Writing can be a solitary business, so I owe a massive thank-you to everyone who regularly turns up at the scene of the crime with support, advice and bad jokes. You all know who you are, and you are the best.
To my publisher, Krystyna Green, who had the faith to sign me, thank you. The gin and dog pics are on me! I also owe a huge debt of gratitude to Craig Russell, whose support and advice have been invaluable, just as his work has helped me grow as a writer.
Thanks are also due to everyone in the wider crime-writing community: you help make sure this work never feels like a job. There are too many to mention, but special thanks to Vic Watson and Jacky Collins who do such great work with noir at the bar in Newcastle and Edinburgh and, of course, Lucy Cameron, who gave me the highlight of my career by getting me to play half a pantomime horse in Dumfries.
My life wouldn’t be worth living if I didn’t mention my fellow blokes in search of a plot, Gordon Brown and Mark Leggatt. Thanks for making sure I burst a gut laughing every time we step on stage. And, Mark, make sure that tea cosy is washed before the next time we need it. Thanks also to Alasdair Sim for the early red-folder read-through, and Elaine Cropley for letting me drone on about books over drinks.
The biggest thanks go to Fiona, who understands when I get lost (i.e. grumpy) in the work, and Alex and Madeleine, who are always there for a hug when I need it.
And, last, to my agent, Bob McDevitt, who got me into this, and my other fellow bloke Douglas Skelton (bet you thought I’d forgotten you) who got me through it, thank you. I honestly couldn’t have done it without you.