As ever, I am
grateful to my wife, Carolyn, for checking over the script as I
worked through the novel, and for putting up with me while I was
thoroughly lost ‘in’ the book. Thanks also to my father, Tony, for
casting another set of eyes over the final draft. Much of the
background detail was gleaned from various research trips to Egypt
and down the Nile. My thanks to Ahmed and Mustafa for sharing their
knowledge of their fascinating country. There are few nations with
such a rich and ancient heritage and they are rightly proud of
Egypt.