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And the Sea Gave Up the Dead
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Expected 18 Aug 26Win a free print copy of this book!
17 days and 20:48:54
20 copies available
U.S. only
For fans of Jennifer Thorne's Diavola and We Have Always Lived in the Castle comes William Friend's latest stunning novel following a young woman's return to her family's crumbling chateau to stay with her aging aunt - but grief, mystery, and something undead haunts her family, and soon, a dark history will repeat itself.
"In the woods... between the trees..."
Morwenna knows she needs to visit Bethan. Her aunt is wasting away in the family's crumbling chateau by the French seaside, where she's lived alone since the mysterious disappearance of her husband. The locals claim Bethan is responsible, though Morwenna knows her aunt is simply declining and in desperate need of company.
Grief lives in that house, and Morwenna has avoided it for years. Until a disturbing phone call from Barbara finally pushes her to act. So she packs up her children and new partner to stay for a week.
But the chateau changes people. Old magic has seeped into the ground. The village remembers what happened at the grand old house, centuries ago. They remember who died, and what came back. Soon, this place will leave its mark on Morwenna's family. And she cannot escape the feeling that, unless she learns the truth about what happened to her uncle, something ancient and evil will rise, and a dark history will repeat itself at the chateau.
"In the woods... between the trees..."
Morwenna knows she needs to visit Bethan. Her aunt is wasting away in the family's crumbling chateau by the French seaside, where she's lived alone since the mysterious disappearance of her husband. The locals claim Bethan is responsible, though Morwenna knows her aunt is simply declining and in desperate need of company.
Grief lives in that house, and Morwenna has avoided it for years. Until a disturbing phone call from Barbara finally pushes her to act. So she packs up her children and new partner to stay for a week.
But the chateau changes people. Old magic has seeped into the ground. The village remembers what happened at the grand old house, centuries ago. They remember who died, and what came back. Soon, this place will leave its mark on Morwenna's family. And she cannot escape the feeling that, unless she learns the truth about what happened to her uncle, something ancient and evil will rise, and a dark history will repeat itself at the chateau.
304 pages, Paperback
Expected publication August 18, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
June 6, 2026
thank you to netgalley for this arc!!!
this was a solid gothic horror with a really strong atmosphere. the chateau, family secrets, and constant sense of dread/confusion made it super easy to get immersed in the story.
my main ‘criticism’ is that the pacing occasionally felt too slow, and some of the reveals didn't quite have the impact i was expecting after so much buildup. it was a bit more of a meandering plot, especially for the first half, so i wouldn’t go into this expecting action from the get go. the main reveal at the end did very much get me though!!
overall, it's a well-written, unsettling read with a great sense of creepy and disturbing atmosphere. definitely worth picking up if you enjoy gothic fiction and family-centred horror with a good helping of weirdness!!
this was a solid gothic horror with a really strong atmosphere. the chateau, family secrets, and constant sense of dread/confusion made it super easy to get immersed in the story.
my main ‘criticism’ is that the pacing occasionally felt too slow, and some of the reveals didn't quite have the impact i was expecting after so much buildup. it was a bit more of a meandering plot, especially for the first half, so i wouldn’t go into this expecting action from the get go. the main reveal at the end did very much get me though!!
overall, it's a well-written, unsettling read with a great sense of creepy and disturbing atmosphere. definitely worth picking up if you enjoy gothic fiction and family-centred horror with a good helping of weirdness!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
2.5⭐️
Morwenna is traveling with her partner Christian and her children to visit her Aunt Bethan in the Var region of France, a mountainous area located on the southern coast. In telephone and mail communications, Aunt Bethan, who was widowed the previous year when her husband disappeared at sea, is giving Morwenna cause for concern as she seems to be having memory slips. Morwenna's own mother suffers from dementia, and she herself is a widow, having lost the father of her two boys nine years prior. Upon arrival at the grand but dusty chateau, Morwenna's anxiety for her aunt is at first validated, as Bethan has forgotten their visit and claims to still see her dead husband Jim. But as Bethan seems to grow healthier and stronger with each passing day, Morwenna finds her own grip on reality, and her relations with her family, slipping into the fog.
At first sustained by the gothic atmosphere, I found that And the Sea Gave Up the Dead squadered the buildup of the first 30% or so and became a tedious mess. There were way too many dangling threads as the story moved from atmosphere to action, and it read to me like the author wrote the novel with no clear story or objective in mind. I am a reader who generally likes ambiguity and I don't mind a minimal plot, but I ultimately found this book to have about as much substance as the creeping fog that surrounds the house. I also found some of the reveals at the end at once predictable and silly.
Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the digital arc. And the Sea Gave Up the Dead will be published August 18, 2026.
Morwenna is traveling with her partner Christian and her children to visit her Aunt Bethan in the Var region of France, a mountainous area located on the southern coast. In telephone and mail communications, Aunt Bethan, who was widowed the previous year when her husband disappeared at sea, is giving Morwenna cause for concern as she seems to be having memory slips. Morwenna's own mother suffers from dementia, and she herself is a widow, having lost the father of her two boys nine years prior. Upon arrival at the grand but dusty chateau, Morwenna's anxiety for her aunt is at first validated, as Bethan has forgotten their visit and claims to still see her dead husband Jim. But as Bethan seems to grow healthier and stronger with each passing day, Morwenna finds her own grip on reality, and her relations with her family, slipping into the fog.
