Thank you
My infinite thanks to all of the following for making this book possible and, in so doing, changing my life (nothing more, nothing less):
Stéfanie Delestré, my editor at Albin Michel, without whom I would not be able to say (over and over and over again) the words “my editor.”
Patrick Raynal, the Grand Master of detective fiction, whose support for the squad has always been beyond incredible.
To everyone at Albin Michel, my French publishers, from the graphic designers and copy editors to the press team, reps, and big bosses, without whom my squad would be nothing more than a stack of paper for sale at my house.
My friends Marie La Fonta and Brigitte Lefebvre, for their kind and unswerving support.
Thank you to the following, without whom I would not be a professional writer, or at least not the same writer: Sylvie Overnoy, the ideal boss for the budding writer, especially as she is one herself; Sophie Bajos de Hérédia, for her belief in my (several) applications; the comic-in-chief Henri Pouradier Duteil; and Monsieur Simonet, my French teacher at Collège Jean-Marmoz.
For their good-hearted readings, rereadings, and re-rereadings, their constructive criticism, and their vigorous compliments, I could never thank the following enough: Anne-Isabelle Masfaraud (record holder for the number of readings, gold-medal winner for rooting out incoherence, pep-talk champion); Dominique Hénaff (top dog both for his unconditional support and his keen eye for detail); Patrick Hénaff, Marie-Thérèse Leclair, Pierre Hénaff, Brigitte Petit, Isabelle Alves, Chloé Szulzinger, and Marie-Ange Guillaume.
Jean-François Masfaraud, for his wonderful idea for the original French title, Poulets grillés.
Christophe Caupenne, former RAID commandant, for his help that was as kind as it was valuable; and Catherine Azzopardi, for her initiative and spontaneity in introducing us.
Antoine Caro and Lina Pinto, for their comments, encouragement, and the time they dedicated to reading my manuscript.
And finally, thank you to all the gangs of friends I’ve belonged to or still belong to, all of which were joyful enough to inspire me to create a whole new one. In order of appearance: my friends from Chevrollier, the people of Général-Plessier, my girlfriends from Verre à Soi, the Accessoire crew, the Coincoinche pioneers, the Lyon de Poche girls, my Cosmo colleagues, the lunchtime pétanque crowd, my fellow Perudo addicts, the Masfas from Marsac, and my dear family and friends from Sables-d’Olonne, who have been there from the start.
SOPHIE HÉNAFF
SOPHIE HÉNAFF is a journalist, author, and former Lyonnaise bar owner. She began her journalism career as a critic at Lyon de Poche before moving to Paris to write for Cosmopolitan, where she established her own humorous column, “La Cosmolite.” The Awkward Squad is her first novel.
SAM GORDON is a literary translator from French and Spanish. His previous translations include works by Karim Miské, Timothée de Fombelle, and Annelise Heurtier.
