The Cat Sitter's Cradle

Acknowledgments

Deepest thanks go to Marcia Markland, my mother’s longtime editor and friend, without whom this particular Dixie Hemingway mystery (and quite possibly all of its predecessors) would not exist. Marcia was the catalyst for true joy in my mother’s life—for that, and for her invaluable role in the shaping of this book, I am eternally grateful.

I am also deeply indebted to Hellyn Sher for improving my life in every way; to Dana Beck for inspiring me to dig deeper; to Mike Harder for playing the bad cop; to Detective Sergeant Chris Iorio of the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Department for his patience and insight; to the team of Linda Sher, Stanley Sher, and Jeremy Sher for their advice on immigration law; to Dr. Anna Owren Fayne for her priceless advice on veterinary medicine; to India Cooper for her extraordinary copyediting; to associate editor Kat Brzozowski for providing wise answers to my dumb questions; to Al Zuckerman, my agent at Writer’s House; to Elizabeth Cuthrell and Steven Tuttleman for their love and support; to Suzanne Beecher for being an angel on Earth; to my family for loving each other in good times and bad; to my brother Don, the only idol I’ve ever known; to Dave, who opened the window that time; and finally, to my mother’s readers, who make it possible for Dixie to enjoy yet another glorious sunset.