At first sustained by the gothic atmosphere, I found that And the Sea Gave Up the Dead squadered the buildup of the first 30% or so and became a tedious mess. There were way too many dangling threads as the story moved from atmosphere to action, and it read to me like the author wrote the novel with no clear story or objective in mind. I am a reader who generally likes ambiguity and I don't mind a minimal plot, but I ultimately found this book to have about as much substance as the creeping fog that surrounds the house. I also found some of the reveals at the end at once predictable and silly.
Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the digital arc. And the Sea Gave Up the Dead will be published August 18, 2026.
June 12, 2026
comparing this book to “diavola” is such a disservice bc this book was TONS better than that one.
thanks to netgalley for the arc!!
thanks to netgalley for the arc!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Deliciously twisted, sensuously morbid - And the Sea Gave Up the Dead is the gothic portrait of a family splintered. When Morwenna, her partner, and her sons pay a visit to her ailing aunt’s chateau on the French seaside, unsettling things begin fomenting in the shadows. Mysteries surrounding the chateau deepen and grief overwhelms the spaces in between, appertaining the reality of loss, and the loss of reality.
Written with sonorous prose, the novel unfolds at a languid pace and seamlessly shifts between character perspectives. Bits of each family member’s personality and latent memories are dispensed at just the right intervals to capture attention, as well as further the narrative, which elapses over the span of about a week. The French setting is moody and rich, from the beach to the thicket of woods surrounding the chateau, to the chateau itself. The novel employs a wide array of horror, both psychological and supernatural. Eerie, disquieting, and foreboding; I found the creepiness delectable.
It's a novel that you can tell is carefully composed - stories within stories that parallel the film and folklore motif throughout. Everything culminates adroitly by the end. While the conclusion itself is not a novel concept, it is rendered with enough idiosyncrasy that I didn't mind the nature of the twist. Everything clicks into place satisfyingly. It might be a slow burn, but a worthwhile one.
Ultimately, I think And the Sea Gave Up the Dead is a splendid, spooky read that I thoroughly enjoyed. Recommended to those looking for a haunted family drama with complicated dynamics and dread steeped into every page.
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read this book.
Written with sonorous prose, the novel unfolds at a languid pace and seamlessly shifts between character perspectives. Bits of each family member’s personality and latent memories are dispensed at just the right intervals to capture attention, as well as further the narrative, which elapses over the span of about a week. The French setting is moody and rich, from the beach to the thicket of woods surrounding the chateau, to the chateau itself. The novel employs a wide array of horror, both psychological and supernatural. Eerie, disquieting, and foreboding; I found the creepiness delectable.
It's a novel that you can tell is carefully composed - stories within stories that parallel the film and folklore motif throughout. Everything culminates adroitly by the end. While the conclusion itself is not a novel concept, it is rendered with enough idiosyncrasy that I didn't mind the nature of the twist. Everything clicks into place satisfyingly. It might be a slow burn, but a worthwhile one.
Ultimately, I think And the Sea Gave Up the Dead is a splendid, spooky read that I thoroughly enjoyed. Recommended to those looking for a haunted family drama with complicated dynamics and dread steeped into every page.
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Going into this book, i didn’t expect much. But, it checked nearly all my boxes…
✅gothic horror novel
✅awesome cover
✅family dynamics
And it did not disappoint.
And the Sea Gave Up the Dead gave me everything i’d want in a gothic horror tale, taking place in a haunted château in france. This book sent shivers down my spine and made it nearly impossible to fall asleep at night! Not to mention, i am currently living in an old “haunted” castle (if you will), IN FRANCE, of my own. Which only added to the atmosphere and creepy unsettling feelings i felt while watching these characters deteriorate and fall deeper and deeper into madness.
Not only did this book give me the creeps, chills and a few shocks with the twists and turns, but alongside the horror aspect, we also got other, very real aspects as-well. This book delved into grief, motherhood of all kinds, identity and self discovery in a very refreshing and engaging way that made me root even harder for our characters.
Speaking of twists and turns, the ending did confuse me briefly, getting me upset and bewildered when i thought it was over. But, realizing in the epilogue what was really going on throughout this whole story, blew my mind and gave me a newfound appreciation for the book. It had me mind-blown and connected all the dots i’d missed previously in the book.
The pacing and story did progress quite slowly, giving little bits of information at a time, which was a little bit of a bore, but did add to the overall atmospheric tension and unsettling experience.
BIG thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for giving me the opportunity to read an eARC of And the Sea Gave Up the Dead in exchange for my honest review!
✅gothic horror novel
✅awesome cover
✅family dynamics
And it did not disappoint.
