by Peter Boland
“Oh, he is. You know Rosie and Grace?”
Savage nodded.
“First thing he did was get them out of here. Said it was no place for a single mum to bring up her daughter. They’re living in a little house in Swaythling near the University, and Rosie’s got a job there as a secretary.”
“Good for her,” said Tannaz.
“So who’s in Rosie’s room now?” asked Savage.
“Oh, yes. I meant to tell you. There’s a guy from London in there now. He looks like a bit of a hard case, you know, all shaved head and mean face, but he’s okay. Said he came down here to get away from someone really nasty. Said the guy nearly killed him.”
“Oh really.” Savage took another mouthful of the delightful soup. “Poor guy. What’s his name?”
“Minchie.”
Savage nearly spat soup everywhere.
If you’ve enjoyed this novel, why not read the first one in the series SAVAGE LIES.
There’s also a FREE short-story prequel you can download from Prolific Works called SAVAGE.
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Other books by Peter Boland include:
The Girl by the Thames
Acknowledgements
I don’t think I’ve ever come across an author’s acknowledgements that starts by thanking their car satnav. So this might be a first. We were on our way to Bath a couple of years ago, which at the time had terrible traffic jams due to roadworks. The satnav in its wisdom decided to spare us the misery of sitting in endless queues by taking us on a long meandering diversion through the wonderful Somerset countryside. I’m really glad it did, because we got to see some truly magical villages, one of which was called Dead Maids. What a name, I thought. As soon as I got home I Googled it and discovered the origin behind its sinister title—the highwayman and his two fated lovers. When I read that story, I had to get it into a novel somehow. The idea for Savage Games built from there, except I moved the story to my own neck of the woods, or more precisely, forest. The New Forest. So thank you satnav!
Next, I have to thank the amazing Lauren Finger, whose great editorial talent has helped make this book far better than it was before. I’d also like to thank my awesome proofreader Loma Halden and my team of beta readers who really do make one hell of a difference with their eagle eyes and attention to detail; they include Kath Middleton, Terry Harden, Deanna Finn and Suze Clarke-Morris. Big, big thanks must also go to David Gilchrist at the UK Crime Book Club and Helen Boyce at The Book Club.
I owe a big debt to real-life members of the SAS Anthony Middleton, Jason Fox, Matthew Ollerton and Colin Maclachlan whose book Leadership Secrets from the Special Forces was constantly at my side during the writing of this book. Thanks must also go to Paul Johnston at the Forestry Commission for his expert knowledge of tree felling, and Nik Gruber at the National Park Authority for helping with tree preservation orders and GIS records, although I did use a bit of artistic licence here!
Once more, Simon Tucker has done an incredible job on the cover, likewise Glendon Haddon from Streetlight Graphics for his lovely formatting.
Finally, thanks to my beloved wife for all her support, who always encourages me even when I doubt myself, which is quite a lot.
