I owe special thanks to my friend Linna Barnes, who gave me a copy of her mother’s diary, written in February of 1943 and November of 1944. Mary Jane Barnes’ diary was a gold mine. It described Ms Barnes’ crossing of the Atlantic Ocean to take up a job at OSS London, and later her experience of living in the UK during World War II. I’ve used her first-hand account as a source for a number of scenes in Louise’s Crossing. You’ll find a biography of Mary Jane Mulford Barnes at the end of this book in the Author’s Note.
I must also thank Ben Steelman, David Munger, Tony Burton and James Benn for explaining the properties of torpedoes and grenades, and for answering other questions about World War II warships and such.
As always, the support of my family: my husband Steve, our son Sam, our daughter and son-in-law Katie and Matt Lindsay, have been critical to keeping me writing. Our grandsons Brandon and Nathan are a bonus!
I cannot imagine my life, writing or otherwise, without my writing buddies, Margaret Maron, Diane Chamberlain, Katy Munger, Alex Sokoloff, Kathy Trochek and Bren Witchger. Or without my friend and agent Vicky Bijur.
I am especially thankful that Severn House, now led by Kate Lyall Grant, offered to publish the first Louise Pearlie mystery during the Great Recession of 2008, when contracts were as scarce as hen’s teeth.
I am so fortunate that Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh is my home bookstore.