was the control room, sometimes called the news tank, where the board operator worked his bank of equipment and then was joined at the top and the bottom of the hour by one or more local reporters. “Are you saying we can just drill our way out?”