And the Sea Gave Up the Dead gave me everything i’d want in a gothic horror tale, taking place in a haunted château in france. This book sent shivers down my spine and made it nearly impossible to fall asleep at night! Not to mention, i am currently living in an old “haunted” castle (if you will), IN FRANCE, of my own. Which only added to the atmosphere and creepy unsettling feelings i felt while watching these characters deteriorate and fall deeper and deeper into madness.
Not only did this book give me the creeps, chills and a few shocks with the twists and turns, but alongside the horror aspect, we also got other, very real aspects as-well. This book delved into grief, motherhood of all kinds, identity and self discovery in a very refreshing and engaging way that made me root even harder for our characters.
Speaking of twists and turns, the ending did confuse me briefly, getting me upset and bewildered when i thought it was over. But, realizing in the epilogue what was really going on throughout this whole story, blew my mind and gave me a newfound appreciation for the book. It had me mind-blown and connected all the dots i’d missed previously in the book.
The pacing and story did progress quite slowly, giving little bits of information at a time, which was a little bit of a bore, but did add to the overall atmospheric tension and unsettling experience.
BIG thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for giving me the opportunity to read an eARC of And the Sea Gave Up the Dead in exchange for my honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This review is for an ARC copy received from the publisher through NetGalley.
Morwenna has avoided her Aunt Bethan for too long, partially due to Bethan's behavior since her husband Jim was lost at sea, and also due to the death of her own husband. But when she gets a phone call alerting her that something is afoul, Marwenna packs up her two sons and partner to go visit Bethan in her chateau in France. While their week-long holiday seems fine at first, soon strange things begin happening - night sweats inducing dreams, changes in moods for her children, and then there are all the creepy local legends about dead souls returning after Halloween and evil revenants coming back. The longer they stay, the darker their moods and atmosphere get, as November 1 looms in their future.
Early on in the book, the story is often disorienting and seeming only to paint some of the picture before moving on, leaving a bit of a feeling of confusion. This was likely on purpose, as that's often how the characters feel and react. In the second half of the novel, the narrative has more clarity, and all the whispers of plot elements from before start to get fleshed out and answered. However, while this wasn't a particularly long book, the longer the story went on, the more it started feeling a mixture of repetitiveness and that the plot was being too slowly dragged out. I though the overall writing was well done, but the story, especially once it was fully explained at the end, just didn't have enough substance for the length of the book. I think a novella about half to maybe two-thirds the length would have made for a stronger read.
Morwenna has avoided her Aunt Bethan for too long, partially due to Bethan's behavior since her husband Jim was lost at sea, and also due to the death of her own husband. But when she gets a phone call alerting her that something is afoul, Marwenna packs up her two sons and partner to go visit Bethan in her chateau in France. While their week-long holiday seems fine at first, soon strange things begin happening - night sweats inducing dreams, changes in moods for her children, and then there are all the creepy local legends about dead souls returning after Halloween and evil revenants coming back. The longer they stay, the darker their moods and atmosphere get, as November 1 looms in their future.
Early on in the book, the story is often disorienting and seeming only to paint some of the picture before moving on, leaving a bit of a feeling of confusion. This was likely on purpose, as that's often how the characters feel and react. In the second half of the novel, the narrative has more clarity, and all the whispers of plot elements from before start to get fleshed out and answered. However, while this wasn't a particularly long book, the longer the story went on, the more it started feeling a mixture of repetitiveness and that the plot was being too slowly dragged out. I though the overall writing was well done, but the story, especially once it was fully explained at the end, just didn't have enough substance for the length of the book. I think a novella about half to maybe two-thirds the length would have made for a stronger read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
After finishing this book, I'm not entirely sure how I feel about it. It was difficult to track precisely what was happening at the beginning of the book, as the perspective often bounced between the four members of the family and left me with a few pieces of what was happening at a time. While the atmosphere was suitably gothic and eerie, the first section of the book was quite slow. It took a while for it to start to become clear exactly what was happening in the chateau.
I didn't like Morwenna very much as a character, and I think I might have enjoyed the book more if it had been primarily centered around her sons as characters rather than so much from her. While some characters are often not meant to be liked by the reader in the way they are written, it seemed that Morwenna is meant to be liked or sympathized with by the reader, and I just never connected with her or enjoyed when the book was in her perspective.
There were certain points in the book where I wasn't sure whether it would come to a satisfying ending or not, and the ending was not quite what I had anticipated. The ending didn't come entirely out of nowhere, but in a way the ending left me feeling as though many of the events from the book were a bit pointless, and diminished the stakes from the earlier plot. There were definitely aspects of the book that I enjoyed, but overall my feelings at the end of the book were complicated.
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
I didn't like Morwenna very much as a character, and I think I might have enjoyed the book more if it had been primarily centered around her sons as characters rather than so much from her. While some characters are often not meant to be liked by the reader in the way they are written, it seemed that Morwenna is meant to be liked or sympathized with by the reader, and I just never connected with her or enjoyed when the book was in her perspective.
There were certain points in the book where I wasn't sure whether it would come to a satisfying ending or not, and the ending was not quite what I had anticipated. The ending didn't come entirely out of nowhere, but in a way the ending left me feeling as though many of the events from the book were a bit pointless, and diminished the stakes from the earlier plot. There were definitely aspects of the book that I enjoyed, but overall my feelings at the end of the book were complicated.
