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The Burial Tide
Win a free kindle copy of this book!
4 days and 05:28:44
100 copies available
U.S. only
Drawing on the creatures and horrors of Irish folklore, The Burial Tide unearths our darkest truths: how far we’d go to win our freedom, and how quickly our desires can become monstrous.
A woman who can’t remember her death.
On an eerily quiet island off the coast of Ireland, a woman with no memory claws her way out of her grave and back to life. But not everyone welcomes the return of Mara Fitch.
An island with a terrible secret.
Inishbannock. Where strange misshapen figures watch from the trees and the roads are covered in teeth. Where two brothers gamble for nothing, the doctor only treats the dead, and the pub owner speaks in riddles. Where a poet loses and finds his soul. And a husband without a wife claims to know everything about Mara.
A past that refuses to stay buried.
As Mara returns to her life on this upside-down island, her memories begin to leech their way back to the surface. The more she remembers, the more the village will do anything to stop her . . .
But the sea remembers it all.
A woman who can’t remember her death.
On an eerily quiet island off the coast of Ireland, a woman with no memory claws her way out of her grave and back to life. But not everyone welcomes the return of Mara Fitch.
An island with a terrible secret.
Inishbannock. Where strange misshapen figures watch from the trees and the roads are covered in teeth. Where two brothers gamble for nothing, the doctor only treats the dead, and the pub owner speaks in riddles. Where a poet loses and finds his soul. And a husband without a wife claims to know everything about Mara.
A past that refuses to stay buried.
As Mara returns to her life on this upside-down island, her memories begin to leech their way back to the surface. The more she remembers, the more the village will do anything to stop her . . .
But the sea remembers it all.
384 pages, Paperback
First published September 9, 2025
66 people are currently reading
14115 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 217 reviews
August 20, 2025
A folkloric horror that is as much psychological as it is monstrous, Sharpson opens The Burial Tide with a gut punch of terror - a harrowing, visceral scene of being buried alive that sets the tone for everything to come. From there the novel coils itself tighter and tighter, building an atmosphere of dread so thick it feels almost suffocating. It’s the kind of psychological horror that thrives on tension and mystery, where you’re never quite sure what’s real, what’s imagined and what’s lurking just out of sight.
The island itself becomes a stage for unravelling minds, strange traditions and buried truths. As Mara’s journey deepens the story shifts into sharper, bloodier territory: grotesque monsters, flashes of gore and moments of body horror all steeped in Irish folklore. Yet even in its most grotesque moments the novel never loses that tense, uncanny edge - it keeps you guessing, keeps you unsettled.
Mara makes for a compelling anchor in this nightmare, a character as mysterious as the island itself. Watching her piece together who she is and what is really happening is just as riveting as the more terrifying set pieces. And when the answers come, they land with a grim, satisfying weight.
This is horror that starts in the mind and ends in the flesh - claustrophobic, imaginative and deeply unsettling.
Thank you Zando for the arc.
The island itself becomes a stage for unravelling minds, strange traditions and buried truths. As Mara’s journey deepens the story shifts into sharper, bloodier territory: grotesque monsters, flashes of gore and moments of body horror all steeped in Irish folklore. Yet even in its most grotesque moments the novel never loses that tense, uncanny edge - it keeps you guessing, keeps you unsettled.
Mara makes for a compelling anchor in this nightmare, a character as mysterious as the island itself. Watching her piece together who she is and what is really happening is just as riveting as the more terrifying set pieces. And when the answers come, they land with a grim, satisfying weight.
This is horror that starts in the mind and ends in the flesh - claustrophobic, imaginative and deeply unsettling.
Thank you Zando for the arc.
March 16, 2025
I never planned to visit an Irish island, and this horror novel surely didn't sell me on a trip there either, just saying. It's unsettling right from the start with a woman waking up in a coffin, being buried alive, and that's really just the start of all of her problems. After crawling out of her own grave, the woman, Mara, realizes that she has no memory of anything and so she depends completely on the help of the other islanders. And they are all different kinds of weird, to say the least. From the doctor who wrongly pronounced Mara dead, to the old man who is telling her that they were married, to the boyfriend she was living with although nothing in the house points to her ever being there. Nobody is speaking directly about what happened, but there is this story about a virus outbreak that quickly killed four people. That of course doesn't explain a bunch of slaughtered sheep or another beheaded corpse, but no one seems to be too upset about any of that. So yeah, there is a lot going on on the island of Inishbannock and it was super interesting to figure out what's the truth and what's just another lie. There were moments when Mara thought she finally knew what had happened, but then she was promptly wrong again. The story was mostly told from her unknowing perspective, but several other islanders had POVs too and it was nice to see their strange routines. But I do have to say that most characters were just ok. Mara was great and I loved the reveal of who she really was, but many others were pretty flat. I think that all of the islanders had good motivation for their doings, but there was this one character who was evil just for the sake of it and I really didn't like him (not that I was supposed to). There was also a love story that really could have been just not there, because I didn't care about these two characters anyway. So, the character work wasn't the strength of this book, but the horror was still hitting pretty good. It was mostly horror of the gross, freaky, disgusting creature kind, but it was also deeply rooted in Irish mythology and that was just so cool, I loved it. It felt super unique and I can't even compare it to anything. The ending was good too and came with strong good-for-her vibes, but it also spelled out everything very clearly and got a little repetitive while doing so. I'm pretty fond of this book anyway and I will definitely pick up Knock Knock, Open Wide (gosh, what a title) soon.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Zando for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Zando for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
June 27, 2025
The Burial Tide by Neil Sharpson
4⭐⭐⭐⭐
The soil of Inishbannock cemented itself around my feet. The mud-like substance glued me to this single moment as I watched a woman erupt from her tomb buried beneath the grime of the Irish peaty soil. Mara’s vivisepulture had left her noticeably disheveled and confused, as one could imagine. I followed Mara at a distance, for who knows what infection she carried. That is why she was there, wasn’t it? An epidemic that the community had rid itself of by burying Mara alive, but how was she still living?
Neil Sharpson, our author, is a seamster of sorts and has sewn together an Irish island’s fated story. As the waves lap at the shoreline, the grey fog dissipates. The reader’s eyes gather focus as the characters become clearer. Inishbannock has a secret dating back hundreds of years. Year after year, fortunes shine upon the inhabitants, with pleasant weather and an abundance of food to sustain them. Sharpson’s hand lifts, and with each plunge of the needle into the fabric of Inishbannock’s existence, Mara is stitched as the focal point of the piece. In a bout of amnesia, Mara questions the townspeople she meets. The answers she receives are less than helpful, and in some strange way, they seem to lead her astray purposefully. Her curiosity, ever tormenting, whisks her away to olden times, a timeline of doppelgangers, but how could that be possible? Mara, of the present, remains puzzled by pictures of the past. This woman is certainly Mara, captured through a lens, and yet the clothes of yesteryear and various husbands draw red flags. Something is amiss.
My head emerged from reddish-brown stalks; the “Froach,” or bog myrtle, sweet in aroma, uplifting my senses. I had to be careful, for our author Sharpson has another crafty idea. Out of the corner of my eye, a beast appeared, nothing quite lifelike or real, though. Of a truly insane nature, this creature had multiple mouths and was in a foul mood. Slithering my way along the dense flora, I snaked my way forward, avoiding detection from what was surely a secret unbeknownst to those on the mainland. What had I gotten myself into?
Gazing through holes in Irish crosses set in the cemetery, I glimpsed Mara befriending a man and a woman. A gentle breeze hit my face, and the impact of gunshots grabbed my full attention. That sweet aroma of plants has quickly turned to a smoky zest—a fire? Whatever Mara had found had certainly set danger in motion, and those in charge were looking to extinguish the truth. Were those people her friends or enemies in wolves' clothing?
The Burial Tide crashes through with mysterious fervor. The story will have you escaping the harshness of the elements, all while searching for the veracity of the townspeople. Who can you trust? Imagine those painted as do-gooders, only to understand their true motivations, and none of it benefits you. This is Mara’s life, sadly. When the reckoning comes, all will be revealed, and perhaps, dear reader, we had it all wrong.
A fantastic read!
Many thanks to Zando for the ARC through NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion.
4⭐⭐⭐⭐
The soil of Inishbannock cemented itself around my feet. The mud-like substance glued me to this single moment as I watched a woman erupt from her tomb buried beneath the grime of the Irish peaty soil. Mara’s vivisepulture had left her noticeably disheveled and confused, as one could imagine. I followed Mara at a distance, for who knows what infection she carried. That is why she was there, wasn’t it? An epidemic that the community had rid itself of by burying Mara alive, but how was she still living?
Neil Sharpson, our author, is a seamster of sorts and has sewn together an Irish island’s fated story. As the waves lap at the shoreline, the grey fog dissipates. The reader’s eyes gather focus as the characters become clearer. Inishbannock has a secret dating back hundreds of years. Year after year, fortunes shine upon the inhabitants, with pleasant weather and an abundance of food to sustain them. Sharpson’s hand lifts, and with each plunge of the needle into the fabric of Inishbannock’s existence, Mara is stitched as the focal point of the piece. In a bout of amnesia, Mara questions the townspeople she meets. The answers she receives are less than helpful, and in some strange way, they seem to lead her astray purposefully. Her curiosity, ever tormenting, whisks her away to olden times, a timeline of doppelgangers, but how could that be possible? Mara, of the present, remains puzzled by pictures of the past. This woman is certainly Mara, captured through a lens, and yet the clothes of yesteryear and various husbands draw red flags. Something is amiss.
