Someone Is Watching Read online

  As for my new American publishers, you know the expression “Everything old is new again”? Well, it seems I’ve come full circle. In 2000, I published a novel entitled The First Time. My editor at the time was Linda Marrow, a woman who had a knack for seeing the larger picture and zeroing in on what was wrong with my manuscript and what needed fixing. Unfortunately, we only worked together on that one book before she moved on. But now, serendipitously, we’ve found each other again—my mother always said that things have a way of working out—and it’s like The First Time all over again. She remains a wonderful editor, and her comments regarding this novel were both insightful and spot-on. So, thank you, Linda. I’m so glad we’re together again. Thanks also to her assistant, Anne Speyer, and the amazing crew at Ballantine. I know you’ll do a terrific job.

  I want to thank a special friend, Carol Kripke, a brilliant psychotherapist whose advice I sought when dealing with the therapy sessions in this novel. If these sessions ring true, it is because of Carol’s expert advice. We play-acted these sessions, and she guided me through them line by line. If I occasionally put words in her mouth she might not use, I apologize and plead temporary insanity.

  Thank you to Lawrence Mirkin and Beverley Slopen, names my regular readers will surely recognize, as they’ve been a part of my process so long they really feel like family. Your insights, patience, and advice have been—and hopefully will continue to be—invaluable. Larry reads my books as I’m writing them, a little at a time, careful to keep me on track, and tells me if I’m going the wrong way before I go too far. Bev reads the finished product, her fresh (and eagle) eyes there when I need them most. Both take the time from their already busy and crowded schedules to help me produce the best book I possibly can. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I love you both.

  Thank you to Corinne Assayag, who designed and oversees my website. You are a constant source of dedication and great ideas, a terrific person who’s terrific at what she does. Thank you for always being there, and stay well. And to Shannon Micol, who manages my Facebook and Twitter presences and also functions as one of my first readers. When the eBook versions of Life Penalty, The Deep End, Good Intentions, and Kiss Mommy Goodbye are finally released to the American market and arrive with fewer mistakes than readers might normally find in this format, it is the direct result of Shannon’s tireless efforts.

  And finally, to my wonderful family: Warren, my incredibly generous husband of forty years (!!!), whose advice I might occasionally resent but who is usually right (about most things); my daughters, Shannon and Annie, two of the world’s most beautiful and capable young women; my son-in-law, Courtney, as loving as he is handsome; my two sweet, sweet grandchildren, Hayden and Skylar, for bringing such joy to my life and making me feel so loved and appreciated; my sister Renee, who is also one of my closest friends; and Aurora, my housekeeper of more than twenty years, who takes such good care of me and always goes above and beyond.

  And of course, thank you to you, my readers. I can always count on you to bring out the best in me.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  JOY FIELDING is the New York Times bestselling author of Charley’s Web, Heartstopper, Mad River Road, See Jane Run, and other acclaimed novels. She divides her time between Toronto and Palm Beach, Florida.

  www.JoyFielding.com

  @JoyFielding