A Merciful Silence

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This is my thirteenth novel. Unlucky thirteen flowed more smoothly for me than the majority of my books, and I believe it’s because I now know Mercy and Truman inside and out. I hear them speak in my head, and I know how they feel when I throw roadblocks in their paths.

My original plan was to write four Mercy books, but my publisher agreed I could write two more. I’m extremely fortunate to write for a house that gives me the freedom to pursue what I want, and I’m thankful every day that Montlake took a chance on me. Anh, Galen, Jessica, Elise, and Colleen are the best in the business. Jessica, you’ve been the heart and rock-solid core of Montlake—I will miss you terribly!

I appreciate my readers who spend time with the characters I pull out of my head. Your emails and tweets always make my day. Thank you for enjoying Mercy and Truman. I know many of you are waiting for more Mason and Ava—it will happen! I miss them too.

Thank you to Melinda Leigh, who kicks me in the rear when I need it and is just a text away to brainstorm when I’m stuck. The three thousand miles between our homes feel like nothing. It’s pure gold to have a friend who shares your love of plotting murders.

Thank you to my family, who are supportive and cheer for me along this unexpected journey. I never planned to write books; I wrote the first to simply see if I could finish one. Then I wrote more to see if I could improve enough to be published. By then I was hooked and had discovered a community of people who loved to read books and write as much as I did.

More Mercy books to come!