One of the joys of writing this series is meeting new people and getting to know other parts of this vast, varied, beautiful land of Canada. While researching the Alberta badlands, I read many books, visited all the venues Amanda would visit, and picked the brains of my Alberta friends and family. Many of them shared their homes and their knowledge about various topics, from Indigenous issues to farming, ranching, irrigation, and settlement. I would like to thank my Calgary writer friends Randy McCharles and Val King, my cousin Deborah Gregorash for her hospitality and wisdom on our trip to Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park, her friend Theresa Mavis Kearney in Milk River, who shared her home and her Indigenous insights, and Flo Robinson, who shared not only her wonderful Victorian B&B in Linden, but also her own experiences as a Citizen on Patrol captain in rural Alberta. My friend Rick Mofina also provided valuable background.
I also had knowledgeable guides, such as David Lloyd, who answered my many odd questions on the various tours I took in Dinosaur, Midlands, and Writing-on-Stone Provincial Parks. A special thanks to Conway Vidal of Willow Creek Adventures, who took me on a beautiful trail ride through the remote coulees of the badlands, despite the frigid, snowy weather, and cheerfully volunteered information on the vegetation, weather patterns, and potential hiding places for bodies.
I am indebted as always to the people who volunteered to read and critique the manuscript along the way, including my cousin Deb and my long-time friends from the Ladies Killing Circle: Mary Jane Maffini, Sue Pike, and Linda Wiken. As always, a big thank you to my editor, Allister Thompson, for his support, tactful suggestions, and eagle eye; to Laura Boyle of Dundurn Press for designing yet another stunning cover; and to Scott Fraser and all the staff at Dundurn Press for their continued support of my work and the work of all Canadian writers.