Section 6. ‘If my sister, Lizzie A. Borden, shall survive me and I shall own an interest at the time of my death in that tract of land with the dwelling house . . . situated . . . [at] French Street . . . then I give, devise, and bequeath all my right, title and interest . . . to my said sister, Lizzie A. Borden.
‘If, however, at the time of my death I shall have disposed of my interest in said tract of land . . . on French Street . . . and my said sister, Lizzie A. Borden, shall survive me, then I give and bequeath to my said sister the sum of one thousand dollars ($1,000).’
Acknowledgements
WRITING IS SOLITARY but you never truly do it alone. Over the years I have had tremendous support in all forms. Without it I would never have finished.
There are many, many people I need to thank but in particular I’d like to give a shout out to: Christine Balint for early supervision, encouragement, and advice. The MA/PhD group from 2006 to 2010: amazing. A big-hearted thankyou to Antoni Jach. Your unwavering support over the years has meant so much.
Very special thanks and big love to: Kylie Boltin, Kalinda Ashton, Kate Ryan and Alice Melike Ulgezer. Your friendship, advice, long talks and reading the manuscript at crucial times has meant so much to me.
To MC VI: Jacinta Halloran, Rosalie Ham, Leigh Redhead, Jenny Green, Yvette Harvey, Mick McCoy, Moreno Giovannoni, Lawrence McMahon, and Lyndel Caffrey.
To Lyndel Caffrey in particular: you’ve no idea how much you’ve helped me.
The wonderful writing group: Evelyn Tsitas, Erina Reddan, and Caroline Petit. You’ve been so supportive, wise and generous. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Huge thanks to my work colleagues, especiallly community engagement: your generosity, support and laughter means a lot.
To dearest squirrel eyes, Felicity Gilbert: you let me outsource my emotions to you when I needed it most. Thank you for advice, reading and friendship.
Over the years chunks of this novel were written with the assistance of Varuna, the Writers’ House and the Eleanor Dark foundation. Thank you also to Peter Bishop.
While this is a work of fiction based on true events, I couldn’t have written the book without gleaning information from people who dedicate their time to this fascinating case. Their hard work and keen research made the non-fiction aspect of writing easier. I’d particularly like to mention the folks at www.lizzieandrewborden.com who unlocked the best treasure trove a writer could wish for. A wonderful resource, Parallel Lives: a social history of Lizzie A. Borden and her Fall River was produced exactly at the right moment. I also spent time at the Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast Museum and for that I am forever indebted to Lee Ann Wilbur for her generosity, hospitality and insight. Thank you also to the wonderful staff at that magnificently creepy house on Second Street.
To Vashti Kenway and Susan Johnson, and to all my dear friends in my life: thank you and I love you.
To my parents, Michael and Alana for always encouraging me to make up stories and for accepting the moment I started primary school and told you that I just wanted to be a writer when I grew up. Thank you for your love and support.
My wonderful brother, Josh, and my dearest Andrea Parker. Words cannot express.
Thank you also to my extended family: Ian, Deb, Rhonda, John, Vicki, and Tara. Extra thanks to Emma and Marty for reading the manuscript at various stages. Thank you to John Parker and Honor Parker for Ireland.
Thank you to my wonderful agents Pippa Masson, Dan Lazar, Gordon Wise and Kate Cooper: you have changed my life. Thanks also to Luke Speed.
Major thanks to everyone at Hachette Australia but especially: my wonderful publisher Robert Watkins, Karen Ward, Ali Lavau, Nathan Grice, Anna Egelstaff, Tom Saras, Daniel Pilkington, Andrew Cattanach, Louise Sherwin-Stark, Justin Ractliffe, and Fiona Hazard. Thank you Josh Durham for the beautiful pigeon.
To Corinna Barsan, Leah Woodburn and Sarah Savitt and the entire publishing families at Tinder Press and Grove Atlantic. I’d especially like to give massive thanks to: Georgina Moore, Joe Yule, Amy Perkins and Yeti Lambregts for the beautiful rotting pear at Tinder and to: Morgan Entrekin, Judy Hottensen, Deb Seager and Zachary Pace at Grove Atlantic.
To Cody and Alice: two kinds of love that held me safe so I could journey to the dark places. You are everything.
And lastly thank you to Lizzie Borden, whoever you are. Thank you for choosing me but it’s time to go now.