Acknowledgements

I am particularly indebted to all the members of my writing group, The Dead Darlings Society: Deanna Antoniolli, Mary Chang, Dan Fallon, Karen Hollands, Kaja Holzheimer, Nikki Mottram, Nicky Peelgrane, Isabel Prior, Fiona Reilly, Fiona Robertson and Warren Ward. Thank you for teaching me to write, for your friendship, and for the joy of being in your company. I could never have written this book without you. I’d especially like to acknowledge Deanna Antoniolli for your transformational structural edit – your talent leaves me in awe.

The Byron Writers Festival has long supported up-and-coming writers and I was fortunate to be a recipient of a BWF Residential Mentorship in the Byron Hinterland. What’s not to love about spending a week with other writers in a beautiful setting under the expert mentorship of Marele Day? There may even have been some writing between the Jameson and the Jarlsberg. The mentorship was a gift that keeps on giving, having spawned my other writing group, The Poncy Pricks: Lee Adendorff, Vivienne Pearson and John Stevens. I have enormous gratitude for your contribution to and enthusiasm for The Beacon. I do, however, owe you an apology – although we all committed to including the words ‘lamb roast’ in our novels, those words only managed to sneak into this acknowledgement. I promise I’ll do better in the sequel.

Many subject matter experts generously endured repeated interrogations to ensure there was some semblance of fact as a basis to this fiction and I am grateful to all of you, including those who wished to remain anonymous.

I’d like to thank:

The wonderful volunteers at Marine Rescue Byron Bay and the lifesavers at Byron Bay Surf Life Saving Club for their advice and for their dedication to keeping everybody safe on the water.

Simon, for your comprehensive advice on correct police procedures. The many deviations from the actual I have included for fictional purposes are my doing alone. Your advice on incorrect police procedures was so entertaining some of it also found its way into these pages.

Oscar Dougherty for linguistic advice (the term ‘tighty whities’ will stay with me forever).

Yolunda Walker for advice on all things aquatic.

Catherine O’Donovan for always having a warm welcome when venturing north.

Justine Dwyer for your faith, encouragement and love.

Lauren Finger, this book is so much better thanks to your remarkable editing expertise. Who knew punctuation could be so much fun?

Lisa White, cover designer to the Gods.

Martin Shaw, my agent, for finding my book such a perfect home, and for your advice and support.

Special thanks to Juliet Rogers, Diana Hill and all at Echo Publishing. A small, wonderfully talented team who just love good books. Thanks for showering so much care and attention on The Beacon.

To my mother Judi, my brother Stuart and the rest of my Australian and Irish families and friends for your love and for making this wild ride so enjoyable.

Joanne and Brenda, may you find a heavenly library that has this book.

To my darling daughters Rhiannon Evans and Louise Dougherty for your critical contributions to this novel. But mostly for being you, and the amazing, talented women you have become.

Finally, Miriam, not only for your immense contribution to the book, but for the limitless joy and love we share.