I set out to write The Block Party with a clear intention: I wanted to bring a little levity to the genre of domestic suspense, and couple that with family dramas to which many could relate. I should share that Meadowbrook, Massachusetts, doesn’t exist, nor does Alton Road where the block party takes place. That’s intentional. I wanted to write about a place that could be Anywhere, USA. To do that, I felt it best to invent a town. I love crazy, wild thrill rides as much as any thriller fan, but I gave myself a personal challenge to keep the suspense going without relying on an overly complex plot.
As the writer, I wouldn’t want a product out in the wild if I didn’t think I’d hit my mark, but I don’t take full credit for that success. Writing a book is unique in that it is mostly a solo endeavor. There’s no writer’s room for novelists to go and hash out ideas. No team meetings break up our day. We don’t have showrunners or actors to riff off in the process of creating. We simply write. That’s the job. And yet, I’m surrounded by people who make sure I stay on course, and never lose sight of the most important person in the creative process—and that is you, the reader.
So with that introduction, I would like to thank my editor, Jennifer Enderlin, for believing in me and especially in this book. Her insights and instincts shaped the narrative profoundly and pushed me to be better. A book is only as impactful as its readership, and for that I must thank Christina Lopez, Lisa Senz, Brant Janeway, Erica Martirano, and Katie Bassel for spearheading the publication processes and spreading the word about the disastrous events that take place on Alton Road.
I’m grateful as well to have literary representation from Meg Ruley and Rebecca Scherer of the Jane Rotrosen Agency, and Lucy Stille for my film and TV rights.
While I may be mostly a solo operator when writing, editing and revising is more of a team effort. My mother, Judy, is a trusted first reader, and I’m always amazed at her keen understanding of story. Special, heartfelt thanks go to Kathleen Miller, to whom this novel is dedicated, and whose contributions to this book really can’t be overstated. Thanks also go to Sue Miller for her eagle eye as a proofreader, Clair Lamb for her editorial brilliance, and fellow suspense novelist Danielle Girard, who always provides helpful suggestions and a vital sounding board.
As for the amazing cadre of writers who agreed to spend their time reading The Block Party with an eye to providing a blurb—Elin Hilderbrand, Megan Abbott, William Landay, Lisa Unger, Chris Pavone, Lisa Scottoline, Sally Hepworth, Mary Kubica, Lisa Jackson, Heather Gudenkauf, and Lisa Gardner—I’m deeply appreciative for the support. I’m a devoted reader and fan of each of these great writers, and their talents have informed my craft and taught me so much about what makes suspense stories hard to put down.
Last, I’d like to thank you for giving this book a try. You have a lot of great reads to choose from. I’m glad that you picked mine.
With gratitude,
Jamie Day