This story is entirely fictional. Any similarities between the characters in the novel and actual individuals are coincidental. Occasionally, I have taken artistic liberties to change things for the benefit of the book. This includes Swedish TV’s coverage of Gotland, which in the book has been moved to Stockholm. I have the utmost respect for SVT’s regional news programme Östnytt, which covers Gotland with a permanent team stationed in Visby.
The settings used in the books are usually described as they actually exist in reality, although there are a few exceptions.
Any errors that may have slipped into the story are mine alone.
First and foremost, I would like to thank my husband, journalist Cenneth Niklasson, who is always ready to be my sounding board and offer me the greatest support.
Special thanks to:
Gösta Svensson, former detective superintendent with the Visby police
Ulf Åsgård, psychiatrist
Magnus Frank, detective superintendent with the Visby police
Martin Csatlos, of the Forensic Medicine Laboratory in Solna
Johan Gardelius, crime technician, Visby police
Sonny Björk, detective superintendent, technical division, county criminal police, Stockholm
Staffan Lindblom, harbour master, Cementa in Slite
Torsten Lindqvist, captain of the M/S Gotska Sandön
Gotska Sandön Folklore Society
The head ranger, Gotska Sandön
I would also like to thank my dear author colleagues – thanks for being there!
Thanks also to my readers for their valuable opinions:
Lena Allerstam, journalist, Swedish TV
Lilian Andersson, editor at Bonnier Educational Books
Kerstin Jungstedt, consultant, Provins fem
Bosse Jungstedt, Surrea Design
My thanks to Albert Bonniers Förlag, and especially to my publisher Jonas Axelsson and editor Ulrika Åkerlund for all their support, encouragement and work on my books. Thanks to my agents Bengt Nordin and Maria Enberg at Nordin Agency, and to my designer, John Eyre, for the great cover on the Swedish edition.
Last, but not least, I want to thank my wonderful children, Rebecka and Sebastian, for their understanding and many encouraging comments.
Älta, May 2007
Mari Jungstedt
www.jungstedtsgotland.se
www.marijungstedt.se