At First Light(Dr. Evan Wilding #1)(114)

Although I’ve helped rehabilitate injured birds of prey and have assisted licensed falconers, I am not myself licensed. Thus, for help regarding falconry in Illinois, I am grateful to Steven Twiddy of the Great Lakes Falconers Association.

Most importantly, I want to give a shout-out to all the people who helped as I strove to write a book during a time of great personal tragedy as well as persistent and terrifying vision issues. Please know that any errors in this novel are entirely my own.

First, my beta readers and much-loved friends, who take whatever I give them without complaint and make it infinitely better: Deborah Coonts, Chris Mandeville, Cathy Noakes, Michael Shepherd, and Robert Spiller. If anyone is keeping score in Valh?ll, I’ll be serving the five of you mutton and mead for an eternity.

And to the Chicagoans who graciously offered their help during a pandemic: writers Tracy Clark, Lori Rader-Day, and especially Lisa Anne Rothstein. I’m also deeply appreciative of the help given by retired Chicago cop and full-time writer Michael A. Black as well as retired Chicago cop and crime writer Dave Case.

As always, a shout-out to retired Denver detective Ron Gabel, who cheerfully answers all questions and keeps me honest.

To those who reached out often this year to offer a sympathetic (if virtual) shoulder, thank you. This list includes Michael Bateman, Jennifer Kincheloe, and Margaret Mizushima. Your kindness brings light to a sometimes dark world.

Continued thanks to my agent, Bob Diforio. To my incredibly supportive editor, Liz Pearsons, and the rest of the team at Thomas & Mercer. And my enduring gratitude to editor Charlotte Herscher, who takes my messy and convoluted manuscripts and makes them immeasurably better.

And finally, all my love to my sisterhood—Cathy, Deb, Lori, Maria, and Pat. And always, Steve and Amanda. This small cadre of friends and family got me through this year.

For a longer list of resources, for more information about my books, or to contact me directly, please visit my website at www.barbaranickless.com.