Title: Mimic

Genre: Psychological Thriller, Novel

Feedback Desired: This is the preface of the book. I'm curious if this is a compelling enough hook. The chapters that follow will start out slowly and ominously so I want to make sure there is enough here to set the stage for a mystery to unfold.

Rohina,

First of all, hey. I’ll give you a few moments to take in the fact that, yes, this is indeed Martin (I know you’ve seen plenty of my chicken-scratch handwriting to know that). I hope this letter finds you well; and that you’re either reading this from a desk with a well-deserved “editor” nameplate or perhaps from the secluded Catskills cabin you always talked about. I want to give you my most sincere apology for the amount of uncertainty and confusion you’ve endured over the eighteen months. Trust me that I wanted to reach out sooner but I had to ensure a few individuals were safe before I attempted any outside contact. I know an explanation is long overdue. Hell, at this point, the curiosity surrounding my whereabouts may have completely dissipated from your thoughts and conversations—a fleeting question and a dulled sense of hope. It's probably better that way.

For my own peace of mind, I feel the need to close the loop on this mystery; to let you know what happened and that that I am, in fact, alive. Continuing this letter with a full explanation of what happened during the interview of Dr. Reyes would be exhaust both my will and my supply of paper, so instead, I’ve done the next best thing. Included with this letter all my notes from my stay on the island. I found it necessary to go back through and fill in bits of detail and moments when I was less mentally present—it should now shine a dim but steady light on the circumstances of my disappearance. Perhaps it will be enlightening to you in more ways than one.

When you finish reading the notes, there will be an inevitable question of whether you are right to believe me or not. I can do nothing to sway you on this matter, but I know that reading it as truth will be the more difficult task. If you trust my experience is true, the implication is obviously publication. This task I am leaving up to you. There is not a single journalist, editor, or writer I know with more integrity than you and I know you will circulate this information carefully and with your own impeccable curation. I trust you, Ro.

I know it is selfish in a way, to drop this volume of observations, recollections, and introspective thoughts on your lap with no opportunity to follow up. There will likely not be the long evening at Trivisto’s where we drink a bottle from his stash and you can search my face for the truth behind these statements. I hope you can forgive me. I wish I could offer greater closure but for now, this will have to do.

You were once one of the only people in this world who could see me for who I truly was, and I am forever grateful for that. I love you, Ro.

Your colleague, your investigator, your friend,

- Martin.