The death of the Princes in the Tower is one of the biggest mysteries in British history and it has fascinated me since I first read a copy of The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey, when I was a teenager. This lifelong interest in the Wars of the Roses was the inspiration for The Last Daughter, along with an equal fascination for the legends of the beautiful Minster Lovell Hall in Oxfordshire. As with all my books I have taken elements of history and myth and woven them together with a modern story, combining real people and places, and fictional events.
Despite my lifelong Ricardian obsession, I had to do a lot of additional research for this particular book and I am particularly grateful to historian Michèle Schindler who is the leading authority on the life of Francis Lovell and whose book Lovell Our Dogge: The Life of Viscount Lovell, Closest Friend of Richard III and Failed Regicide sheds so much light on the lives of Francis and Anne.
My grateful thanks go to the wonderful team at HQ, working so hard to edit, produce and sell books during difficult times. Especial gratitude goes to Emily Kitchin and Abby Parsons, and to Susan Swinwood at Graydon House, all of whom devoted much time, patience and thought to make this book the best it could be. Jon Appleton once again provided a meticulous and thoughtful copy-edit. My writing friends too, especially Sarah Morgan, Anna Campbell, Christina Courtenay and the Word Wenches, have all given me much-needed encouragement and support on this project.
Heartfelt thanks to all the bloggers, librarians and booksellers who continue to support and promote my work and the biggest thank you of all to the readers who have chosen to step back in time with my books. I hope you enjoy your time travels!
Love and thanks as always to my husband Andrew and to my family and friends, who have been amazing through difficult times, and thank you to Angus and April who in true Labrador fashion have carried on as happily as ever as long as food, walks and cuddles are forthcoming.