Heaps of gratitude to:

The experts in their fields for being so generous with their time, and for helping me not look foolish: my friend Gordon Kopelow, a great lawyer who always graciously takes the time to answer my questions, all for the cost of a diner lunch; lawyer and bestselling author Robert Rotenberg for taking time out of his busy schedule to answer my questions about Ontario law (and my dear friend Moira Holmes for the introduction); Brian Montague and Randy Fincham of the Vancouver Police Department, who are always so fast to respond to my “yes but what would happen if…?” questions; and Catherine MacMillan, for being a far better counselor than any of the ones in this book (with the exception of the one who appears at the end, who will become as good as Catherine, I am sure of it).

Susan Juby, Linda Bailey, and Ross King, for reading the manuscript at various stages and giving me such thoughtful and considered notes. I am in awe of your writing talent and delighted to count you all as friends. Susan Juby, IOU one title, since you inadvertently gave me mine.

My husband, Göran Fernlund, for reading—and rereading and rereading—the manuscript, for making sure my bionic arm stuff was accurate, and for letting me talk about it on long walks after dinner.

Wendy Russell, TV personality and crafter extraordinaire, for letting me put the real, live you in my book.

Hilary McMahon, for always being a voice of honesty and reason when I need it most, and for just being so good at your job.

All the folks at Tundra, Wendy Lamb Books, and Andersen Press, some of whom I’ve met face to face, some of whom I’ve only met via email: Dana Carey, Colleen Fellingham, Peter Phillips, Pamela Osti, Aisha Cloud, Sarah Kimmelman, Chloe Sackur, Harriet Dunlea and everyone else—for all the hard work you do.

My editors. I feel like I won the lottery, getting to work with Tara Walker, Wendy Lamb, and Charlie Sheppard—three in this case is definitely not a crowd. Your notes, patience, kindness, and nurturing through the growing pains of this novel—well, I mean it when I say I could not have done it without you. My gratitude is infinite.

Lastly, the Internet, that great time-suck, for all the info I ever needed on cool crafts and freak deaths—but especially for all the awesome cat videos.