The Neighbor

took me a few tries to get all of the material right. At least I hope I got it all right. Hey, all mistakes are mine, remember? That’s the joy of being a writer.

Rounding out the pros are: Jack McCabe, Principal; Jennifer Sawyer Norvell, Esquire, of Moss Shapiro; Liz Boardman, Laura Kelly, Tara Apperson, Mark Schieldrop, and Betty Cotter with the South County Independent; and finally, the Divas, who approved all Barbies, games, books, and movies enjoyed by four-year-old Ree in this novel. Never have I received so much advice from such adorable consultants, who were compensated entirely in Cheddar Bunnies.

In the fun but dangerous category Congratulations to Alicia Accardi, winner of the fifth annual Kill a Friend, Maim a Buddy. Alicia Accardi nominated Brenda J. Jones, “Brennie,” as the Lucky Stiff. According to Alicia, “Brenda’s had to fight for what she’s got, has overcome a lot, and still struggles every day, but has a heart as big as the whole outdoors, and would give you the shirt off her back… She deserves to be immortalized.”

Also, Kelly Firth was our first-time winner of the Kill a Friend, Maim a Mate Sweepstakes, the international competition for literary immortality. Kelly nominated Joyce Daley, her mother, who just turned sixty-eight and loves reading crime thrillers. “She’s my mum and I wanted to show her how much I love her… I have told her, I couldn’t contain myself, and she was absolutely thrilled.”

For those of you still hoping to get in on the action, never fear. Both contests run every year at www.LisaGardner.com. Check it out, and maybe you can nominate someone you love to die in my next novel.

In closing, my deepest appreciation to my husband, whose skills with his new ice cream maker made revisions to this book much more fun and fattening than they otherwise would’ve been; to my adorable daughter, who, yes, helped inspire Ree, while always being a True Original; to Sarah, for your constant care; to Mimi, who we still miss and wish the best; to my brilliant editor, Kate Miciak, who definitely improved this novel, even if I was very writer-like (cranky) about it at the time; and finally to my fabulous agent, Meg Ruley, and the rest of the team of the Jane Rotrosen Agency, for having just the right way with writer-like (cranky) authors.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A self-described research junkie, LISA GARDNER has parlayed her interest in police procedures, twisted plots, and compelling characters into a streak of New York Times bestselling suspense novels, including Say Goodbye, Hide, Gone, Alone, The Killing Hour, The Survivors Club, The Next Accident, The Other Daughter, The Third Victim, and The Perfect Husband. Lisa lives with her family in New England, where she is writing her next novel, Live to Tell. Visit her website at www.LisaGardner.com.

***