Fire Damage (A Jessie Flynn Investigation, Book 1) (31 page)

BOOK: Fire Damage (A Jessie Flynn Investigation, Book 1)

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Acknowledgements

As always, huge thanks to my amazing agent, Will Francis, who is endlessly supportive and without whose help I would never have been able to embark on this amazing and fun journey. Thanks also to the rest of the fabulous team at Janklow and Nesbit (UK).

I would also like to thank Julia Wisdom my Editor at Harper Collins, who lives up to her surname (I’m sure she has heard that many times before!). I am delighted to have the opportunity to work with you. Also thank you to Kate Stephenson, Assistant Editor, who is not only hugely professional, but also great fun to spend an evening at the bar with. Thanks also to Felicity Denham, Alex Allden, Hannah Gamon and Sarah Benton for all your hard work on
Fire Damage
.

I was fortunate to have Mo Hayder as my mentor early in the writing of my debut thriller,
White Crocodile
, and all that she has taught me was invaluable in the writing of
Fire Damage
.

Love and thanks, always, to my mother, Pamela Taylor, Maggie Knottenbelt, and Jo Medina. I also wanted to mention: Bettina and Sean, Nancy Le Roux for your much appreciated support, my book club (Tor, Radhika, Liz, Bronte, Rebecca, Tonia, Bettina), Eleanor Whitehead, Laura Wood, Dylan King (now your classmates will believe you!), Ian, Jane, Izzy and Lottie Middleton for filling in my Army blanks, Paul and Katie Creffield for your friendship and your police and SOCO knowledge and my Godson, Will.

Huge thanks also to Chris and Michael Brice and Matt Higgins for all their help with the Royal Military Police and ‘Hello’ to Max Higgins.

I wanted to mention a very brave little boy, James Lewis, who had restrictive cardiomyopathy and, thankfully, found a new heart. Live a full and happy life, little James.

In loving memory of my late father, Derek Taylor, who I miss every day.

Most of all, love and thanks to Anthony, Isabel (the inspiration for Baby Isabel) Anna and Alexander.

Note: The literal translation of the name Kheial is phantom/hallucination.

About the Author

While studying for a degree in Psychology, Kate Medina joined the Territorial Army where she spent five years, first as an officer trainee and then as a Troop Commander in the Royal Engineers.

She has an MA in Creative Writing from Bath Spa University and now writes full time. Her debut novel,
White Crocodile
, a thriller set in the minefields of Cambodia, received widespread critical acclaim.

She lives in London with her husband and three children.

www.katemedina.com

@KateTMedina