The Laws of Murder

Acknowledgments

My work begins and ends with my family, and I hope they know how dearly I love them: Emily, Lucy, Annabel, Mom, Dad, Rosie, Isabelle, John, Henry, Julia, Dennis, Linda.

Professionally, I keep thanking the same people only to find myself falling even deeper into their debt — yet again, I owe so much to April Osborn, Sarah Melnyk, Courtney Sanks, Melissa Hastings, Andy Martin, John Morrone, Paul Hochman, Esther Bochner, and everyone else in the irregularly shaped but warm confines of the Flatiron Building.

My agent, Elisabeth Weed, is fantastically intelligent and enterprising. I feel lucky to work with her. Many books to come!

Some of the best ideas for this story — character names, historical wrinkles — came from the funny and brilliant community of readers at facebook.com/charlesfinchauthor. If you ever want to get in touch, come join me there, or e-mail me at signedfinch@gmail.com. I can’t promise to reply to every message, but I always try.

Most important: this book wouldn’t be in your hands if it weren’t for the kindness, grace, and patience that Charlie Spicer showed me in unique circumstances last winter. Charlie, thank you for being such a steadfast friend.