My head emerged from reddish-brown stalks; the “Froach,” or bog myrtle, sweet in aroma, uplifting my senses. I had to be careful, for our author Sharpson has another crafty idea. Out of the corner of my eye, a beast appeared, nothing quite lifelike or real, though. Of a truly insane nature, this creature had multiple mouths and was in a foul mood. Slithering my way along the dense flora, I snaked my way forward, avoiding detection from what was surely a secret unbeknownst to those on the mainland. What had I gotten myself into?
Gazing through holes in Irish crosses set in the cemetery, I glimpsed Mara befriending a man and a woman. A gentle breeze hit my face, and the impact of gunshots grabbed my full attention. That sweet aroma of plants has quickly turned to a smoky zest—a fire? Whatever Mara had found had certainly set danger in motion, and those in charge were looking to extinguish the truth. Were those people her friends or enemies in wolves' clothing?
The Burial Tide crashes through with mysterious fervor. The story will have you escaping the harshness of the elements, all while searching for the veracity of the townspeople. Who can you trust? Imagine those painted as do-gooders, only to understand their true motivations, and none of it benefits you. This is Mara’s life, sadly. When the reckoning comes, all will be revealed, and perhaps, dear reader, we had it all wrong.
A fantastic read!
Many thanks to Zando for the ARC through NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion.
July 15, 2025
My review of The Burial Tide is published at Grimdark Magazine.
Neil Sharpson officiates an unholy marriage of Irish folklore and psychological horror in The Burial Tide, an expertly crafted novel that hooked me from the first page and never released its iron grip on my attention till the very end.
The opening scene of The Burial Tide will haunt me for years to come, as our lead protagonist, Mara Fitch, awakens in a daze, realizing that she’s been buried alive and must claw her way out from her wooden coffin. The claustrophobia of Mara’s entombment is just a precursor to her isolation on the remote Irish island of Inishbannock. Stricken with amnesia, Mara must rely on the suspicious small-town populace to reconstruct her own sense of self.
Inishbannock is full of secrets and proves to be the perfect setting to blend mystery and horror. The influence of Irish folklore is not obvious at first but gradually builds throughout the novel. The Burial Tide is highly recommended for fans of Shauna Lawless, especially if her Gael Song grimdark fantasy series left you hungry for more hauntingly dark Irish lore. It is especially interesting to see how Neil Sharpson and Shauna Lawless begin with the same mythos but then take it in wildly different directions.
Sharpson’s razor-sharp prose is a joy to read. My only minor criticism of the novel is its use of multiple points of view. I feel like the carefully cultivated claustrophobia of the novel would have deepened even more if we were to remain trapped in Mara’s mind for the full duration of the story. But this is a minor complaint in a novel that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Altogether, from its first scene to the last, The Burial Tide is a delectable feast for readers craving their next dose of folk horror.
Neil Sharpson officiates an unholy marriage of Irish folklore and psychological horror in The Burial Tide, an expertly crafted novel that hooked me from the first page and never released its iron grip on my attention till the very end.
The opening scene of The Burial Tide will haunt me for years to come, as our lead protagonist, Mara Fitch, awakens in a daze, realizing that she’s been buried alive and must claw her way out from her wooden coffin. The claustrophobia of Mara’s entombment is just a precursor to her isolation on the remote Irish island of Inishbannock. Stricken with amnesia, Mara must rely on the suspicious small-town populace to reconstruct her own sense of self.
Inishbannock is full of secrets and proves to be the perfect setting to blend mystery and horror. The influence of Irish folklore is not obvious at first but gradually builds throughout the novel. The Burial Tide is highly recommended for fans of Shauna Lawless, especially if her Gael Song grimdark fantasy series left you hungry for more hauntingly dark Irish lore. It is especially interesting to see how Neil Sharpson and Shauna Lawless begin with the same mythos but then take it in wildly different directions.
Sharpson’s razor-sharp prose is a joy to read. My only minor criticism of the novel is its use of multiple points of view. I feel like the carefully cultivated claustrophobia of the novel would have deepened even more if we were to remain trapped in Mara’s mind for the full duration of the story. But this is a minor complaint in a novel that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Altogether, from its first scene to the last, The Burial Tide is a delectable feast for readers craving their next dose of folk horror.
August 27, 2025
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📅 Pub Date: Sept 09, 2025
This book was absolutely fantastic. It starts with a horrific bang as Mara wakes up buried alive with no memory of who she is or how she got there, and from there the story never loses that eerie, secretive tone. The whole island gave off an everyone-knows-something-except-you vibe that had me hooked.
The folklore elements were where this book really shined. The creatures were absolutely horrifying and disgusting, with just enough body horror sprinkled in to keep things tense. For readers familiar with splatterpunk or extreme horror, the body horror will feel pretty tame, but I still found it satisfying and fun. The main myth this book plays with is a fairly well-known one, but I rarely see it explored, and I loved how it was told through Mara’s story.
I don’t want to spoil too much, but the central reveal about who Mara is adds a whole new layer to the book. The ending might be hit or miss depending on the reader. I enjoyed it, though it may feel a little too neat for some.
The writing style worked well overall, though there were occasional sentences in Gaelic that weren’t translated. Reading on Kindle made it easy enough to look them up, and nothing vital to the story was lost if you didn’t, but I know that would’ve bothered me if I couldn’t check the meaning.
If you’re a fan of rural folk horror, eerie folklore retellings, or stories where atmosphere and dread are just as important as plot, this one is definitely worth picking up.
Thank you to Netgalley and Zando Projects for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
📅 Pub Date: Sept 09, 2025
This book was absolutely fantastic. It starts with a horrific bang as Mara wakes up buried alive with no memory of who she is or how she got there, and from there the story never loses that eerie, secretive tone. The whole island gave off an everyone-knows-something-except-you vibe that had me hooked.
The folklore elements were where this book really shined. The creatures were absolutely horrifying and disgusting, with just enough body horror sprinkled in to keep things tense. For readers familiar with splatterpunk or extreme horror, the body horror will feel pretty tame, but I still found it satisfying and fun. The main myth this book plays with is a fairly well-known one, but I rarely see it explored, and I loved how it was told through Mara’s story.
I don’t want to spoil too much, but the central reveal about who Mara is adds a whole new layer to the book. The ending might be hit or miss depending on the reader. I enjoyed it, though it may feel a little too neat for some.
The writing style worked well overall, though there were occasional sentences in Gaelic that weren’t translated. Reading on Kindle made it easy enough to look them up, and nothing vital to the story was lost if you didn’t, but I know that would’ve bothered me if I couldn’t check the meaning.
If you’re a fan of rural folk horror, eerie folklore retellings, or stories where atmosphere and dread are just as important as plot, this one is definitely worth picking up.
Thank you to Netgalley and Zando Projects for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
March 27, 2025
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
I’d rather be eaten by muck-sucking maggots while being doused with flaming sea salt than be buried alive. Being buried alive is decidedly the most nightmarish scenario imaginable to me. So that part of the book was terrifying to me.
I thought this book was fine. I didn’t love or dislike the time I spent with it. I probably won’t remember much about it when I look back on it. It was low impact in either direction.
The first half was better than the second. I think it started get muddled down once it starting delving into lore explanation and it lost its early momentum.
The creatures were awesome, and I loved the setting. It’s hard to go wrong with a folkloric, dreary, claustrophobic island feeling. The characters were meh.
Those are my thoughts. That’s all I got.
I’d rather be eaten by muck-sucking maggots while being doused with flaming sea salt than be buried alive. Being buried alive is decidedly the most nightmarish scenario imaginable to me. So that part of the book was terrifying to me.
I thought this book was fine. I didn’t love or dislike the time I spent with it. I probably won’t remember much about it when I look back on it. It was low impact in either direction.
The first half was better than the second. I think it started get muddled down once it starting delving into lore explanation and it lost its early momentum.
The creatures were awesome, and I loved the setting. It’s hard to go wrong with a folkloric, dreary, claustrophobic island feeling. The characters were meh.
Those are my thoughts. That’s all I got.
November 20, 2025
It's certainly intriguing with the premise and eerie and sort of a little claustrophobic in terms of atmosphere, while the world-building and lore was top notch. But it was unengaging and it did drag a little too much for my liking, so I'm leaving it dnf'd for now...I might be back later, who knows?
2025 Read.
2025 Read.
July 21, 2025
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*
The Review
Likes
Compared to other horror books this one had something unique — Irish mythology. It wasn't just any mythology or one that is often used, it is something new, at least for me. I haven't really read anything Irish yet, so I was surprised to see how much I actually enjoyed the Irish mythology that was used as plot device throughout the book. The creatures all had names, making it able to search them up in case one is curious to find out even more about it after reading. But no worries: The book is doing a good job in explaining the mythological aspects, I understood everything well and was delighted to see how it took its shape for the plot.
