Goodreads asked Andrew Cairns:

Where did you get the idea for your most recent book?

Andrew Cairns I got the idea for this book from real events which took place on my travels in the Ivory Coast. As stated at the start of the book, the existence of a witch's list is a commonly held belief in the Ivory Coast, and elsewhere in Africa where witchcraft is still practised. Once your name is on this mysterious list, it means you're going to die. I wanted to explore such supernatural beliefs from the point of view of a European sceptic, and also look at other themes such as culture clash, a young adult's first lusts or loves, and coming of age.

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