A wealth of gratitude to my street team: Desirée Niccoli, Amalie Frederiksen, Harlequin and Astrid Grim （who also reviewed this manuscript for Swedish authenticity）， Megan Van Dyke, T. C. Kemper, Ashley McAnelly, J. M. Jinks, R. Singer, Shyla Shank, Alex Gotay, Gabby Barone, Jolie Christine, Pamela Hernandez, Erin Litteken, Thuy Nguyen, Maria Tureaud （your ongoing support is my linchpin!）， and Belinda Grant. You shouted Parting the Veil into the ether and, therefore, were a huge part of the success that paved my path as a writer.
Most of all, a huge thank you to every reader, reviewer, blogger, bookstagram influencer, and podcast host who read and reviewed my debut and expressed their excitement for this book as well as any others I might write in the future. From the moment of publication, my words belong to you.
And finally, to my family:
Mom, this season of uncertainty has brought us closer than ever. Your bravery, your strength, and your will to survive in the face of astonishing odds has been a beautiful thing to witness. This is a book about home, and you have always shown me what that word truly means. I hope you can see your reflection in the words and relationships herein. I love you.
Dad, this book wouldn’t ever have existed without your scary stories and tall tales. Perhaps a few of those stories were inappropriate for little ears, but all the same, I’m grateful to you for my lifelong interest in the paranormal and the weird. You were always a little bit quirky and a whole lot of fun. I miss you every single day.
Lula, you’ll never know just how much all those frozen toffee lattes helped my mental health over the past few months. Truly. Sisterly love is played out in the little things.
Avery, you are my sunshine. The reason behind everything I do. Your enthusiastic quoting of uncomfortable animal facts helped me to smile and carry on when I felt like crying from overwhelm. Your humor and wit are a gift to this world. You are a gift. Don’t ever doubt it.
Ryan, I don’t know where to begin. There’s nothing I could ever say to convey the depths of my gratitude for being the kind of partner who quietly supports me in every way, and who asks “What can I do to help?” without hesitation. You are the Carl Dean to my Dolly. I love you, I love you, I love you. Thank you for being you.
BOOK CLUB QUESTIONS
The bulk of this novel takes place during two time periods: 1881 and 1931, while offering interludes from Anneliese’s grimoire in the 1830s. Which time period did you enjoy reading about most and why?
There are references to the land reacting to the presence of Ambrose Gentry and Josiah Bellflower. How did you interpret the weather and climate phenomena, considering the rumored curse?
Community justice of the sort used in Salem, Massachusetts, diminished as the United States criminal justice system developed. But in small, isolated towns in rural communities, vigilantism and revenge justice still happen to this day—in other words, the “code of the hills.” Was Gracelynn’s witchcraft trial believable to you? Why or why not?
When Deirdre uses the knowledge within the grimoire to harm Phoebe, did you feel as if the grimoire was betraying Deirdre, or reflecting her own capacity for wrongdoing back at her? How much does free will factor into Deirdre’s choices versus Gentry’s influence?
Tin Mountain’s hypocrisy and corruption are central elements of the novel. The Werner women are often victims of this hypocrisy. How did you feel about the ending of the novel? Was Gracelynn’s forgiveness and acceptance of the townspeople’s apologies satisfying or frustrating?