Hello, everyone.

I am thrilled that Random House have decided to arrange a Newsletter for readers. We are hoping to repeat this every year, timed to co-incide with publication of my new novel, and if it is successful there may be even more issues. So do contact us if you would like to go on the regular Mailing List. Ideas for features in future issues are also very welcome. We have included some biographical material that may be new to those who don't have access to the Internet and my Website and short articles that have never been published anywhere before.

Look out in this issue for the Interview with Falco - later Newsletters may include similar unpublished chats with other characters from the books, perhaps starting with Helena Justina. I know that Anacrites. Petronius. and various family members also have a keen following.

Writing the Falco series in particular is wonderful fun, but hearing from satisfied readers is an added pleasure. People have always written to me, right from the start when I was hardly known as a writer. I regard it as a great compliment that they wanted to do so, and I hope that the newsletters will now be a regular way of keeping in contact.

with best wishes