A Small Injury
This
novel,
my
first,
started
life
as
a
short
story
written
when
I’d
learned
to
fly.
By
the
time
I
got
around
to
developing
it,
terrorists
had
attacked
and
destroyed
the
World
Trade
Centre
in
New
York.
Most
of
the
response
to
9/11
was
hurried
and
ill-considered
but
it
changed
the
regulation
of
general
aviation
around the world.
For
instance
in
Chicago
the
mayor,
acting
without
authority
or
sanction,
bulldozed
the
splendid
little
runway
at
Meigs
Field,
in
the
heart
of
the
city.
The
action satisfied public opinion but lacked logic.
When
I
re-visited
this
story
I
realised
the
new
regulations
meant
I
would
have
to
set
it
at
a
time
before
9/11.
This
in
turn
led
me
to
establish
my
main
character's
history
as
an
SAS
officer
who
experienced
the actions in Oman during the early 1970's.
Peter
Jackson
is
now
retired
from
the
army.
He
believes
and
hopes
that
his
second
career
as
a
farmer
in
Cheshire
will
be
a
welcome
antidote
to
the
drama
of
his
army
life.
As
the
tale
unfolds
it
is
obvious
that
his expectations are well clear of the mark.
The
title
of
the
book
is
part
of
a
quotation
from
Machiavelli.
It
was
interesting
for
me
to
discover
how
the
choice
of
a
title
can
affect
the
placement
of
a
novel
within
the
Amazon
catalogue.
For
instance,
the
title
of
this
novel
appears
in
some
searches
alongside
volumes
for
veterinary
surgeons treating injuries to small animals!
I
always
enjoy
surprising
my
audience.
Readers
will
sometimes
be
able
to
guess
how
a
particular
situation
will
play
out.
I
can't
help
having
bright
readers.
On
the
other
hand
when
I'm
able
to
take them by surprise, I hope they're pleased and driven to read on.
If you are, please let me know.
