Suicide is a touchy subject. There will probably be some people who won't read this novel because the entire story revolves around that topic. This won't happen because the subject is taboo, but because it touches too close to home for some people who have experienced the death of a loved one by suicide or they've fought their own personal battle to overcome the urge to kill themselves.
     Unfortunately, the statistics for suicide among the ranks of the people who serve within the ranks of the law enforcement community are very high. A lot of the time, it's the stress of the job or a particular situation which will start a person down the road toward Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). At other times, it can be caused by the person's family being under stress at home or at times the officer is forced from his job because of injuries received in the line of duty. There are other reasons, but these are a few to serve as examples. If the person can't find the courage to ask for help or the people closest to them don't see the signs, the depression or the feelings of being a failure can push the person to or over the brink of self-destruction.
     I chose to write about the topic because the time seemed right. Through the first two books, Jake has to deal with the events, situations, and emotions related to his near death experience. He's a man who has to take time to sort through his own thoughts before sharing them with other people ... even his wife. In Phantoms, he exorcises the ghosts of his past, including his own bout with PTSD and his own attempts to end his life.
     The situation is one found in real life. No, I haven't hidden anyone's personal experiences in the form of fiction. If you've lived through a similar event, the resemblance is purely coincidental. I only want my stories to reflect real life scenarios and that includes the down sides to life.
     I also want to raise awareness of the truth of the matter. Please take some time to research the statistics for suicide in law enforcement, the signs and symptoms of PTSD, and the steps you can take to help yourself or someone else who is suffering from depression. The men and women in law enforcement put their lives on the line everyday to protect us; let's return the favor by supporting them in their greatest time of need.