The Haunting of Hero's Bay: The chilling new mystery from the author of The Lost Storyteller

by Amanda Block

The sea doesn't forget.
It knows all of this has happened before.
And will happen again...

1840
As a vast ship loses its way in the night-time mist, shattering against the cliffs of Crescombe, North Devon, a daring young artist dives into the murky sea. But it's not for heroism he is risking something - or someone - is drawing him into those dark, perilous waters . . .

By dawn, only his legacy will survive.

Now
When Finley arrives in Crescombe for the summer, he suspects he's not alone in his attic bedroom. Before long, he is uncovering secrets the remote seaside town has kept for almost two about ghosts and curses, about a ruthless old smuggling family, and about the young women whose bodies have washed up along the town's rocky shoreline, just below his porthole window.

Yet the more Finley learns, the further he's bonded to those who have gone before him - and the closer he comes to meeting the same watery end . . .

But this is not just a story about death. It's about love. It's about fate. And how, ultimately, the past can pull you under . . .

Praise for The Lost Storyteller
'A powerful novel about . . . how stories connect us all' Jenny Colgan
'A warm, immersive read that weaves folklore through a story of self-discovery' Kate Sawyer
'A moving story and vivid characters. But it also has that special indefinable something. One of my books of the year' Tracy Rees

400 pages, Hardcover

Published October 9, 2025

About the author

Originally from Devon, Amanda moved to Edinburgh in 2007, where she attained a master's degree in creative writing. Since then, she's divided her time between ghostwriting, editing and tutoring.
Amanda's writing is often inspired by myths and fairy tales, which she uses as starting points to tell new stories. Her work has been shortlisted in contests such as the Bridport Prize and the Mslexia Short Story Competition. The Lost Storyteller is her first novel.

Reviews

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a big fan of Amanda Block's first book The Lost Storyteller, so I've been looking forward to this one for a while and I was not disappointed. A dual timeline story, we get the history of Hero's Bay back in 1840, and a modern day story which of course end up tying together as we approach the conclusion. The historical timeline has a theme of smuggling which made me think of Jamaica Inn so fans of that book will find something they enjoy here. The modern day storyline had great quirky characters, a realistic modern day protagonist (he's not perfect, he's believable, I like that). We get a relatable emotive historical protagonist (she's likeable but dealing with a lot) and some sinister characters around her. Of course since the title tells us this is a haunting the tension mounts as things aren't what they seem. There are some good themes here, acceptance, self doubt, illness/health conditions, romance, art, and of course the creepy spooky side of things. The author deals with the each subject excellently, especially a character dealing with type 1 diabetes. Fans of Amanda Block's first book will know how she creates tension and summons up imagery that will stay with you a while! This is a stand alone book, it doesn't follow on from anything. If you're in the mood for a spooky read with heart this Halloween I strongly recommend The Haunting of Hero's Bay. I was not paid for this review, I bought the book myself. Thanks for reading, Adam

[Angie Spoto · Rating 5 out of 5]

With an irresistible blend of historical mystery and gothic imagery, The Haunting of Hero’s Bay swept me along in its current. It’s a moving story of how the sea makes time permeable, dissolving the barriers between the past and the present and dredging up a history that must not be forgotten. Beautifully written and richly atmospheric, this book lingered in my mind long after I’d finished it.