women’s right to vote. Rosalind, Countess of Carlisle, was an influential member of the federation, eventually serving as its president.
Obeah is an Afro-Caribbean form of witchcraft full of violent rituals and often tied to slave rebellions in the islands. The British outlawed it, giving punishments as severe as death to those caught practicing what many colonists viewed as devil worship. For the slaves, however, Obeah offered not only religion, but also a sort of justice, something they could not assume they would get from their owners. Islanders and colonists alike feared obeah practitioners as their spells, dances, and secret rites fueled imaginations and nightmares.
Acknowledgments
Myriad thanks to …
Charles Spicer, a dream of an editor. An author couldn’t ask for better.
Allison Strobel, Andy Martin, Matthew Shear, and Sarah Melnyk, my wonderful team at Minotaur.
David Rotstein and Elsie Lyons, for designing a drop-dead gorgeous cover.
Anne Hawkins, my wonderful agent and dear friend.
Kate Kelland and Daniel Pett, for giving me a magnificent insiders’ tour of the British Museum.
Stephanie Clarke, archivist, and Charles Hoare, librarian, for assisting my research at the British Museum’s library.
Aimee Grabowski Frey, for putting me in touch with the ultimate whisky expert.
Robert Strickler, who made sure Jeremy and Emily thought the right things about the right whiskies.
Stu Gruber, whose generosity and kindness are much valued and appreciated, as is his infinite knowledge of British medals, decorations, and awards. Someday we’ll have to let Emily learn to shoot.
Rob Browne, for one particularly spectacular plot suggestion. Sometimes the little things make an enormous difference.
Brett Battles, Bill Cameron, Kristy Kiernan, Elizabeth Letts, and Lauren Willig, whose friendship and advice make writing even more fun.
Nick Hawkins, for hot dogs, cookies, postcards, and friendship. Not to mention taking Andrew to football.
My parents, for making books a part of my DNA.
Xander, whose quick mind and knowledge of history never cease to amaze me. Katie and Jessie, the most excellent stepdaughters ever.
Andrew Grant, for always knowing what I need before I do. Like two-in-the-morning champagne and pineapple.
