The train pulls away. The dark clouds scatter, and Bekker thinks he might find a way to make the time pass after all.
Thanks to:
Lars Grarup, who first encouraged me to write a crime novel five or six years ago, when he was senior digital editor at Politiken and no longer head of media at the Danish Broadcasting Corporation, where I got to know him.
Lene Juul, head of Politikens Forlag, who, alongside Lars Grarup, talked me round. When I finally accepted the challenge, I got stuck halfway through, but Lene kept the faith and gave me the time and space I needed.
Emilie Lebech Kaae, producer and lover of literature. For her fantastic support and optimism when I most needed both.
My friends Roland Jarlgaard and Ole Sas Thrane. For reading the earliest draft and for continually inspiring me to keep writing. Special thanks to Ole, because he also contributed with his incredible knowledge of IT.
Scriptwriter Michael W. Horsten, for lending me an ear at the first tentative beginnings. Nina Quist and Esther Nissen, for helping me with the research. Meta Louise Foldager and Adam Price, for their patience with me every day in our shared space.
My sister Trine, for her wonderful support and confidence.
My agent Lars Ringhof, for his enormous experience, acumen and all the good advice.
My editor at Politikens Forlag, Anne Christine Andersen. Sharp, exacting and absolutely brilliant.
Suzanne Ortmann Reith, for her coaching and infectious humour.
The biggest thanks go to my wife, Kristina. For her love, and because she never stopped believing in The Chestnut Man.
THE BEGINNING
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MICHAEL JOSEPH
UK | USA | Canada | Ireland | Australia
India | New Zealand | South Africa
Michael Joseph is part of the Penguin Random House group of companies whose addresses can be found at global.penguinrandomhouse.com
First published 2019
Copyright © Søren Sveistrup, 2019
Translation copyright © Caroline Waight, 2019
The moral right of the author has been asserted
Based on original artwork by Kenneth Schultz
© Shutterstock
ISBN: 978-1-405-93977-5
The Chestnut Man Page 43