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Net Galley and Poisoned Press for the chance to read and review this novel.
And the Sea Gave Up the Dead by William Friend is a slow burn gothic thriller that takes place in the South of France. .
Morwenna and her family are visiting her aging aunt, Bethan, alone since the mysterious disappearance of her husband. Fearful of the dementia that runs through their family and concerned over unsettling calls from her aunt Morwenna is determined to make sure her Aunt is indeed doing as well as she claims.
Grief, mystery and a sense foreboding surrounds the family as they settle into Bethan's chateau for their visit. Bethan is forgetful and vague, Morwenna's sons are distant and the very walls of the chateau crumble and change. Morwenna searches for the truth behind her uncles disappearance, but as she comes closer to discovering the truth reality and fiction twist into uncomfortable truths she may not be ready to face.
And the Sea Gave Up the Dead is a chilling, gothic story with believable characters and has a wonderfully spooky setting. The atmosphere was perfect and tension built beautifully throughout, but the story line got a bit clunky and tedious towards the end., Some parts were confusing and although the characters were believable, none of them were particularly likable.
Despite its flaws, this is an enjoyable book, 3.5 stars rounded to 4 for this novel. .
And the Sea Gave Up the Dead by William Friend is a slow burn gothic thriller that takes place in the South of France. .
Morwenna and her family are visiting her aging aunt, Bethan, alone since the mysterious disappearance of her husband. Fearful of the dementia that runs through their family and concerned over unsettling calls from her aunt Morwenna is determined to make sure her Aunt is indeed doing as well as she claims.
Grief, mystery and a sense foreboding surrounds the family as they settle into Bethan's chateau for their visit. Bethan is forgetful and vague, Morwenna's sons are distant and the very walls of the chateau crumble and change. Morwenna searches for the truth behind her uncles disappearance, but as she comes closer to discovering the truth reality and fiction twist into uncomfortable truths she may not be ready to face.
And the Sea Gave Up the Dead is a chilling, gothic story with believable characters and has a wonderfully spooky setting. The atmosphere was perfect and tension built beautifully throughout, but the story line got a bit clunky and tedious towards the end., Some parts were confusing and although the characters were believable, none of them were particularly likable.
Despite its flaws, this is an enjoyable book, 3.5 stars rounded to 4 for this novel. .
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’ve finished this book and feeling things I did not expect to feel.
Reading from a third person perspective with really jarring character shifts was disorienting to me initially but the further I got with the story, I think this actually made it more enjoyable and relate better to how the characters must have been feeling/experiencing - because the whole story was incredibly disorientating and disturbing and heartbreaking.
With so many life changing human experiences such as grief in its many forms, motherhood, coming of age, self discovery and a plethora more, it was challenging not to feel an attachment or relatability to the characters in some way.
There was a gentle descent into madness throughout the book- something that I haven’t experienced before and I will actively seek out again !
There were times I was struggling to read because of the horror and paranormal aspects and other times because of the welling in my eyes.
I very much felt this to be psychological gothic horror based on the setting, the atmosphere, the characters moods and visions and the overall storyline/vibe.
So if you enjoy unreliable narrators and not know who to trust or what’s real then you will absolutely enjoy this.
I am curious to know if it was “the fates” spinning wheel that was featured throughout the story. Did anyone else consider this?
Reading from a third person perspective with really jarring character shifts was disorienting to me initially but the further I got with the story, I think this actually made it more enjoyable and relate better to how the characters must have been feeling/experiencing - because the whole story was incredibly disorientating and disturbing and heartbreaking.
With so many life changing human experiences such as grief in its many forms, motherhood, coming of age, self discovery and a plethora more, it was challenging not to feel an attachment or relatability to the characters in some way.
There was a gentle descent into madness throughout the book- something that I haven’t experienced before and I will actively seek out again !
There were times I was struggling to read because of the horror and paranormal aspects and other times because of the welling in my eyes.
I very much felt this to be psychological gothic horror based on the setting, the atmosphere, the characters moods and visions and the overall storyline/vibe.
So if you enjoy unreliable narrators and not know who to trust or what’s real then you will absolutely enjoy this.
I am curious to know if it was “the fates” spinning wheel that was featured throughout the story. Did anyone else consider this?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
literally the exact equivalent to diavola.
i’m conflicted between rating this either a 2 or 3. idkkk
⋆˚࿔ ”and the sea gave up the dead which were in it.”
the priest had said at morning mass. “and the next world gave up its dead too. and everyone was judged.”
