Girl, 11 by Amy Clarke (grave mercy TXT) 📗

scouts to make this book even more well-traveled than I am. Special thanks to Kemi Faderin for all you do. The whole team at DG&B is unrivalled in its awesomeness, really.

The first time I talked on the phone with my editor, Jaime Levine, I knew she just got this book. The story would not be where it is now without your incisive feedback, your refusal to let me get away with weak character choices, and your deep understanding of what I was trying to say. Also, thank you for introducing me to the phrase “power donut” and knowing a remarkable amount about Darjeeling tea.

The enthusiasm of everyone at HMH for this book has continued to blow me away. Helen Atsma provided early support, and Millicent Bennett and Deb Brody carried it on. Ana Deboo, copyeditor extraordinaire, caught a hundred tiny mistakes that would have kept me awake at night—bless you. Romanie Rout combed every word and punctuation mark with an eagle eye. The design team—Jessica Handelman, Mark Robinson, and Margaret Rosewitz—made this book look gorgeous inside and out. Johannes Wiebel provided a truly stunning illustration for the cover that made me gasp the first time I saw it. The marvelous production editor Laura Brady and editorial assistant Fariza Hawke offered invaluable help along the way. My publicist Marissa Page, marketing genius Liz Anderson, and everyone in sales have worked tirelessly to put it in the hands of readers all over the country. Thank you to each and every one of you.

I am also indebted to the editors throughout the world who saw something in this book and are helping Elle’s story cross borders and language divides. Special thanks to Harriet Wade and the team at Pushkin Vertigo in the UK for providing a home for my novel in the country where I learned I was a writer. And I’m thrilled to be published by Text in Australia—my second home. Thanks to Alaina Gougoulis, Madeleine Rebbechi, Julia Kathro, Kate Lloyd, Michael Heyward, and the entire team for taking such good care of this book.

Many experts across dozens of disciplines helped me be as accurate as I could. Any blurred lines between fact and fiction are my choices, not their mistakes! Dr. Annalisa Durdle was generous with her guidance on how one might forensically identify a tea stain. The Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal made their study on a case of castor-bean poisoning openly accessible. Dr. Judy Melinek and T. J. Mitchell cowrote the most fascinating memoir on being a medical examiner, which inspired Martín’s character and provided some of the autopsy information in this book. Forensic toxicologist Justin Brower answered my burning questions about ricin poison and how it’s detected in autopsy. Hennepin County Library provided a lightning-fast answer on business records from 1996, proving yet again that librarians are superheroes.

Thank you to my fellow writer Rogelio Juarez, who provided diligent attention to detail, insights, and suggestions for the Latinx characters in this text. Candice Montgomery, your generosity and encouragement with the early review of this book and Ayaan’s character meant everything to me. Any inaccuracies in the portrayal of these characters are my fault alone.

The road to getting published is paved with rejection, and I’m convinced that friendships with other writers are the only way to survive. Bethany C. Morrow, you are the best friend, confidante, and critique partner in existence. Tap, tap, tap—case ended. Marjorie Brimer, your enthusiasm and excitement rivaled my own throughout the whole publishing process and is such a blessing. Libby Hubscher, I’m thrilled you got your book deal at almost exactly the same time and shared every up and down publishing has to offer with me.

Anna Newallo, Megan Collins, Katherine Locke, Amy Gentry, Rena Olsen, Kosoko Jackson, Kiki Nguyen, Denise Williams, Ryan Licata, Candice Fox, Halley Sutton, and dozens of other authors offered inspiration, support, and essential insights over the years. Crime and thriller authors I have admired for years read this book early and told others to read it too. I cannot thank you enough: it means the world to me to see your name anywhere near my book.

Kingston Writing School in London is where I started to take writing seriously, and I’m incredibly thankful for the lecturers and writers in residence who took my writing seriously too. James Miller, Adam Baron, Paul Bailey, and many others helped me hone my voice and strike my flowery prose.

Coworkers at every job I’ve had in the past five years have been very cool about my writing, but I’m especially indebted to Clare, who has always encouraged me to take time off for my author career when I need it.

I am extremely lucky to have unflinching support from my family, both in the US and Australia, who cheered me on while I was writing and celebrated this achievement with me. Thanks especially to my siblings—Joel, Erin, and Deborah—for giving me a rich, hilarious, and often infuriating childhood that I can now draw on for an endless number of stories.

My mom was the first big believer in my writing and always encouraged me to work at it, helping me shape my craft and style from an early age. Late-night conversations with my dad led me to discover what I really believe in, and he pushed me to share those ideas with the world. I’m so glad neither of you ever made me feel like being an author was a long shot (even though it was!)

Finally to my husband, Peter, who knew he was marrying a writer and did it anyway. Thank you for not letting me quit, for bringing me snacks, for sending me on writing retreats, and for popping champagne at 6 a.m. when I got my offer. I love you.

About the Author

© Ellen Talitha Photography

AMY SUITER CLARKE is a writer and communications specialist. Originally from a small town in Minnesota, she completed an undergraduate degree in theater in the Twin Cities. She then moved to London and earned an MFA in creative