This is a work of nonfiction. Over the course of eight years I
have spent thousands of hours with the women in this book—
in person, on the phone, by text message and email. In two
cases, I moved to the towns where they lived and settled in as
a resident so I could better understand their day-to-day lives. I
was there to experience many of the moments I’ve included.
For the events that happened in the past or at times when I
wasn’t present, I’ve relied on the women’s memories, their
diaries, and their communications. I have conducted
interviews with friends and family members and followed
their social media. But for the most part I stayed with the point
of view of the three women.
I used court documents and local news articles and spoke
to reporters, judges, attorneys, investigators, colleagues, and
acquaintances to confirm events and timelines. Almost all
quotes come from legal documents, emails, letters, recordings,
and interviews with the women and other individuals in the
book. The important exception is the one case in which the
text messages, physical letters, and some emails were
unavailable. In this instance, the content provided is based on
multiple retellings from the subject, which have been disputed
by her correspondent.
I based my selection of these three women on the
relatability of their stories, their intensity, and the way that the
events, if they happened in the past, still sat on the women’s
chests. I was restricted to speaking to women who were open
to telling me their stories, on the record and without holding
back. Several subjects decided, halfway through my research,
that they were too fearful of being exposed. But largely, I
based my selection on what I perceived as these women’s
ability to be honest with themselves and on their willingness to
communicate their stories in ways that laid bare their desire.
Others lack a distinct voice in this text because these stories
belong to these women. I have, however, elected to protect
those whose voices are not featured by changing almost all the
names, exact locations, and identifying details in the two
accounts that have not already been the subject of public
record. In that third account, I have changed the names of the
individuals who did not play a public role or who were minors
during the period of time in question.
I am confident that these stories convey vital truths about
women and desire. In the end, though, it is these three specific
women who are in charge of their narratives. There are many
sides to all stories, but this is theirs.