“Save the girl. Kill the bad guy.” If anyone has a knack for simplifying plot problems, it’s my editor, Leslie Gelbman. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to publish a third book together, and I couldn’t be happier with the entire team at Minotaur and Macmillan Audio. Leslie’s assistant, Grace Gay, has been instrumental in keeping things on track; my publicist, Kayla Janas, and marketing director, Stephen Erickson, are two of the best people on the planet; and David Rotstein killed it with the cover design … again!
Thank you to Sharon Pelletier for finding an incredible home for this book, and to Stephanie Rostan for championing it to the finish line. I am so grateful for both of you! To my author friends, if you crafted a quote, recommended my books, or tag-teamed an event with me, know that I am so appreciative. Special shoutouts for Elle Cosimano, David Ellis, Stacy Willingham, Vanessa Lillie, Riley Sager, Hank Phillippi Ryan, May Cobb; and my “dirty work wives,” Tessa Wegert and Danielle Girard.
Booksellers, bibliophiles, book lenders, and bookstagrammers: you guys are awesome! Thanks especially to my friends at B&N and Blue House Books for getting my stories into the hands of readers, Gare @gareindeedreads for his dreamy dreamcastings, and my dark and spooky friend, Abby @crimebythebook for all the book love. I promise you’ll be on my murder board someday. P.S. The MCR reference is for you.
Speaking of murder boards, I talk about mine a lot in regards to writing process, but something I love (almost) as much is connecting with real humans. My good friend Becky Porcaro was imperative to nailing down my medical examiner, Rowan, as well as any scrap of medical knowledge that appears on these pages. I remember the first time we met up at a bar off the beaten path. People were practically falling off their stools trying to eavesdrop on our conversation. I’d also like to thank my friend Andy Lueneburg for the jiujitsu knowledge that helped inform Axel’s character; my brother-in-law, Peter Delzer; and Elenna Garrett for filling me in on what the kids say these days.
My police friends and family are endlessly helpful when it comes to answering the gamut of weird, morbid, or procedural questions. Honestly, with all the resources I have, it would be a crime for me not to write crime fiction.
To all of my friends and family, whether you’ve read snippets of my works in progress (Alissa Stormont and Nikki Sharon Schultz) or you’ve come to my book events or recommended my books to others, your support means the world to me. Thank you especially to Mom, Dad, Grandma, April, Miranda, Elizabeth, and Lily. Whenever I want a break from Black Harbor, I know someone will always leave the porch light on for me.
Bringing it home, there are a million and one reasons why I’m lucky to have Hanns as my ride or die. From plucking a “what if” out of the air to doing mock interviews, or telling me what Nikolai Kole absolutely would or wouldn’t say, he’s always here for me. Finally, to my three little pigs: Griswold, Muffins, and Kevin. These early mornings would be awfully lonely without you. Thank you for keeping me company. Banana loves you.