Bug Man Suspense 3-in-1 Bundle (146 page)

They waited.

“Okay, here it is: I love you. I never thought I'd say that to a member of your species, but that's how it is. I love you, and I can't live without you. My life wouldn't have any meaning or purpose without you, and . . . I can't remember the rest. It's like a blowfly . . . Wait—scratch that—it's not like a blowfly at all. What I'm trying to say is, I'm a forensic entomologist, okay? That's not just what I do, that's what I
am
. And it's all I ever thought I'd want to be, only when I'm around you it doesn't seem like enough anymore. And that drives me a little crazy, you know? But it's not your fault. Well, it is your fault, only I'm not blaming you. Do you understand what I'm saying? Is any of this making sense? Because I have no idea what I'm talking about.

“What I'm trying to say is . . . What I mean is . . . Will you marry me?”

I know what you're thinking . . .

“It can't end like that!”

It doesn't have to. There's a bonus chapter.

. . . but you have to decide what it says.

If you visit my Web site at
www.timdowns.net
you'll find two bonus chapters that suggest two very different paths for the characters in
Ends of the Earth
. Read them both and decide which one you find most satisfying—then cast your vote for the version you prefer. The votes of my readers will determine the official outcome of the story.

Don't leave Nick hanging! His future is in your hands.

Acknowledgments

I
would like to thank those individuals who took the time to answer my questions about agroterrorism, drug smuggling, plant toxins, and brain-devouring fungi without turning me over to the authorities: Dave Baumann; Eric Blinka, PhD, Technology Development Representative Associate for Monsanto; J. R. Bradley, PhD, retired professor of Entomology at North Carolina State; Dave Bubeck, PhD, Corn Research Director for Pioneer Hybrid; Beverly Cash, director of the NCSU Insectary; Kevin Hardison, Agricultural Marketing Specialist, North Carolina Department of Agriculture; Bob and Kathy Helvey; Sally Jellison, Supervisory Special Agent, FBI; Fred Miller, owner of Hilltop Organic Farms, Willow Spring, North Carolina; Jim Walgenbach, PhD, professor of Entomology at North Carolina State; and all the others who took the time to respond to my e-mails, letters, and phone calls.

I would also like to thank my literary agent and friend Lee Hough of Alive Communications; story editor Ed Stackler for his keen insight into plot, pacing, and character development; copy editor Deborah Wiseman for her unerring red pen; my editor Amanda Bostic for her guidance regarding a woman's desire for closure; my publisher, Allen Arnold; and the rest of the Nelson staff for their kindness and dedication to the elusive craft of creative writing.

“ . . . stands out from the pack of CSI-inspired mysteries with its quirky hero and creative handling of the Hurricane Katrina disaster.”

—Publishers Weekly

Starred Review

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“ . . . taut writing and well-developed characters should gain him a wider audience and reward long-time Bug Man fans.”

—Publishers Weekly Starred Review of First the Dead

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Someone wants you dead.

But he doesn't want to kill you.

He wants you to do it for him.

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“ . . . dispenses humor, interesting technical details and the trademark ‘ick' factor that characterizes his previous books. He throws in enough surprises and unusual events to keep the story fresh . . . Downs's best book to date.”

—Publishers Weekly

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