A FIRST NOVEL is a daunting thing—especially when it has to be written on a fast track with the clock ticking. It would have been impossible to achieve without the strenuous and dedicated efforts of my editors, Jennifer Barth and George Hodgman. It would have been easy to falter without the relentless optimism of my agent, Jonathon Lazear; the encouragement and reassurance along the way from good friends like George Kalogerakis and Ron Shelton; and above all without the support of my beloved wife, Carla.
Warm thanks also to my dear friend the celebrated Spanish poet Clara Janes for rendering my pidgin Spanish into mellifluous Castilian.
Pax in terra.