Lisa Gardner - Before She Disappeared

Which brings me to Lt. Peter T. Eakley, Ret., Millburn New Jersey Police, who walked me through fake IDs, forged visas, and all sorts of fun. I took some liberties in this novel, as there’s a fine line between entertaining readers and instructing aspiring forgers.

Also, please bear in mind this is a work of fiction and all mistakes are mine and mine alone. The real world is quite complicated, so thank goodness for fictional escape.

People who want to die: You know who you are. Congratulations to the winners of the Kill a Friend, Maim a Buddy Sweepstake, as well as its international counterpart, Kill a Friend, Maim a Mate. First up, Lupe Giron, who won the right to kill off her friend, Peggy Struzeski Griffith, whom she described as a “slightly crazy, book-loving blonde.” I approve of all slightly crazy, book-loving people, but per the terms of the contest, Peggy still had to die. Hope you enjoyed! Next, congratulations to Gwynne Andal, self-described proud Filipina and oldest of three kids, for earning the right to kill off herself. I’m sure this wasn’t as gruesome as you wanted, but I hope it’s still fun. For other aspiring winners of fictional death, the contest is back up and running at LisaGardner.com. It’s never too late to enter, and do encourage family and friends to nominate you, as well. Dying in a novel is a surprisingly enthusiastic and competitive sweepstakes.

Also, here is to the real-life Piper, an extraordinary rescue cat who now enjoys a pampered life with my wonderful neighbors Pam and Glenda, while hissing at me every time I walk into the room. I tried cat treats, then catnip. Literary immortality is all I got left. If only cats could read.

As always, my love to my family, friends, and fellow authors who kept me sane for the writing of this novel. Given that most of this happened during the pandemic, focus was hard to find, and support most appreciated. For those who follow me on social media, you understand hiking is my salvation (and my preferred method of brainstorming), so thank you to Michelle Capozzoli and Larissa Taylor for keeping me on trail and deep in homicidal thought.

For my readers out there: Love, gratitude, and best wishes for health and happiness. Thank you for your support. I’ve lived my entire life captivated by the power of story. Thank you for sharing that journey with me.

Lisa Gardneris the #1 New York Times bestselling author of twenty-three suspense novels, including The Neighbor , which won Thriller of the Year from the International Thriller Writers. An avid hiker, traveler, and cribbage player, she lives in the mountains of New Hampshire with her family.

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An imprint of Penguin Random House LLC

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Copyright © 2021 by Lisa Gardner, Inc.

Penguin supports copyright. Copyright fuels creativity, encourages diverse voices, promotes free speech, and creates a vibrant culture. Thank you for buying an authorized edition of this book and for complying with copyright laws by not reproducing, scanning, or distributing any part of it in any form without permission. You are supporting writers and allowing Penguin to continue to publish books for every reader.

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library of congress cataloging-in-publication data

Names: Gardner, Lisa, author.

Title: Before she disappeared : a novel / Lisa Gardner.

Description: [New York] : Dutton [2021] | Series: Before she disappeared 3

Identifiers: LCCN 2020042627 (print) | LCCN 2020042628 (ebook) | ISBN 9781524745042 (hc) | ISBN 9781524745059 (ebook)

Classification: LCC PS3557.A7132 B44 2021 (print) | LCC PS3557.A7132 (ebook) | DDC 813/.54—dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020042627

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020042628

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Cover image by Magdalena Zyzniewska / Trevillion Images

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