Just a quick heads up to let fans of the book and of Chris Odgers artwork that his original illustrations for Strathcarnage are currently for sale on Ebay. A search for "Chris Odgers" should bring up the items in question. There is only one copy of each illustration available and they are mighty fine works of art which are destined to be both very collectable and valuable. Happy hunting and good luck.

I'd like to begin by saying thank you. Thank you for reading this, thank you for buying the book, thank you for emailling with enquiries and to place orders and, above all, thank you for all your good wishes, kind words and patience.

As you'll know, the book has now been released into the wild, free to roam and nuzzle contendedly around the legs of readers sitting by firesides spread far and wide. Get the children indoors, darkness is falling..... 

The Special Limited Slipcased edition shall be here very shortly also, after a slight delay. I was trying to perfect a design and a finish on the slipcase that was slightly more work than I had assumed, and with the help of Chris we've managed to nail it just like we both had hoped.

I hope the short delay was well worth the wait.

Having now seen the results I really think it was best to get it perfect than just settle for something easier but less impressive. So thanks for the patience those who ordered. And thanks for the supportive emails telling me not to worry too much about the slight delay. They helped.

So far I've had good wishes and good luck emails from Harlan Coben, Raymond E Feist, Toby Litt and Mark McNay. I thank them all hugely, it meant a lot for people I've read and enjoyed so much at various stages over the years to take time to write a line or two to a nomark like me to offer support.

It's been hectic, and this blog has been the first casualty. But I promise to keep updates coming along a little faster now the madness has slowed a fraction.

Thanks for reading and enjoy the book.

And feel free to email anytime with any old points, questions or just to say hello.

matt@strathcarnage.com

Just heard from Matador, who have spoken to the printers, and the book should be with us all on the 22nd July. Barring further delays. Fingers crossed there then.

Sorry to everyone for the delay but this final little bit has really been out of my hands. I'll take the blame for the content, design and numerous other things, but with this little glitch I'm in the hands of the gods. (I was in the lap of the gods to begin with, but it was getting a little uncomfortable.)

Thanks for the patience and goodwill shown by all and to all those who have ordered so far. Book is going fast. Many thanks to each and every one of you.

More news as I get it.

If you recall (and unless you've experienced a massive blow to the cranium I'm presuming you will, because it was only a few days ago), I said :

"With a healthy dose of luck and a following wind, the previously announced release date should still stand..."

Well, the rabbit foot has lost its mojo, and the wind seems to have dropped.

Owing to the printer being overcome with, eh, printing, and a few pre-production delays with finalising proofs and final artwork, the book release date has been put back a couple of weeks.

I know, I know, I can hear the massive sighs of disappointment echo through the land, but it's better everything is done correctly than rushing something which will later cause me to cry myself to sleep at night.

So apologies. And as soon as I get the revised date for final printing and delivery, I shall be on here passing the details on.

Thanks for listening and sorry for the delay.

Greetings readers, friends, neighbours, relations, any onlooking DHSS investigators and anyone not represented by the previous list. This is my first blog, and all I ask is you are gentle with me.

Well, after a number of years clinging on with white knuckles to the swooping rollercoaster that is writing my first novel, at last it has been dispatched to the printers.

No more poring over words, worrying about overwriting, planning plot arcs, checking all the names match, checking and double checking events happen in a consistant order, editing all the aforementioned, re-editing it, gathering funds, designing a cover, proof reading, proof reading corrected proof reads, describing and okaying fantastic illustrations and all the while worrying about the reaction of relatives to the somewhat risque sections of the book. No more. For I am done.

Now, somewhere off in the distance, a black metal printing press is clanking and steaming as pages waterfall from its gaping maw, to be gathered together and bound inside a cover with my name stamped on the front, ready for the next challenge.

Finding myself readers.

And if you've read this far, I thank you, for you may well be one of them.

With a healthy dose of luck and a following wind, the previously announced release date should still stand...

July 6th 2009.

Ready yourselves.