I wrote the earliest drafts of this novel while living in the preservation district of Old Louisville, where the grand historical Victorian homes helped to inspire and mold my vision of Moldavia. But I’ve also been lucky to have another source of inspiration in the form of lush and beautifully written books by my friend, fellow author, and Old Louisville historian David Dominé. David, thank you for your wonderful research and for always encouraging my writing.

Jeannine Buhse. You might not remember that day years ago when we were outside your old apartment talking about my crazy dream of becoming an author, but I do. I carry that moment in my heart like a good luck charm. Thanks for believing I could do it, for following me on all my field-research escapades, for being my friend through it all, and for encouraging me through yet another book. Also, for making me the best bracelet ever.

Writing this project required research into many subjects, which included parapsychology and ghost hunting. I have so enjoyed listening to The Paranormal Podcast by Jim Harold; Jim Harold’s Campfire; and Beyond the Darkness and Darkness Radio, hosted by Dave Schrader and Tim Dennis. Jim, your shows are so engrossing and I appreciate your meticulous approach to conducting interviews as well as your enthusiasm for so many different subjects surrounding the unknown. Thank you also for writing back to me regarding my question on closets. I now take care to always close mine at night.

Dave and Tim? Your knowledge, candor, and gift for humor inspired me to create a fictional ghost-hunting team infused with the same attributes. When listening to your show, I am always either scared, laughing, or some delicious combination of the two. Thanks for creating such wonderful, entertaining, inspiring, and thought-provoking content.

Extra-special thanks go to my teenage nephew, Ethan Creagh, who listened to several plotting sessions and offered ingenious solutions and input. I know I embarrassed you that day in the grocery store when I kept ranting about open portals, alternate sides of houses, ghost-hunting Lindy Hoppers, and masked figures running amok. I didn’t know I was talking that loudly, but now that I think about it, I suppose there were a few stares . . . Anyway, thanks for putting up with that excursion, for still being seen with me in public, for taking the time to pop your head in when I was writing to see how it was all going, and for schooling me on swing-eighths.

I would also like to extend my deepest gratitude to my family, who have offered their support and encouragement through all of my writing endeavors. In particular, I would like to thank my mom, who has always believed in me and my projects and who also fostered and encouraged my childhood obsession with the arts and with The Phantom of the Opera. Thanks for buying me the book, the theater tickets, the music, the fancy programs, and all the art supplies I used to obsessively draw characters from this classic tale that, to this day, remains my all-time favorite. Mom, you truly are the best.