I was introduced to South Devon by my husband, whose parents have a beautiful house on the Kingsbridge estuary. Having spent time at this idyllic retreat, it was difficult not to want to set my next novel there. The changing landscape of the estuary is extraordinary. In summer the coming and going of the tide calms the soul. In winter the scene is raw but invigorating. The ever-changing landscape of the estuary never fails to amaze me on every visit.
Otter’s Reach, Glass Bay and Mermaid Point are fictitious locations, but they are largely influenced by Kingsbridge and its surrounds.
My in-laws have been kind enough to share their home with me and provide me with anecdotes and fodder for my novels. Thank you, Jan and Bruce, to whom this book is dedicated, for sharing your home with me.
Thanks also goes to Neha for her cake baking wisdom, allowing me to check the pairing of flavours at any time of the day and night. Shilpa’s cakes wouldn’t be the same without you. Thank you to Anna and Dad for your unwavering support; Maggie Newton for coming up with the title and the usual suspects, Urmi, Subrina, Jigna, Gemma, Claire, Becky and Sigrid, for allowing me to bounce ideas off you and for listening to my wild plotting.
A big thank you to my writers’ group: Abingdon Writers’ Fiction Adult’s Group. Thank you for your insight and brutal, but much needed, critique. And to Emily Nemchick who did an initial edit of my manuscript. Your support and guidance has made this a better book.
A massive thank you to the whole team Bloodhound Books. In particular, Betsy and Fred for taking a chance on me, Clare for her constructive insight and attention to detail and Tara for her guidance, support and all her work behind the scenes.
Finally, a big thanks goes to my husband James for putting up with my constant tapping at the laptop at all hours and my children Sophie and Nathan for occasionally napping, therefore allowing me to write this book!