Fairstein, Linda - Silent Mercy

the beliefs of their flocks. Many of those buildings with simple exteriors have jewel-like interior space. Some constructed more than a century ago to inspire awe still cause the soul to soar today.

As always, great friends led me to many of the more hidden treasures of my beloved city. A conversation with Alan Levine opened the door to the Jewish Theological Seminary and a private tutorial with Rabbi Marc Wolf. A delicious dinner at Rao’s with the inimitable Frank Pellegrino enlightened me about the old St. Patrick’s Cathedral. A book signing with a new acquaintance who writes a fine crime novel herself, Hilary Davidson, surprised me with information about a gift to the people of New York from the one-time king of France.

And then there is the unique moment when someone makes an introduction that is as memorable personally as it is useful professionally. A casual lunch with my good friend Susan Reed ended with her insistence that I meet the Rev. Dr. Serene Jones, a brilliant scholar and the first woman appointed to the presidency of the 174-year-old Union Theological Seminary. Let me first assure you that Serene Jones is not a character in this book. The thoughts and words and familial relationships described by my fictional Faith Grant come entirely from my imagination. But I had the pleasure and honor of spending hours with the Rev. Dr. Jones, exploring the treasures (what exquisite libraries both seminaries have!) of Union, and scratching the surface of some of the most fascinating issues in modern theology. I also commend to you her writings, including the books Trauma + Grace: Theology in a Ruptured World and Feminist Theory and Christian Theology. My admiration and respect for Serene Jones is beyond measure.

The New York Times is a constant source of information for me on an endless variety of subjects. I am especially grateful to David Dunlap, R. M. Schneiderman, Anne Barnard, and Anne Midgette for such intriguing articles, each of which contained fascinating facts that found their way into this crime caper. The Vineyard Gazette is a great newspaper. Holly Nadler’s story, which appeared in the Gazette, is an excerpt from her book Vineyard Supernatural, and Mike Seccombe’s piece “On the Midnight Run to America” was equally riveting. Two books that provided rich background detail were John Tayman’s heartbreaking true tale The Colony and I. Thomas Buckley’s Island of Hope. The deposition transcript in the case of Rosado vs. Bridgeport Roman Catholic Diocesan Corp. was as helpful as it is shocking.

Whether for business or pleasure, you keenly want my friend Esther Newberg on your side and at your back. I’ve been fortunate to have her there for a very long time, and it has been more fun than one could imagine. With her come the great crew at ICM, including Kari Stuart and Lyle Morgan, and now that I’m totally bicoastal, in the talented hands of Mark Gordon.

My team at Dutton is the classiest act in publishing. The support and enthusiasm starts at the top with my publisher, Brian Tart. Ben Sevier’s skill as an editor makes it a joy to work with him. Christine Ball is always a few steps ahead of me, a master at PR and marketing, aided by Jamie McDonald. Carrie Swetonic, Jessica Horvath, Susan Schwartz, Dick Heffernan, and the rest of the Dutton family have given me a truly happy home. On the road, it’s Tammy Richards who keeps the ink flowing. My thanks to all, and to David Shelley and the UK group at Little, Brown. They’ve been with me from the start.

My family and friends have done it again. I owe them all my love and gratitude. And to my husband, Justin Feldman, words are inadequate to express how very much it means to me that you battle so valiantly to savor the joy of our life together.

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