Staying on the topic, I also want to express my feelings on the horror. Since this book is marketed as 'horror' I want to elaborate on how much it was truly horror and how it was done. I would actually say that this book focuses the most on psychological horror. Since the protagonist is suffering from Amnesia, its on her to find out what the village she is living in is hiding from her. I found myself often wondering how she even came to that village, why she was there and what exactly happened that caused her to end up in a coffin, buried alive. Luckily for me and probably many other readers, Mara asks herself the same questions, leading her to do everything to get back her memories. The more she finds out the higher the tension gets. For her misfortune, no one wants her to get her memory back, so she needs to be careful who she trusts. Another reason why I think it's psychological horror is that she isn't just trying to find out about her identity and past, but also finds in the end a way to gain freedom. Furthermore she is not just conflicted with her own complex feelings and emotions but also of the other characters, especially how they treat her. The reader experiences the psychological horror themselves by feeling mistrust and suspicion while getting to know the other villagers living on the island. Only at the very end does one know who was actually trustworthy and who just acted as one. This all made me feel connected to the protagonist even more as she felt the same the whole time, she knew who she trusted more but only when the real problem arised did she know who was there to help her to gain freedom and who wasn't. I also want to praise how it wasn't a revenge story, but one that still had friendship in it despite the strong mistrust and uncertainty.
The main themes of this book which are Irish Mythology and psychological horror had a deep meaning in the ending. Before I started reading this book I thought it would be just a horror read without anything too meaningful, just meant to scare and find out some secrets, but I was wrong. Mara undergoes many changes not just what she feels inside but also outside. It's a beautiful book about how a woman finds freedom after haven't been free her entire life. Thankfully, I was never around such toxic people that I experienced anything as awful as her, but I understood her rage nevertheless. The mix of Irish Mythology and psychological horror is going quite well together for this book. Both were impactful and meaningful.
After just reading the first chapter I was already obsessed with the writing style. Nothing gets said immediately to the reader, it gets described, before revealing what it actually is. The vocabulary is also rich and the sometimes short sentences carried so much meaning. What many don't get is that one doesn't always have to make long, aesthetically pleasing sentences — a short quick sentence can be enough too and for a horror read it is perfect. An often used tool by the author is Anapher, emphasing something and making the reader remember it, thereof making it important. I don't see that writing tool used often enough and it's one of my favourites, in fact, I also use it when trying to write something more meaningful.
The plot was engaging from start to finish. It started immediately with Mara being buried alive and panicking that she would die due to a lack of oxygen. The middle part was packed full of mystery, suspense and horror. The ending was full of violence, friendship and freedom. I was hooked from the start and the ending was satisfying. The author also did a great work in making every chapter necessary for advancing the plot. There was never a moment I felt bored. Never a moment were it felt rushed or too slow. Never a moment were I fished that it finally ended. I wanted to find out about the secrets that were hidden in the village. Most importantly (since I often complain about this in other thriller books): The plot twist was not predictable. There were multiple. When I started to think that I know what is going on, I didn't. A great advantage on my side was probably that not just the description of the book didn't give too much away, but also that I never read anything about Irish Mythology before. Unless it was explained to me what exactly it was, I didn't know what was in front of me.
I might haven't liked all the characters in this book, but that doesn't mean that they weren't well-written. Mara was a smart protagonist who wasn't willing to surrender or show inferiority towards the people who try everything to make her amnesia stay so that she doesn't remember anything of what happened. She went through a strong character development throughout the book. She learnt from past mistakes, showed forgiveness and kindness but also ruthless behaviour for the undesired. While she found out who she was, what her desires and dreams were, one could see that her true personality started to shine. From a shy and unsure woman to a woman who knows what she wants and how to get it. As soon as she knew her real wish, she done everything to achieve it, making her character bloom.
The protagonist had the strongest development but other characters like Declan Burke also went through changes. At first when he got introduced he seemed like a bloke who was passionate about his artistic works, but was unable to form friendships. He too mistrust the other villagers, making him quite lonely in his new home. With Mara by his side he started to be more happy. When Natalie came along he also formed an even stronger bond. Even though the friendship aspect probably fits more to Mara since she was even more lonely, I felt due to Declan's family history that he was never able to have consistent long-lasting relationships with anyone, but now he seems to have found his people.
Apropos family history, the family that consisted of Gráinne, Padraig and Oisín were also pretty complex. Gráinne was the only one who didn't have at least a little bit of character development. She was stubborn to her ideas and thoughts, which made her unable to develop in any way. She was concerned for her sons from the start to the finish. Her motives and actions also never changed. But without her the ending would have been different which still made her an important character.
Oisín somewhat had a character development. While first driven by a village ritual, he done it without any afterthought, but after some type his own emotions and feelings crept in, making him unable to perform the ritual correctly. He starts to act against the village wishes, which also makes him unhappy at first but he is willing to risk everything for his own morals than the moral vision of the village and his families.
Padraig was having the most drastic development from the three. His motives at the start were completely different from the ones he had at the end. His opinions on Mara also changed immensely.
Cian Morley was probably the most important for the plot. I sometimes had the feeling while reading that he wasn't explored deeply enough though. What bothered me the most was that he never really had a motive for what he did, he didn't have a family pressure like Oisín and he also never had anything to gain since he wasn't born in that village. To be honest, he was a bit of a stupid character.
Conn Rowen and Malachy Rowen were mainly used for the plot only, but also to have some sub-genre of the horror shown in this book. They weren't shown often, but when they were either the plot advanced or something creepy happened.
Natalie. She was funny. In the trio, she was the funny one. But seriously now, without her Declan couldn't have developed properly. She was very much necessary for the other character's development.
Daithí Griffin was there to make the reader start the suspicion on the other characters. But even more so: He showed the true nature of some villagers.
Doctor Helen Quinn was an odd one at the end, but for the start she was very much necessary to set the atmosphere and mood. Since she examined Mara's body before she got put into a grave she was responsible for the misdiagnosis and the consequences resulting from it. In addition, she is the only doctor on the island which made the Marburg virus (related to Ebola) feel even more serious to the reader as it would be a huge problem if the only doctor there would die from it. So in conclusion: She made every scene where she was in extremely tense and shaky.
There were characters like Stiofán, Agnes, Eileen and Tom who were only used for the plot and didn't undergo any development or had any other reason to be there than to advance the plot. But that's fine as not every character can be of great importance, that wouldn't work.
Dislikes
Language-wise I didn't enjoy how there were often Irish words in the book without any translation. In some other books I read, they always added in some way a translation if it's either directly a translation stated below it in either brackets or some other symbol or by making a character show a response to it which reveals either somewhat or completely the meaning behind it. Unfortunately, this book didn't do it often and I sometimes was unable to understand the meaning of certain chapters where Mara only talked Irish with some people and I couldn't understand it since I don't speak Irish. They were probably not that important if no context was delivered, but it's still frustrating to have a chapter full of these Irish sentences, she even responds to them and I can't help myself but feel as if they might actually be important since it's not just a brief encounter.
Lastly, even though some characters went through great development there were pretty much many left just for the plot and nothing else or for reasons that weren't impacting the book enough to call them necessary. But that wasn't really that much of an issue for me, my real issue was how there was romance at the end which I wasn't able to care about. I mean, nice for them, but I would have enjoyed the ending even without them making out.
Final thoughts
For anyone wondering now if this book would be a great read for them or not, here is my recommendation: Anyone who likes mythological stories with a mix of horror will probably enjoy this a lot. This book never shows horror less than the mythological aspects. Both are great and deeply focused on. If one is also searching for psychological horror, this book would make an awesome read too. There are grotesque scenes as well as body horror and paranoia. But it's also having thriller elements, the protagonist is unraveling secrets on the island she lives in. The horror, thriller and mythological themes really go well together and made the read so enjoyable for me. So, if you like any of these themes, I would recommend to you to read it too.
Big thanks to NetGalley and Zando for the advanced reader copy of The Burial Tide by Neil Sharpson!
StoryGraph review + content warnings
Blog review
Started the book: 20. July 2025
Finished the book: 20. July 2025
Wrote the review: 21. July 2025
The Review
Likes
Compared to other horror books this one had something unique — Irish mythology. It wasn't just any mythology or one that is often used, it is something new, at least for me. I haven't really read anything Irish yet, so I was surprised to see how much I actually enjoyed the Irish mythology that was used as plot device throughout the book. The creatures all had names, making it able to search them up in case one is curious to find out even more about it after reading. But no worries: The book is doing a good job in explaining the mythological aspects, I understood everything well and was delighted to see how it took its shape for the plot.
