As ever I’m grateful to Stephen Cassidy, retired Detective Chief Superintendent with the Metropolitan Police, and to Frank Pacifico, Test Train Operator for the London Underground for being on call. Any errors around the police and trains are mine.
I continue to greatly appreciate the opinion of my treasured reader, Shirley Cassidy, The Detective’s Mother.
Laura Palmer, my editor at Head of Zeus is a pure joy to work with. Lucky me. My thanks go to the wonderful HoZ team including Lauren Atherton, Blake Brooks, Jenni Edgecombe, Clare Gordon, Daniel Groenewald, Ian Macbeth, Victoria Reed, Chrissy Ryan, Suzanne Sangster, Jon Small and Nikky Ward. Liz Hatherell copy edited with kindness (she never put idiot in the margins when I got timings wrong). My thanks go to Jon Appleton, Christian Duck and Sophie Robinson on proofs.
Georgina Capel Associates always have my back. My agent George is simply fab.
I’d like give a big clap to actor Anna Bentinck who has read the audio for all of The Detective’s Daughters bar one. (I’ve listened to ensure I’m not the least knowledgeable at book groups.) It’s so moving to actually hear Jack and Stella’s voices. Anna’s done a great job.
I wrote most of The Playground Murders in the little town of Winchcombe, a setting in this story. Food Fanatics kept me in lattes, North’s Bakery in sourdough bread, and John Keeling Newsagent’s in a daily paper. The Emporium (not a bookshop) kindly stocks my novels and is a treasure trove. Cotswold artist Guy Warner lives two doors down, Guy and his partner Lizzie are a fab creative support.
Writers need reading outlets, not least because we’re readers too. I visit many bookshops. They are magical spaces in which to browse and buy. Librarians too are creative and inspiring. For me public libraries, in particular Brighton, Chiswick, Hammersmith, Lewes and Winchcombe are vital sources for research.
Lastly, and top of the bill, thank you to Stella and Jack’s readers. Your considered heart-warming messages inspire me on those tougher days in a writer’s life when cleaning behind the bath panel seems a better option.
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