ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thank you to Keris Stainton and my lovely mum for reading the opening chapters and encouraging me to carry on. Also to Sallyanne Sweeney, for her editorial guidance and support, and the team at Lake Union for their belief in this book.
Dr Rachel Bodey was kind enough to let me steal details of her job for Mina, and to talk me through the technicalities. Any mistakes are my own.
I am also indebted to the excellent and comprehensive history of the Royal Sussex County Hospital by Harry Gaston, Brighton’s County Hospital, 1828–2007.
The first scribblings of this story were begun during my MLitt studies at St Andrews and I’d like to express my gratitude to my tutors and fellow students, especially Nadine Kirzinger for her kindness and friendship.
To my brother, Matthew, and my dearest friend, Cath: thank you for always having my back.
Thank you to my wonderful children, Holly and James, for inspiring me every day; and, as always, to my Dave: I could not do this without you.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Photo © 2015 Suzanne Black
Sarah Painter writes contemporary fiction with a touch of magic. Her debut novel, The Language of Spells, became a Kindle bestseller. The follow-up, The Secrets of Ghosts, is also available now. Sarah lives in rural Scotland with her children, husband and a grey tabby called Zelda Kitzgerald. She drinks too much tea, loves the work of Joss Whedon and is the proud owner of a writing shed.