‘for the fans of jennifer thorne’s diavola’ was the warning i decided to ignore. i was not a fan
morwenna returns to her aunt’s château where her uncle vanished years ago and uncovers supernatural unsolved mysteries/fate tied with creatures rising from the sea
complicated nothings happened in this.
the reveals? 100x more complicated with a constant state of dread.
the dreams they had set off subtle eerie tones like having no reflection, shadows and what not seeped into the pages like a gothic family portrait. the idea of this sounded so intriguing, all in all it didn’t satisfy me to its entire extent.
the main thing that drew me in since the beginning was the french seaside atmosphere. it’s to die for!
i’ll say the same about diavola’s italian atmosphere
if i had to pick reading and the sea gave up the dead or diavola i would maybe pick this.
i’m never revisiting both again though
⋆˚࿔ ”you must solve it. the riddle of the drowned man. and unmask his killer.”
thank you netgalley & poisoned pen press for the arc in exchange for my honest review!~
i’m conflicted between rating this either a 2 or 3. idkkk
⋆˚࿔ ”and the sea gave up the dead which were in it.”
the priest had said at morning mass. “and the next world gave up its dead too. and everyone was judged.”
‘for the fans of jennifer thorne’s diavola’ was the warning i decided to ignore. i was not a fan
morwenna returns to her aunt’s château where her uncle vanished years ago and uncovers supernatural unsolved mysteries/fate tied with creatures rising from the sea
complicated nothings happened in this.
the reveals? 100x more complicated with a constant state of dread.
the dreams they had set off subtle eerie tones like having no reflection, shadows and what not seeped into the pages like a gothic family portrait. the idea of this sounded so intriguing, all in all it didn’t satisfy me to its entire extent.
the main thing that drew me in since the beginning was the french seaside atmosphere. it’s to die for!
i’ll say the same about diavola’s italian atmosphere
if i had to pick reading and the sea gave up the dead or diavola i would maybe pick this.
i’m never revisiting both again though
⋆˚࿔ ”you must solve it. the riddle of the drowned man. and unmask his killer.”
thank you netgalley & poisoned pen press for the arc in exchange for my honest review!~
July 11, 2026
*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the ARC for this book in exchange for an honest review*
And the Sea Gave Up the Dead is a horror novel following Morwenna, her boyfriend and her two sons as they visit her aunt at her château in France. The trip is part holiday and part wellness check, as Morwenna fears her aunt may be developing dementia.
I really wanted to like this one because the premise had so much potential. A creepy French château, local folklore and the possibility of something sinister lurking beneath the surface sounded right up my street. Unfortunately, the execution never lived up to the idea.
This book felt like a psychological thriller stitched onto a horror novel, and not in a good way. I liked the idea of the folk horror and the stories surrounding the small French town, but they’re never explored enough to feel satisfying.
The characters are fairly flat and uninteresting, and the multiple POVs don’t really work when none of them are particularly engaging. I also felt the book would have been much stronger if it had leaned further into the horror and cut back on Morwenna’s lengthy inner monologues, many of which didn’t seem to add much to the story.
I did really enjoy the ending though, I didn’t see that coming!
And the Sea Gave Up the Dead is a horror novel following Morwenna, her boyfriend and her two sons as they visit her aunt at her château in France. The trip is part holiday and part wellness check, as Morwenna fears her aunt may be developing dementia.
I really wanted to like this one because the premise had so much potential. A creepy French château, local folklore and the possibility of something sinister lurking beneath the surface sounded right up my street. Unfortunately, the execution never lived up to the idea.
This book felt like a psychological thriller stitched onto a horror novel, and not in a good way. I liked the idea of the folk horror and the stories surrounding the small French town, but they’re never explored enough to feel satisfying.
The characters are fairly flat and uninteresting, and the multiple POVs don’t really work when none of them are particularly engaging. I also felt the book would have been much stronger if it had leaned further into the horror and cut back on Morwenna’s lengthy inner monologues, many of which didn’t seem to add much to the story.
I did really enjoy the ending though, I didn’t see that coming!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What this novel does well is creating a sense of creeping dread and unease with the feeling of being unmoored, unsteady on your feet, almost a little seasick and dizzy. It's hard to get your bearings at times, both in the metaphorical sense (what is going on) and literal sense (wait, actually what is going on). While I enjoyed it at first, the disquiet, it did become a bit tedious as the novel progressed and I still struggled to connect with the characters and setting. I really liked the introduction to the chateau, it's changing nature and slanted floors, but I had a difficult time conceptualizing and connecting to the broader community. The pacing was strong in the begining - Aunt Bethan's letters work fantastically to build the anxiety as we move toward visiting the chateau - but it is not consistent through the middle until we have a nice resolution at the end. This is a slow burn novel. Overall, I'd recommend to readers who enjoy relishing the unease, questionable/unreliable characters, a gothic chateau and something-is-wrong-with-her host. Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC and give my honest feedback!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A subtle horror novel that gives you hints in each chapter. This one had me intrigued from the first chapter, as this family is driving to see an aunt whose husband has disappeared. Rumors say she may have killed him, and Morwenna deep down feels there is more to the story. Morwenna and her two boys start to experience nightmares and question the haunting of the chateau on the French seaside. I felt as if I were there on vacation in this beautiful chateau, walking on the beach with the family. As the nightmares persist and Morwenna watches Bethan, she questions if she isn't suffering from dementia like her mother did. The deeper Morwenna searches for the truth, the more she questions her own sanity. As secrets are eventually brought to light with Morwenna's boyfriend, Christian, the truth about what is happening to her and her children is also revealed. The subtle events and clues kept me guessing. This was a fun novel and a nice encounter with the spirit world.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC and Poisoned Pen Press.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC and Poisoned Pen Press.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The story was well-written and unsettling, but I felt there was something missing, and I couldn’t connect to the characters while reading, and I didn’t connect to them till the last chapter. There was a good level of creepiness to the story which I appreciated and it did feel very gothic and horror like for the most part, but it wasn’t enough for me.
