As always, my editors, friends, and family have read, commented upon, and improved this novel; I am grateful to Kathryne Alfred, Emma Dryden, Simon Lipskar, David Rosen, Sarah Sevier, Christopher Welser, Ariane Randall, Francis Randall, Laura Randall, and, always and especially, my wife, Laura Congleton. This novel changed shape more often than I had at first anticipated, so a number of my readers took the time to comment on two very different manuscripts. To them I am particularly grateful.