And that’s how I first got started on the idea for Polterheist, in which my Jewish heroine would get stuck participating in Christianity’s most exhausting holiday while trying to prevent a dangerous mystical force from running amok in the Big Apple.
Please note, by the way, that Fenster’s and Solsticeland are wholly fictional creations and are not based on any real store. Some of Esther’s experiences there are loosely inspired by real life, though, since I’ve held many less-than-delightful jobs over the years, including seasonal ones (and I frankly think I’d rather go to prison than ever again deal with the public during the holidays).
Meanwhile, I’d like to thank the tremendous staff at DAW Books, the best publishing house I’ve ever worked with, for their support, patience, and enthusiasm. In particular, special thanks to editor/publisher Betsy Wollheim and to managing editor Joshua Starr. I also want to add a shout-out to Russell Davis, who edited a couple of my books years ago at another house; he gave me some excellent editorial advice back then which has been paying off ever since—something I recently had occasion to realize.
I hope you’ve enjoyed Polterheist—during whatever season of the year you happened to read it. This was the fifth Esther Diamond novel, and (in case you’ve missed any of them) the DAW Books editions of the previous four novels are all available to tide you over until Esther, her friends, and her nemeses return in their next mystical misadventure, The Misfortune Cookie, set in New York’s Chinatown.
—Laura Resnick
Also by Laura Resnick:
DISAPPEARING NIGHTLY
DOPPELGANGSTER
UNSYMPATHETIC MAGIC
POLTERHEIST
THE MISFORTUNE COOKIE*
*Coming soon from DAW Books