Acknowledgments

Thanks to my entire family, and especially to Chuck Hanebuth and Magda Surrisi, who support me in every possible way, and to Ellie and Michael, who are eagerly awaiting this book. To the entire VCFA tribe, and to the Magic Ifs and Magic Sevens, the SCBWI gang, the Asheville Secret Gardeners, and my other writing friends everywhere—you know who you are.

To our family of friends in Asheville who have become so dear, especially Anne Wall and Reina Weiner, who have been beta readers for me. And to Will Hart, my middle-grade beta reader for the three Quinnie Boyd Mysteries, who is without question Quinnie’s biggest fan, and who said of this one, “I couldn’t believe who did it!” There’s nothing a mystery writer likes more than that!

Thanks to all the great people at Lerner, who make beautiful books, and especially one of the smartest people I know, my editor Greg Hunter, who exemplifies excellence and is a gracious guiding hand—and truly, special thanks to him for loving Quinnie Boyd as much as I do. And to Linda Pratt, who is not only my agent but a lifelong friend. She always finds the time to talk and read and give great feedback. Finally, to Julie McLaughlin, for creating the most delicious cover for this volume.