I am delighted that St. Martin’s Paperbacks are now to reissue The Silver Pigs and Shadows in Bronze, which have been long out of print in America. I know the early books have been missed in the States and it is wonderful to have them available again. I try to write the books in the series so new readers should be able to pick up any one and start, and then continue in any available order; nonetheless, there is a running story and this is where it all begins. This is where Falco first meets Helena Justina and her family, while the plot he uncovers will continue to have repercussions affecting all the Camilli. I won’t say any more—but if you like to see a story through from its beginnings you will definitely want to start here…
I do know that The Silver Pigs is often used in American schools and colleges. Up to a point this is good news for an author, but I really write for your private pleasure and entertainment. My novels are emphatically not textbooks. I think novels are for reading when you bunk off from your real assignments. So if you are a student who is reading this book because it is on your school or college reading list, I hope you will enjoy it—but I heartily apologise. I do hope I have given a good picture of Roman life and that it may make you eager to learn more about this fascinating period, but please remember the novel is fiction—and honestly, it is meant to be fun.
And now, happy reading to everyone!