Hollow Sea

THE WILD AND MESMERISING DEBUT WOVEN WITH MYTH AND LEGEND'A bold, magical story' Jo Browning Wroe, Sunday Times bestselling author of A Terrible Kindness'A majestic work of the imagination . . . I woke up thinking about it' Rosie Andrews, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Leviathan'An atmospheric tale, shot through with folklore. The writing shimmers' Kate Sawyer, Costa shortlisted author of The StrandingThe story goes that, many years ago, the remote North Atlantic archipelago of St Hia was home to a monster.Her name was Thordis, and she had been adored. But when she was unable to provide her husband with a child, he sought one elsewhere - and Thordis was driven to a terrible act, before disappearing from her home.Today, lashed by storms and far from the mainland, the islands are dangerous. Many have been lost to a wild stretch of water known as the Hollow Sea.But to one visitor, it feels like a haven.After several years trying to become a mother, Scottie has made the heart-breaking decision to leave her home and her husband in search of a fresh start. Upon her arrival on St Hia, the islanders warn her against asking questions about Thordis - but Scottie can't resist the mystery of what happened to the woman whose story became legend.After years of secrecy, can Scottie unravel Thordis's story? And how will doing so change her own . . . ? 'A heart-rending atmospheric novel of finding what makes one whole' Melissa Fu, author of Peach Blossom Spring'Beautifully written with a hint of mythology and well-drawn characters, this is a captivating story of love and loss that will stay with you' Candis'Mesmerising' Good Housekeeping'A poetic tale' Prima

A bold, magical story about the letting go of long-held hope and building a different future, Deftly structured and set against a wild, myth-inspired backdrop, the novel explores grief and violence, freedom and redemption. It's a majestic work of the imagination, with writing that shimmers before the reader, underpinned by a howling, fearless story. I loved it and woke up thinking about it, An atmospheric tale shot through with folklore. Annie Kirby's writing shimmers as she weaves together the threads of Scottie's forgotten past and her journey to face a future where she won't be the mother she always hoped to be. Beautiful & hopeful, A beautifully written, heart-rending atmospheric novel of finding what makes one whole, This mesmerising tale has just the right amount of folklore to be magical

Annie Kirby lives on the south coast of England where she works part-time as a university researcher. She has an MA in Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia and a PhD in American Studies. Her short stories have been published in anthologies and broadcast on national radio and she is a winner of the Asham Award for short fiction. Annie is a graduate of the Penguin WriteNow programme.