Huge thanks to all the local business owners and shopkeepers who’ve been in touch, keen to stock the series and help promote it. In no particular order, and doubtless missing plenty of names because there are still emails coming in as I write this (and I’ve got to send it off now), thanks to Tim Walker at Walkers bookshop in Oakham and Stamford; Robin Carter at Hygge; and Kristy, Chris, Katie and everyone at the Wisteria Hotel.

Thanks also to Joe Lloyd, a real-life Oakham police officer for providing some laughs and chuckles on Twitter. I’ll make sure you get at least a strong cameo in the series!

I must also thank my mum and dad, firstly for introducing me to Rutland and subsequently costing me an arm and a leg in petrol every fortnight, and secondly for putting up with my incessant ‘can you just pop down to Normanton and check this’ requests. I promise every single ‘outsider living in Rutland’ joke was aimed squarely at you.

In fact, my dad makes a cameo appearance in this book. If you ever visit Rutland and stay at the Wisteria Hotel, make sure to wave at the doddery old gardener as you walk past.

While I’m warning you about people in pubs, hello to Paul, Tim and John. If you ever bump into a chap in Oakham who insists Dexter was named after his dog, just nod and smile.

Thank you to all the book bloggers and reviewers who are always so eager to read my new books and help promote them: Emily Ellis, Terry Sullivan, Shell Baker, Yvonne Bastian, Nicki Murphy, Jill Burkinshaw, Jo Robertson, Louise Cannon, Alyson Read, Linda Strong, Karen Cocking and all the other people I’ve undoubtedly missed.

Huge thanks go to Jo Clarke for the information, advice and guidance on types of cancer and their relevant treatments. I always wondered why I was friends with a nurse who had such a deep-seated — and frankly worrying — fascination with cancer, and after nearly twenty years I finally have the answer.

Wedgies and BCG punches to Mark Boutros, for always asking the right questions and getting the most out of my characters. Whenever I’m at the ‘bugger it, that’ll do’ stage, Mark always pushes me on to the next level and ensures everything I write is infinitely better than it otherwise would’ve been. Why he doesn’t inject as much quality into his own writing is anyone’s guess.

To Caitlin White, who helped transform my ideas and nonsense into a coherent, thrilling plot and has been an incredible sounding board. Thank you for everything you’ve done and for having confidence in the series. I’m so pleased you’re by my side on this and stopping me from cocking things up.