When you make a leap without a safety net you’re in dangerous territory. My leap into Folly, introducing Alex Duggins, her series, and the world of mystery it inhabits, was taken both as a seasoned writer and with a small army of fabulous supporters. This move was never a risk. Once a writer, always a writer, but still I needed courage and a fresh dose of self-belief. The former I had, the latter I might never have gained without the following people and props:
Thank you Jayne Ann Krentz and Mary Daheim for saying, ‘You can do it.’ Thank you Matt Cameron for being my sounding board when I wavered. Thank you Patricia Smith for being the best editor in the world and for working with me.
Thank you Gloucestershire, the Cotswold Hills and your amazingly generous people for answering many more questions than you might have answered with such willing interest and care.
Thank you Terri Farrell for loaning Bogie-the-beautiful to me and to this story.
Thank you Linda Hankins, DVM, Curt Girouard, DVM and the Danville Small Animal Clinic for advice and encouragement.
Thank you Cissy Hartley and Writerspace.com for the years of support.
Thank you Sheri Brooks and Dave de Heer for having my back every step of the way.
Thanks always to Dietrich Nelson & Associates, dnelson@dnaepr.com, for the years of support, but most of all for the friendship.
And this may get whacky, but … thank you to the following for being scrumptious enough to flavor my stories:
Trebor-Bassetts Sherbert Lemons (Detective Inspector O’Neil is grateful, too).
Spring Breweries and in particular their Ambler Ale.
Tesco’s Digestive Biscuits and the many brands of similar goodies that have always been part of ‘tea time’.
Marks and Spencer’s Battenburg Cake.
All the Cotswold tea shops I love – they are too numerous to single out, as are the pubs. One day I’ll write that list!
And last, but really first, Jerry Cameron, my fellow companion and patient sufferer along the often rough road of being a writer’s husband; you are the best, my love.