A Peak Behind Grimsdon: A Final Note for Edyn.

I was contacted by the family friend of a young girl who had been diagnosed with a brain tumour. Edyn Fawcett, I was told, was a great kid who everyone fell in love with the moment they met her and who loved Max Remy. They asked if I could sign a book for her to help take her mind off the months of treatment and operations and hospital stays she was facing.

The lovely Linsay Knight and Zoe Walton thought we could do better and we cobbled the entire series together from what we had at hand and sent her a signed set. Soon after I had the chance to meet Edyn (all of our visits from then would be in hospitals) and I instantly loved her. I was told I would but she was infectiously happy and always concerned about other people, even when she was in great pain. She had a grace that was lullingly beautiful. I also fell for her younger brother, Shannon and it was during my first visit that I told Shannon I was having trouble coming up with the name for my sea monster. He asked if he could think of one and I more-than-happily gave him the job. The next day he pulled a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket and on it was the name, Skelene. It was perfect. From then on the Skelene grew until its presence as a minor character lurking beneath the waves wouldn’t stay underwater much longer. The Skelene ends up headlining, thanks to Shannon and Isabella Charm became infused with Edyn’s generosity of spirit and life. A sword-wielding, justice-fighting, protectress.

Edyn never got to see the final book, but her beautiful mum read her the second-to-final draft. Her mum tells me she loved it.

[caption id="attachment_1737" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="I love this photo of Edyn….apparently she read the Max Remy books over and over and way past bedtime."][/caption]

Grimsdon is dedicated to Edyn and Shannon Fawcett.