ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Let me begin with gratitude to all the unknown people and family of Webster County for keeping alive the stories surrounding the history of what has been known as the Edwards-Gray feud, though the violence between the two families did not continue beyond the initial violence. I am thankful to those family members and local citizens who have continued to tell the story and contribute to the newspapers. I am especially indebted to Ralph Dunlap and to Sarah McCain Saxon for introducing me to the genealogy of the Edwards family. The staff of Mississippi State University Library Archives provided invaluable help in preserving and making available the historical papers and crucial inventories of Judge Edward Edwards. I offer my deepest gratitude to Gene Bridges, whose wisdom guided me through the intricacies of family and trauma and who will recognize himself in these pages.

From the beginning of this endeavor I have been supported and encouraged by members of my writing groups: Highlands Writers, Duke Writers Workshop, Table Rock Writers, Sweetwater Novel 6 and Critique Group, Abroad Writers, and Yale Writers’ Workshop. I am especially indebted to my esteemed teachers and mentors: To Madeliene L’Engle, I owe the realization that, indeed, I could write and trust the work to know more than I do. To Brian Railsback, the moment of commitment to this particular story. To Darnell Arnault, the years of patient sustenance of my skills as a writer. To Jane Smiley, refinement of research skill that led me to the crucial role on the Civil War of the extremes of climate change and weather at the end of the Little Ice Age. To Jacquelyn Mitchard, as my working editor, the ongoing push to never settle for less. To Ethel Rohan, the encouragement to reach ever further and to believe the furthest point attainable. To Judy Goldman, a million thanks for her keen eye and tenacity to detail. To Marian Thurm, gratitude for her amazing generosity of spirit and skill. To Louis Bayard, the validation that I belong. I am especially grateful to Jotham Burello and to the Yale Writers’ Workshop for providing me with that last step over the threshold into a waiting and wider experience than I might have imagined. And especially to Jotham, for providing the opportunity to meet the perfect literary agent for this project.

From our first introduction and intriguing conversation, my agent, Mark Gottlieb of Trident Media Group, has offered deep insight into the underlying themes of this work and steadfast support. His enthusiasm provided the connection to my editor and publisher, John Scognamiglio of Kensington Publishing Corporation, who has been unfailingly supportive and a pleasure to work with.

Many thanks to those patient souls who took the time to read and respond to early versions of this manuscript, and to provide me with invaluable reader responses. Their questions and observations helped to form the novel as it is: David Sharp, Nancy Bolton Beck, Karen Barnett, Jim and Martha Yelverton, Jim Rollins, Theodora Ziolkowski, and Rawson Gordon. Later readers of the final manuscript have been equally generous in the gift of time and support: Carol Anderson, Corabel Shofner, Jody Franco, Alan Hlad, Louis Bayard, Ethel Rohan, and Brian Railsback.

Finally, this book would not have been possible without my husband, Ray, who believed in me and to whom I am forever grateful.