The Last Death of Jack Harbin (26 page)

My deep thanks to my mother and father, Adelle and Lloyd Klar, who made sure I was surrounded by books and music. They would have loved Samuel Craddock and the Jarrett Creek community.

I hear tales of editors who run roughshod over copy, publicists who underperform, and indifferent cover designers. Seventh Street Books decided not to go that direction. I am truly amazed at the professionalism, enthusiasm, and warmth of everyone on the team—Dan Mayer (editing magician), Meghan Quinn, Melissa Raé Shofner, Jill Maxick, Jade Zora Scibilia, Grace Zilsberger (love my covers), Cate Roberts-Abel, and Ian Birnbaum. These are my main contacts. I know there are others who work hard behind the scenes to make the books look and feel good, and my thanks extends to them as well.

A special salute to the generous, warm-hearted Carolyn Hart, author extraordinaire, whose support for other crime writers is legend. You're the best!

Terry Shames currently lives in Berkeley, CA, but her imagination is always stirred by the strange mix that makes up the vast landscape and human drama of Texas, where she grew up. Terry is a member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime. Visit her website at
www.Terrryshames.com
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A Killing at Cotton Hill