A massive thank you to all the book bloggers, reviewers, booksellers and librarians who help readers to find my books and heartfelt thanks, as always, to my wonderful readers for all their messages, for sharing their lives with me (and photos of their dogs) and for buying and reading my books.

In preparation for this novel, I spent many weeks learning to read Tarot cards. My teacher is a wonderful woman called Sue Peppiatt who has been performing mediumship, reading palms, crystal ball and Tarot cards for over thirty years. At my request, Sue was the first person to read this book, because I wanted to ensure that, as far as possible, I had written knowledgably and respectfully about Imelda and Shunty-Mae; their culture, gifts and profession. I am hugely grateful to Sue for her generosity in sharing her extensive knowledge and experience, for her patient teaching and for her advice and guidance regarding Madame Burova. I couldn’t have done it without her.

I should also mention Eva Petulengro, whose life story was the inspiration for Madame Burova. She was born into a traditional Romany family and lived and worked in Brighton reading palms and Tarot cards from the age of twenty. She became a famous clairvoyant and fortune teller and her booth can still be seen on the sea front. Her autobiographical books, Caravans and Wedding Bands and The Girl in the Painted Caravan, were an essential part of my research.

I must also thank Dr Katya Burova – an incredible woman and a true force of nature – for her friendship and the loan of her name.

Howard Travis is an officer and a gentleman, and I owe him several pints. He facilitated my research on prisons in the UK and various police related matters. He escorted me on my mission to discover the truth about ‘super recognisers’ and introduced me to Dave Graney whose help was invaluable – thank you, Dave.

Thank you to the England Cricket Team for your stunning performances in 2019 and to the BBC 5 Live commentary team who kept me sane through a tough summer.

Thank you to Paloma Faith for her gut-wrenchingly beautiful song, ‘Only Love Can Hurt Like This’, which I played endlessly while writing about Imelda and Cillian.

And finally – thank you to Paul, Squadron Leader Timothy Bear, Zachariah Popov and Moo Moo for being my safe harbour in stormy seas.

Ruth Hogan

A Word About Our Covers

A Word About Our Covers