This novel is dedicated to Karen Sullivan, publisher of Orenda Books and one of my closest friends. She suggested I write about Tutankhamun, read and commented on an early draft, gave me advice on the structure when it wasn’t working, then read and commented on a final draft, all the while dispensing encouragement as needed. She’s been an indispensable beta reader for every one of my novels, but this time she totally went beyond the call!
Lucia Macro, my New York editor (I love saying that), has also been a big influence on the direction the novel took, with her witty emails and wise edits. The entire crew at William Morrow are totally professional yet warm and approachable. Huge thanks to Liate Stehlik, Asanté Simons, Amelia Wood, Danielle Bartlett, Sophie Normil, Jennifer Hart, Jean Marie Kelly, and Jessica Rozler. My copy editor, Kim Lewis, caught some howlers in the manuscript, for which I am incredibly grateful. And Diahann Sturge did a wonderful job with the design.
I love knowing that Vivien Green, Gaia Banks, and Alba Arnau at Sheil Land Associates have my back. Vivien has represented me for the last twenty-one years, and I hope there are many more to come. I love the enthusiasm and flair of the Avon UK team: Molly Walker-Sharp, Ellie Pilcher, Oli Malcolm, Helen Huthwaite, and Phoebe Morgan are sparky “ideas people” and a sheer joy to work with.
I need different types of experts to check facts in each novel. This time I particularly want to thank Linda Jones, who worked as a physio with stroke patients in the 1970s, and who made lots of valuable contributions to the way I dealt with those sections. Tara Draper-Stumm checked the Egyptology content and made some useful additions. Ralph Atkins checked the bits on vintage cars; Rosie de Guzman clarified a couple of points about horse racing; and David Boyle, one of the most knowledgeable people I know, read the whole novel for historical accuracy. However, if any errors have crept in, I should stress they are entirely mine.
Huge love to my traveling pal Louise Kerr, who came to Egypt with me and is always the perfect person to have an adventure with. Thanks also to Richard Hughes for accompanying me on a research trip to Highclere, which involved drinking cocktails on the lawn on a glorious summer’s day. Love to Tracy Rees for reading the final draft and making suggestions, as well as to my wonderful friend Lor Bingham for research, editorial, and enthusiastic social media support.
I have met many British book bloggers in person at launches and events over the years. They are a lively bunch, united by their love of reading, and I’m constantly amazed at the work they put into reviewing and promoting their reviews. Huge thanks to them, as always.
This time I would also like to thank the American bloggers and podcasters who have reached out and welcomed me onto their sites: Ashley Hasty of Hasty Book List; Sharlene Martin Moore and Bobbi Dumas of Romance of Reading; Tammy Meadal Underhill of Peace Love Books; Kristy Barrett of A Novel Bee; Cindy Burnett of Thoughts from a Page; Hank Garner of Author Stories; Michelle Marie Dunton Cronauer; Melody Hawkins of Oh the Books She Will Read; Victoria Wood of BiblioLifestyle; Barbara Bos of Women Writers, Women’s Books; and bookstagrammers too numerous to mention—grateful thanks to you all.
Thank you to the Historical Writers Association, especially Imogen Robertson and Frances Owen, for their generous support, and to the Historical Novel Society for making their conferences such a fun place to connect with other historical authors.
During the time of Covid, friendships were more important than ever, so I’m sending love to all the author pals and non-author pals who have made the months pass more quickly. And to Karel Bata: I can’t think of anyone I would rather have been in lockdown with.