Gratitude and a huge thank you go to Ruth Linka for taking a chance on this book, and for matching me with editor Frances Thorsen. Frances’s skill, enthusiasm, and insights were amazing. Last, but never least, love and special thanks to Bark, Elida, and Alex for putting up with my many retreats downstairs to slog through draft after draft. Without your support I wouldn’t have come this far.
To avoid confusion, please note that Violet Street in East Vancouver, Cedar Ridge Cemetery, Mainland Public Transport, and Alvin’s All-Canadian Café in Paris are fictitious. The hotel in Goathland is also my own creation.