Lou Kuenzler was raised on a remote farm on the edge of Dartmoor, before moving to Northern Ireland to study theatre.

She went on to work professionally as a theatre director, university lecturer and workshop leader in communities, schools and colleges, before turning her hand to writing a few years ago.

Shadow Snatcher is her second title for A & C Black.

Growing up in London, I spent a lot of time sitting on the Underground, daydreaming and reading books. Historical adventures in far-flung lands were always my favourites, and I used to love visiting castles and ruins.

After I left home, I lived in Japan for a while and learned all about the Samurai. Now I've swapped the city for the countryside and as well as reading books I also write stories and plays for young people.

The thing I like most about being a writer is playing around with ideas for stories in my head, which is daydreaming really so not much has changed!

Jillian Powell has an MA in English from Cambridge University and an M.Phil in Art History from the Courtauld Institute, London.

She is an experienced writer of children's fiction and non-fiction, and has written on many social issues.