Acknowledgments

My first thanks this time should go to Janet Adams, who was good enough to supply the names of two significant characters in the book, Tess Adams and Ruby Jewell. Janet won the opportunity to provide character names for the book as the result of a prize draw in aid of the excellent Culbokie Community Trust, a group looking to improve facilities in our local village (which has also provided various settings for scenes in the Alec McKay books). You can find out more about them at www.culbokiect.org

I’d initially assumed the named characters would have only walk-on parts in the book, but the name Ruby Jewell in particular intrigued me and ultimately inspired a wonderfully memorable character. I suspect she may well reappear in future books. Thanks to Janet for the inspiration. I should perhaps add that the two names are actually the names of her dogs – in Janet’s words, ‘a neurotic collie and a calm springer’. But, of course, there are no similarities between my characters and any real canines.

Thanks as ever to all those who helped me with the book, including Betsy, Tara, Sumaira, Clare and all the other good people at Bloodhound Books – a delight to work with as always. And, again as ever, thanks above all to Helen, my first and best reader and advisor.