Psychiatrist, Troy Stoker, M.D., bursts onto the psychiatry thriller landscape when his high-profile patient, the lieutenant governor-elect's wife, makes a simple mistake that could cost her everything, including her life, and brings her face to face with an American jackal. In this confrontation with corruption, Ann Higgins stumbles into the underworld life of a high-ranking South Dakota statesman; and she catapults her psychiatrist, Troy Stoker, M.D., into the conflict. When her chilling discovery threatens to devastate a politician's secret dominion, Ann ends up dangling from a makeshift noose and fighting for her survival, while plunging Dr. Stoker even deeper into the battle of minds, muscles and new tech. Dr. Stoker enlists Errol Rivera, a fellow physician and military attaché, to help unravel the mystery and take on the challenges set before them. Together Stoker and Rivera use their brilliant intuition, psychiatric savvy and military skills to pursue the veiled, corrupt politician and hunt down his criminal pack. Still, Stoker is unaware that his Cuban-born, patriot friend, Rivera, is much more than a doctor with a hero's past. At his command, Rivera unleashes an elite band of warriors who engage their training, guts, technology, and weaponry to confront the corruption. Hold on and jump into this gritty thrill ride as the new hero, Troy Stoker, M.D., emerges in an explosive new political and psychiatry thriller, American Jackal. Who's Troy Stoker? He's a psychiatrist . But, to understand who Stoker is now, it helps to understand who he was as a rookie army medic circa 1992. "I don't give a damn if it's an order or not an order. It's just the right thing!" Stoker thought about his dilemma. "Let's pull this jeep right up in front of his cozy little sunshade. You take over this wound! I can take an officer's reprimand, but I can't live with this man dying." Forty-five seconds later, the driver skidded the jeep to a stop right in front of the radio operator's sunshade. "Call back that helicopter!" yelled Stoker as the driver jumped back to the patient and took over the first aid. "This man is about to die!" "I can't!" protested the radio operator, as he watched corporal Stoker jump out of the jeep with bloody hands. "I have orders from the general to-" Stoker's gory hand reached for the radio and the operator lurched back in fear. Stoker took over the radio and hit the transmit button. "Deathstalker, this is Medic Alpha Six. Over." A moment later, the pilot responded to Stoker's call. "Medic Alpha Six, this is Deathstalker." "Roger," Stoker said. "I'm a medic with an Airborne Ranger in critical condition, requesting you turn that helicopter around. I need medevac and I need that doctor. Over." "Standby, Medic Alpha Six," came the pilot's reply. Silently, Stoker waited and hoped. "That's a roger, Medic Alpha Six." Relief flooded through Stoker. "Ground control. This is Deathstalker. Landing site clear, over?" Stoker started to hand the blood-covered radio microphone back to the radio operator, but he would not touch it. So Stoker shoved the device to within three inches of the radio operator's mouth, turned his head to glance at the empty landing zone, and started to key the microphone so the squeamish radio operator could issue the response. Who is Stoker's mentor, Errol Rivera, M.D.? Now Colonel Rivera, he remembers some of his 1992 helicopter pilot history. "Are you ignoring a direct order, Captain?" "No, sir. I was ignoring you momentarily while I consider your direct order," Rivera said, turning his attention to some navigation systems for a few seconds. "I will court martial you, Captain!" Rivera smiled confidently and sent the helicopter into a rapid five hundred foot descent. After leveling out, he turned to the accountant who also happened to be a colonel, who was now very nauseated. "Now, I'm ignoring your order! I'll see you at the proceedings, sir!"
About the Author: Dr. Francis Bandettini: For psychiatry thriller, a psychiatrist author is a must. Dr. Bandettini is a private practice psychiatrist and co-author of American Jackal. He graduated with honors from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in molecular biology. He earned his medical degree at the University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences in Des Moines, Iowa. Dr. Bandettini completed his psychiatry residency at the University of South Dakota School of Medicine, where he subsequently joined the faculty as an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry. He is a retired Captain from the United States Army and South Dakota National Guard. He lives with his wife in the greater Sioux Falls area. What is unique about Dr. Bandettini? Just about everything. On most days, Dr. Bandettini rides his bicycle to work--even in the harsh South Dakota winters with his titanium-studded tires. He believes, according to recent research and his own experience, a day without biking is a day without peak enjoyment and functioning in his work. He has therefore a complete shower and kitchen in his office. He usually bikes home late at night with his wife--if his "darn paperwork is done." His wife, Naomi, accompanies him only "if more than 20 degrees F/-7 degrees C. " So she says! He usually writes from his home or office in the mornings, and collaborates with his co-author at various times in early morning and late night. He loves seeing patients and always tries to practice what he preaches in the most eclectic way--because each of us are so different! Matt Nilsen: After working in hospitals and clinics for more than a decade, Matt was ready to couple his creativity with stories from his healthcare career. From the world of emergency rooms, orthopedic clinics, private medical practices, dialysis units, administrative suites, hospital pharmacies, intensive care units, and psychiatry floors, Matt Nilsen has witnessed thousands of patients and their challenges. He's had his fair of surgeries and spent a few dozen days as a patient in the hospital himself. He lives in Salt Lake City with his wife and four kids, but spends ample time in South Dakota. He completed an undergraduate degree in marketing at the University of Utah, and earned a Master of Health Administration degree from the Medical College of Virginia. His former employers include the Barnabas Healthcare System, Intermountain Healthcare, and the 3M Corporation.