Meet Me at the Surface

Merryn returns to her childhood home on Bodmin moor for her ex-girlfriend's memorial service, and discovers that her mother is hiding something. The villagers are hunting on the moors at night, and a notebook full of long-forgotten folklore is linked to Claud.

Format: Hardback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 15 February 2024
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

A mesmerizing tribute to Cornish folklore and the enigmatic allure of the places we call home, CHARLIE CARROLL's remarkable debut is a literary masterpiece that will transport readers to a realm where language comes alive, landscapes pulsate with vitality, and sentences, houses, and memories are infused with an otherworldly aura. TOM DE FRESTON aptly describes it as a beautifully written lament that burrows beneath the skin, leaving an indelible mark on the reader's psyche. JADE ANGELES FITTON captures the essence of this captivating tale with her poignant observation, "Everything that comes from the ground has to go back down... eventually."

Born and raised on the rugged expanses of Bodmin Moor, Merryn found solace in the embrace of her mother and aunt in an ancient farmhouse nestled amidst the tranquil countryside. Here, the locals, bound by a deep-rooted fear for the future of their farms and an unwavering attachment to the folkloric tales woven into their history, never ventured beyond the boundaries of their village. However, Merryn, driven by a thirst for knowledge and a desire for a different perspective, ventured to the bustling city of Manchester to pursue her university studies. Though she briefly shed her ties to her past, the magnetic allure of home called her back, and she returned to Bodmin Moor for the memorial service of her ex-girlfriend, Claud.

Upon her return, Merryn encountered her childhood home in a state of unfamiliarity and heightened secrecy. The once familiar surroundings now exuded an air of mystery, and she couldn't shake the feeling that her mother was harboring hidden secrets. The villagers, known for their nocturnal hunting expeditions on the moors, continued their enigmatic activities, leaving Merryn perplexed and intrigued. Amidst this enigmatic backdrop, a weathered notebook was discovered, nestled within an old chest of drawers, its pages filled with long-forgotten folklore that bore an uncanny resemblance to Claud.

As Merryn delved deeper into the notebook, she unraveled a thread connecting the past and present, shedding light on the hidden mysteries that had plagued her family for generations. The folklore tales, filled with mythical creatures, ancient rituals, and sinister secrets, seemed to hold the key to unlocking the truth behind Claud's tragic demise. With each passing day, Merryn's fascination grew, and she became increasingly determined to uncover the dark secrets that lay hidden within the enigmatic folds of Bodmin Moor.

As she delved deeper into the folklore, Merryn discovered that it was not just a mere collection of stories but a living tapestry woven with the essence of the land itself. The moors, once revered as sacred grounds, held a power that transcended time and space, and the villagers, in their reverence for the land, had unwittingly tapped into its dark energies. Merryn realized that the notebook was a conduit through which these ancient forces could be channeled, and she knew that she had to tread carefully to avoid becoming their pawn.

With unwavering determination, Merryn embarked on a perilous journey that took her deep into the heart of the moors. She navigated through treacherous terrain, encountering strange and enigmatic creatures that seemed to guard the secrets of the land. She faced treacherous challenges, both physical and mental, as she battled the forces that sought to keep her from uncovering the truth. But Merryn was not deterred. She was driven by a burning desire to honor Claud's memory and to bring closure to the haunting mysteries that had plagued her family for generations.

In the end, Merryn's journey was fraught with danger and uncertainty, but she emerged victorious. She uncovered the dark secrets that had been hidden for centuries, and in doing so, she brought peace to the restless spirits that had haunted the moors. The villagers, once fearful and superstitious, now embraced Merryn as a hero, recognizing her bravery and determination in facing the unknown.

As Merryn left Bodmin Moor behind, she carried with her the knowledge that everything that comes from the ground has to return to its source eventually. She knew that her journey was just the beginning, and that there were countless other mysteries waiting to be uncovered and unraveled. But she was ready for the challenge, armed with the wisdom gained from her experiences and the unwavering support of her newfound community.

CHARLIE CARROLL's debut novel is a haunting ode to Cornish folklore and the enigmatic allure of the places we call home. It is a literary masterpiece that will transport readers to a realm where language comes alive, landscapes pulsate with vitality, and sentences, houses, and memories are infused with an otherworldly aura. TOM DE FRESTON aptly describes it as a beautifully written lament that burrows beneath the skin, leaving an indelible mark on the reader's psyche. JADE ANGELES FITTON captures the essence of this captivating tale with her poignant observation, "Everything that comes from the ground has to go back down... eventually." Born and raised on the rugged expanses of Bodmin Moor, Merryn found solace in the embrace of her mother and aunt in an ancient farmhouse nestled amidst the tranquil countryside. Here, the locals, bound by a deep-rooted fear for the future of their farms and an unwavering attachment to the folkloric tales woven into their history, never ventured beyond the boundaries of their village. However, Merryn, driven by a thirst for knowledge and a desire for a different perspective, ventured to the bustling city of Manchester to pursue her university studies. Though she briefly shed her ties to her past, the magnetic allure of home called her back, and she returned to Bodmin Moor for the memorial service of her ex-girlfriend, Claud. Upon her return, Merryn encountered her childhood home in a state of unfamiliarity and heightened secrecy. The once familiar surroundings now exuded an air of mystery, and she couldn't shake the feeling that her mother was harboring hidden secrets. The villagers, known for their nocturnal hunting expeditions on the moors, continued their enigmatic activities, leaving Merryn perplexed and intrigued. Amidst this enigmatic backdrop, a weathered notebook was discovered, nestled within an old chest of drawers, its pages filled with long-forgotten folklore that bore an uncanny resemblance to Claud. As Merryn delved deeper into the notebook, she unraveled a thread connecting the past and present, shedding light on the hidden mysteries that had plagued her family for generations. The folklore tales, filled with mythical creatures, ancient rituals, and sinister secrets, seemed to hold the key to unlocking the truth behind Claud's tragic demise. With each passing day, Merryn's fascination grew, and she became increasingly determined to uncover the dark secrets that lay hidden within the enigmatic folds of Bodmin Moor. As she delved deeper into the folklore, Merryn discovered that it was not just a mere collection of stories but a living tapestry woven with the essence of the land itself. The moors, once revered as sacred grounds, held a power that transcended time and space, and the villagers, in their reverence for the land, had unwittingly tapped into its dark energies. Merryn realized that the notebook was a conduit through which these ancient forces could be channeled, and she knew that she had to tread carefully to avoid becoming their pawn. With unwavering determination, Merryn embarked on a perilous journey that took her deep into the heart of the moors. She navigated through treacherous terrain, encountering strange and enigmatic creatures that seemed to guard the secrets of the land. She faced treacherous challenges, both physical and mental, as she battled the forces that sought to keep her from uncovering the truth. But Merryn was not deterred. She was driven by a burning desire to honor Claud's memory and to bring closure to the haunting mysteries that had plagued her family for generations. In the end, Merryn's journey was fraught with danger and uncertainty, but she emerged victorious. She uncovered the dark secrets that had been hidden for centuries, and in doing so, she brought peace to the restless spirits that had haunted the moors. The villagers, once fearful and superstitious, now embraced Merryn as a hero, recognizing her bravery and determination in facing the unknown. As Merryn left Bodmin Moor behind, she carried with her the knowledge that everything that comes from the ground has to return to its source eventually. She knew that her journey was just the beginning, and that there were countless other mysteries waiting to be uncovered and unraveled. But she was ready for the challenge, armed with the wisdom gained from her experiences and the unwavering support of her newfound community.

Weight: 416g
Dimension: 223 x 143 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780008585006