Dead Line (31 page)

Prior to writing
Dead Line
, I read many books and articles concerning the kidnap and ransom industry, but in particular, I would like to acknowledge James March’s terrific memoir,
The Negotiator
, for its fascinating insights into the methodology and mentality of a professional hostage negotiator.

Huge thanks, as ever, to my agent, Vivien Green, and my editor, Katherine Armstrong.

To the dedicated and talented teams at Sheil Land Associates and Faber and Faber, including Gaia Banks, Lucy Fawcett, Rachel Dench, Hannah Griffiths, Angus Cargill, Alex Holroyd, Alex Kirby, Miles Poynton, Neal Price, Dave Woodhouse, John Grindrod and Eleanor Rees.

To covert operative Katrina Hands.

To Mum and Dad, for a key trip to Marseilles, and to my sister Allie, for all her support.

To Maisie, for long walks and fresh ideas.

To my daughter, Jessica, for her impeccable timing.

And to my darling wife, Jo, for everything that makes any of this possible.

Chris Ewan is the award-winning author of
The Good Thief’s Guide to . . .
series of mystery novels. His debut,
The Good Thief’s Guide to Amsterdam
, won the Long Barn Books First Novel Award and is published in ten countries, and
Amsterdam
,
Paris
,
Vegas
and
Venice
have all been shortlisted for CrimeFest’s Last Laugh Award.

Born in Taunton in 1976, he now lives on the Isle of Man with his wife, Jo, and their daughter.

Safe House
, his first stand-alone thriller, was published in 2012 to much acclaim and was a number one bestseller.
 

www.chrisewan.com
 

Praise for
Safe House
 

‘A high-octane thriller . . . Proceeding at warp speed with plenty of twists and excellent use of its setting . . . a terrific holiday read.’ Laura Wilson,
Guardian
 

‘One of the best new heroines for a long time.’ Susan Hill,
Spectator
Books of the Year
 

‘An exciting, well-crafted thriller.’ S. J. Bolton