I have to raise my voice at misbehaving youths often enough these days to warrant never sending another Howler if I can help it! It makes me relieved not to be a parent, I tell you.

Nearly nine books! I imagine you have been capitalising rather well on all those sales. Do you ever still miss the adventuring days? I daresay the writing side of things must be slightly more comfortable, a little less fraught with danger?

Though you would be in danger if you had not done so well at making ‘villainous’ seem a compliment. But on that topic, you’re quite right, I cannot think what I would gain in tricking anyone into unbreakable vows. I am rather excited to read this one, though; a quest across Europe for one’s own survival sounds lovely. Perhaps I will have to make those my summer plans.

As ever, of course, I am

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