Staying on the topic, I also want to express my feelings on the horror. Since this book is marketed as 'horror' I want to elaborate on how much it was truly horror and how it was done. I would actually say that this book focuses the most on psychological horror. Since the protagonist is suffering from Amnesia, its on her to find out what the village she is living in is hiding from her. I found myself often wondering how she even came to that village, why she was there and what exactly happened that caused her to end up in a coffin, buried alive. Luckily for me and probably many other readers, Mara asks herself the same questions, leading her to do everything to get back her memories. The more she finds out the higher the tension gets. For her misfortune, no one wants her to get her memory back, so she needs to be careful who she trusts. Another reason why I think it's psychological horror is that she isn't just trying to find out about her identity and past, but also finds in the end a way to gain freedom. Furthermore she is not just conflicted with her own complex feelings and emotions but also of the other characters, especially how they treat her. The reader experiences the psychological horror themselves by feeling mistrust and suspicion while getting to know the other villagers living on the island. Only at the very end does one know who was actually trustworthy and who just acted as one. This all made me feel connected to the protagonist even more as she felt the same the whole time, she knew who she trusted more but only when the real problem arised did she know who was there to help her to gain freedom and who wasn't. I also want to praise how it wasn't a revenge story, but one that still had friendship in it despite the strong mistrust and uncertainty.
The main themes of this book which are Irish Mythology and psychological horror had a deep meaning in the ending. Before I started reading this book I thought it would be just a horror read without anything too meaningful, just meant to scare and find out some secrets, but I was wrong. Mara undergoes many changes not just what she feels inside but also outside. It's a beautiful book about how a woman finds freedom after haven't been free her entire life. Thankfully, I was never around such toxic people that I experienced anything as awful as her, but I understood her rage nevertheless. The mix of Irish Mythology and psychological horror is going quite well together for this book. Both were impactful and meaningful.
After just reading the first chapter I was already obsessed with the writing style. Nothing gets said immediately to the reader, it gets described, before revealing what it actually is. The vocabulary is also rich and the sometimes short sentences carried so much meaning. What many don't get is that one doesn't always have to make long, aesthetically pleasing sentences — a short quick sentence can be enough too and for a horror read it is perfect. An often used tool by the author is Anapher, emphasing something and making the reader remember it, thereof making it important. I don't see that writing tool used often enough and it's one of my favourites, in fact, I also use it when trying to write something more meaningful.
The plot was engaging from start to finish. It started immediately with Mara being buried alive and panicking that she would die due to a lack of oxygen. The middle part was packed full of mystery, suspense and horror. The ending was full of violence, friendship and freedom. I was hooked from the start and the ending was satisfying. The author also did a great work in making every chapter necessary for advancing the plot. There was never a moment I felt bored. Never a moment were it felt rushed or too slow. Never a moment were I fished that it finally ended. I wanted to find out about the secrets that were hidden in the village. Most importantly (since I often complain about this in other thriller books): The plot twist was not predictable. There were multiple. When I started to think that I know what is going on, I didn't. A great advantage on my side was probably that not just the description of the book didn't give too much away, but also that I never read anything about Irish Mythology before. Unless it was explained to me what exactly it was, I didn't know what was in front of me.
I might haven't liked all the characters in this book, but that doesn't mean that they weren't well-written. Mara was a smart protagonist who wasn't willing to surrender or show inferiority towards the people who try everything to make her amnesia stay so that she doesn't remember anything of what happened. She went through a strong character development throughout the book. She learnt from past mistakes, showed forgiveness and kindness but also ruthless behaviour for the undesired. While she found out who she was, what her desires and dreams were, one could see that her true personality started to shine. From a shy and unsure woman to a woman who knows what she wants and how to get it. As soon as she knew her real wish, she done everything to achieve it, making her character bloom.
The protagonist had the strongest development but other characters like Declan Burke also went through changes. At first when he got introduced he seemed like a bloke who was passionate about his artistic works, but was unable to form friendships. He too mistrust the other villagers, making him quite lonely in his new home. With Mara by his side he started to be more happy. When Natalie came along he also formed an even stronger bond. Even though the friendship aspect probably fits more to Mara since she was even more lonely, I felt due to Declan's family history that he was never able to have consistent long-lasting relationships with anyone, but now he seems to have found his people.
Apropos family history, the family that consisted of Gráinne, Padraig and Oisín were also pretty complex. Gráinne was the only one who didn't have at least a little bit of character development. She was stubborn to her ideas and thoughts, which made her unable to develop in any way. She was concerned for her sons from the start to the finish. Her motives and actions also never changed. But without her the ending would have been different which still made her an important character.
Oisín somewhat had a character development. While first driven by a village ritual, he done it without any afterthought, but after some type his own emotions and feelings crept in, making him unable to perform the ritual correctly. He starts to act against the village wishes, which also makes him unhappy at first but he is willing to risk everything for his own morals than the moral vision of the village and his families.
Padraig was having the most drastic development from the three. His motives at the start were completely different from the ones he had at the end. His opinions on Mara also changed immensely.
Cian Morley was probably the most important for the plot. I sometimes had the feeling while reading that he wasn't explored deeply enough though. What bothered me the most was that he never really had a motive for what he did, he didn't have a family pressure like Oisín and he also never had anything to gain since he wasn't born in that village. To be honest, he was a bit of a stupid character.
Conn Rowen and Malachy Rowen were mainly used for the plot only, but also to have some sub-genre of the horror shown in this book. They weren't shown often, but when they were either the plot advanced or something creepy happened.
Natalie. She was funny. In the trio, she was the funny one. But seriously now, without her Declan couldn't have developed properly. She was very much necessary for the other character's development.
Daithí Griffin was there to make the reader start the suspicion on the other characters. But even more so: He showed the true nature of some villagers.
Doctor Helen Quinn was an odd one at the end, but for the start she was very much necessary to set the atmosphere and mood. Since she examined Mara's body before she got put into a grave she was responsible for the misdiagnosis and the consequences resulting from it. In addition, she is the only doctor on the island which made the Marburg virus (related to Ebola) feel even more serious to the reader as it would be a huge problem if the only doctor there would die from it. So in conclusion: She made every scene where she was in extremely tense and shaky.
There were characters like Stiofán, Agnes, Eileen and Tom who were only used for the plot and didn't undergo any development or had any other reason to be there than to advance the plot. But that's fine as not every character can be of great importance, that wouldn't work.
Dislikes
Language-wise I didn't enjoy how there were often Irish words in the book without any translation. In some other books I read, they always added in some way a translation if it's either directly a translation stated below it in either brackets or some other symbol or by making a character show a response to it which reveals either somewhat or completely the meaning behind it. Unfortunately, this book didn't do it often and I sometimes was unable to understand the meaning of certain chapters where Mara only talked Irish with some people and I couldn't understand it since I don't speak Irish. They were probably not that important if no context was delivered, but it's still frustrating to have a chapter full of these Irish sentences, she even responds to them and I can't help myself but feel as if they might actually be important since it's not just a brief encounter.
Lastly, even though some characters went through great development there were pretty much many left just for the plot and nothing else or for reasons that weren't impacting the book enough to call them necessary. But that wasn't really that much of an issue for me, my real issue was how there was romance at the end which I wasn't able to care about. I mean, nice for them, but I would have enjoyed the ending even without them making out.
Final thoughts
For anyone wondering now if this book would be a great read for them or not, here is my recommendation: Anyone who likes mythological stories with a mix of horror will probably enjoy this a lot. This book never shows horror less than the mythological aspects. Both are great and deeply focused on. If one is also searching for psychological horror, this book would make an awesome read too. There are grotesque scenes as well as body horror and paranoia. But it's also having thriller elements, the protagonist is unraveling secrets on the island she lives in. The horror, thriller and mythological themes really go well together and made the read so enjoyable for me. So, if you like any of these themes, I would recommend to you to read it too.
Big thanks to NetGalley and Zando for the advanced reader copy of The Burial Tide by Neil Sharpson!
StoryGraph review + content warnings
Blog review
Started the book: 20. July 2025
Finished the book: 20. July 2025
Wrote the review: 21. July 2025
September 28, 2025
I typically don’t care for books with amnesia. However, I’m glad I hung in there with this one as when she got her memory back, it got pretty exciting! 3 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️!
October 9, 2025
Irish folklore horror?! Hell ya! I’ll read that all day.
The Burial Tide takes us on a mysterious ride over the island of Inishbannock, meeting secretive townspeople, running into horrific monsters, and treading over many unmarked graves.
Loved the lore and how it was used throughout the book. A great mix of characters, wonderful setting, and fantastic writing make this a must-read.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Zando for a copy!
The Burial Tide takes us on a mysterious ride over the island of Inishbannock, meeting secretive townspeople, running into horrific monsters, and treading over many unmarked graves.
Loved the lore and how it was used throughout the book. A great mix of characters, wonderful setting, and fantastic writing make this a must-read.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Zando for a copy!
July 23, 2025
One of the best horror novels of the year. With his second book of Irish folk horror, Sharpson has established himself as a horror writer to pay attention to. This is a very strong novel, more cohesive than KNOCK KNOCK, OPEN WIDE, though not as creepy. But that's a plus, that Sharpson can do a very different vibe here and still pull it off so well means I only want him to do more and expand.
The vibe here is less scary and more WTF is happening, which is a vibe I really enjoy. The book feels very ominous and often confusing at first, and much of the middle is slowly gathering information and trying to piece it together. It doesn't all suddenly make sense, and there's no point where you think "well obviously." It's a nice slow burn. And then somehow--miracle of miracles--it doesn't collapse into something disappointing. Instead it feels like we get a climax that wraps everything up and leaves us satisfied. This is so incredibly rare in horror that it's worth making a special note of it. Sharpson never paints himself into a corner, and he smartly saves a few last jabs as we get close to the end. The perspective shifting is mostly done quite well, keeping you moving and giving you information at carefully decided times.
