In time for Black History Month in the UK, hosts Tamara Crawford and Vina Orden discuss Vanessa Riley’s epic historical fiction novel Island Queen. Island Queen is based on the life of historical figure Dorothy Kirwan Thomas, who was born enslaved in 1756, managed to free herself and her family, became a transnational entrepreneur, and rose to be among the most wealthy and politically powerful people in the Caribbean. Through Dorothy's personal story of love, loss, trauma, defiance, perseverance, survival, and legacy, readers also learn a larger history of Dutch, Spanish, French, and British colonialism in the West Indies; the resistance movements and revolts led by enslaved peoples in Haiti, Grenada, Barbados, and Jamaica throughout the 18th and 19th centuries; and the lesser-known story of free Black women in the Caribbean, some of whom were successful entrepreneurs like Dorothy.