The Scent Keeper(92)

I think all books owe debts of gratitude to the imaginations of others, and that is truly the case for this one. The story of the Nightingale can be found in the works of Hans Christian Andersen. Sissel Tolaas expanded the way I perceive scent. The work of Roman Kaiser provided inspiration for the character of John Hartfell. Amy Radcliffe invented the Madeleine, an “analogue odor camera,” just as I was wondering if anyone would ever believe something like the Nightingale could exist. Anjani Millet taught me about the smell games she once played with her own father. Caitlin Vincent was an invaluable resource when it came to questions about trauma and young minds. Ayala Moriel’s fragrances took me deep into the scents of the Pacific Northwest, while Richard Weening, Vicki Leslie, and Christophe Laudamiel of Prolitec are proof that scent technology can do wonders in the right hands.

I spent many hundreds of hours deep in books, learning about everything from scent branding to fairy tales, microexpressions, and survival techniques. So, here’s a tip of the hat to the authors whose works taught me so much—Mandy Aftel, Diane Ackerman, Patrick Süskind, Jean-Claude Ellena, Luca Turin and Tania Sanchez, Chandler Burr, Barbara Herman, Piet Vroon, C. Russell Brumfield, Martin Lindstrom, Annick Le Guérer, Molly Birnbaum, Alyssa Harad, Denyse Beaulieu, Lawrence D. Rosenblum, Rachel Herz, Avery Gilbert, Constance Classen, Laurence Gonzales, Bill Proctor, Paul Ekman, Helen Keller, M. J. Rose, and Bruno Bettelheim.

My husband and kids come along for the ride, with every book. They live with my imaginary friends as if they are real people and make the rest of my life full. These words are yours.

And finally, a deep bow to Greg Critser, whose books and friendship showed me what being a writer was all about. We miss you, honey.