Possession

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Without the kindness, faith and generosity of Juliet Mushens, this book would not exist. I’ll never quite work out how to say how glad I am to know her, both personally and professionally—though I intend to keep trying. Thank you, Juliet, for everything.

Thanks also to Liza DeBlock, a genius of lifesaving details; and to Jenny Bent, who makes coming up with brilliant ideas look easy.

Sylvan Creekmore’s insightful notes have made me gasp with wonder on numerous occasions—her passion and brilliance make her, frankly, exactly the kind of person I’d like to be. The support and kindness of the rest of the team at St. Martin’s Press has been, once again, remarkable.

A brief note of thanks to the team at the University of Birmingham, where I am—hypothetically—still working on my PhD. Nathan Waddell, Rachel Sykes, Andrzej Gasiorek: thank you for bearing with me while I figure out how to do both.

My incredible friends, Caroline Magennis, Natalie Houlding, Laura Bligh, Mallory Brand, Davinia Day, Emma Maisey, and Sarah Clarke-Wareham—I’m sorry I’m so often writing, and so rarely fun. Thank you putting up with me anyway.

And finally, my family, to whom this book is dedicated: my parents, Jim Lowe, whose enthusiasm for writing keeps me going, when my own runs out; and Cathrine Lowe, who somehow always knows exactly what to say to make things right. I’m so lucky to have you both.

And my sister, Becky Rose, whose music is the soundtrack to my life. No one knows me better—and no one makes me belly-laugh so much. I’m proud of you. Thank you for everything.