A Killing Winter

Acknowledgements

All the characters and events in this book are entirely fictitious, and any errors are mine: what is real is the kindness and generosity of the Kyrgyz people and the beauty of their country.

I owe much to many people.

In China: Zhou Min .

In the Kyrgyz Republic: Akyl Callaghan, Kairat Jumabaev, Aizat Jumabaeva, Elmira Kalmakova and Mike Atsoparthis MBE.

In Qatar: Charlotte and Richard Forbes-Robertson, Mirna Naccash, Natalie and Tim Styles.

In the UAE: Nick Adams, Valentina and Lyndon Ashmore, Chris Atkins, Scott Feasey, Brad Henderson, Liesl Maughan and Ryan Reed, David Myers, Roger Payling, Craig Yeoman.

In the UK: Stefanie Bierwerth and her team at Quercus, Morag Brennan and Steve Harrison, Helen Brindley and Chris Callaghan, Richard Callaghan, Carol Hannay and Marcus Wilson-Smith, Trevor Hoyle, Shân Morley Jones, Thomas Stofer.

In the USA: Jay Butterman, Andrew Cannon, Nathaniel Marunas, Peter Spiegelman.

The opening line was given by Mark Billingham.

Special thanks are due to Tanja Howarth, agent extraordinaire, and Simon Peters, for constant support and encouragement.

Finally, and most importantly, love and thanks to my late parents, Vera and John Callaghan.

Anyone visiting Kyrgyzstan will find a warm welcome at the Umai Hotel in Bishkek (www.umai-hotel-kg.com), while Ecotours (www.ecotour.kg) offers unrivalled opportunities to explore the country’s natural heritage.