This book is dedicated to Dr. Robert Connolly, who has been my friend and archaeology guru ever since he introduced himself at a book-signing for Artifacts in 2003.

On those occasions when I have gotten Faye’s professional life right since then, it has been due to his advice and expertise. On those occasions when I haven’t, it has been because I neglected to ask or was too bullheaded to listen. His stories from the archaeological front lines have inspired the plots of more than one of my books.

When Faye digs up a stone point and I need to be able to describe it, I shoot an email to Robert and he tells me what it looks like, who made it, and how old it is. He has driven me all over northwest Mississippi and east Louisiana to look at ancient earthworks. He and his wife, Emma, have opened their home to me as a base for these adventures. The best thing about my life as a writer have been the people I’ve met, and I am most grateful to have met the Connollys.