nˈiːl hæd ɹˈɪʔn̩ ðə nˈɑːvəl dʒˈʌst bᵻfˌoːɹ ðə dˈɛθ ʌv pˈɪŋkniz fˈɑːðɚ, bˌʌt ɪt wʌz ɹᵻlˈiːst dʒˈʌst ˈæftɚ.
Neal had written the novel just before the death of Pinkney's father, but it was released just after.