How would you describe Doc Yackley?
Doc Yackley has been a mainstay throughout all of the ZEB HANKS: Small Town Sheriff Big Time Trouble mystery series. Doc, a local man, now in his 70's is a small town general practitioner who delivered most of the local characters in the book. Not only an excellent doctor with a head full of practical experience, Doc Yackley has always viewed himself as somewhat of a Sherlock Holmes type when it comes to solving mysteries. Often times he offers his theories on crime and criminals up to Sheriff Zeb Hanks. While Zeb listens respectfully he takes Doc's suggestions with the proper grain of salt.
Tell us about Doc’s history.
To know Doc you must know that he was born and raised locally. The only time he really left town is when he was drafted and did a two year stint as a medic in Viet Nam which inspired him to ultimately go to medical school. As the series advances the reader learns that Doc saw much during the war and that it has had a profound affect on how he lives his life.
What makes Doc tick?
To date we haven't learned about his wife or children, but their stories will appear at some point. Doc lives in a western style house in the country outside of Safford, AZ in a house full of Native American art, historical artifacts and paraphernalia. His land is also a rather large ranch on which he keeps cattle as a hobby. He is always inquisitive and always learning. There is no task he will not take on. He is a man who maintains long term friendships and the type of person everyone trusts. He is one of the true believers in the Hippocratic oath and takes it very seriously.
What’s in the future for Doc?
While Doc has played and will always play a role in every book, he is aging but in denial of the possibilities of his own human frailties. Readers will watch him face his own aging process as the series carries on.
Who or what was your inspiration for Doc?
Doc was originally based on a South Dakota Doctor/Rancher who was a neighbor of mine in Arizona. He was a gentleman among gentleman who died on the golf course. Even in his 80's he would drive straight through from the Phoenix area to Rapid City, SD for the calving season. The real man whom I base the character on was a good friend and I admired him greatly. I honor him by keeping his memory and ways of being a good doctor alive in these books.