Sea Defences

In Hilary Taylor's debut novel, "The Darkest Water," two mothers, Rachel and Mary, are at war with the elements and each other. Rachel, a trainee vicar, struggles to bond with her flock in Holthorpe, while Mary, a defiant loner, fights against nature as her clifftop home is destroyed. When Rachel's daughter goes missing on the beach, she and Mary are drawn into an unlikely friendship, but Mary's son Adam is hiding a secret. The novel explores the bleak power of the East Anglian winter and the psychological drama of forgiveness.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 323 pages
Publication date: 12 January 2023
Publisher: Eye Books

Two mothers, at war with the elements, and each other, find themselves in a mysterious and suspenseful tale that unfolds in the coastal town of Holthorpe. Frances Quinn's novel, "The Sea Garden," is a captivating mystery with a deep sense of heart and soul. Rachel, a trainee vicar struggling to connect with her flock, is thrust into a terrifying situation when her six-year-old daughter goes missing on the beach. Meanwhile, Mary, a defiant and distrustful loner, battles against nature as the crumbling Norfolk shoreline threatens to bring her clifftop home to destruction. Both women, scarred by life's experiences, are drawn into an unlikely friendship, but Mary's misfit son, Adam, is harboring a secret. As Rachel grapples with the devastating loss of her daughter, she is forced to confront her battered faith and question whether she possesses the strength to forgive.

In her debut novel, Hilary Taylor skillfully weaves the bleak power of the East Anglian winter into a searingly honest psychological drama that rivals any thriller. The characters are well-developed, and the plot is filled with suspense and unexpected twists. The reader is transported to the heart of Holthorpe, where the sea and the land intertwine, creating a haunting and atmospheric setting. "The Sea Garden" is a testament to the power of storytelling and the resilience of the human spirit. It is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a well-crafted mystery with a touch of emotional depth.

Dimension: 198 x 129 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781785633355