As Night Falls (33 page)

This one is for three magnificent women without whom this story would not be. First, my editor, Linda Marrow, whose keen insight, wisdom, and heart enable me to write the books I always dreamed of. My agent, Julia Kenny, has dedication, passion, and perspective enough for the hundred books I hope we get to share. And finally, Nancy Pickard is a masterful writer, literary angel, and someone I treasure in my life.

D
ana Isaacson deserves mention first and foremost. Dana is the wizard-behind-the-curtain of my editing team, and I am grateful every day that I have never had to publish a book without his sharp eye, keen ear for dialogue, and visionary sense of pace. There was also that eleventh hour, live-action editing session on the phone that is one of the most amazing revision experiences I've ever had. If Anita Nelson's moment in the powder room gets your heart pounding during this story, you have Dana to thank. And for a whole lot more besides.

Everyone at Penguin Random House/Ballantine deserves huge thanks. For adding their wisdom to this book, Kim Hovey, Mark Tavani, and Jennifer Hershey deserve special mention. To everyone at the helm of this ship, I am humbled and honored to be on it with you.

Anne Speyer, I miss you terrifically, but am so glad to have been left in the able, enthusiastic hands of Elana Seplow-Jolley.

To Pam Feinstein, and to Jennifer Rodriguez and every single eagle-eyed person in the production department, my jaw drops at what you catch, smooth, and polish. Thank you for making my story into the book readers hold in their hands.

All of my covers have been designed by the incomparable Marietta Anastassatos, and I've heard their praises sung at every book event I've done. And that's saying something—I do a lot of events. But the cover on the book you're holding now is to my mind a tour de force. I've never seen anything like it…and I read a lot of books. For that special sort of genius that helps you judge a book by its cover, my hat is off to Marietta.

Thank you, Rachel Kind, for bringing this book to readers across the ocean. To know that my stories live in places I have not yet traveled to myself is a unique thrill.

Bookstores are near and dear to my heart, as many of you know, and the bridge Maggie Oberrender helped build between them and this novel is something for which I'll always be grateful.

You also may know that I go on very long book tours. While 20,000 miles of driving and 200 events might be a bit over the top, Michelle Jasmine and Poonam Mantha handled their portion so seamlessly, I wish four-month tours would just become standard already so that every event could go so smoothly. Thanks go to Michelle, Poonam, and Alexandra Kent for sending books to every corner of this country, and making people happy for months after my release.

Speaking of publicity, every author should have the town book criers at JKS Communications involved in their releases. Not only does JKS know how to spread the word to just the right people, event sites, and media outlets, but Julie Schoerke, Marissa Curnutte, Samantha Lien, Chelsea Apple, Mike Matesich, and Angelle Barbazon have the most important traits imaginable in this business: passion for books and love for authors and readers.

I would not be where I am in life without two groups of people so special, it's hard to know how to describe them—even for a writer. Booksellers, you are keeping alive a precious resource in our country, the face-to-face in a virtual world, and a treasure chest in each community. One day I will thank each and every one of you in acknowledgments that will become a book in its own right. For now, the welcome you have extended me, my family, and my novels is something that inspires me to write my heart out every day. I can't wait to see you all again.

And librarians, thank you for the wealth you give readers every day. It is measured by something greater than coins. You made me rich as a child, and I hope to be able to repay you and your patrons for years to come.

Book bloggers do virtually what booksellers do in person. I am so grateful to this passionate, creative community. Thank you, bloggers, for your reviews, interviews, and the spotlight you shine on great reads. Five deserve particularly special props—and an immediate subscription to their blogs: Allison Hiltz, Tamara Welch, Rhiannon Johnson, Kristin Thorvaldsen, and Helen Barlow.

Author and consummate writing teacher, Les Edgerton, challenged every assumption and clichéd view of prison I had, grounding me in a greater reality. If any mistakes were made, the fault lies with me, not his spot-on tutelage.

