Joanne Owen was born in Pembrokeshire, Wales, and read Social and Political Sciences with Archaeology and Anthropology at St John's College, Cambridge. Now living in North London, Joanne has published two previous Young Adult novels.

Steeped in the atmosphere of nineteenth century Prague, Puppet Master blends the magic of marionette theatre with Czech folklore and legends. Described by The Guardian as 'timeless', Puppet Master was longlisted for the Carnegie Medal and Branford Boase award and has been translated into several languages.

Her second novel, The Alchemist and the Angels is a fantastical, historical epic set in sixteenth century Prague, among the plague-ridden ghettos and decadent court of mad Emperor Rudolf. It wasdescribed by School Librarian as 'An imaginative tour de force'.

Mark Beech has been a freelance illustrator for the last ten years, and nowadays works a great deal in the world of children’s publishing.

From picture books for early readers, to education and fiction books for older readers, he has even made a picture book for the ipad, which allows him to animate illustrations.

He also designs greeting cards, and has even been known to work in the world of advertising from time to time.