janet holt-johnstone

Silhouetted against a lively backdrop of war, rebellion, politics and slavery, The Devil Knows travels to the wilderness of northern Canada, Austen-mannered London, and the uncertainties of change in a surreal Jamaica. A witches’ cauldron of saints and sinners populate this fast-moving historical novel.In September 1837, gently reared Susan and her father, the Reverend Thomas Anderson, arrive at a remote Ontario lumber camp on his pastoral circuit. Confronted with intrigue, thievery, murder, and romance, Susan is captivated by her new environment and the camp’s idealistic superintendent, John McIver. But camp rules dictate, “No guns, no whisky, no Indians, no women!” Then Susan’s ill-fated father falls victim to the hazards of backwoods life.The quiet presence of the First Nations’ people their legends, folklore, and wisdom is explored in the perplexing transitional upheavals of the era.Historically accurate, The Devil Knows offers an entertaining and mischievous escape to the world that was … once upon a time.