Writers need other writers. I am lucky enough to be part of four superb writing organizations, and I recommend you join them all, as a writer, reader, fan, or all three. International Thriller Writers is the most supportive and exciting group I've come across. Sisters in Crime is the most nurturing and clever—the Mavens of Mayhem, Triangle SinC, Border Crimes/Kansas City, and Heart of Texas chapters all deserve special mention, as does SinC National in Lawrence, Kansas, where the whole organization began. Mystery Writers of America is the most rich in tradition. I also have a special spot for Charles Salzberg and everyone at the New York Writers Workshop, which has helped far more people get published than its regional reach would suggest—including yours truly.

Speaking of writers, online groups also rule the day. The Crime Scene Writers are there whenever an author needs a reality check, or wants to ask how this or that wacky scenario could progress. Chris Norbury helped me figure out what Ben would tell his captors in this novel. That Chris became a supporter in real life (that is, Minnesota) too is icing on an already tasty cake. Members of the Cozy Café—Savvy, Judy (those baked goods!), Sara, Derek, Lori, Windy, and Katherine—I wish you all words and pages and success. The ITW Debut Authors Forum came in at the tail end of this book—and I hope to have them for many more.

Lauren Sweet, freelance editor extraordinaire, provided her always incisive read, and made sure everyone got into the cars that they were supposed to. When it comes to French toast sticks and dead bodies, we all need Lauren.

Violet Snow, Anique Taylor, and Simona David, I so enjoy our Wednesday Writer lunches, and appreciate your hearts and your support.

Three mystery publications deserve to be read far and wide, and thanked. To John and Shannon Raab at
Suspense Magazine,
my thanks for a publication filled with articles you can't find anywhere else, the fun conversation at ThrillerFest, and one of the honors of my career thus far. Anthony Franze and Jeff Ayers at The Big Thrill, you keep the content riveting—and the in-person get-togethers, too. Jon and Ruth Jordan of
Crimespree Magazine,
not only do you pick great toys for the kids, but I also can't get enough of your thoughtful, in-depth pieces.

On the road with me—in spirit and live on the radio once every week—was Authors on the Air host, Pam Stack. As an author, you may already know Pam. And as a reader, you're going to want to know her. She features the best of the best on her show, and as a relative newbie I was honored to be included.

The novel you've just read was written in two houses I lived in, but which don't belong to me. I am grateful for both homes-away-from-home. John Strauss, thank you for your third-floor aerie—and the desk that migrated up the road with me. Kevin Lanier, thank you for the window on the creek, which became a window into the world of this book.

People always wonder how we lived life on the road for so long. I say that it's easy—no housework! But for sure it's made even easier by the people who extended their homes and their welcome. We got to stay in places of beauty, interest, and warmth…from a Victorian B&B to a writer's retreat house, a mansion by a lake to a wood-and-stone expanse perched on a mountain (and seemingly carved out of it). Perry and Nancy Adair, Melanie Bragg, Carla and Tim Buckley, Gary and Stacie Parkes, Karen Pullen, Bryan Robinson and Jamey McCullers, Dan and Lisa Scheiderman, and Tina and James Whittle, thank you for giving the whole family a place to rest during our very long time on the road. I also have to thank the geniuses behind Airbnb and their hosts for their contribution to making possible this nomadic life.

We spent memorable afternoons and evenings, talking about words and art and life over great food, with Patricia Albrecht and Bruce Miller at their cabin in the woods; Stacy and Ron Allen, who found the best apple crullers; Christina and Tony Carrini, who traveled a long way to Queens; Sally and Don Goldenbaum, whose pool and ribs can't be beat; Jen and Brett Grigsby, who offered respite in Vermont; Judy Hogan, whose farm gave us a living meal; Lynne Kote, who put together an elegant pre-event dinner; Kevin, Robin, and Collette Lanier who served up real Texas BBQ, with a swimming lesson; and Rebecca Suskind-Davis for lunch and hugs in Seattle.

