She knew she was losing herself, so she took matters into her own hands.

Sean nodded, his face composed. It’s okay, his expression said. I can cope. She wanted me to cope.

The inspector stood back as Sean’s family took over, embracing him before they cast their own flowers into the grave.

Tom would stay at the ready, in case he was needed.

He’d be there.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

As always, my biggest and loudest thanks to my husband and children. Martin, Isobel, Liam, Sophia and Dominic, I love you all more than anything in the world.

To Stef, Hannah, Kathryn, Rachel and all the amazing team at Quercus and Hachette for being on top of their game and behind me all the way.

To the designers for providing me with amazing cover after cover.

All my extended family, my friends and neighbours – you’ve taken Tom Reynolds into your hearts and I love how much you love him. Especially you, Catherine Conway, for travelling over from Britain for every launch. Natasha Brennan Finnegan, for listening to my crazy plots on our exercise walks. And Martin Stynes, Pearse and Roisin Doherty, for making me feel like a more talented writer than I probably am.

Thank you to the reviewers and bloggers who’ve gone out of their way to support these books and tell people they’re worth a punt.

The readers – especially the ladies (and man) from Warrenpoint Library – who will travel the country to buy the Reynolds books – you’ve made my writing experience truly wonderful.

All those who kindly offered up their names for Sleeping Beauties. Well, more like begged, cajoled and harassed – you all owe me a glass of wine. Your names are famous!

And last but not least, my agent, Nicola Barr. When we Irish pair up, the world needs to watch out.

Thank you all.

Also Available by Jo Spain

ALSO AVAILABLE BY JO SPAIN

Beneath the Surface

With Our Blessing

Other Novels:

Six Wicked Reasons

Dirty Little Secrets

The Confession

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY

Jo Spain is a full-time writer and screenwriter. Her first novel, With Our Blessing, was one of seven books shortlisted in the Richard and Judy Search for a Bestseller competition and her first psychological thriller. The Confession, was a number one bestseller in Ireland. Jo co-wrote the ground-breaking TV series Taken Down which first broadcast in Ireland in 2018. She’s now working on multiple European TV projects. Joanne lives in Dublin with her husband and their four young children.