Unending gratitude to
Kristin Sevick, my brilliant, hilarious, and gracious editor. Thank you. The remarkable team at Forge Books: the incomparable Linda Quinton, indefatigable Alexis Saarela, and copy editor Cynthia Merman, who noticed everything, thank you. Another wow of a cover—my story fully realized—from Seth Lerner and Vanessa Paolantonio. Desirae Friesen and Bess Cozby, I am so grateful. Brian Heller, my champion. Bob Werner, you are amazing. The inspirational Tom Doherty, leader of us all. What a terrifically smart and unfailingly supportive team. I am so thrilled to be part of it. Thank you.
Lisa Gallagher, a wow of an agent, a true goddess, who changed my life and continues to do so.
Francesca Coltrera, the astonishingly skilled independent editor who lets me believe all the good ideas are mine. Editor Chris Roerden, whose care and skill and commitment made such a difference. Editor Ramona DeFelice Long—your insights are incomparable. You all are incredibly talented. I am lucky to know you—and even luckier to work with you.
The artistry and savvy of Maddee James, Jen Forbus, Charlie Anctil, Erin Mitchell, and Mary Zanor.
The inspiration of John Lescroart, Mary Jane Clark, Linda Fairstein, Tess Gerritsen, Lisa Unger, Mary Higgins Clark, and Reed Farrel Coleman. To Linda Miele, Alice Jacobs, Ed Ansin, and Chris Wayland—thank you for letting it happen, for your vision and your devotion to journalism.
Sue Grafton. And Lisa Scottoline. And Lee Child. Words fail me.
My darling posse at Sisters in Crime, and the dear Guppies. Thank you. Mystery Writers of America, you rock. Facebook pals, thanks for the grammar guidance, character names, and enthusiasm.
My amazing blog partners. At Jungle Red Writers: Julia Spencer-Fleming, Hallie Ephron, Rosemary Harris, Roberta Isleib/Lucy Burdette, Susan Elia MacNeal, Jan Brogan, Deborah Crombie, and Rhys Bowen. At Femmes Fatales: Charlaine Harris, Dana Cameron, Kris Neri, Mary Saums, Toni Kelner, Dean James, Elaine Viets, Donna Andrews, and Catriona McPherson. At Lipstick Chronicles: Nancy Martin and Harley Jane Kozak, who brought us all together.
Law enforcement and surveillance insiders who, as promised, will remain nameless, thanks for the scoop.
My dear friends Amy Isaac, Laura DiSilverio, Mary Schwager, and Katherine Hall Page; and my darling sister, Nancy Landman.
Dad—who loves every moment of this. And Mom. Missing you.
And Jonathan, of course, who never complained about all the pizza.
Do you see your name in this book? Some very generous souls allowed their names to be used in return for an auction donation to charity. To retain the magic, I will let you find yourselves.
Sharp-eyed readers might notice I have tweaked Massachusetts geography a bit. It is only to protect the innocent, so forgive me. And I adore it when people read the acknowledgments.
Keep in touch, okay?