Thank you to…‌

The modern medievalists studying ancient medical texts. Your hunt for past remedies that might be brought into our present inspired the idea for this book.

The British Library and all those associated individuals who made it possible for me to flip the virtual pages of rare manuscripts from my very own desk.

The biomedical researchers who published papers on viscum album detailing the many properties it possesses.

The Plotmonkeys‌—‌Kristan Higgins, Joss Day, Jennifer Iszkiewicz, Stacia Bjarnason and Huntley Fitzpatrick‌. A special thanks to Joss for - once again - letting me toss ideas at her through the internet.

Sandra Sookoo, my wonderful editor who mercilessly ferrets out weaknesses and sets my work on a better course.

My readers, your enthusiasm makes all the difference.

My husband and all the conversations that went into the making of this story.

My mom and dad who taught me to love reading at an early age.

Mr. Fox, the English teacher who lived next door. I’ll never forget all the wonderful books he placed in my hands or the way he wielded his red pen without mercy upon my earliest works. “Scrap this and try again” was a hard lesson, but one worth learning.