John Drury for taking me on a tour of mid-coast Maine in his boat, which was the single most helpful day of research throughout the entire writing process. Thanks too to photographer Peter Ralston, whose stunning pictures brought the region to life for me once I was back in the UK. I hope my descriptions are half as good as his photos.
Dave Pfeiffer for help with engineering quandaries, Scott Demar for answering my accounting questions, and my uncle Mike Soukup for guidance on all things competitive swimming.
All the librarians and booksellers who have been unbelievably supportive of my fledgling career, especially Mary O’Malley, Pamela Klinger-Horn, and Maxwell Gregory. My heartfelt thanks as well to the Bookstagram community, particularly Abby of @crimebythebook.
My fellow authors. You’ve been so gracious with your time, and I’m beyond grateful to be a part of this community. A special thank-you to those who were kind enough to write blurbs for my books: Ashley Audrain, Diane Les Becquets, Kirstin Chen, Lee Child, JP Delaney, Samantha Downing, Teresa Driscoll, Tarryn Fisher, Melanie Golding, Laura Hankin, Lisa Jewell, Sandie Jones, Gilly Macmillan, Margarita Montimore, Liz Nugent, Amy Stuart, C. J. Tudor, and Wendy Walker. I know you receive loads of ARCs. I’m so appreciative you took the time to read one of mine.
Taylor Wichrowski for imagining Rebecca’s pre-Wisewood career visually with your show posters. To Sheila Wichrowski for reading an early draft. To Ali O’Hara and Allison Jasinski for providing feedback on jacket copy, as well as decades of moral support and free therapy.
My parents, Ron and Kathy Wrobel, for accompanying me on my research trip to Maine. I promised you three days of adventure—I think it’s safe to say I kept my word!
My sisters, Jackie Malich and Vicki Wrobel, to whom this book is dedicated. Everything I know about being a sister I learned from the two of you. I hope I’ve been good more often than bad, and that I didn’t abuse my power as the eldest too often. Special thanks to Vicki for designing Wisewood’s logo and to Jackie for always letting me sing the girl parts of Disney songs （not that I gave you much choice）。 I love you both to the moon and back.
Finally, to Matt, who has requested the title of Alpha Reader so many times I’m finally breaking down and giving it to him. For reading all of the drafts, for problem solving in and outside the book, for keeping faith in this story every time I lost it. What a ride the past decade has been. Here’s to the next one.
About the Author
Stephanie Wrobel is the international bestselling author of Darling Rose Gold. She grew up in Chicago but has been living in the UK for the past three years with her husband and dog, Moose Barkwinkle. She has an MFA from Emerson College and has had short fiction published in Bellevue Literary Review. Before turning to fiction, she worked as a creative copywriter at various advertising agencies.