No way at all was the an ending something that I was expecting, but it also makes sense with other parts of the book so it does not feel like an ending that came out of nowhere which is a testament to the good quality of the writing.
However, there were aspects I did not like, such as the fact that the pacing was slow and that did not help the story, I felt there was nothing really happening up until maybe the last 15-20% and if felt like I was forcing myself to finish it. This further meant that I could not connect with the characters in a way that I would have hoped.
Thank you to net galley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
No way at all was the an ending something that I was expecting, but it also makes sense with other parts of the book so it does not feel like an ending that came out of nowhere which is a testament to the good quality of the writing.
However, there were aspects I did not like, such as the fact that the pacing was slow and that did not help the story, I felt there was nothing really happening up until maybe the last 15-20% and if felt like I was forcing myself to finish it. This further meant that I could not connect with the characters in a way that I would have hoped.
Thank you to net galley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley.
I can see why And the Sea Gave Up the Dead would be similar in themes with We Have Always Lived in the Castle, but for me, it just didn’t hit the same way, it felt a bit flat in comparison. I missed connection to the characters, inner lives and something more to drive the plot along.
The story follows Morwenna, her partner, and their two kids as they visit her aunt Bethan in France, who she believes is slowly succumbing to dementia. The locals believe Bethan had something to do with the disappearance of Morwenna's uncle, who is thought to have drowned. The book jumps around between different characters’ perspectives, which didn’t really work for me. I loved the creepy vibe and the folklore around the chateau, but I never really got to care about the main characters. The plot moves from one nightmare or weird moment to the next, which made everything feel slow and not very rewarding.
It had so much potential, but sadly, it just wasn’t for me!
I can see why And the Sea Gave Up the Dead would be similar in themes with We Have Always Lived in the Castle, but for me, it just didn’t hit the same way, it felt a bit flat in comparison. I missed connection to the characters, inner lives and something more to drive the plot along.
The story follows Morwenna, her partner, and their two kids as they visit her aunt Bethan in France, who she believes is slowly succumbing to dementia. The locals believe Bethan had something to do with the disappearance of Morwenna's uncle, who is thought to have drowned. The book jumps around between different characters’ perspectives, which didn’t really work for me. I loved the creepy vibe and the folklore around the chateau, but I never really got to care about the main characters. The plot moves from one nightmare or weird moment to the next, which made everything feel slow and not very rewarding.
It had so much potential, but sadly, it just wasn’t for me!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A gothic mystery set in a gloomy, seaside chateau, a family falling apart at the seams, and where nothing is ever as it seems, And the Sea Gave Up the Dead is an incredibly oppressive, heavy novel filled with dread and terror. That is, I really loved it!
All the characters begin as one thing, and end as another, as the novel unravels them bit by bit, peeling away their masks until only the truth remains.
Definitely a book I couldn’t put down cause I was so eager to see what exactly was behind all the going-ons of the chateau!
Thank you to William Friend, Poisoned Pen Press, and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
All the characters begin as one thing, and end as another, as the novel unravels them bit by bit, peeling away their masks until only the truth remains.
Definitely a book I couldn’t put down cause I was so eager to see what exactly was behind all the going-ons of the chateau!
Thank you to William Friend, Poisoned Pen Press, and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
June 27, 2026
A lucid dream incarnate. That's what this felt like. So confusing—hazy—with other points that stood out so much.
Until the end when the twist was presented, I was just so confused about what was happening that I wasn't enjoying reading as much. However, it was definitely worth powering through that blip because the conclusion brought it all together into a complete, creative, and enjoyable read.
Sometimes it just jumps between perspectives with an omniscient tone and then suddenly it's in the mind of another person. It was hard to follow and confusing.
I also had a hard time understanding the characters relationships to each other at first.
There were quite a few sexual references that just felt so unnecessary. It was honestly just annoying when they would pop up, and it just detracted from the story.
Otherwise I thought the story was pretty engaging and enjoyable. Definitely an easy, unique horror read!
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC copy!
Until the end when the twist was presented, I was just so confused about what was happening that I wasn't enjoying reading as much. However, it was definitely worth powering through that blip because the conclusion brought it all together into a complete, creative, and enjoyable read.
Sometimes it just jumps between perspectives with an omniscient tone and then suddenly it's in the mind of another person. It was hard to follow and confusing.
I also had a hard time understanding the characters relationships to each other at first.
There were quite a few sexual references that just felt so unnecessary. It was honestly just annoying when they would pop up, and it just detracted from the story.
Otherwise I thought the story was pretty engaging and enjoyable. Definitely an easy, unique horror read!
