Backdrop to Shadow's Dream

Shadow's Dream is the fourth story in Six-Crossed Knot, a series based on the All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness. The action takes place in May of 1591. Diana and Matthew returned about a week ago from a trip to Prague, where they'd spent the past two months.

Warning for spoilers to Shadow of Night

During the return voyage, Diana discovered that she's pregnant. Matthew is now all the more anxious to return to their present time. She already suffered one miscarriage, and he doesn't want a repetition. Dangers to her health aren't only because of her pregnancy. Upon their return to London, Matthew's disturbed sister Louisa persuaded Christopher Marlowe to help her carry out a brutal attack on Diana. The attempt was foiled, but Diana is still recovering from her injuries.

Living with Matthew and Diana are a teenage witch named Annie and the eight-year-old orphan Jack. Neither one of them is aware of the coming departure. Diana continues to take lessons with the witches of the St. James Garlickhythe gathering. Now that they're back in London, George Chapman and Thomas Harriot have resumed tutoring the children.

As readers of the novels know, Jack has been plagued by nightmares since he arrived in Prague. This story offers a possible explanation.

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• Six-Crossed Knot Story Summaries and Reference Page