Wicked River

by Jenny Milchman

  For investigation, research, and help figuring out how a man would survive in the north woods, everything from the stick-and-daub method of building to where berberine grows, thanks are owed to my son, Caleb. For expert and detailed advice on Search and Rescue, thanks go to Jake Keller of Multnomah County, Oregon—and thanks to author April Henry for putting Jake and me in touch. Author and pal in Minnesota Chris Norbury is my go-to for additional questions about outdoor pursuits. Thanks to my brother, Ezra, for the Forest Service catch.

  Author, reviewer, and friend to the mystery/thriller community, Kevin Tipple, set a good thing into motion when he suggested just the right adjective to make the title click. Kevin suffered the loss of his beloved wife, Sandi, this year, and I hope she is somewhere smiling at how her husband’s way with words had such a profound impact.

  International Thriller Writers is the writers’ organization nearest and dearest to my heart, and it’s safe to say that this book would not be what it is without one of ITW’s founding members. Author and legend David Morrell—you know when an ending flags and, better yet, why. Another of ITW’s founders, Gayle Lynds, provided words of support on submission, as did ITW members Steve Berry, Carla Buckley, Lee Child, Andrew Gross, William Kent Krueger, John Lescroart, M. J. Rose, and Chevy Stevens. That roster of names also happens to make one heckuva reading list for lovers of thrillers and tales of domestic suspense. Enjoy!

  A shout-out for Sisters in Crime, whose speakers’ bureau I am proud to be a member of and which has a long, illustrious history of supporting authors during every point of their careers.

  Booksellers and librarians, for all that you do ushering my books to readers before and after they are on the shelves, I thank you. For all that you once did, growing the young me into an author, I owe you one of the best parts of my life.

  My Patreons have made this year in the life of an author a little easier with support and assistance along the way, including much needed dinners out and some downtime. Patreon allows readers to connect with content creators. I have treats and goodies for both fans and emerging writers on my Patreon page and am so grateful to everybody there.

  At the Iridium level, enormous thanks go to author Devorah Winegarten.

  At the Gold level, great thanks go to Steve Avery, Julie Anne Valdez, and Julie Powers Schoerke.

  At the Silver level, my thanks go to David W. Madara, Ron Barak, Mary Jane Frederickson, and Jonathan Kaplan.

  At the Bronze level, thanks go to Joe Clifford, Lauren Sweet, Karen Boml, Lori Mohr, Elizabeth C. Main, and Dan McFadden.

  I rely on different members of my family as trusty readers and here must single out my mother, Madelyn; father, Alan; and brother-in-law, James. Their enthusiastic reading of early drafts made me think I might be on to something. James, way to rearrange the books and make me a treasure I wear close to my heart.

  There are three people without whom I can’t imagine writing a book and wouldn’t want to. Josh, this one is dedicated to you. You believed I would have a career as soon as Dorothy Whatshername flicked that light bulb in my mind and never wavered once in all the tough days and years to come. You get me through every plot snarl as if you had a fine-tooth comb or a crowbar—and a map. And yet you still believe, as I do, that a hefty dose of magic is involved.

  Sophie, I know this was a tough one for you. My dearest hope is that you read it again one day with a feeling of freedom and light.

  Caleb, thank you for sharing every frisson of happiness the story gave you, especially at the Twist. Thank you for loving it, almost as much as all the Erin Hunters combined.

  And finally, my readers, dear to me all. Without you, I would be traveling alone through a dark and fearsome land. Thank you for coming back to Wedeskyull with me, and welcome, new readers, to a place I love as much as any real location on earth.

  About the Author

  Photo © Franco Vogt Photography

  Jenny Milchman is an award-winning, critically acclaimed novelist from the Hudson River Valley of New York State. Her debut novel, Cover of Snow, won the Mary Higgins Clark Award for best suspense novel of 2013, and her follow-up novels, Ruin Falls and As Night Falls, were both Indie Next picks. Jenny is vice president of author programming for International Thriller Writers, a member of the Sisters in Crime speakers bureau, and the founder and organizer of Take Your Child to a Bookstore Day, which is celebrated in all fifty states.

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