Since this book is so strong I will make a few minor notes: Sharpson could flesh out his characters a bit more. Mara is a cipher by design, and I think she's pretty well done, you feel tied to her even though perspective switches so often. Declan and Cian and others tend to fall a little too solidly into the Good Guy/Bad Guy camp, there was only a little bit where it wasn't totally clear to me whether they were trustworthy.
This would make a nice pairing with LUTE by Jennifer Marie Thorne, which also has a small island locked in a folk horror conspiracy.
The vibe here is less scary and more WTF is happening, which is a vibe I really enjoy. The book feels very ominous and often confusing at first, and much of the middle is slowly gathering information and trying to piece it together. It doesn't all suddenly make sense, and there's no point where you think "well obviously." It's a nice slow burn. And then somehow--miracle of miracles--it doesn't collapse into something disappointing. Instead it feels like we get a climax that wraps everything up and leaves us satisfied. This is so incredibly rare in horror that it's worth making a special note of it. Sharpson never paints himself into a corner, and he smartly saves a few last jabs as we get close to the end. The perspective shifting is mostly done quite well, keeping you moving and giving you information at carefully decided times.
Since this book is so strong I will make a few minor notes: Sharpson could flesh out his characters a bit more. Mara is a cipher by design, and I think she's pretty well done, you feel tied to her even though perspective switches so often. Declan and Cian and others tend to fall a little too solidly into the Good Guy/Bad Guy camp, there was only a little bit where it wasn't totally clear to me whether they were trustworthy.
This would make a nice pairing with LUTE by Jennifer Marie Thorne, which also has a small island locked in a folk horror conspiracy.
November 23, 2025
"Leave the dead. Look after the living."
4.5 stars, rounded up.
The Story:
A woman wakes up inside a wooden coffin six feet underground, with no memory of her identity or supposed “death”. She desperately claws her way to freedom, emerging on the frozen ground of Inishbannock - an island just off the coast of Ireland.
Not everyone in the small isolated island-community welcomes Mara’s return though... With the help of a handful of islanders, Mara navigates her way through a maze of strange occurrences, superstition, folklore and secrets kept for decades, as she slowly recovers her memory, piece by piece.
Realization dawns that she is part of a cycle that has happened before, and that her survival will depend on who she deems to be friend or foe...
What I loved:
I will be forever cautious with books that center an amnesia-trope, but Sharpson convinced me to give this one the benefit of the doubt by the strength of his first chapter. Mara’s escape from her own grave after being buried alive sets the stakes sky-high and Sharpson keeps that dread and momentum going throughout. Alongside Mara, I couldn’t rest until I had the answers to the mystery at hand and I loved the journey of psychological dread, folk-horror, and a little bit of creature-feature that we went on together.
One of the first standouts of The Burial Tide is its great sense of setting and atmosphere.
The inhospitable isle of Inishbannock is almost a character in itself, with its icy tides eroding away at the rocky shores and dense fogs obscuring truth, secrets and monsters from view. There’s an immediate claustrophobia, resulting from this tight-knit rural community that is clearly not showing their full hand to our protagonist. With no way back to the mainland, Mara is forced to pick and choose her alliances among the islanders carefully. Sharpson misdirects and shifts those alliances effectively, leaving you constantly uncertain if any of the characters can be trusted. It’s one thing to fear a monster, but it’s another to not know who (or which side) the monsters actually are…
But it’s not just psychological dread that justifies this novels categorization as “horror”. There’s an original take on Irish mythology and folkhorror, as well as some genuinely skincrawling supernatural creature-elements in here.
What I didn’t love:
I have only a single point of critique to this story overall. With Mara and her search for the truth so clearly at the center, I think the novel would’ve been even stronger, had it been told from her POV only. Although there were some great scenes from different perspectives (the one inside the cabin!! If you know, you know…), I felt the multiple POV’s took away a bit of the claustrophobia that strengthened the book otherwise.
Overall, this was one of the strongest pieces of horror of this year. Dark, monstrous, inescapable and dripping with uncanny terror; I highly recommend this one to fans of folkhorror.
Many thanks to Zando for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
4.5 stars, rounded up.
The Story:
A woman wakes up inside a wooden coffin six feet underground, with no memory of her identity or supposed “death”. She desperately claws her way to freedom, emerging on the frozen ground of Inishbannock - an island just off the coast of Ireland.
Not everyone in the small isolated island-community welcomes Mara’s return though... With the help of a handful of islanders, Mara navigates her way through a maze of strange occurrences, superstition, folklore and secrets kept for decades, as she slowly recovers her memory, piece by piece.
Realization dawns that she is part of a cycle that has happened before, and that her survival will depend on who she deems to be friend or foe...
What I loved:
I will be forever cautious with books that center an amnesia-trope, but Sharpson convinced me to give this one the benefit of the doubt by the strength of his first chapter. Mara’s escape from her own grave after being buried alive sets the stakes sky-high and Sharpson keeps that dread and momentum going throughout. Alongside Mara, I couldn’t rest until I had the answers to the mystery at hand and I loved the journey of psychological dread, folk-horror, and a little bit of creature-feature that we went on together.
One of the first standouts of The Burial Tide is its great sense of setting and atmosphere.
The inhospitable isle of Inishbannock is almost a character in itself, with its icy tides eroding away at the rocky shores and dense fogs obscuring truth, secrets and monsters from view. There’s an immediate claustrophobia, resulting from this tight-knit rural community that is clearly not showing their full hand to our protagonist. With no way back to the mainland, Mara is forced to pick and choose her alliances among the islanders carefully. Sharpson misdirects and shifts those alliances effectively, leaving you constantly uncertain if any of the characters can be trusted. It’s one thing to fear a monster, but it’s another to not know who (or which side) the monsters actually are…
But it’s not just psychological dread that justifies this novels categorization as “horror”. There’s an original take on Irish mythology and folkhorror, as well as some genuinely skincrawling supernatural creature-elements in here.
What I didn’t love:
I have only a single point of critique to this story overall. With Mara and her search for the truth so clearly at the center, I think the novel would’ve been even stronger, had it been told from her POV only. Although there were some great scenes from different perspectives (the one inside the cabin!! If you know, you know…), I felt the multiple POV’s took away a bit of the claustrophobia that strengthened the book otherwise.
Overall, this was one of the strongest pieces of horror of this year. Dark, monstrous, inescapable and dripping with uncanny terror; I highly recommend this one to fans of folkhorror.
Many thanks to Zando for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
September 22, 2025
The Burial Tide begins with our MC escaping her own coffin, she is able to claw her way through the dirt and breathe the fresh air once again. With no memory, she finds herself being told who she is by strangers in this small secluded island town. Mara Fitch makes some friends and enemies along the way while she investigates who she truly is.
Neil Sharpson gave us mystery, horror, romance, and thrills. I always find myself invested in his characters and how they feel alive. They talk naturally, they love easily, they are smart and can be funny. There was never a moment where I lost interest with the story, nor did the pacing ever seem out of place.
The Irish folklore was sometimes lost on me, but the descriptions of the fomar were unforgettable. The image of a baby fomar crawling from a man’s chest, its maw gnawing for flesh, will haunt me forever.
This is an original story with fantastic characters, sharp prose, and unforgettable horror imagery. If you love mystery, supernatural thrills, creepy creatures, and ride-or-die friendships, this is a must-read.
5 out of 5 slays.
Thank you, NetGalley and Zando Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Neil Sharpson gave us mystery, horror, romance, and thrills. I always find myself invested in his characters and how they feel alive. They talk naturally, they love easily, they are smart and can be funny. There was never a moment where I lost interest with the story, nor did the pacing ever seem out of place.
The Irish folklore was sometimes lost on me, but the descriptions of the fomar were unforgettable. The image of a baby fomar crawling from a man’s chest, its maw gnawing for flesh, will haunt me forever.
This is an original story with fantastic characters, sharp prose, and unforgettable horror imagery. If you love mystery, supernatural thrills, creepy creatures, and ride-or-die friendships, this is a must-read.
5 out of 5 slays.
Thank you, NetGalley and Zando Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
November 27, 2025
Waking up in a buried coffin seems like something pulled directly out of the world of Edgar Allan Poe, but that’s exactly where Mara Fitch finds herself. At least that’s what they tell Mara her name is once she’s clawed her way out of the grave. She doesn’t remember it. She also doesn't remember how she died, who anyone is or how she got on the small Irish island of Inishbannock. Her mind is a blank slate, and she must trust everyone who is trying to help her remember. But her husband seems like an insufferable asshole. The innkeeper and many of the townsfolk seem to know more than they’re letting on, and she keeps getting side-eyed by everyone. What the hell is really going on? And as her memories return, does she really want to know? Or does the island Inishbannock want her to either?
Sharpson uses Irish folklore and adds a whole heap of atmosphere to create the perfect environment for the story. Burial Tide slowly unravels its secrets in a slow, delicious way that makes you want to keep pulling on the string to see what’s underneath. The pacing is perfect for this kind of story in order to make a bunch of fantastic incidents believable. Nicely done.
