It was a surprise for me to discover that the process of writing a horror novel was as terrifying (if not more so) than the experience of reading one. My most sincere gratitude to everyone who came along for the ride.
First and foremost, thank you to Jodi Reamer for your unwavering faith, your vision for my career, and your enthusiasm for this dark and twisty story. Also, I must thank you for encouraging me to read The Fifth Child while I was pregnant with my first. Thanks, too, Alec Shane, for your swift and sound support.
Elizabeth Law is yet again responsible for all of the very best parts of this book. She is a unique blend of irreverence, brilliance, and loyalty—a true advocate for her authors. I’d say that every writer should have the chance to work with her in his or her lifetime, but selfishly, I’d prefer not to have to share.
Infinite thanks to Alison Weiss, always a wise, calming presence, but also exactly the right keen, clever, and capable eye at exactly the most critical time in this editorial process. What would this book be without your insight?
I’m indebted to the extended Egmont USA team: Andrea Cascardi, Regina Griffin, Bonnie Cutler, and Gordon Vanderkamp. Thank you for making me feel like such a valued member of the Egmont family!
Melissa Walker, Lynn Weingarten, and Nova Ren Suma—where to begin? Thank you for accepting my manic communiqués, and for alternately talking me down and propping me up. You are my goddess muses.
To Gwenda Bond and Katie Sise, thank you for early reads. To the Last Mondays Writing Group: Sarah MacLane, Morgan Baden, Lauren Mechling, Sara Lyle, and Lisa Chambers—thank you for reading this book so, so many times and offering so much brilliance amidst the wine and gossip.
To Libba Bray: thank you for politely allowing me to “explain” to you how plotting works. And for not laughing (too hard) when I realized with horror that I was trying to explain to LIBBA BRAY how plotting works.
Meg Leder, Jill Gottlieb, and Nancy Lambert—our early upstate retreat was the start of it all. I’m glad the house wasn’t (evidently) haunted.
Adele Griffin, thank you for saying some of the nicest things I’ve ever heard about my work from someone who wasn’t related to me. And for your boundless hospitality, which gave the work a much-needed jumpstart. Also, for the conversation with Jenny Han about mortally wounded guinea pigs, which did make its way into this book oh-so-covertly.
To the VCFA-sters and the Kindling Words-sters: Mariana Baer, Rita Williams-Garcia, Laura Ruby, Sarah Aronson, Shawn Stout, Gene Brenek, Mikki Knudsen, Varian Johnson, Louise Hawes, Tim Wynn-Jones, Leda Schubert, Trent Reedy, Jill Santopolo, Margo Rabb, Rachel Wilson, Sara Zarr. You are all divine vessels of creative beauty. Mwah!
To the masters: Stephen King, Shirley Jackson, Mary Shelley, Sam Raimi, George Romero, Wes Craven, Joss Whedon. Yes, please, more, thank you. (* genuflects *)
To my darling, sprawling family: Dad, Dave, Lily, Josh, Elizabeth, Len, and Fleur—how does one author wind up with so many viable writing-retreat options? Love, love, love.
To dearest Mazzy, so terrifyingly brave. You may not read this book until you are 40.
To Noah, love of my life, thank you for believing in ghosts. And in me.
And finally, to my mother, Carmen Ostow, who took me to the library every single Saturday morning when I was growing up. She always pretended not to see me ducking out of the children’s section and hiding in the grown-up stacks to read The Shining in weekly installments. I love you. This book, especially, is yours.