The quote used as an epigraph at the start of this novel—about how treasure hunters long believed there was some great mysterious prize waiting to be found buried amid the ancient ruins of Castle Boll—is a rough translation from the book Sagen Und Schwänke Vom Schwarzwald, a collection of strange folktales from the Black Forest region, published by the German writer Max Rieple in 1965. This tiny mention is one of the very few references to the castle I’ve ever come across, and Rieple doesn’t say much more about it. But it’s what he doesn’t say that set me dreaming.

Like Monstrous Devices before it, this book would not exist without the help and work of many people. First and last, my greatest debt is to my supernaturally skilled agent Catherine Drayton for her encouragement, energy, belief, and apparent abilities in time travel. I owe an equal debt of thanks to Maggie Rosenthal, my editor at Viking, who shepherded The Shadow Arts through the perilous terrain toward creation with a meticulous eye, tireless cheerfulness, astute questions, great patience, and more than one excellent suggestion.

My gratitude again to Ken Wright and all of the excellent team at Viking responsible for getting this book out and into the world, with special thanks once more to Janet Pascal and Jody Corbett for their sharp-eyed work and input during the copyediting stages.

Once again, I am particularly beholden to Sam LeDoyen for creating another spine-tingling cover illustration; and to Jim Hoover, for his timelessly swellegant, elegant design and layout.

I must also thank all of Catherine’s colleagues at Inkwell Management, especially Claire Friedman, for all her work and help; and Lyndsey Blessing and the foreign rights team, for giving Alex and his grandfather the opportunity to roam even farther afield. Thanks also to the mighty Mary Pender of UTA, whom I’m very glad to have on my side.

Friends and family made things easier just by being there, and by being them: thank you. Alison, again. And a final, special, and very sincere thank-you to Alex Ulyett, who set the ball rolling with Monstrous Devices in the first place, and gave me the chance to tell the story of Alex and his grandfather. Anything good in this book was made better thanks to these people. The faults remain all mine.

About the Author

Damien Love was born in Scotland and lives in the city of Glasgow, where, even as you read these words, it is raining. He has worked as a journalist for many years, writing about movies, music, TV, and other things for a variety of publications. He has the ability to talk to cats, but there is still no evidence that they understand him. His first novel, Monstrous Devices, was published in 2018. Learn more at damienlove.com.

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