AcknowledgementsPurple Death owes much of its existence to a small group of people scattered across the globe whose help and support, both in reading and critiquing the manuscript has proved invaluable. Covering a wide spectrum of ages and occupations these volunteers have helped to shape the final story that is about to be laid before you, and for that reason I wish to express my heartfelt thanks to Malcolm Davies, Sheila Noakes and Ken Copley (UK), Jean Pike (USA), Graeme S Houston, (Malaysia), and last but not least to my wife Juliet, whose help and support through the long hours of writing the novel has been inspirational.