My husband Craig always gets first billing. He’s the one that turned my daughter’s portrait into my most prized cover because her beautiful face is on it. He’s the one who takes kid duty and sends me off alone to write so I can meet my deadlines. Without his support, I’d still be on the first draft of this book.

My children—Talia, Kainen, Kiara, and Ariana—come second as my biggest littlest fans. They love having a murder-writing mom when most kids would be ashamed…or scared.

To Kevin Cook, my miracle-working editor at Proofed to Perfection Editing Services. The man is not only brilliant but long-suffering as he worked tirelessly wading through and refining my writing weaknesses and teaching me so much along the way. Any lingering issues or errors are on me for tinkering with it after he finished.

To my mom who shared tons of historical information with me about my suffragette ancestor. Thank you for being so tech-savvy and scanning it all for me. Keep your eyes peeled in the book for your cameo, Mom!

Thank you, Mary Kaja, for helping with Vera’s journal entries. You have more talent in your pinkie toe than I have in my whole body. Your name will be among the literary greats someday.

To everyone at Bloodhound Books who believed in this book enough to invest in it. This was a unique publication deal, so thank you for working with me on it!

To the book clubs who have picked my books. For the Zoom meets and tech glitches you’ve endured just to chat with me. I love you all so much—that includes your whole group, Jilia, and the fabulous LT Book Club, among several others whose book club names I can’t remember at the moment (I think I told you I’m a sleep-deprived mom, right?).

My Mental Mommy Readers Group, you all are incredible. Elaine, Melissa, Kris, Ruth, Cheang, Linda, Emily, Jess—among others—have been my biggest cheerleaders. Your book reviews and social media posts and word-of-mouth mean the world to me. You are why I keep challenging myself to put out better, twistier stories.

My biggest hug of gratitude goes to all of you who have bought the book, every one-click purchase is more precious to me than sleep. Your support feeds my family (and horses and dogs and cats and ducks…and any other animals I end up rescuing by the time you read this). I love you all.

Thank you for supporting this most incredible writing adventure.

About the Author

About the Author