The Dead Ex(107)

But they haven’t.

Not yet.





Acknowledgements


Behind every writer, there is always a team of supporters. I am indebted to the following: Kate Hordern, my amazing agent.

Katy Loftus, my exceptionally talented editor at Penguin, who always ‘gets my characters’ and has a great eye for plot structure.

Her assistant Rosanna Forte, with her insightful input.

Everyone at Penguin who has helped to put The Dead Ex together.

Rose Poole and Hannah Ludbrook, for their tireless work on the campaign and the amazing energy and ideas they bring. Also Sarah Scarlett and her team, for her incredible worldwide deals, and my copy editor, Trevor Horwood.

The DeadGood team, for their belief in my books from the beginning.

The Pageturners team, for helping my books reach a whole new audience.

The amazing army of bloggers, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram friends. You have sent me some wonderful messages that have lit up my days. Forgive me if I press the wrong buttons sometimes. I’m still getting to grips with the nuances of social media!

The authors who have kindly given me quotes.

Gail Lowe, clinical aromatherapist and tutor at Devon Academy of Complementary Therapies www.devonacademy.co.uk. Her deft touch on the treatment couch gave me inspiration for the plot. Thank you for letting me talk to you about this fascinating subject. Any mistakes are (unintentionally) my own.

Several prison sources, whom I interviewed for research, including Sue Weedon and her partner Bob, as well as Greg.

Deborah Pullen, communications director of Epilepsy Research UK (020 8747 5024; www.epilepsyresearch.org.uk).

Several men and women who were kind enough to share their experiences of epilepsy.

Colin Grant, author of A Smell of Burning: A Memoir of Epilepsy, published by Vintage.

Richard Gibson, a retired judge who was so generous with his time when advising me on court procedure. There may be instances when liberties have been taken with certain legal and police procedures for the purposes of the plot.

Vicky Robinson, deputy director of HMP Bronzefield, who was so generous with her time.

Thanks too to all the foster parents, adults who were fostered as children, and social workers who kindly spoke to me. Also Tim McArdle (head of recruitment and placement at UK Fostering, www.ukfostering.org.uk, 0345 222 0518), Amie McArdle and the author Kit de Waal.

The Royal Literary Fund, of which I am an Honorary Fellow. Thank you for your friendship over the years.

My family, for their support.

Except where otherwise noted, I have striven for accuracy throughout. Any mistakes that remain are, unintentionally, my own.

The prisons and other institutions are fictional, and any similarity to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.