Читать книгу Copycat - Erica Spindler, Erica Spindler - Страница 6

When I decided to set Copycat in my childhood home town of Rockford, Illinois, I didn’t fully realise what a great setting Rockford would prove to be, or how much I’d enjoy making that “trip home.” Nor would I have been able to guess that I would actually finish this novel while living in Rockford, displaced by a she-devil named Katrina.

I discovered that much about Rockford has changed in the years I’ve lived away—but much has not. It’s still a close-knit community of hardworking folks who don’t put on airs. Families come first, people are welcoming and really good pizza can be found on almost every block. With all that in mind, I offer an apology: sorry, but in this type of novel people have to die, neighbourhoods must be singled out for murders to occur in and yes, somebody has to be a really twisted bad guy—even in a breadbasket community like this one.

Everyone I spoke with at the Rockford Police Department was welcoming, and they were consummate professionals. Special thanks to Deputy Chief of Detectives Dominic Iasparro, Officer Carla Redd and Identification Bureau Detective Gene Koelker.

Huge thanks to my sister-in-law Pam Schupbach, the most big-hearted woman I know. Not only did she act as hotelier, tour guide and chauffeur while I refamiliarised myself with Rockford, but she housed me again after hurricane Katrina, even taking on the role of babysitter so I could finish this novel.

On the home front, thanks to Mariea Sweitzer, former St Tammany sheriff’s deputy, for the information on phone trace technology—great help for a technology-challenged writer.

Finally, appreciation to the people who provide day-to-day professional support: my agent Evan Marshall, editor Dianne Moggy and assistant Kari Williams. And as always, last but first, thanks to my family for the love and my God for the blessings.