ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Writing is solitary, but bringing a book to life
requires a team. The author would like to thank Patricia Crais for
her hard work and long hours improving the manuscript, and Lauren
Crais for legal research and information.
Additional thanks go to Steve Brown for sharing
his knowledge of the Venice Canals, as well as for providing guided
tours and contributions to the story.
Marilyn Ducksworth, Michael Barson, and Matthew
Venzon proved themselves to be the best in the business. Their
efforts and innovative ideas were not only outstanding, but
inspirational. Thank you.
Dittos to Kate Stark and Lydia Hirt for pushing
the author and his work into emerging realms, and to Ivan Held and
Neil Nyren for their belief and commitment.
In the UK, thanks go to Tim Healy Hutchinson, Jon
Wood, Juliet Ewers, Helen Richardson, Susan Lamb, and Malcolm
Edwards.
Also, thanks and respect to Aaron Priest and his
team at the Aaron Priest Literary Agency—Lucy Childs, Nicole James,
John Richmond, and Lisa Vance—for building it bigger and making it
happen.
And for my friend, David Thompson, a book and a
margarita.