Another way we pull this off is thanks to writerly friends who set up events from afar. Barbara DeMarco-Barrett in Corona Del Mar; Diane Beirne at the historic and elegant Women's Club of Richmond; Greg Bogard at La Grande Middle School; Marjorie Brody, who championed me at not one but three Austin-area events; Bobbi Chukran, who introduced me to a fantastic new-to-me bookseller—and took me for BBQ; Connie di Marco, who knew my event schedule better than I did—and shared every bit of it; Timothy Domick of Centenary College; Seán Dwyer and the Red Wheelbarrow Writers; Donna Figurski at a beautiful library in Surprise, Arizona; Windy Lynn Harris, Susan Pohlman, and the women of Phoenix; Kay Kendall and the rest of the chocolate lovers in Houston; Cara Lopez Lee and the Denver Woman's Press Club…you all made me feel at home and I thank you.

Thanks to fellow authors who paired for events with me all across the country. Whether you're a fan of mysteries, women's fiction, magical realism, or thrillers, the following is a tantalizing list of must-reads. Carla Buckley, you are the best partner in crime, and the Thelma to my Louise (or vice versa?). Kelly Braffet, Peg Brantley, John Clement (on air), Robin Devereaux-Nelson, Reed Farrel Coleman, Shalanna Collins, Lala Corriere, Donna Fletcher Crow, Richard Cunningham, Annette Dashofy, John Dixon, Brian Freeman, Karolyn Graham, Elizabeth Heiter, Naomi Hirahara, Cynthia Lott, Matthew Quinn Martin, Jamie Mason, Rick Murcer, Dennis Palumbo, Lori Rader-Day, Bryan Robinson, M. J. Rose, Robert Rotstein, Charles Salzberg, A. J. Scudiere, Michael Sears, Julia Spencer-Fleming, Earl Staggs, Lauren Sweet, Wendy Tyson, Therese Walsh, and Tina Whittle, thank you for coming out and proving that nothing beats an author event.

There is a writer who inspired me as a child and gave me a moment I never dared hope for as a new author. To the incomparable Queen of Suspense, Mary Higgins Clark herself, the judges, and everyone at MWA and Simon & Schuster who did me the honor of giving my first novel the Mary Higgins Clark Award, my deepest thanks.

Book clubs have welcomed my books onto their rosters, and me into their midst. Huge thanks go to Linda Dewberry and her book club at Orca Books; the Bookstore Plus book club; Nikki Bonnani and the Killer Coffee Club; Eleanor Siegel and the Riviera Readers; Janice Kmetz and the Deep River book club; Mary Jane Weber's book club; Dee Abrams and the Mystery Lover's Book Club; Julie Schroeder's book club; Tanya Seaward and the OHHA book club in Morristown, New Jersey; Let's Talk Murder in Rocky Hill, Connecticut; June Kosier's book club; and last but never least, the King of Prussia book club.

I hope that everyone who just read this book fell a little bit in love with McLean. To the booksellers at McLean & Eakin in Petoskey, Michigan, for giving Mac's real-life counterpart, Edie, a home and a home away from home, and to rescue dogs everywhere…you are all heroes to me.

Finally, no book is complete until I thank my family. My parents, Alan and Madelyn; my brother, Ezra; brother-in-law, James; and sister, Kari, knew this dream long before it was realized. Special thanks go to my mom for reading and for event catering fit for royals, and my dad for reading and his ribs. Thanks also to Shirley Frank for tidbits at my launch party, and another very welcome read.

Josh, Sophie, and Caleb make it all possible, and I mean that literally. They are navigating and cheering, and being their interesting, entertaining, and loving selves at home and on the road. Thank you, dear ones, for sharing my dream, and allowing me to share in yours.

Cover of Snow

Ruin Falls

As Night Falls

J
ENNY
M
ILCHMAN
lives in the Hudson Valley with her husband and two children. She is the author of
Cover of Snow, Ruin Falls,
and
As Night Falls
.