JEAN CULLANDER

I had actually attended a wedding in Newport, as described in the book, and had stayed in a Bed and Breakfast, no murders, I assure you.  The setting and the majestic houses and their history inspired the backdrop for the story.  I thought the perfection, the grandeur, the docks, and impressive boats that represent expendable wealth would prove to be a graphic contrast to the story that was about to unfold.  The later return to Newport in the second half of the book reinforces that drama, especially using the magnificent houses in the unfolding plot.