My very special thanks go, as always, to my loyal agent, Sophie Hicks, and to the team at Ed Victor, whom I regard as champagne-quaffing buddies and without whom my professional life would grind to a halt: Maggie Phillips, Hitesh Shah and Grainne Fox.
Also my thanks to Alan Samson, friend and champion.
While out promoting the first volume of this story, The Olive Farm, I met some of the people whose job it is to sell books. I understood then what a vital role booksellers play in the publishing process, and I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude for the support given me.
And thanks to Tracy Carns and her team at The Overlook Press.