it's set in this small, rural conservative community, pikeville, where everybody knows each other‘s businesslar to the sort of place you grew up in? it is. when i first started writing my grant county series a million years ago, i chose to write about a small town because everybody said, "write what you know." and i know small towns. i know that insularity, and the thing is though, you don't really know the people. you think you know them but then something shocking happens and you really learn about who they are. that's the fun of writing a book like this. i know you said growing up you didn't think you fitted in. i wondered why that was? you know, ijust didn't. i remember very specifically, because i found the actual lunchbox that i carried to school years ago, and i had taped a picture of marilyn monroe after the autopsy on to the side of my lunchbox, and i remember this had an immediate effect in school and my parents were called to the school. my dad was sitting there and the principal was saying, "this is very unusual that she's done this and we are a little bit worried." my dad said,

she faithfully dedicated more than three decades of service to the pikeville medical center as a steadfast advocate for expanded access to quality health care in kentucky's rural appalachian region. as founder of one of the most respected law firms in kentucky, pam was a trustworthy defender for the people of eastern kentucky and a voice for those who otherwise may not be heard. one of the most recent examples of her endless and selfless service was her prompt action to help hundreds of individuals obtain medical records for social security hearings and honorable representation in the wake of emergency redetermineation hearings by the social security administration. she partnered with local attorneys and orchestrated hope for hundreds of families desperate for assistance while navigating through federal hearings. pam was a thoughtful leader who you could rely on to stay steps ahead of everyone else. my wife, cynthia, and i mourn the loss of our treasured friend. yet, we rejoice in the legacy of justice and compassion that she leaves behind. those of us who were blessed to know pam must car