I offer my heartfelt gratitude to the following individuals and institutions for their contributions to this book:
My tenacious agent, Jessica Faust, for believing in this story.
My editor, Marilyn Kretzer, and the talented team of professionals at Blackstone Publishing: Josie Woodbridge, William Boggess, Sarah Riedlinger, Rebecca Malzahn, Rachel Sanders, Lysa Williams, Isabella Bedoya, Nikki Carrero, and Deirdre Curley-Waldern. And to Sarah Russo, Isabella Nugent, and Laci Durham at Page One Media.
Thank you to Michael Cohen, Margarita Gutman, Simone Duarte, the Graduate Program in International Affairs at the New School University, the University of Buenos Aires, the Archivo Biográfico Familiar, and the Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo for providing access to the research and experiences that inspired this work.
To the many grandmothers, mothers, children, and family members of desaparecidos in Argentina who shared their stories and knowledge, especially Estela Barnes de Carlotto, Rosa Tarlovsky de Roisinblit, Buscarita Roa, Laura Conte, the late Monica Muñoz, Mariana Pérez, Lorena Battistiol and her sister, Flavia, Juliana García, María Inés Sánchez and her sister, Maria “Miki” Mercedes, Gastón Gonçalves of Los Pericos and his brother, Manuel Gonçalves Granada (“Claudio”), Mario Villani, and my gracious host in Argentina, the poet Graciela Podestá.
Thank you to military historian Bradley Coleman, PhD, for assistance with research.
Tremendous thanks to the early readers, writers, and editors whose feedback shaped The Disappeared throughout its evolution: Delise Torres, Sarah Penner, Jon Reyes, Patricia Ruiz, Heather Webb, Caitlin Alexander, Chris Serico, and the teams at Salt & Sage Books and The Spun Yarn.
Thank you to Alicia Partnoy for feedback and insight.
Thank you to Michael Scarbrough for the gift of time.
To the writing communities that nurtured this story and its author, especially the Women’s Fiction Writers Association, the Rockvale Writers’ Colony with Sandy Coomer, the Beautiful Writers Group with Linda Sivertsen, the Writing Institute at Sarah Lawrence College, and the Writers in Paradise program at Eckerd College, with special gratitude to Andre Dubus III for his wisdom. And to the women of Fe League: Here’s to Rising.
I am eternally grateful to my parents, Brian and Nancy Sanford, for providing an inimitable foundation of love and support, and to my brother, Kevin, for cheering me on. This book honors the memory of my own grandmothers, Hilda Murray Travis and Ethel Schlick Sanford.
The names of friends, family members, and colleagues who have supported my writing are too numerous to list here, and my heart overflows as a result. Thank you.
Of all the lucky stars in the sky, Nicole, you are the most brilliant. My love for you is more expansive than the universe. And to Dan—ours is the best story. I am so fortunate to share each chapter with you. Thank you for everything.