Upon publication of one’s first novel, it is virtually impossible to thank every person who has materially contributed to the work of many years coming at last to fruition. I have had more friends, encouragers, teachers, mentors, colleagues, critique partners, beta readers, and budding fans than I can count or mention. But if you have stood in any of these relations to me, please know that I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I would not have made it this far without you.
Particular thanks must go, first, to my husband, John Hyde; my children, Lena and Nicholas Cooper and Elizabeth and John Hyde; and my sister, Anne Ramirez, all of whom have supported me in every way along this journey. Next, to the first friends in whom I confided my aspirations to write, Susan Shisler and Monk Ignatius; to my longtime critique partner, ego-bolsterer, mutual commiserator, and general great friend, Charise Olson; to my dear friend Molly King, who has spared me many hours of carpool driving and been a second mother to my son; to the Santa Cruz writers’ lunch bunch, who have encouraged me in disappointment and cheered for me in success; to my parish, St. Lawrence Orthodox Christian Church in Felton, California, where artists of all stripes are not merely tolerated but encouraged; to beta readers Bev. Cooke and Carrie Padgett, who made invaluable suggestions for improving the manuscript; to my fabulous agent, Kimberley Cameron, who believed in Crime with the Classics from the moment she saw the concept; and to everyone at Thomas Dunne/Minotaur, especially my excellent editor, Marcia Markland, and her efficient assistant, Quressa Robinson.
My gratitude also goes to the Rockaway gang (you know who you are), a group of friends who meet annually at Colonyhouse in Rockaway Beach, Oregon, to write, encourage, critique, drink wine, and laugh uproariously far into the night. Not only did Rockaway Beach inspire the setting of this series, but my time there has been crucial to keeping me sane during the years of struggle and learning. As for the rest, well, what happens in Rockaway stays in Rockaway.
Last but greatest, I will say with the immortal J. S. Bach—soli deo gloria.