Clouds were chasing the birds through the sky. A crow cawed somewhere in the distance. I swiped an OxyContin hidden in my purse and dry-swallowed it, then looked up at the indigo sky, waiting for the blessed relief from the pain Dr. Palmer had left me with.

Some criminals are born. Others are formed by circumstances.

After a few minutes, the first fuzzy tendrils of warmth from the oxy hit my blood. Before I knew it, I couldn’t feel a thing.

I looked down and opened the red notebook.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

My biggest thanks goes to my agent, Carly Watters, who’s made so many things possible. A huge thanks also to my editor, Kate Dresser—your insight and wisdom have been invaluable. Thank you to the phenomenal team at Simon & Schuster and Gallery Books: Jen Bergstrom, Molly Gregory, Michelle Podberezniak, Anne Jaconette, Kathleen Lynch—authors write a story, but you all create a book, and I’m so grateful to have you on my team. And thank you to my TV/film agent, Addison Duffy, for being such an amazing advocate of my work.

A special and heartfelt thanks to Officer Michael Eastman of the Seattle Police Department, who patiently answered my questions about being a detective in Seattle, how task forces work, and street lingo for various drugs, and to Lisa, who facilitated those conversations. And thank you to Dr. Robin Bliss, MD, for answering my medical questions, even the weird ones like, Where is the best place to stab someone so they’ll still live?

As always, my heart and soul go to my husband, Richard, who has been a constant champion, and to my boys, Adam and Aidan. Thank you for always being interested in my writing. I love you all.

Thank you so much to Kathleen Carter. Your enthusiasm and publicity magic have meant the world to me.

Authors are nothing without the other authors who’ve supported them. Heather Gudenkauf, Jennifer Hillier, Wendy Walker, Samantha Downing, Kimberly Belle, Kathleen Barber, Megan Collins, Emma Rous, Karen Katchur, and so many other writers who’ve read and supported my books, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

And most of all, thank you to you, my readers, reviewers, and book bloggers. I wouldn’t be here without you, and I’m grateful to each of you who have bought a copy, shared a review, or posted a picture of my books. You are the reason I write.

Reader’s Guide

DO NO HARM

CHRISTINA McDONALD

This reading group guide for Do No Harm includes an introduction, discussion questions, and ideas for enhancing your book club. The suggested questions are intended to help your reading group find new and interesting angles and topics for your discussion. We hope that these ideas will enrich your conversation and increase your enjoyment of the book.

INTRODUCTION