When Ellie Kellaway and her family seek a fresh start in the tranquil Peak District, she hopes to leave behind her haunting memories of the sea – and of Ethan’s affair with the younger, beautiful wild swimmer he met there.

But Ellie’s new home harbours dark secrets, where ancient legends of mermaids intertwine with chilling realities. As eerie occurrences unfurl, Libby, the youngest, is drawn to a grotesque mermaid carving hidden in their house. Strange sightings of a mysterious woman outside only deepen Ellie's unease. And when their dog Jasper goes missing, the family's descent into darkness accelerates.

As more ominous tales and truths rise to the surface, it becomes clear that the mermaid's curse might be real. Ellie’s family is fast becoming entangled in a web of betrayal and vengeance, which threatens to drown them all…

This spine-tingling novel is a suspenseful twist on Hans Christian Andersen’s dark tale The Little Mermaid, where love, loss, and the lure of the water collide in a terrifying crescendo.