Dear Reader,
Aimée Thurlo was a true professional, dedicated to her love for books and writing, and only her sudden, fatal illness prevented her from completing the final draft of Looking Through Darkness. We were working as a team, but the last read-through was always hers. Knowing that we were running out of time, we quickly went over the manuscript together. I took notes, planning on entering the changes—later. It was clear that there were more important issues at hand.
We spent those remaining two weeks at home, talking about everything imaginable from our past and present, experiencing every possible emotion, both of us struggling with the certain knowledge that the end was near. Fortunately, we also had the opportunity to hold hands and recall some of the pleasant memories from the forty-three years we’d been together, and, for a moment, dream of the plans we’d made for the future.
Aimée and I had wanted to retire, or at least slow down, but that had never included quitting doing what we loved. Writing was in our blood, and we’d still hoped to create more trading post stories. The Outpost was a lively place, with interesting people, and something always going on. And, after all, we had a great editor who was part of our team.
Melissa Singer had been with us from our very first hardcover novel, Second Shadow in 1993, to what was to become Aimée’s very last manuscript—Looking Through Darkness. Writing with a partner was a blessing to us, and with Melissa’s contributions and insights we had a wonderful ally. She’d helped guide us on the journey that encompassed twenty-three novels over the twenty years we’ve worked with Forge. At the end, Melissa also felt my loss. Thank you again, Melissa, for your friendship and support.
This is not the final chapter, however. Aimée’s legacy will live on, and people around the world will be reading Thurlo books for many years. Those who got to know Aimée discovered that she was a kind, talented woman who made easy connections with strangers as well as friends. She will be greatly missed by those who loved her and her stories. Aimée Thurlo was a remarkable woman who left us far too soon.
David Thurlo