Likely To Die

Acknowledgments

Every crime described in this book is based on an actual event.

Once again, I am profoundly grateful to all the usual suspects for their love, friendship, and sustenance throughout the period in which this book was written.

Alexandra Cooper thrives on the support of her great friends, some of whom borrow traits like their humor, wisdom, and loyalty from a few friends of my own. Alexandra Denman, Lisa Friel, Jane Stanton Hitchcock, Maureen Spencer Forrest, Karen and (the other) Alex Cooper, Susan and Michael Goldberg, Sarah and Mitch-and Casey-Rosenthal all contribute to the cast. Joan and Bernie Carl provided the very generous introduction to Cliveden. The real Dr. Robert Spector, whom I have known and admired since we were both fifteen, is not the model for the character who borrows his name in this book.

Bob Morgenthau continues to be my professional inspiration and hero. This, the twenty-fifth year I have served in the Office of the District Attorney of New York County, has remained as challenging and rewarding as all that came before. My colleagues and partners there are the best in this business and continue to work on the side of the angels for survivors of violent crime.

Perhaps the nicest part of my new career as an author has been the time spent in and around people who love books-the librarians and booksellers who place them so carefully in people’s hands, and the readers who devour them with such eagerness.

My great fortune in having Susanne Kirk as an editor cannot be overstated.

Esther Newberg is an extraordinary agent, but she is an even better friend.

All of the Fairsteins contribute to the spirit of my work, as they always have. My newest sources of inspiration-small but mighty-are Matthew and Alexander Zavislan.

My husband, Justin Feldman, continues to be my muse and my greatest joy. And my mother, Alice Atwell Fairstein, will always be the very best.