Before I began writing this book, I had a memorable lunch with Michael Billington, who gave me many insights into the world of the drama critic and assured me that Harriet Throsby was really one of a kind. I am also grateful to Paterson Joseph, a wonderful actor (who has worked with my wife) who helped me come to grips with and not to be afraid of the issues discussed in Chapter 15.
Sophie Comninos is not the real name of the woman who killed her husband (mentioned in Chapter 8), but a generous supporter of the National Youth Theatre who bid at a charity auction to appear in this book.
My relationship with Hilda Starke has come under a lot of strain recently and it’s only thanks to the work put in by her assistant, Jonathan Lloyd, that I have remained with the agency. I am glad to say that Steve Frost (of Frost and Longhurst) has agreed to help me with my tax affairs. My own assistant, Tess Cutler, organises my life and keeps me sane. I couldn’t have written this without her support.
My wife, Jill Green, has been as brilliant as she always is, somehow finding time to read the manuscript between running a production company, moving house and managing the family. She has forgiven me for not telling her about my arrest and interrogation. And my sister, Caroline Dow, really was the first person to believe in Mindgame, so everything that happened was her fault.
Finally, my thanks to my brilliant publishers – not just a company but a bunch of supremely talented people who all deserve to be named and who therefore appear on the next page. For what it’s worth, there were at least thirty errors in the finished book. My dear editor, Selina Walker, spotted them all!
Writers often feel isolated and alone but the truth is that producing a book is a huge team effort.
It’s my pleasure to acknowledge the fantastic support I’ve been given in the long journey from idea to manuscript to finished publication.
PUBLISHER
Selina Walker
EDITORIAL
Joanna Taylor
Caroline Johnson
Charlotte Osment
DESIGN
Glenn O’Neill
PRODUCTION
Helen Wynn-Smith
Tara Hodgson
UK SALES
Mat Watterson
Claire Simmonds
Olivia Allen
Evie Kettlewell
INTERNATIONAL SALES
Richard Rowlands
Erica Conway
Laura Ricchetti
PUBLICITY
Charlotte Bush
Klara Zak
MARKETING
Rebecca Ikin
Sam Rees-Williams
AUDIO
James Keyte
Meredith Benson