Truth Be Told

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Unending gratitude to:

Kristin Sevick, my brilliant, hilarious, and gracious editor. Thank you. The remarkable team at Forge Books: the incomparable Linda Quinton, indefatigable Alexis Saarela, and copy editor Julie Gutin, who noticed everything, thank you. (Sometimes, I repeat words. Imagine.) Talia Sherer, hilarious empress of libraries, I am so grateful. Bess Cozby and Desirae Friesen, you are terrific. Seth Lerner and Vanessa Paolantonio, thank you for turning words into pictures with another incredible cover. Brian Heller, my champion. The inspirational Tom Doherty. What a terrifically smart and unfailingly supportive team. I am so thrilled to be part of it. Thank you.

Lisa Gallagher, a wow of an agent, a true goddess, who changed my life and continues to do so.

Francesca Coltrera, the astonishingly skilled independent editor, who lets me believe all the good ideas are mine. Editor Chris Roerden, whose care and skill and commitment made such a difference. Ramona DeFelice Long-your insights are incomparable. You all are incredibly talented. I am lucky to know you-and even luckier to work with you.

The artistry and savvy of Madeira James, Charlie Anctil, Mary Zanor, and Jen Forbus. To Linda Miele and Chris Wayland and Ed Ansin and Bob Leider, who understood.

The inspiration of Linda Fairstein, John Lescroart, Mary Jane Clark, Tess Gerritsen, Suzanne Brockmann, Lisa Unger, William Landay, Nancy Pickard, Michael Palmer, and Robert B. Parker.

Sue Grafton. Mary Higgins Clark. And Lisa Scottoline. And Lee Child. Words fail me. (I know, a first.)

My dear posse at Sisters in Crime. Thank you. And at Mystery Writers of America-Reed Farrel Coleman, Jessie Lourey, Dan Hale, and Margery Flax.

My amazing blog sisters. At Jungle Red Writers: Julia Spencer-Fleming, Hallie Ephron, Rosemary Harris, Roberta Isleib/Lucy Burdette, Susan Elia MacNeal, Jan Brogan, Deborah Crombie, and Rhys Bowen. At Femmes Fatales: Charlaine Harris, Dana Cameron, Kris Neri, Mary Saums, Toni Kelner, Elaine Viets, Donna Andrews, and Catriona McPherson. At the old Lipstick Chronicles: Nancy Martin and Harley Jane Kozak, who brought us all together.

Financial insiders who, yes, will remain nameless, thanks for the scoop.

My dear friends Amy Isaac, Mary Schwager, and Katherine Hall Page, and my darling sister Nancy Landman.

Dad-who loves every moment of this. And Mom. Missing you.

And Jonathan, of course, who never complains about all the takeout dinners.

Do you see your name in this book? Some very generous souls allowed their names to be used in return for an auction donation to charity. To retain the magic, I will let you find yourselves.

Sharp-eyed readers might notice I have tweaked Massachusetts geography a bit. It is only to protect the innocent. And I adore it when people read the acknowledgments.

Keep in touch, okay?

http://www.hankphillippiryan.com

http://www.jungleredwriters.com

http://www.femmesfatales.typepad.com