Nightmares kept me up all hours of the night. Andrea came to me in them, naked but covered in scales and her eyes held the same emptiness as the copperhead. Her words came out a hiss, and her tongue darted between her jagged teeth. Sometimes in the dreams, the preacher would accompany her. He’d be in his Sunday best, carrying his worn leather Bible under his arm. The hole I put in his head shined a blinding light everywhere he cast his eyes. Andy always twisted before him and became a writhing serpent. Randy Jessup took her up to dance. He’d hold her out at arm’s length and twist and spin and shout praises in tongues. I’d jerk awake and reach for an unopened can of beer every time.

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Acknowledgments

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Writing may be a solitary practice, but the publishing process is not. Readers would not be holding A Violent Gospel in their hands right now without me getting a whole lot of help along the way. There’s a long list of folks I need to thank. I’m not going to remember them all, but I’ll do my damndest. If you don’t see your name here, just know I couldn’t have written this book or got it published without you. I’m grateful.

First, Ron Earl Phillips. Not only did you read this book and give it a home, but you designed one of the most badass covers a book has ever gotten. Thanks for taking this book out of the trailer park and putting it on shelves. None of this happens without you. Let’s do it again sometime. Whaddaya say?

David Tromblay, you helped me tear apart the first draft of this book and make it into something good. I appreciate you taking me under your wing and giving me a crash course in writing. I’ve learned more from you than any book on the craft. I appreciate your friendship and hope there are other books we get to rip apart and book back together.

Bobby Mathews, that damn synopsis wouldn’t have gotten written without you, buddy. I appreciate the hell outta that. I don’t have a lot of good to say about Alabama fans, but you’re one of the good ones. I’m drinking you under the table at our next Noir at the Bar.

Brian Panowich, not only did you say so many kind things about my book, but you went out of your way and promoted it in a way I never could have. I will be forever appreciative of you taking out that ad in Mystery Scene. All I asked for was a blurb, and you swung for the fences. If I haven’t already bought the first round by the time you read this, I hope I get to do it one day soon.