I have so many wonderful people to thank, so please forgive me if this starts sounding like an award speech, and apologies if I miss anyone out – it is not intentional, my brain is just so overwhelmed.
I’d like to thank my family and friends both near and afar, for the tremendous support they have given me since learning I was writing a book.
A massive thanks to Finn Cotton, editor extraordinaire for his patience, guidance and belief in me as a writer and to the Killer Reads team who have been fantastic since this crazy journey began.
A special thanks to the absolutely phenomenal Graham Smith and Michael J. Malone – for reading my prologue at Crime & Publishment in 2017 and giving me the encouragement, inspiration and kick up the backside to write what is now Dead Inside. And to the C&P writing gang who are just the most magnificent people – generous with their time and advice. And I also have to mention Karen Sullivan for the ‘red card’ that gave me the confidence to submit to publishers.
Another special thanks to my beta readers – WOW – you all blew me away with your feedback. So thank you to Joseph Calleja, Sarah Hardy, Claire Knight, Shell Baker, Kate Moloney, Kat Everett, Lorraine Rugman, Vicki Wilkinson, Sharon Bairden and Abbie Rutherford for everything … particularly your names! And for the MOST part, your characters are nothing like you in real life … ha ha!
A heart-felt THANK YOU to the authors who also encouraged me to write, who read and gave me feedback/quotes – you have no idea how much it meant to me – Angela Marsons, Martina Cole, Nic Parker, Graham Smith, Mel Comley, Emma Kennedy, Casey Kelleher, Mel Sherratt, and Caroline Mitchell – a thousand #thankyous would never be enough.
To the crime writing community – do you know how SUPERB you are? I wish I could name each and every one of you – your kind words, encouragement, inspiration and overwhelming support has really touched me. Don’t ever change.
To my amazing blogger friends, I want to name you all, but I can’t – so if you are reading this and thinking ‘is she talking about me?’ the answer is – Hell yeah, I am! Love you all. Special mention to the #blogsquad, Kim Nash, Anne Cater, Rachel Gilbey, and JB Johnston for letting me be me, and to Emma Mitchell for editing and getting me submission ready. You all make me smile each and every day!
A massive thanks to the Bookouture team (both the authors and my colleagues), especially Abigail Fenton (who casually introduced me to my editor at Harrogate and nudged me to pitch my book – it worked!), Peta Nightingale/Oliver Rhodes for all the amazing advice and again, Kim Nash – because she is just outstanding! Adore you Batman!
Of course, I have to mention Tamworth Probation/Tamworth IOM; Stafford IOM; and all my remarkable ex-colleagues within the Police and Probation Service – both the public and private sectors. Your dedication and professionalism astound me – I may have been ‘paroled’ after eighteen years of service, but I think about your truly fantastic work all the time – and all the stories I now have to tell!
Finally, I just want to thank everyone who takes the time to read this book; without you, there would be no reason to write.