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC copy!
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I received this book as an ARC through the giveaway and was excited to read a chilling gothic horror. Unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations. While it is not a long book, and I have read much longer books in less than a day. The story was painfully slow. It took until the halfway mark to finally discover that something sinister was actually happening, rather than just a standard family reunion. The plot is very heavy on dialogue, which can be fine if there is action driving the story forward, but there simply wasn't enough going on here to justify it. I really wanted to like this book, but the pacing made it a struggle, and it took me almost three weeks to finish. This was my first time reading this author. While this particular story missed the mark for me, I am hoping their other works are better.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks so much to Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for the ARC of this book!
4.5 ⭐
This was a very solid gothic mystery! I loved the atmosphere - it was very creepy. I liked the fact that the perspectives the reader was in shifted throughout the story, and while some reveals were predictable, I still found this book enjoyable and creepy. The main characters were sometimes frustrating in a way that made them feel more real, which I always enjoy. The pacing felt quite different between the first part of the book and the second - there was a slow build up, so the end felt sort of rushed. However, I like how everything tied together. I really enjoyed the crumbs we were given throughout the story that hinted at the ending. Overall, I really enjoyed this book! Definitely worth the read if you love gothic stories that have a strong focus on family relationships.
4.5 ⭐
This was a very solid gothic mystery! I loved the atmosphere - it was very creepy. I liked the fact that the perspectives the reader was in shifted throughout the story, and while some reveals were predictable, I still found this book enjoyable and creepy. The main characters were sometimes frustrating in a way that made them feel more real, which I always enjoy. The pacing felt quite different between the first part of the book and the second - there was a slow build up, so the end felt sort of rushed. However, I like how everything tied together. I really enjoyed the crumbs we were given throughout the story that hinted at the ending. Overall, I really enjoyed this book! Definitely worth the read if you love gothic stories that have a strong focus on family relationships.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Is something wrong or isn't it? You know something is....but what? Is it all in your head?
This book was bonkers. I love an unreliable narrator and this was unreliable with a side of LSD. The characters were relatable and I connected emotionally with Morwenna quite easily. There was just enough dread hinted at to make me feel unsteady but nothing truly overt until the end ran up and knocked me down. I had a fantastic time reading this. I'm a huge fan of psychological horror so the slower pace didn't bother me in the least. I enjoy getting to know the characters and their relationships and history. The final scene was a quick gutting and my heart can still feel it the next day.
Is something wrong or isn't it? You know something is....but what? Is it all in your head?
This book was bonkers. I love an unreliable narrator and this was unreliable with a side of LSD. The characters were relatable and I connected emotionally with Morwenna quite easily. There was just enough dread hinted at to make me feel unsteady but nothing truly overt until the end ran up and knocked me down. I had a fantastic time reading this. I'm a huge fan of psychological horror so the slower pace didn't bother me in the least. I enjoy getting to know the characters and their relationships and history. The final scene was a quick gutting and my heart can still feel it the next day.
June 24, 2026
NETGALLEY ARC, publishing August 18,2026
Friend writes atmosphere superbly. I will always come back for that!
I found parts of this story confusing but even while I did, I was utterly engrossed.
I think this story is about grief, regret, change, evil and what can live on after the body is dead.
I don’t think I suspected the ending. Or if I did, it was just a tiny pinprick early on of a thought.
If you’re intrigued by the sea, seaside homes, ghosts, parenting boys and unsolved disappearances with gothic overtones in a house that’s as slippery as treacle, give this a read.
QUOTE: “Time, as she knows from personal experience, always heals, whether you want it to or not. Your life changes around you, without your consent…”
June 7, 2026
I requested this book having loved the author’s Let Him In. Early on, I found didn’t gel with the French setting nor the characters. It didn’t feel natural to me so I read on unconvinced, which is often the nail in the coffin when reading horror. The authors last book was beautifully ‘normal’ and had a Hill House (the show, not the book) feel with the emotional undertones of the characters and the grief. The horror was incredibly well done in the background of this very human and emotional element. This instead felt like a tall tale and I didn’t get swept away with it sadly. DNF.
Thanks to Netgalley for the arc.
Thanks to Netgalley for the arc.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I loved Let Him In - Friend takes a similar concept but flips the perspective. A slow build, pressure cooking plot and ending with so many revelations
I loved the challenge of surviving life - you don't recover from some losses, like partner who has been by your side by decades. The stickiness of dating his best friend a few years later, forming a bond turned into romance.
Aging family members - struggles with their bodies and mental health. The castle is just perfection. Bethan - always a little off kilter.
And of course - children who experience everything on a different level.
I loved the challenge of surviving life - you don't recover from some losses, like partner who has been by your side by decades. The stickiness of dating his best friend a few years later, forming a bond turned into romance.
Aging family members - struggles with their bodies and mental health. The castle is just perfection. Bethan - always a little off kilter.
And of course - children who experience everything on a different level.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The good :
William Friend delivers on atmosphere in spades. The dark and claustrophobic atmosphere is hauntingly rendered, and you get a sense of dread with every page. I was totally sucked into the deep sea gothic undertones.
