Douglas never wrote again for publication after the rejection of the third Whitney Logan mystery, Ghosttown. She kept journals, up to the end. They chronicle the final troubled years: transient hotels, junkie-crash pads, periods of homelessness, and finally—a self-imposed exile in the Czech Republic. The cancer that had started her literary career returned in 2001. She died two years later at the age of 55.

In 2007, Ghosttown was finally published, completing the Dogtown trilogy. Now, thanks to Stark House, the first two books in the series are in print once again.

Mercedes Lambert is back.

Lucas Crown

2007

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Many people deserve thanks for their contribution to the reissue of these books. Here are a few:

Charles Ardai, who offered encouragement and suggested Stark House as a possible publisher.

Greg Shepard, who refuses to let great writers be forgotten by publishing lovely reprint editions of classic crime/noir through Stark House. While these books fall outside the normal timeframe of Stark House—the 1940s, 50s, and 60s—Greg found them compelling enough not to be bound by his own rules.

Ken Bruen, one of the finest crime/noir writers at work today, who kindly agreed to contribute an introduction to this edition.

Louis A. Fernandez, for many years of friendship and encouragement; Louis first introduced me to Ken Bruen’s work, then suggested I ask him for an introduction.

Amy Crown, my wife, for her indispensable help and support along the way.

Lucas Crown

2007

MERCEDES LAMBERT BIBLIOGRAPHY

El Niño (as by Douglas Anne Munson, Viking, 1990;

reprinted as Hostile Witness, Pinnacle, 1992)

Dogtown (Viking, 1991)

Soultown (Viking, 1996)

Ghosttown (Five Star, 2007)