4.5 Seal Skin Suits out of 5
Sharpson uses Irish folklore and adds a whole heap of atmosphere to create the perfect environment for the story. Burial Tide slowly unravels its secrets in a slow, delicious way that makes you want to keep pulling on the string to see what’s underneath. The pacing is perfect for this kind of story in order to make a bunch of fantastic incidents believable. Nicely done.
4.5 Seal Skin Suits out of 5
September 25, 2025
I love me some folk horror and the isolated Irish island setting really added to the atmosphere. This was an entertaining story with Mara trying to figure out who she is and what’s happening on the island. I enjoyed the cast of characters, especially those who helped Mara with her investigation. As with any small town, there are plenty of secrets and a long, shadowy history.
There were some surprising reveals along the way and I liked how the author incorporated both gruesome violence and Irish folklore. Some characters were clearly bad, with one almost cartoonishly evil, but it was still an entertaining read with real stakes. The last third had me fully enthralled and I was very pleased with how it all wrapped up. Overall, definitely pick this up if you’re a fan of Irish folklore and folk horror.
There were some surprising reveals along the way and I liked how the author incorporated both gruesome violence and Irish folklore. Some characters were clearly bad, with one almost cartoonishly evil, but it was still an entertaining read with real stakes. The last third had me fully enthralled and I was very pleased with how it all wrapped up. Overall, definitely pick this up if you’re a fan of Irish folklore and folk horror.
December 12, 2025
TW/CW: Language, drinking, incest (suggestion), depression, cheating, abusive relationships, gaslighting, toxic family relationships
*****SPOILERS*****
About the book:
A woman who can’t remember her death. On an eerily quiet island off the coast of Ireland, a woman with no memory claws her way out of her grave and back to life. But not everyone welcomes the return of Mara Fitch.
An island with a terrible secret. Inishbannock. Where strange misshapen figures watch from the trees and the roads are covered in teeth. Where two brothers gamble for nothing, the doctor only treats the dead, and the pub owner speaks in riddles. Where a poet loses and finds his soul. And a husband without a wife claims to know everything about Mara.
A past that refuses to stay buried. As Mara returns to her life on this upside-down island, her memories begin to leech their way back to the surface. The more she remembers, the more the village will do anything to stop her . . .
But the sea remembers it all.
Release Date: September 9th, 2025
Genre: Horror
Pages: 384
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
What I Liked:
1. Love the cover of the book
2. Creepy undertones of the book
3. Story flowed
4. Loved the lore behind Mara
5. Writing style was good
6. Characters were written with a lot of richness that made me feel like I knew them all
What I Didn't Like:
1. Writing can be clunky and ramble at times
2. Mara seeking revenge is off screen and I wanted to witness her anger
Overall Thoughts:
{{Disclaimer: I write my review as I read}}
Kind of reminds me of the story of the man who didn't know he was dead but he got out of his casket to call home and killed his wife with shock when she answered the phone.
Why was she buried with a phone? That's odd. Plus she's buried in jeans but I suppose it's because she's contagious but then why bury her? Most times with these kind of contagious illnesses they burn the bodies. Then a man calls her and when she calls back he is annoyed and says oh.
Ummm so the whole strip poker between Malachy and Conn is completely unhinged. I get not wanting to play for money because of their uncle and dads violent ways but to then play strip poker with your brother... You could just use peanuts, candy, anything really. Now Conn is suspicious that Malachy is getting a sexual joy out of getting naked in front of him. Why wouldn't he just stop the game from here? I mean how do you decide as young me that you'll play strip poker with your brother?
Doctor Quinn medicine woman is all I can think with that name. She mentions that the virus was very dangerous and related to Ebola but they didn't find out until after Mara was buried how dangerous it was but I'm still confused why they were burying people when they suspected a virus.
The doctor mentions that there were 4 people total that died but when Mara is standing by her grave she mentions that there are 4 other graves by hers suggesting that there are actually 5 total.
Now we are introduced to Cian who is claiming to be the man she was hanging out with but the man on her phone had brown hair not blonde. Unfortunately she doesn't have her phone so she can't check. We know Mara is who she thinks she is because Declan identifies her before the doctor can say anything. He seems to have had an autopsy done because he has a stitches on this stomach. Plus he is downing some antibiotics and over-the-counter pain medicine. Oh and the weird line saying that he intends to take his prize.
Whoa so she's an entity that a man stumbled upon on an island and found out if he took her cloak he could have control of her and guarantee himself eternal life. But they have to drown her every so often so she'll forget stuff otherwise she starts remembering and she'll kill everyone. My only question is how do they know that this is what will happen? I imagine it hasn't happened before but they're acting like they know this is what will happen.
I hate that there are characters named Donn and Conn. Talk about confusing at times.
They attempt to kill her to silence her and she comes back but remembers everyone and what they have done. I love that she gave the island a few hours notice to leave before she destroyed it and sent her "friends" out so they wouldn't be harmed.
Final Thoughts:
I had a lot of fun reading this story. There was a lot of Irish folklore that made the story have a lot of depth. By the ending I was cheering for Mara to get free and away from this abusive cycle she was forced into. I enjoyed the friendships she made along the way as she was trying to piece missing things back together.
This book reminded me so much of Mother.
IG | Blog
Thanks to Netgalley and Zando for this advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
*****SPOILERS*****
About the book:
A woman who can’t remember her death. On an eerily quiet island off the coast of Ireland, a woman with no memory claws her way out of her grave and back to life. But not everyone welcomes the return of Mara Fitch.
An island with a terrible secret. Inishbannock. Where strange misshapen figures watch from the trees and the roads are covered in teeth. Where two brothers gamble for nothing, the doctor only treats the dead, and the pub owner speaks in riddles. Where a poet loses and finds his soul. And a husband without a wife claims to know everything about Mara.
A past that refuses to stay buried. As Mara returns to her life on this upside-down island, her memories begin to leech their way back to the surface. The more she remembers, the more the village will do anything to stop her . . .
But the sea remembers it all.
Release Date: September 9th, 2025
Genre: Horror
Pages: 384
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
What I Liked:
1. Love the cover of the book
2. Creepy undertones of the book
3. Story flowed
4. Loved the lore behind Mara
5. Writing style was good
6. Characters were written with a lot of richness that made me feel like I knew them all
What I Didn't Like:
1. Writing can be clunky and ramble at times
2. Mara seeking revenge is off screen and I wanted to witness her anger
Overall Thoughts:
{{Disclaimer: I write my review as I read}}
Kind of reminds me of the story of the man who didn't know he was dead but he got out of his casket to call home and killed his wife with shock when she answered the phone.
Why was she buried with a phone? That's odd. Plus she's buried in jeans but I suppose it's because she's contagious but then why bury her? Most times with these kind of contagious illnesses they burn the bodies. Then a man calls her and when she calls back he is annoyed and says oh.
Ummm so the whole strip poker between Malachy and Conn is completely unhinged. I get not wanting to play for money because of their uncle and dads violent ways but to then play strip poker with your brother... You could just use peanuts, candy, anything really. Now Conn is suspicious that Malachy is getting a sexual joy out of getting naked in front of him. Why wouldn't he just stop the game from here? I mean how do you decide as young me that you'll play strip poker with your brother?
Doctor Quinn medicine woman is all I can think with that name. She mentions that the virus was very dangerous and related to Ebola but they didn't find out until after Mara was buried how dangerous it was but I'm still confused why they were burying people when they suspected a virus.
The doctor mentions that there were 4 people total that died but when Mara is standing by her grave she mentions that there are 4 other graves by hers suggesting that there are actually 5 total.
Now we are introduced to Cian who is claiming to be the man she was hanging out with but the man on her phone had brown hair not blonde. Unfortunately she doesn't have her phone so she can't check. We know Mara is who she thinks she is because Declan identifies her before the doctor can say anything. He seems to have had an autopsy done because he has a stitches on this stomach. Plus he is downing some antibiotics and over-the-counter pain medicine. Oh and the weird line saying that he intends to take his prize.
Whoa so she's an entity that a man stumbled upon on an island and found out if he took her cloak he could have control of her and guarantee himself eternal life. But they have to drown her every so often so she'll forget stuff otherwise she starts remembering and she'll kill everyone. My only question is how do they know that this is what will happen? I imagine it hasn't happened before but they're acting like they know this is what will happen.
I hate that there are characters named Donn and Conn. Talk about confusing at times.
They attempt to kill her to silence her and she comes back but remembers everyone and what they have done. I love that she gave the island a few hours notice to leave before she destroyed it and sent her "friends" out so they wouldn't be harmed.
Final Thoughts:
I had a lot of fun reading this story. There was a lot of Irish folklore that made the story have a lot of depth. By the ending I was cheering for Mara to get free and away from this abusive cycle she was forced into. I enjoyed the friendships she made along the way as she was trying to piece missing things back together.
This book reminded me so much of Mother.
IG | Blog
Thanks to Netgalley and Zando for this advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 10, 2025
What the actual heck and heck?? I almost considered DNFing this one halfway through, because it was getting *really* gruesome, but I persevered, and I’m glad I did (sort of 🤪).
