A big thank you goes out to my editor, Emily Griffin, whose early enthusiasm, intelligence, keen insight, and gentle recommendations turned an umpteenth draft into a polished product fit for public consumption. I have had many wonderful editors over the years, but your detailed attention—from acquisition to acknowledgments–is unprecedented. I am so fortunate to have you guiding the way.
Along the same lines, I am deeply grateful for my agent, Zoe Sandler at ICM, another bright, enthusiastic light to illuminate the murky world of publishing. Thank you, Zoe, for being such a positive force and for being brilliant. This book never would have had a chance had it not been for your smart recommendations.
As for the idea behind Do I Know You?, I must thank the unfailingly polite security detail at Heathrow Airport who introduced me to the concept of super recognizers during my brief detention as a “flagged” passenger in 2003. There are some advantages to being on the terrorist watch list after all, apparently. Patrick Radden Keefe’s article on London’s use of super recognizers in the August 22, 2016 issue of The New Yorker was a font of information, as was Caroline Williams’s September 12, 2012 article in New Scientist and Alex Moshakis’s piece in the November 11, 2018 issue of The Guardian. All were so helpful.
Unfortunately, the fictionalized account of Kit Ellison’s descent into drug addiction is all too real for so many suffering families. New England has been particularly hard hit by the opioid crisis, with Massachusetts reporting a staggering number of deaths. Though prescriptions for pharmaceutical opioids have decreased in recent years, back when Kit was a teenager, doctors routinely prescribed these highly addictive drugs as postsurgical painkillers. Once the prescriptions expired, accidental addicts, like Kit, were forced to alleviate their withdrawal symptoms with illegal fentanyl, thereby perpetuating a cruel cycle.
As someone who personally has lost a brother to drug addiction, my heart goes out to parents, siblings, friends, and spouses who’ve spent sleepless nights and restless days wondering if their loved ones were clean, using, or . . . worse. Anyone can fall prey to addiction. Anyone. The good news is that as the stigma is lifted and research improves, the chances for full recovery are better than ever. You can find resources for those struggling with addiction and their loved ones on my website: sarahstrohmeyer.com.
A big shout out to the Select Board of Middlesex, Vermont, who proposed the four-day work schedule so I could keep writing. To Dorinda, Maryke, Amy, and fabulous photographer Dave Smith, thank you for putting up with my wacky schedule. Nothing better to keep the demons from gnawing at a writer’s confidence than a steady diet of land records, elections, taxes, and dog licenses.
Finally, a warm hug to my supportive family. Thank you, Anna, for reading the early drafts, making suggestions, and just basically feeding my true crime cravings. Thanks, Sam, for making me laugh (and being an awesome role model), and thank you, Charlie, for keeping the ship afloat while the first mate drifted off to the Land of Counterpane, yet again.