So that History and Politics degree came in useful after all. I was researching where to conclude my last book Blame and I fancied Dartmoor as the setting. My heroes were heading south-west out of London and it seemed the obvious choice. Then I came across the nine hundred and ninety-five black prisoners-of-war from the War of 1812. Then the segregation. Then King Dick. By the time I found his production of Romeo and Juliet, I knew I was hooked and that my Blame cast would have to go elsewhere. My astute wife Hilary, followed by my astute agent (and now writer, damn him) Sam Copeland at RCW, spotted the possibilities and we were off.
I am thrilled that Mad Blood Stirring became a Transworld book; as a reader, their name has always seemed a hallmark of quality. My editors Bill Scott-Kerr and Darcy Nicholson were everything a writer could ask for – patient, wise and (usually) gentle. Thank you.
I have had help and encouragement from Shakespeare scholars Vicky Perrin and Crispin Letts in the UK, firearms advice from Matt Plass in New York, smallpox knowledge from Dr Christopher Smith, Consultant Virologist and Public Understanding of Science Fellow at Cambridge University, and gospel choir wisdom from Bazil Meade MBE. Ben, Natasha and Joe, as ever, thank you for your enthusiasm and forbearance. Early readers Grace Wroe, Martin Wroe, Steve Taylor, Jonathan Mayo, Anna Beasley and Travis McCready, thank you. Harriet Cross, the UK’s Consul-General in Boston, was a fountain of knowledge and enthusiasm. Malorie Blackman, Sir Ken Branagh and Sir Lenny Henry were early encouragers. Bob Digby and Mick Byrne run the most educational and dynamic taxi service across the moor.
Any mistakes are, of course, entirely mine.