The Night Falling

Acknowledgements

I am hugely indebted to all the wonderful people I met during my stay in Gioia del Colle, who were so generous with their time and knowledge, and who, in several cases, let me snoop around their homes. Particular thanks to the endlessly enthusiastic and knowledgeable Angelo Coluccia; to Nicola Capurso, who arranged for me to be shown around several private masserie and shared some wonderful historical insights with me; ai Signori Bianco della Masseria Vallarta; ai Signori Mancino della Masseria Eramo; ai Signori Capurso della Masseria Capo Jazzo; a Valerio de Palma della Masseria La Signorella; al Prof. Pier Giorgio Castellana; e a Vito Santoiemma, for taking me around his incredible collection of historical artefacts linked to every sphere of town and peasant life in Puglia. The collection is available to view by appointment at his private museum, 117 Via Giuseppe di Vittorio, Gioia del Colle. Last but by no means least, my thanks to Bianca Alberelli, my wonderful Italian tutor – grazie mille per tutto!

My thanks to Genevieve Pegg at Orion for her knowledge, skill, and clear-sighted treatment of the manuscript; to my wonderful, wise, indispensable agent Nicola Barr; and to Susan Lamb and the whole team at Orion for their continued support, dedication and expertise. Thanks to my friends and family for always listening, for early reading and constant enthusiasm.