To The Power Of Three

Author’s Note

Because of the odd nature of Maryland in general and Baltimore County in particular, it is possible that there is a Glendale somewhere within the county’s strange and ragged boundaries. But the area described in this book is wholly fictional, as are the circumstances of its creation. Those who know the state will find a clue or two to Glendale ’s whereabouts, but they’ll never find Glendale.

A fictional setting, as it turns out, requires just as much research and outside expertise as a real one. For myriad details on police work, farm work, high school, musical theater, fathers, daughters, mothers, sons, etc., I am grateful to: George Pelecanos, Anthony Neil Smith, Bill Toohey, Gary Childs, David Simon, Beth Tindall, Toby Hessenauer, Linda Perlstein, Denise Stybr, the Coles family (Charles, Mary Jeanne, Beth, Charlie, and Katie), the Russell family (Adam, Stacey, Rebecca, and Harrison), Ann Watson and daughter Whit (and everyone else at Viva House), Joan Jacobson, and, finally, Haranders everywhere, to use Uncle Byron’s phrasing. I wish I hadn’t lost the name of my correspondent from Television Without Pity, the bright and articulate young woman from Norfolk, but I’ll keep looking for you on the boards devoted to BMP shows. A special thanks to Maureen Sugden, who copy-edited this book with extraordinary care. If any errors survived her scrutiny, it’s clearly my fault.

Although I’ve always been quick to credit my editor, Carrie Feron, and agent, Vicky Bijur, I’ve never publicly tried to thank everyone at my publishing house because it’s inevitable that someone will be overlooked and I’ll feel rotten. But this time out I would like to essay at least a partial list: Selina McLemore, Michael Morrison, Lisa Gallagher, George Bick, Debbie Stier, Sharyn Rosenblum, Samantha Hagerbaumer, all the sales reps (but especially Ian Doherty), and, last but never least, Jane Friedman.