Great big thankyous and debts of gratitude to Kate Ellis for your stellar editorial work and advice—and for reminding me that people in their forties (myself included) aren’t always grey-haired; Amelia Hawkins for your advice on the differences between rural and urban police procedure; to my mystery gang of readers—I wouldn’t be doing this without you; and as ever, last but not least, to Mr Smith, for not eye-rolling too much while I try to come up with the ultimate plot twist. A thousand thankyous to you all.