The setting is an Irish island, and if you weren’t born on the island, you will never be good enough, no matter how long you’ve lived there. Suffice it to say, there are a lot of old-timers on the island.
The author starts the book off with a bang—a woman wakes up in a coffin. She’s disoriented and doesn’t remember anything about anything. We learn about the island and its inhabitants through her. I don’t want to say much more, because it’s best to go in blind here.
Now for some warnings: This is not only horror, but horrific. There are multiple very descriptive, absolutely nightmare-inducing scenes, one of which had me seriously consider whether I wanted to continue reading. That scene was later topped by another…and another. This book reminded me a lot of Peadar O Guilin’s “The Call”, which also had horrifically gruesome descriptions that landed it on my “One and Done” and “No Thanks” shelves, which is where I’m placing “The Burial Tide” as well. I don’t consider it wasted time to have read either book, but neither do I want to ever read them again, if that makes sense. I’m ultimately giving this a 3.75, rounded up, and I would read another book by Sharpson.
Thank you to NetGalley and Zando for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
The setting is an Irish island, and if you weren’t born on the island, you will never be good enough, no matter how long you’ve lived there. Suffice it to say, there are a lot of old-timers on the island.
The author starts the book off with a bang—a woman wakes up in a coffin. She’s disoriented and doesn’t remember anything about anything. We learn about the island and its inhabitants through her. I don’t want to say much more, because it’s best to go in blind here.
Now for some warnings: This is not only horror, but horrific. There are multiple very descriptive, absolutely nightmare-inducing scenes, one of which had me seriously consider whether I wanted to continue reading. That scene was later topped by another…and another. This book reminded me a lot of Peadar O Guilin’s “The Call”, which also had horrifically gruesome descriptions that landed it on my “One and Done” and “No Thanks” shelves, which is where I’m placing “The Burial Tide” as well. I don’t consider it wasted time to have read either book, but neither do I want to ever read them again, if that makes sense. I’m ultimately giving this a 3.75, rounded up, and I would read another book by Sharpson.
Thank you to NetGalley and Zando for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
July 22, 2025
The publisher's description of the book had me running over to netgalley to request a copy asap: A woman who can’t remember her death. An island with a terrible secret. A past that refuses to stay buried. But the sea remembers it all.
I mean… folklore, isolation, and revenge soaked in brine and blood? Don’t mind if I do.
The novel kicks off with a literal buried alive scenario—Mara wakes in a coffin and claws her way out into breathless uncertainty. She remembers nothing: not her name, not her death, and certainly not why the locals insist she belongs six feet under. Everyone seems eager to fill in the blanks, but something about their stories feels... off. Like the truth is bending just out of reach.
The island of Inishbannock is equal parts remote and rotting. The air hums with old grief and older curses, the villagers are harboring dark secrets, and as Mara searches for answers, she begins to wonder if she's not at the center of it all.
I devoured this in nearly a single sitting. The writing slinks under your skin, the mystery grips hard, and the claustrophobic setting gnaws at every page. The payoff was every bit as brutal as the buildup, if not slightly weirder than I had expected.
I wasn’t sold on Knock, Knock, Open Wide, but I’m so glad I gave him another shot. This book enchanted and unsettled me.
I mean… folklore, isolation, and revenge soaked in brine and blood? Don’t mind if I do.
The novel kicks off with a literal buried alive scenario—Mara wakes in a coffin and claws her way out into breathless uncertainty. She remembers nothing: not her name, not her death, and certainly not why the locals insist she belongs six feet under. Everyone seems eager to fill in the blanks, but something about their stories feels... off. Like the truth is bending just out of reach.
The island of Inishbannock is equal parts remote and rotting. The air hums with old grief and older curses, the villagers are harboring dark secrets, and as Mara searches for answers, she begins to wonder if she's not at the center of it all.
I devoured this in nearly a single sitting. The writing slinks under your skin, the mystery grips hard, and the claustrophobic setting gnaws at every page. The payoff was every bit as brutal as the buildup, if not slightly weirder than I had expected.
I wasn’t sold on Knock, Knock, Open Wide, but I’m so glad I gave him another shot. This book enchanted and unsettled me.
September 30, 2025
Mara Fitch has been buried alive. She has no memory of who she is or how she got into this situation. She claws her way to the earth’s surface and tries to adjust back to her old life on the tiny island of Innishbannock — but something feels off. Not everyone on the island is happy that Mara Fitch is back from the dead.
Neil Sharpson is quickly becoming one of my favorite horror authors, and his newest novel might just be my favorite. Richly atmospheric and packed with Irish folklore, The Burial Tide is an eerie mystery. Sharpson’s prose is chilling and the cast of characters are unsettling. With rapidly changing point-of-views and twists and turns every few chapters, this story keeps you on your toes – never knowing who to trust or what to believe.
There was a romantic element of the plot that I didn’t personally care for, but it was such a minor part of the story that it didn’t take away my enjoyment of the novel as a whole. For anyone looking for a unique psychological horror that keeps you guessing until the very last chapter, I highly recommend The Burial Tide.
Thank you to Netgalley and Zando for the ARC copy!
Neil Sharpson is quickly becoming one of my favorite horror authors, and his newest novel might just be my favorite. Richly atmospheric and packed with Irish folklore, The Burial Tide is an eerie mystery. Sharpson’s prose is chilling and the cast of characters are unsettling. With rapidly changing point-of-views and twists and turns every few chapters, this story keeps you on your toes – never knowing who to trust or what to believe.
There was a romantic element of the plot that I didn’t personally care for, but it was such a minor part of the story that it didn’t take away my enjoyment of the novel as a whole. For anyone looking for a unique psychological horror that keeps you guessing until the very last chapter, I highly recommend The Burial Tide.
Thank you to Netgalley and Zando for the ARC copy!
April 2, 2025
I loved this so much, I finished it in one day and stayed up until almost 4am because I couldn't put it down. Right from the very first chapter, I was sucked in. It was sharp, atmospheric, dark, and had just the right amount of humor. One part freaky creature feature, one part small town mystery, and one part Irish folklore.
Memory loss thrillers are my favorite, and this one was done so perfectly. I loved the steady suspense of not knowing who was bad and who was good. Constantly wondering if you’re being manipulated by the town, slowly putting the pieces together and uncovering the truth. I loved that we get to see so many different POVs, rather than just Mara. It added to the uneasy feeling that something sinister was going on and that this town is harboring some major secrets.
The horror elements were so unsettling and disgusting, and so well done. There was some great body horror and also psychological elements as well. The ending was so satisfying and did a great job bringing everything full circle and giving major “good for her” vibes.
Overall, I highly recommend for anyone who would love a memory loss thriller mixed with a folklore creature feature. I had never read this author before, but I am instantly adding “Knock Knock Open Wide” to my tbr
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Zando for an early electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own
Memory loss thrillers are my favorite, and this one was done so perfectly. I loved the steady suspense of not knowing who was bad and who was good. Constantly wondering if you’re being manipulated by the town, slowly putting the pieces together and uncovering the truth. I loved that we get to see so many different POVs, rather than just Mara. It added to the uneasy feeling that something sinister was going on and that this town is harboring some major secrets.
The horror elements were so unsettling and disgusting, and so well done. There was some great body horror and also psychological elements as well. The ending was so satisfying and did a great job bringing everything full circle and giving major “good for her” vibes.
Overall, I highly recommend for anyone who would love a memory loss thriller mixed with a folklore creature feature. I had never read this author before, but I am instantly adding “Knock Knock Open Wide” to my tbr
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Zando for an early electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own
June 5, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Zando for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Between this and Knock Knock, Open Wide, I can confidently say Neil Sharpson KNOWS how to write a first chapter. I went into this book blind but I was absolutely hooked after the opening pages! It grabbed me fast and kept my attention the whole time.
This entire book takes place on this small Irish island, and was so atmospheric I could practically smell the sea air. The village is full of people who have a secret, and the main character Mara has no idea who she can trust. Who is she really and how is she connected to the island? I really can’t say any more without spoiling— but if you like isolated, small town, folklore inspired creepy books, you’re gonna wanna pick this one up!
Between this and Knock Knock, Open Wide, I can confidently say Neil Sharpson KNOWS how to write a first chapter. I went into this book blind but I was absolutely hooked after the opening pages! It grabbed me fast and kept my attention the whole time.
This entire book takes place on this small Irish island, and was so atmospheric I could practically smell the sea air. The village is full of people who have a secret, and the main character Mara has no idea who she can trust. Who is she really and how is she connected to the island? I really can’t say any more without spoiling— but if you like isolated, small town, folklore inspired creepy books, you’re gonna wanna pick this one up!
July 12, 2025
I don’t know what it is with Irish folk horror, or if I am now just simply obsessed with Sharpson's writing... I first discovered him just over a year ago with his second novel Knock Knock, Open Wide a horror novel with Irish folk underpinnings that I really enjoyed (I have his first which I haven't read yet, and looks very different, more scifi dystopian, which I also love so I need to get to that one soon.)
With The Burial Tide, he draws you into a mystery filled with terrifying creatures, a tiny, remote island community filled with secrets and a horrifying past, and the strange woman named Mara, who breaks her way out of a coffin during a storm after waking up with no memory of who she is. She receives an oddly reticent welcome into the community, with suspicion and some rather culty behaviour on the part of the locals.
