Once again, I would like to express my appreciation to all the family and friends who gave their support during the research and writing of this book. I am particularly indebted to the numerous fans of the series whose encouragement was invaluable throughout the long writing process.
My beta readers have made this a better book than I could have achieved on my own, so thanks to Jim Brown, DeAnn Christian, Ann Elwood, Micheline Golden, Robin Harsh, Sally Hawkins, Casey Jones, Connie Leap, Abigail Padgett, Katie Ritter, and Joy Sobel.
I want to give special thanks to Michelle Huffaker who continues to produce such wonderful covers, and my editor, Jessica Meigs, who has the eye for detail I lack.
Two books in particular helped inform my research into 19th century department stores, Elaine S. Abelson’s When Ladies Go A-Thieving: Middle Class Shoplifters in the Victorian Department Store (Oxford University Press, 1989) and Ralph M. Hower’s History of Macy’s of New York 1858-1919: Chapters in the Evolution of the Department Store (Harvard University Press, 1943).
Finally, this book, as always, wouldn’t have been possible without the support of my loving husband Jim, and my daughter Ashley, who provide me the motivation to keep on writing.