MAVIS CHEEK began her writing career with journalism and travel writing, then short stories, and, in 1988, her novel Pause Between Acts won the She/John Menzies First Novel Prize.  Amenable Women, her thirteenth novel, was published by Faber in 2008.  Mavis Cheek has been described as ‘Jane Austen in contemporary dress’, with a ‘sharp ear and a wicked eye for the discrete lack of charm of the bourgeoisie’.  She now lives and writes in the heart of the English countryside. 

PAUL SUSSMAN's two great passions have always been writing and archaeology.  He has worked extensively as a field archaeologist, primarily in Egypt, where he was part of the first expedition to dig new ground in the Valley of the Kings since Tutankhamun was discovered in 1922. Egypt and archaeology are central to his two published novels – The Lost Army of Cambyses and The Last Secret of the Temple.  Epic adventures weaving ancient history with contemporary Middle Eastern politics, they have both been international bestsellers, with each translated into 30 different languages.  He is currently researching a third novel, as well as working as a freelance journalist for the Independent and CNN.