I’m indebted to everyone who helped me during the writing of this book, including my wonderful husband, Tim, my parents, Ocean and Richard, in-laws, Lyn and Dick, and my friends and family. Gaby Naher and Bev Cousins saw me through my classic mid-book crisis, as they always do, and Kristin Sevick and Lisa Gallagher offered invaluable feedback on early drafts. The irreplaceable Kathryn Knight is my main editor. I am represented the world over by wonderful teams of publishers and editors, and without my studies at the universities I have mentioned in previous acknowledgements pages I would not be where I am today in my career.
Dr Liz Morton at the Drummoyne Veterinary Hospital was kind enough to answer some quirky questions on rodent care for me, and fans Alex Maguire and Marcel Thompson helped with research questions. There’s a crime in this novel inspired by an episode of the podcast Sword and Scale by Mike Boudet. Mike also consulted helpfully on ice cream container types.
A serial killer who resided on death row at San Quentin, who I will not name, provided some background material on life on the row and the killer mind.
This was one of the hardest books I have ever written. I wrote draft one while pregnant with my beautiful, clever and funny daughter, Violet. Subsequent drafts came along while I held her, nursed her or watched over her after she was born. Violet, in your tiny life so far you’ve taught me precious lessons about daring, persistence, patience and love, and I’m so thankful to you for them.