Author notes for To Kill an Eidolon
by W.F. Halsey

Author's Background

I have a Master’s degree in biology, focusing on microbiology and molecular biology. I spent fifteen years doing microbiology/molecular biology bench research at a variety of pharmaceutical companies and major universities. For the last eleven years I’ve run my own business, Winifred Halsey & Associates, doing information research and analysis. I’ve loved science fiction ever since I read Arthur C. Clarke’s Childhood’s End when I was twelve. I had never read any SF before, and wasn’t sure if the book wasn’t some psychological study, but I didn’t have anything else to read, so I tried it. I’ve reread that book more times than any other SF. My other major reading love is the Lymond series by Dorothy Dunnett. (Like I’m unusual there?)

Author’s Notes

One day a co-worker and I were talking about books we might write. We kicked back and forth ideas, specifically about conspiracy theory books. I wanted my conspirators to be people who normally don’t come to mind as the cold-blooded conspirator type. Suburban housewives were an idea, but I decided that was for another book. I was working at a university at the time so professors seemed an easy choice. Mild-mannered and nerdish, they were ideal candidates to turn into quiet murderers. All for the greater good, of course.

At one point, I almost did my Master’s thesis on testing herbal cures for their antimicrobial properties. The concept that some of the earlier, so called barbaric, medical practices have validity is fascinating to me. I loved it when I read that applying leeches to a person can be a good idea sometimes because of the blood-thinning agents secreted in their mouths. Taking that a step further -- what if the ancient / medieval concept of ‘bad humors’ or ‘evil spirits’ was correct? What if some witch doctors and wise women really knew what they were doing?

Hmmm. I decided there was a book in this. To Kill An Eidolon became that book. I hope you enjoy it.

 

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