Cascet of souls

For my friend Lucienne Diver,

who has given my work legs and wings all these years

Acknowledgments

Thanks, as always, to my supportive husband, Doug, my sons, folks, and all my family, and a bevy of supportive friends and fans. And, of course, to my wonderful agent, Lucienne Diver, my talented editor, Anne Groell, who always makes these books better, and artist Michael Komarck, who brings the covers to life in the most delightful ways.

And a very special thank-you to my friend, the poet Jennifer Crow, who graciously provided the lovely poem “

The Hour of Blue Leaves

” in chapter 14. You should check out her other work. It’s amazing.