Kate Sidley has worked as a magazine and newspaper columnist, journalist and editor. As well as being one half of Katie Gayle, Kate works as a commissioned writer, co-writer and ghostwriter, and has authored her own books. She lives in Johannesburg and Cape Town with her husband and occasionally their student children. Their border collie, Sammy, keeps the humans fit and healthy with her demands for twice daily walks.

Gail Schimmel is a lawyer and writer – by day, she works as the CEO of the Advertising Regulatory Board of South Africa; and in her “spare” time she writes domestic noire novels, as well as being half of Katie Gayle. Gail lives in Johannesburg with her husband, two children, two dos and two cats. Jake, the dog in the Julia Bird series, is based on Gail’s labrador Jake. He would like you to know that he is a Very Good Boy.