Jeffrey Archer, whose novels and short stories include the Clifton Chronicles, Kane and Abel and Cat O' Nine Tales, is one of the world's favourite storytellers and has topped the bestseller lists around the world in a career spanning four decades. His work has been sold in ninety-seven countries and in more than thirty-seven languages. He is the only author ever to have been a number one bestseller in fiction, short stories and non-fiction (The Prison Diaries). Jeffrey is also an art collector, sports lover, and amateur auctioneer, conducting numerous charity auctions every year. A member of the House of Lords for over a quarter of a century, the author is married to Dame Mary Archer, and they have two sons, two grandsons and a granddaughter.

Paul Cox's fluid, immediate draughtsmanship and vibrant colour makes him one of the most enjoyable of contemporary illustrators. He trained at the Royal College of Art and his immediately recognizable style has made his work a very familiar part of the printed page for over thirty years. His illustrations have appeared in most of the national magazines and newspapers on both sides of the Atlantic, readers will instantly recognize his fresh and vital images. He has also illustrated thirty books for the Folio Society amongst other titles for adults and children. Aside from his commissioned work Paul exhibits regularly at Chris Beetles gallery in London and many of his paintings are in private collections.