From Where We Threw Dogs: A Cover Reveal

The Story Of The Cover

The cover was designed by Dominic Forbes. There were obviously numerous versions but the gorge, the Desfiladero de Despenaparros, is at the heart of story so it seemed obvious to have it feature on the cover.

I don’t know from where but Dominic found this 18th century lithograph of the gorge. It’s spectacular. There are two people on horseback approaching the narrow passage where three men are waiting. It was very easy to read so much of the story into that picture, the banditry, the threat and the claustrophobic cliffs, the confrontation. The strap line grabs the two timelines and the motif of the heart adorned with the crown but with the dagger through it captures so much of the rest of the story; the intrigue, the betrayals, the conflict between the heart and power, the personal and the state. Plus the colouring: when you read the opening the colours are essential to the emotions you experience and continue throughout the book. Having such a striking, strong tint to it you know what follows, the rage, the violence, the blood, the toxicity.

For me, it does everything a cover should. It grips you, as much as I hope the story does.

By the way, the book is available here hint hint.