PRAISE FOR DEBORAH CROMBIE“One of mystery fiction’s finest stylists.”
KISSED A SAD GOODBYE“Thanks to Crombie’s ability to bring people and places to life with a phrase, none of the seams show as the story zips along.”
“An engaging, richly peopled, satisfying mystery.”
“Compelling from start to finish. Another winner from a dependable and gifted pro.”
“[A] beautifully executed story of murder and revenge … With each volume, Crombie grows in the understanding of her characters and hones her writing and creative skills with verve and elan.”
“Gripping. Highly recommended.”
“Readers … who loved Deborah Crombie’s
“Crombie’s plot is unpredictable, leaving a reader guessing.… Her characters are well drawn.”
“
DREAMING OF THE BONES
“Fascinating … multilayered.”
“A definite recommendation for fans of
Elizabeth George, P. D. James, and Ruth Rendell.”
your breath in surprise.”
ALSO BY DEBORAH CROMBIE
AND AVAILABLE IN HARDCOVER
FROM BANTAM BOOKS:
*
This edition contains the complete text
of the original hardcover edition.
NOT ONE WORD HAS BEEN OMITTED.
KISSED A SAD GOODBYE
A Bantam Book
PUBLISHING HISTORY
Bantam hardcover edition published April 1999
DOCKLAND: AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORICAL SURVEY OF LIFE AND WORK IN EAST LONDON, North East London Polytechnic in conjunction with the Greater London Council, distributed by Thames and Hudson, Ltd. 1986.
MEMORIES OF CHILDHOOD ON THE ISLE OF DOGS, 1870-1970, edited by Eve Hostettler, published by the Island History Trust. 1993. The Island History Trust can be reached at Dockland Settlement, 197 East Ferry Rd., London E14 3BA, phone 171-987-6401.
All rights reserved.
Copyright © 1999 by Deborah Crombie.
Map by Laura Hartman Maestro.
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 98-50186.
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. For information address: Bantam Books.
eISBN: 978-0-307-78939-6
Bantam Books are published by Bantam Books, a division of Random House, Inc. Its trademark, consisting of the words “Bantam Books” and the portrayal of a rooster, is Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and in other countries. Marca Registrada. Random House, Inc., New York, New York.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Thanks to Kate Miciak, my editor, whose insight and encouragement made this a much better book; to Nancy Yost, my agent, for her support; to Gina Wachtel, for her heroic juggling of schedules; to Tom Cherwin, for his copyediting expertise; to Honi Werner, for capturing the mood of the story so well with her evocative jacket art; to Kathryn Skoyles, whose hospitality allowed me to experience the Island firsthand; to Karen Ross, M.D., of the Dallas County Medical Examiner’s Office, for her medical advice; to those who read the manuscript and contributed suggestions: Carol Chase, Terry Mayeux, Barbara Shapiro, and the members of the EOTNWG; and special thanks, as always, to Rick and Katie for putting up with me in the midst of a book.
Contents
Map
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
