Many thanks go to my wonderful editors, Megan Records and Victoria Curran, as well as to my beta readers, Carole, Amy, Bliss, Karen, Ricky, and Susan. I am so grateful to Bailey McGinn for creating the most beautiful covers, and for tolerating my obsession with getting the collar points at just the right height. I would also be remiss not to mention the University of Texas Library, as it’s pretty much the only thing standing between me and bankruptcy via research books.
I would also like to thank my family—my parents and my son, and especially my amazing husband, who has been nothing but supportive of me on this crazy journey. I love you all so very much! I also want to give a shout-out to all of my fabulous writing friends! Your support and encouragement means everything to me, and I never would have made it this far without you.
Many people have older sisters, but vanishingly few have an older sister as wonderful as Anne. I am happy to count myself in this exclusive group and would like to dedicate this book to my own big sis, Gennie (who, much like Anne, is terrified of spiders!) Just for you, I didn’t even put a bassoon joke in this one, but don’t go getting used to it. There are loads of bassoon jokes in book three. Thank you for not telling Mom about that time I spilled a gallon of orange paint on her brand-new carpet. I will always be your ride or die when it comes to removing tarantulas and recapturing your many evil hamsters. But if you ever decide to take out another wasp nest, you’re on your own.