ONCE AGAIN, THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE TO THANK FOR MAKING this book a reality.
A big thank-you to all the folks at HarperCollins for all their patience and support, especially to my editor, Toni Markiet, who probably had more than one vacation ruined on my behalf. Much gratitude to you for all your great insights. You say the things that have to be said.
To Miriam Altshuler, for your generosity and guidance, and for tirelessly advocating for The Keepers.
Thanks also to Abbe Goldberg, Reiko Davis, Gina Rizzo, for everything you do.
Thanks to all who responded so positively to the first book in the series, and who gave it so much support, including Matt Mulholland, Becky Anderson, Michele Whisenhunt, Ksenya Kouzminova, Jeff and Rosita Durbin, Jason Mierek, Mathew Green, Brian Delambre, and Randy Lynn.
To Matt Minicucci, for making me leave the house once in a while.
To Laura Koritz, for keeping still. I have you to thank for April.
Thank you to my son, Rowan, for getting better at proving me wrong, and to my stepdaughter, Bridget, for helping to keep me young. I need more of both of those things in my life.
And finally, above all, to my wife, Jodee. More than ever, so much would not have happened without you. Thank you for almost never saying no when I said, “Can I ask you a book question?” Thank you for all the reading, and talking, and arguing, and for helping this project find a way to betterness. Thank you for being the sane one, and for sometimes not. Thank you above all for our family. I love you.