The not so good - I found the protagonist extremely frustrating. She spends large swaths of the book in a state of twitterpaited anxiety / self doubt about how she perceives reality. So, bottom line: pick this up for the incredible atmosphere - just be prepared to push through some repetitive internal monologue to get to the legitimately frightening horror.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
William Friend delivers on atmosphere in spades. The dark and claustrophobic atmosphere is hauntingly rendered, and you get a sense of dread with every page. I was totally sucked into the deep sea gothic undertones.
The not so good - I found the protagonist extremely frustrating. She spends large swaths of the book in a state of twitterpaited anxiety / self doubt about how she perceives reality. So, bottom line: pick this up for the incredible atmosphere - just be prepared to push through some repetitive internal monologue to get to the legitimately frightening horror.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
July 12, 2026
*3.25
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC!
I enjoyed this book. I found the beginning of it to be a bit slow, but the second half was difficult to put down. This book does a really great job of creating an impending sense of dread — as you read, you feel the same sense of doom as Morwenna.
I did find it difficult to connect to the characters at times, with the characters of Morwenna and Jamie being the easiest to connect with.
I also did find the perspective changes to be somewhat jarring.
Overall, I think this book is an interesting exploration of grief done through a gothic horror lense. I would recommend it to anyone who thinks that might be up their alley.
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC!
I enjoyed this book. I found the beginning of it to be a bit slow, but the second half was difficult to put down. This book does a really great job of creating an impending sense of dread — as you read, you feel the same sense of doom as Morwenna.
I did find it difficult to connect to the characters at times, with the characters of Morwenna and Jamie being the easiest to connect with.
I also did find the perspective changes to be somewhat jarring.
Overall, I think this book is an interesting exploration of grief done through a gothic horror lense. I would recommend it to anyone who thinks that might be up their alley.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Full to the brim with atmosphere, in this creepy chateau, where nobody goes, and Bethany lives alone.
The arrival of her family on holiday sets off all sorts of things, and I was never sure what was real, what was imagined (when awake) and what was a dream.
It's got some excellent moments that are creepy, but the whole book had me wondering what was going on.
It's not particularly fast paced, but I liked it all the more for the slow burn.
A tad sentimental at times, but aren't we all?
Thanks to netgalley for the free digital copy
The arrival of her family on holiday sets off all sorts of things, and I was never sure what was real, what was imagined (when awake) and what was a dream.
It's got some excellent moments that are creepy, but the whole book had me wondering what was going on.
It's not particularly fast paced, but I liked it all the more for the slow burn.
A tad sentimental at times, but aren't we all?
Thanks to netgalley for the free digital copy
June 19, 2026
This story presents us with an intriguing mystery (or maybe MANY intriguing mysteries), and I had a blast trying to put all the pieces together. I loved the tense and complex family dynamics—they truly made the characters here feel like real, complicated people. What I most disliked were all the dream sequences…there were quite a few of them and they all blurred into long, tedious walls of text for me. I think those could be shortened drastically and we still wouldn’t lose much from the story. All in all, I would recommend, especially for fans of Shirley Jackson.
July 2, 2026
I was with this book until about the last 30 or so pages and then it just kinda fell flat for me. There was a nice slow burn, gothic/folk horror vibe going on with the family visiting the creepy old house of the creepy old aunt whose husband disappeared. I could forgive all the “dream”
Sequences, and other odd choices, if it had gone to someplace satisfying but a lot of the reveals and character motivations just felt a little Silly to me in the end. Without spoiling it , it gave me vibes of other stories or films that were just executed a bit stronger. There’s a lot of good here and I found it very readable, but taken as a whole it just was ok for me. Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC.
Sequences, and other odd choices, if it had gone to someplace satisfying but a lot of the reveals and character motivations just felt a little Silly to me in the end. Without spoiling it , it gave me vibes of other stories or films that were just executed a bit stronger. There’s a lot of good here and I found it very readable, but taken as a whole it just was ok for me. Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
After avoiding visiting her Aunt Bethan since the death of Morwenna’s husband, and on the heals of her uncle’s mysterious disappearance, Morwenna, her sons, and her new partner travel to her aunt’s secluded French chateau. Upon arriving they find Bethan confused and not like her former self, lingering in her chateau that seems to be hiding secrets of its own. This gothic horror is atmospheric, foreboding, and is told from multiple perspectives which all add to this haunting story about grief and family.
This ARC was provided by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
This ARC was provided by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an ARC for this book from NetGalley for free.
This had a really creepy atmosphere that I enjoyed a lot. I thought the writing was good but at times so overly descriptive that it distracted from the plot progression. The climatic ending events were really effective and I will probably find myself thinking about them a lot in the future.
Overall a really worthwhile read, even though this isn’t anything mindblowing plot wise.
This had a really creepy atmosphere that I enjoyed a lot. I thought the writing was good but at times so overly descriptive that it distracted from the plot progression. The climatic ending events were really effective and I will probably find myself thinking about them a lot in the future.
Overall a really worthwhile read, even though this isn’t anything mindblowing plot wise.
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