I had (rightly) suspected that the story would centre around one of my favourite myths (hint: look at the cover) but I was so curious to see where Sharpson would take the story after reading his previous book and I was not disappointed! He weaves a modern day tale of mystery, isolation, and absolute terror as Mara struggles to piece together who she is, where she came from and why she looks just like a woman in a 100 year old picture…
And oh yeah… there’s that whole thing about why can’t she go into water…
I was absolutely enthralled with this novel. I need more Sharpson in my life!
My thanks to NetGalley and Zando for the ARC!
With The Burial Tide, he draws you into a mystery filled with terrifying creatures, a tiny, remote island community filled with secrets and a horrifying past, and the strange woman named Mara, who breaks her way out of a coffin during a storm after waking up with no memory of who she is. She receives an oddly reticent welcome into the community, with suspicion and some rather culty behaviour on the part of the locals.
I had (rightly) suspected that the story would centre around one of my favourite myths (hint: look at the cover) but I was so curious to see where Sharpson would take the story after reading his previous book and I was not disappointed! He weaves a modern day tale of mystery, isolation, and absolute terror as Mara struggles to piece together who she is, where she came from and why she looks just like a woman in a 100 year old picture…
And oh yeah… there’s that whole thing about why can’t she go into water…
I was absolutely enthralled with this novel. I need more Sharpson in my life!
My thanks to NetGalley and Zando for the ARC!
August 1, 2025
2.75 rounded up
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
This was an ok read. Definitely started off interesting, slowed down mid book, then picked up again towards the end. The folklore was very interesting and entwining it with some gory, creepy scenes really helped to set the ambiance. The characters were a little one-dimensional, which also made the story fall a little flat. I can see how this might be a niche read, and some will love it, but it wasn't captivating enough for me.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
This was an ok read. Definitely started off interesting, slowed down mid book, then picked up again towards the end. The folklore was very interesting and entwining it with some gory, creepy scenes really helped to set the ambiance. The characters were a little one-dimensional, which also made the story fall a little flat. I can see how this might be a niche read, and some will love it, but it wasn't captivating enough for me.
November 17, 2025
I was so pleasantly surprised at this dread-soaked piece of Irish Folk Horror that caught my attention and did not let go. So far, my favorite ARC this year!
I went in - not knowing much about the tale except that it is about a lady figuring out she is buried alive with no memory of how she came to be there. The actual tale, more than anything, is its own mood. It’s a heavy, soaking-wet-wool-blanket of a book, and I mean that as a compliment.
The story starts with a horrifyingly visceral scene (a woman clawing her way out of her own grave), but then brilliantly pivots to a slow-burn psychological unraveling. The amnesia plot is used perfectly to make you, the reader, feel just as gaslit and untethered as the protagonist.
The atmosphere is the main character here. The remote island of Inishbannock is a masterful creation - suffocating, grim, and seeped in a palpable sense of dread that you just can't shake. There are neighbours which you second-guess at, and Sharpson does a great job at painting a perfect picture of exactly how they may be.
What it excels at is weaving its grotesque, ancient-feeling folklore into the very fabric of the island and its inhabitants. It's a profound exploration of human cruelty and the nature of monsters, where the story flows from a psychological thriller to a supernatural folkloric tale retaining its psychological strain - blurring the line between the mythological and the all-too-human tale of greed.
Be warned: this is not a misty, gentle folktale. When it leans into the horror, it leans in hard. It’s visceral, bloody, and the body horror is genuinely grotesque. It was a little more intense than I had expected initially, but it was undeniably effective.
A fantastic, deeply atmospheric read. I’d highly recommend it if you prefer your horror smart, folklore-drenched, and heavy on dread.
This one sticks with you.
[ Received this as an ARC from Netgalley. ]
Recommendations:
Empty Heaven | Folklore, Ancient Being
The Wendigo | Creature, Atmospheric
The Lottery | Classic, Disturbingly Cultish Town
I went in - not knowing much about the tale except that it is about a lady figuring out she is buried alive with no memory of how she came to be there. The actual tale, more than anything, is its own mood. It’s a heavy, soaking-wet-wool-blanket of a book, and I mean that as a compliment.
The story starts with a horrifyingly visceral scene (a woman clawing her way out of her own grave), but then brilliantly pivots to a slow-burn psychological unraveling. The amnesia plot is used perfectly to make you, the reader, feel just as gaslit and untethered as the protagonist.
The atmosphere is the main character here. The remote island of Inishbannock is a masterful creation - suffocating, grim, and seeped in a palpable sense of dread that you just can't shake. There are neighbours which you second-guess at, and Sharpson does a great job at painting a perfect picture of exactly how they may be.
What it excels at is weaving its grotesque, ancient-feeling folklore into the very fabric of the island and its inhabitants. It's a profound exploration of human cruelty and the nature of monsters, where the story flows from a psychological thriller to a supernatural folkloric tale retaining its psychological strain - blurring the line between the mythological and the all-too-human tale of greed.
Be warned: this is not a misty, gentle folktale. When it leans into the horror, it leans in hard. It’s visceral, bloody, and the body horror is genuinely grotesque. It was a little more intense than I had expected initially, but it was undeniably effective.
A fantastic, deeply atmospheric read. I’d highly recommend it if you prefer your horror smart, folklore-drenched, and heavy on dread.
This one sticks with you.
[ Received this as an ARC from Netgalley. ]
Recommendations:
Empty Heaven | Folklore, Ancient Being
The Wendigo | Creature, Atmospheric
The Lottery | Classic, Disturbingly Cultish Town
November 20, 2025
A strong 4.5 ⭐️ for this deeply Irish folk horror 📚🌊
August 22, 2025
I'm already a fan of Neil Sharpson's work- you'll know him from his debut folk horror novel Knock Knock, Open Wide- which published in October 2023 and told the story of a Changeling. In his latest novel, The Burial Tide, Sharpson tells the story of a Selkie (seal people who can shapeshift between human and seal form in Irish folklore).
This is such a fantastic novel! I enjoyed every second of it! The story starts off with a bang, and kept my attention throughout the rest of the book. The storyline was expertly written-you'll find no plots holes in this book. And if you need great character building in your books, this one will definitely satisfy your need for that as well. I don't want to say much more because I don't want to spoil anything, but if you love a good folk horror book with lovable characters (i.e. Slewfoot) then I definitely recommend reading this one! This novel will work great for those wanting to try out the horror genre as well as it has minor gore/blood scenes.
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**Thank you so much to NetGalley\Zando\Neil Sharpson for this eARC of The Burial Tide in exchange for my honest opinion. Expected publish date September 9th, 2025.**
This is such a fantastic novel! I enjoyed every second of it! The story starts off with a bang, and kept my attention throughout the rest of the book. The storyline was expertly written-you'll find no plots holes in this book. And if you need great character building in your books, this one will definitely satisfy your need for that as well. I don't want to say much more because I don't want to spoil anything, but if you love a good folk horror book with lovable characters (i.e. Slewfoot) then I definitely recommend reading this one! This novel will work great for those wanting to try out the horror genre as well as it has minor gore/blood scenes.
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**Thank you so much to NetGalley\Zando\Neil Sharpson for this eARC of The Burial Tide in exchange for my honest opinion. Expected publish date September 9th, 2025.**
October 31, 2025
3.75/5stars
This was really good!! I really loved the combination of Irish folklore and psychological horror - it was a great, unique mix. I also am very glad I listen to the audiobook because the narrator did an amazing job with the accents and names (much better than my brain would have done lol)
I'm glad this was good because I LOVED Knock Knock Open Wide and its always scary going into an author's second book. I can't wait to see more of what Sharpson writes in the future!!
This was really good!! I really loved the combination of Irish folklore and psychological horror - it was a great, unique mix. I also am very glad I listen to the audiobook because the narrator did an amazing job with the accents and names (much better than my brain would have done lol)
I'm glad this was good because I LOVED Knock Knock Open Wide and its always scary going into an author's second book. I can't wait to see more of what Sharpson writes in the future!!
December 24, 2025
Holy shit! This is a MUST read!!! The mythology, the twists, all of it!!! I could not put this down. T. Kingfisher said that this was "a page turner", and it could not be more true. Please read this! You won't regret it!
November 30, 2025
All the freaking stars! I will buy any book this guy writes!
did-not-finish
June 27, 2025Sharpson's Knock Knock, Open Wide is a 2024 favourite read of mine, so I was really excited to read this.
Unfortunately I couldn't even finish it, DNFing at 72%. Most of the writing is done in short sentence fragments, which I assume was done in an attempt to impart suspense, but instead it comes across like a high schooler writing a scary story for English class.
The characters were flat, some of them downright stupid. Everything was confusing. At 72% I still had no real idea of what was going on, and by that point I just stopped caring.
Unfortunately I couldn't even finish it, DNFing at 72%. Most of the writing is done in short sentence fragments, which I assume was done in an attempt to impart suspense, but instead it comes across like a high schooler writing a scary story for English class.
The characters were flat, some of them downright stupid. Everything was confusing. At 72% I still had no real idea of what was going on, and by that point I just stopped caring.
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