Special thanks are due, as always, to my editor, Kerry Donovan, and to Kristin Lindstrom of Lindstrom Literary Management. And to my incredible network of friends and family, for inspiring my writing, for holding my hand when things get tough, and for always being there. I hope by now you know who you are, and how much I appreciate you! A special shout-out to my long-lost friend Antonio Jimenez—I missed you so much, for too many years. Can’t wait to eat lobster on the beach again, and soon.

To all the Pensfatales, without whom I couldn’t function, and in particular Gigi Pandian, for her courage and humor. I can’t wait for Scotland, when you’ll be well beyond today’s challenges. To Adrienne and Tom Miller, for showing me their cool ghost-busting equipment and checking my old house for ghosts. To Rachael Herron, for cemetery walks and endless plot lunches that devolve into gossip, each and every time. And to Sophie Littlefield . . . there really are no words. Without you I’m sure I would be huddled in a dusty corner somewhere, unable to write. L. G. C. Smith, Lisa Hughey, and Martha Flynn—you guys make this crazy business fun, and never fail to inspire me.

To Victoria Laurie, for her wonderful ghost tales, conference hijinks, and encouragement. To Nicole Peeler—looking forward to getting into lots of trouble in the future, professionally, personally . . . in all sorts of ways, from rural Pennsylvania to Scotland! And to Lesa Hol-stine, librarian and book reviewer extraordinaire!

To JC Johnson, who really knows the meaning of providing “helpful critiques”—thank you so much for your time and suggestions, and for your steadfast love of reading and your passion for the written word. To Carolyn Lawes, for all the ideas, jokes, and very tactful suggestions, even when I’m catatonic from deadline pressures.

And finally . . . to Sam-the-brown-dog, we miss you so much, especially “single bark.” Thanks for sticking around in ghost form.