For their knowledge of the changing protocols of adoption in California over the past generation or two, I’d like to thank Karen Erickson of Catholic Charities CYO in San Francisco and Don Mencarini, California State Department of Social Services, Adoption Support Unit, both of whom accepted my cold calls for information with good humor and cooperation.
This is, after all, a book about a private investigator, yet another arena in which I have no firsthand experience. In my research, I reached out to several real-life private investigators to find out what life feels like in this profession, and all these people were extremely forthcoming and helpful. These include: Larry DeMates, Marcel Myres of Submar Investigations, and Rick Fuller. Thanks, guys—I’m planning to call you again next time, too, so be warned!
Some books write themselves, and some want to wrestle. For some reason, in spite of my clearest outline yet and tremendous faith in the story, this one is of the latter category, and two wonderful writers, Paul McHugh and Max Byrd, familiar with the process, showed up regularly with well-timed bonhomie and support. Also, in the good friends rooting things along category, are Spring and Louis Warren, Eileen Randahl and Andy Watson, Bob Zaro, Don Matheson, Tom Hedtke, and Vicki Lorini.
Dr. Mark Detzer (and of course, his lovely wife—my sister—Kathryn) was tremendously helpful in walking me through the pathology and psychology of nervous breakdowns and panic attacks. On another major plot point, I would never have known where Wyatt Hunt needed to go in Mexico without the nudge from Karin Nieves that I look into the exotic and beautiful weaving village of Teotitlán del Valle. This turned out to be a brilliant suggestion.
In this as in all my other books, Al Giannini remains a true collaborator—pitch-perfect sounding board, legal vetting expert, sensitive student of the human condition. These books gain immeasurably in depth, verisimilitude, and complexity by Al’s involvement in them. From the first notes of the outline until the completion of the manuscript, Al’s input was and is, as always, immeasurable.
On the home office front, I’ve been blessed for many years now with the perfect coworker and administrative assistant, Anita Boone. Day to day, year to year, Anita coordinates all of the logistical and promotional endeavors that make up the business of the working author, all the while retaining a sunny optimism and can-do demeanor. She is truly a treasure. I am also lucky with my freelance editors—it seems like no matter how many times you read your book, you miss something. Even the pros at the publishers miss something. So to keep the flow of these books from being interrupted by typos, redundancies, or just plain stupidity, my proofreaders are without peer: thanks to Peggy Nauts and Doug Kelly.
For the title, I’d like to thank my son, Jack, with a little help from my wife, Lisa.
Several people have generously contributed to charitable organizations by purchasing the right to name a character in this book. These people and their respective organizations are: Jim Burg (Special Olympics); Gary and Debbie Dennis (Big Brothers and Big Sisters); Carol Davis (CASA of Humboldt); Tim Phillips (Heart Association); and Lynn Manger (National Association for Drug Abuse Prevention).
We are all living more and more in the world of social networking, and this is especially true in the book business, the landscape of which seems to change under our feet every day or so. Navigating through the shoals of Web-based marketing, Twitter, Facebook, and so on is not a job for sissies. I got on the boards with this stuff a few years ago with expert help from Maddee James on my Web page and Aryn DeSantis on Facebook, and now they’ve handed off these and other duties to Eager Mondays—Dr. Andy Jones and Briony Gylgayton. I love hearing from my readers and urge you to visit my Web site (www.johnlescroart.com), become a fan on Facebook (www.facebook.com/johnlescroart), and/or follow along with the always lively interaction on Twitter (www.twitter.com/johnlescroart).
I am very fortunate to have such a hardworking and talented team at Dutton helping to publish these books with such taste and commitment. Brian Tart is simply a publisher par excellence; Ben Sevier is the editor every writer dreams that one day he’ll be lucky enough to work with. Christine Ball and Carrie Swetonic are tireless and creative in their marketing efforts. The rest of the team is nothing short of outstanding: Jess Horvath, Stephanie Kelly, Susan Schwartz, Rachael Hicks, Signet/NAL paperback publisher Kara Welsh, Phil Budnick, Rick Pascocello, and Rich Hasselberger, jacket cover guru extraordinaire.
Last but by no means least—in fact, in many ways most—Barney Karpfinger remains a great friend, an insightful advisor, a tireless advocate, and in all ways a superb literary agent. It is no exaggeration to say that I owe my career largely to Barney’s efforts, and I can not thank him enough. Thanks, man. You are the greatest!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
John Lescroart is the New York Times bestselling author of twenty-two previous novels, including Damage, Treasure Hunt, A Plague of Secrets, Betrayal, The Suspect, The Hunt Club, The Motive, The Second Chair, The First Law, The Oath, The Hearing, and Nothing But the Truth. He lives in Northern California.
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