This story depicts the deterioration of a marriage, from the viewpoint of the wife, Ellie, but played out in front of Libby, the young daughter who has developed a fondness for a carving of a mermaid on a wall in their new home. To put husband Ethan’s affair with a young woman in his sea swimming club behind them, the family has moved far from the coast to the Peak District.

But local folklore is rife with mermaid tales and Libby’s old mermaid doll – supposedly discarded before the house move – has reappeared and become a favourite toy. When the family dog disappears and teenage son Zack starts behaving strangely, Ellie becomes convinced Ethan’s ex-lover has followed them to Derbyshire and intends not only to lure him to her like a siren but also to destroy Ellie’s family.

Domestic noir meets folklore horror in this well-written story of paranoia, legend and obsession, with a fully realised protagonist and evocative descriptions of crags and meres in this rugged inland setting.

This is an independent review of an early NetGalley copy. I thank the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read it.
Upon publication I will post this review on my blog, Amazon and GoodReads.