Antiques to Die For (30 page)
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
M
any thanks to Amy L., a forensic scientist from a state not far from New York, who researched trace evidence questions for me. While respecting her wish to remain anonymous, I want to express my appreciation for her detailed explanations. Other experts also generously provided information. I’m very appreciative to Kevin Berean, who answered a multitude of legal questions; Steven T. Campbell, who explained technical information about cell phones; and Dr. Douglas P. Lyle, who filled in some forensic blanks for me. Special thanks go to Leslie Hindman, who, with her team at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers, appraised scores of antiques. Thank you all for sharing your expertise; please note that any errors are mine alone.
I would also like to thank my good friend Jo-Ann Maude, who helps me keep everything organized; Katie Longhurst, with whom I share a love of words, for her careful reading; and Carol Novak, my Web queen, for overseeing all things technical.
Also, thanks to Dan and Linda Chessman, Linda Plastina, Rona Foster, Lee and Mike Temares, Sandy Baggelaar, Kathryn Engelhardt, Christine de los Reyes, Karen Roy, Liz Weiner, and Joanne Sieck for their assistance. Thanks also to P. J. Nunn and Ken Wilson, and to my good friends in the Wolfe Pack.
I’m thankful for the support—and the friendship—I’ve found in the mystery community. Many authors have been especially generous in sharing their knowledge, including Margaret Maron, Donna Andrews, Nora Charles, Karen Harper, Rosemary Harris, Elaine Viets, Nancy Martin, Steve Hamilton, Chris Grabenstein, M. J. Rose, Laura Lippman, and Julia Spencer-Fleming.
Independent mystery booksellers have been invaluable in helping me introduce Josie to their customers—thank you all. I want to acknowledge my special friends at these terrific mystery bookstores: the Poisoned Pen, Mysteries to Die For, BOOK’em Mysteries, Mystery Bookstore, Legends, Book Carnival, Mysterious Galaxy, San Francisco Mystery Bookstore, M Is for Mystery, Murder by the Book stores in Houston and Portland, Remember the Alibi Mystery Bookstore, Kate’s Mystery Books, Mystery Lovers Bookshop, the Mysterious Bookshop, Partners in Crime, Booked for Murder, Aunt Agatha’s, Foul Play, Uncle Edgar’s Mystery Bookstore, Seattle Mystery Bookstore, Centuries & Sleuths, and Once Upon a Crime.
Manhattan’s Black Orchid Bookstore will be sorely missed; Bonnie Claeson and Joe Guglielmelli helped me launch the Josie Prescott Antiques Mysteries at their charming shop. Many, many thanks to them.
Many independent and chain bookstores have been incredibly supportive as well—thank you to those many booksellers who’ve gone out of their way to become familiar with Josie. Special thanks go to my friend Dianne Defonce at the Borders in Fairfield, Connecticut.
Some of my favorite people are librarians! Sincere thanks to my librarian friends Doris Ann Norris, Mary Callahan Boone, Frances Mendelsohn, and Deborah Hirsch. Also thanks to Mary Russell, who, in her role as director of the New Hampshire Center for the Book at the New Hampshire State Library, chose
Consigned to Death
as its Book of the Week.
I am deeply grateful for the unerring guidance and acumen provided by my literary agent, Denise Marcil, and her entire team. Special thanks go to Michael Congdon, Cristina Concepcion, and Katie Kotchman.
Everyone at St. Martin’s Minotaur has been kind and supportive, including those I work with most closely, Hector De-Jean, Julie Gutin, Deborah Miller, Christina MacDonald, David Rotstein, and Laura Bourgeois, as well as those behind the scenes. My editor, executive editor Hope Dellon, offered detailed and insightful feedback about the manuscript, helping me add richness and complexity to the story. I’m indebted to her, and to the entire St. Martin’s Minotaur team.
Antiques to Die ForCover
Title
Copyright
Dedication
Author’s Note
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Acknowledgments
Table of Contents