It’s that time again – the bit at the back of the book no one bothers to read except the author, their family, and people they once met on the street hoping they’ll sneak a mention. But it’s something of a tradition, and as I’ve said before, it may be my name on the front of the book, but it doesn’t get there without the help and support of a lot of people.
I always said I had a five book plan for McNee, and here we are. Not that it’s necessarily the very end (never say die!), but certainly it brings to a close the themes and the stories I wanted to tell. It’s all wound up a little different than I expected and that last scene is not the one I thought it would be, but I think perhaps it’s more satisfying than if I went the obvious route. McNee has been through a lot in five books and here he is, out the other side and perhaps, finally, he’s going to have a little happiness. At least, for a while.
Burns, on the other hand, well, his fate was always going to be thus. I didn’t quite realise all the details, of course, and again there’s one subtle difference to what happens that I think is more emotionally satisfying than the initial plan. But the five books have really been about him and McNee and now, that’s it. We’re done.
Let me just, before we go any further, thank the city of Dundee for allowing me to play so fast and loose with my fictional version of the city and to all its citizens for your support over the years.
None of this would have been possible without so many people, so let me start with:
Mum and Dad – who still don’t have that house in France but are still endlessly supportive.
Lesley McDowell – For all the best reasons … J’t’aime, mademoiselle.
And move on to:
Allan Guthrie – who helped get McNee into print and more importantly helped him stay there.
Kate Lyall Grant – for allowing McNee to reach book #5 intact! Thank you for all your help and support.
Anna Telfer – who has the thankless job of whipping these books into shape; thank you for your patience and advice.
Ross Bradshaw – who was the first publisher to believe in McNee … and whose bookshop in Nottingham is well worth a visit!
Gail Mitchell – who made the winning bid for a cameo in this book way back in 2013 at the World Child Cancer (www.worldchildcancer.org) dinner. Brilliantly generous, and so enthusiastic; I do hope she enjoys the book!
Booksellers everywhere – the beautiful people. You are all marvellous!
Librarians everywhere – there is nothing I enjoy more than visiting a good library!
And finally, in no special order, a few people who contributed in ways they may or may not realise – moral support, plot suggestions, answering daft questions and just buying me a pint: Robert Simon Macduff Duncan, Jay Stringer, Dave White, Charlie Stella, The Booksellers (past and present) at Waterstones Dundee and Newton Mearns (far too many of you to list, but you know who you are!), the red and blue shirts from Bookworld (again, so many brilliant people, so little word count!), Ross McLean, Linda Landrigan, Jon Jordan, Ruth Jordan, Jen Jordan, Janet Boyle, Chris Ewan, James Oswald, Stuart MacBride, Gary Smith, Kimberley Smith, Becca Simpson, and, of course, Moriarty McDowell-McLean (I can’t believe I acknowledged a cat, but it just goes to show that writing eventually sends you completely mad).
Anyone I missed out – and there will be someone, there’s always someone – because frankly I have a Swiss cheese memory. But you know who you are. And you know what you’ve done!
And of course, the readers. All of you. Thank you for your support and kind words. Even those of you who think I use far too many naughty words.