THIS BOOK, MUCH of it written during an extraordinarily difficult time in my life, owes its existence to the compassionate guidance of agent Richard Curtis and Crooked Lane Books editor Terri Bischoff. Gratitude to the rest of the Crooked Lane team—copy editor Rachel Keith, cover designer Meghan Deist, marketing manager Madeline Rathle, and publishing and production assistant Rebecca Nelson—who work the magic that turns a manuscript into a book and get it out into the world. Shout-out to daughter-in-law and murder consultant Jessica Breslin. Deepest appreciation for Amelia Bateman at L’Appartamento Napoli artists residency, where this book was completed, and to Napoli itself, that beautiful, exuberant, chaotic city whose existence in the shadow of Vesuvius proves that life goes on, even after the worst disasters. And, as always, love to Scott, who saw me through to the other side.