Island Queen

More about the book

A remarkable historical novel based on the true story of Dorothy Kirwan Thomas, a free woman of color who rose from slavery to become a powerful landowner in the colonial West Indies. Born into slavery on Montserrat, Doll bought her freedom and that of her family from her Irish planter father, building a legacy as an entrepreneur, merchant, hotelier, and planter across Dominica, Barbados, and Demerara. The narrative vividly brings Doll to life as she navigates the harsh realities of slavery and colonialism, leveraging the attention of influential men in her life: a restless shipping merchant, a secretive wealthy planter, and a roguish naval captain who would become King William IV of England. From the bustling port cities of the West Indies to the elite drawing rooms of London, this epic tale follows an adventurer and survivor who defied the rigid morality of the eighteenth century and the oppression faced by women and people of color. It offers an unforgettable portrait of a larger-than-life woman who made her mark on history, showcasing her journey to power and autonomy against all odds.