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Allison, Valerie, Kasey, and Abigail are also women in this story with complicated emotions that lead to their own varying decisions: good and bad, right and wrong—but mostly, I think, somewhere in the murky middle. In real life, we are so rarely afforded the luxury of things being in simple black and white, so I try to stay true to that in my stories, too, by making each character as multifaceted as possible. For that reason, I hope they inspire some enlightening conversation—or, at the very least, gave you an entertaining read.
Finally, if you are concerned about your own mental health or the mental health of a loved one, please know that there are resources available to help. A good place to start would be the National Institute of Mental Health website: www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I have a complicated relationship with the Acknowledgments page.
On the one hand, I love nothing more than calling attention to the many, many people who play a role in bringing a book to life. I never knew how much of a team effort publishing a book truly was before I entered this industry, and let me tell you: it feels downright dishonest to only list one name on the cover. But on the other hand, it is impossible to list every single name, and it pains me to think that I’m leaving someone out—so, with that said: Please know, whoever you are, that if you touched this story in any way, I am incredibly grateful.
To my agent, Dan Conaway: This story wouldn’t exist without you. You changed my life and gave me the freedom to keep writing. Thank you so much for that.
To Chaim Lipskar, Peggy Boulos-Smith, Maja Nikolic, Jessica Berger, Kate Boggs, and everyone else at Writers House: You continue to be amazing and I consider myself so lucky to be in your company. Thank you for all your hard work.
To my editor, Kelley Ragland: Thank you so much for every conversation that helped to steer this story on the right track. To AllisonZiegler, Sarah MeInyk, Hector DeJean, Madeline Houpt, Paul Hochman, David Rotstein, and everyone else at Minotaur, St. Martin’s Publishing Group, and Macmillan: Thank you for your tireless efforts. A massive thanks also goes out to Andy Martin and Jen Enderlin for giving me the chance.
To my UK editor, Julia Wisdom, and all of the folks over at HarperCollins UK, including but not limited to Lizz Burrell, Susanna Peden, and Maddy Marshall: Thank you so much for bringing another one of my books—and me!—overseas. It’s a dream come true.
To my film agent, Sylvie Rabineau, at WME: Thank you for everything you do to bring my stories to the screen. I am so thrilled to be working together again.
To the librarians, booksellers, bloggers, reviewers, bookstagrammers, book clubs, and the online reading community: I don’t even know what to say. When I was writing the acknowledgments forA Flicker in the Dark, I didn’t yet understand the massive influence you all would have on my work and my life. This time around, I understand—and I am so grateful. Thank you for embracing my writing, stories, and characters; thank you for sharing the books you love with others and for allowing me to connect with so many wonderful readers all over the world. I owe so much to all of you, so thank you.
To independent bookstores everywhere, especially Buxton Books, Itinerant Literate, and The Village Bookseller right here in Charleston: Thank you for lifting up a local who grew up dreaming of one day seeing my name on shelves like yours.
To my husband, Britt: I thought you were supportive the first time around, but these last twelve months have shown me how truly lucky I am. Thank you for supporting me, no matter what, and for always being down for an adventure. I love you so much.
To my parents, Kevin and Sue, for continuing to be my number one fans. Please don’t think my fascination with dysfunctional families has anything to do with our own.
To my sister, Mallory, for once again giving me the most valuable feedback on that bad first draft. Growing up with you gave me the sister memories I needed to make this story come alive. Thank you for letting me follow you through life like a (not-so-quiet) little shadow.
To Brian, Laura, Alvin, Lindsey and Matt, and the rest of my wonderful family: Thank you, as always, for your enthusiasm and support.
To my friends, near and far, who have encouraged me constantly ever since I shared this weird secret of mine: Thank you for always being there. I wish I could name you all, but I feel the need to at least name the ones who have gone above and beyond to make me feel supported and loved: Rebekah, Caitlin, Ashley, Erin, Kolbie, Jeremy, Kaela, Justin, Tina, Noah, Eli, Laura, Abby, John, Bobby, Reid, Peter, Mégane, Jacqueline, and Caroline.
To Mako, for keeping me company.
To Douglas, for the inspiration.
And finally, my readers, to whom I owe the world: If you picked this book up afterA Flicker in the Dark,thank you for sticking with me. If this was your very first story of mine, thank you for giving me a chance.
