author’s note

BOFFO’s building as described in this book doesn’t exist in real life, but, boy oh boy, I wish it did. And despite my catty comments on various Minneapolis buildings, I think downtown Minneapolis is beautiful and exciting. It’s well worth a visit, any time of the year. Thanks to the Skyway System, you can explore all of the downtown area in ten-below weather and stay toasty warm the whole time. Because Minneapolis is friggin’ wonderful. And skyways are cool. They’re like portals into Awesome.

Also, when Shiro comments that the newspaper she’s freelancing for, the Minneapolis Star, isn’t going anywhere, she is wrong: it was swallowed in a merger. That happened in 1982, although for the purposes of this book I imply it happened in the ’90s.

The Premium Dog Couch enjoyed (sort of) by Pearl the dog does exist, and it’s a fine product made by the good people at L.L. Bean. It’s nicer than most people’s couches!

Also, I’ve got nothing against the company that makes the Smart Pure coupe. It’s just, their car? When I look at it, it’s like I can feel my brain bleed.