Where the Tide Lines Lead

by Sophie Cameron

Elio's family owns a successful holiday resort on a Spanish island, but when multiple teenagers go missing in suspicious circumstances, bookings across the town dry up. Then Elio witnesses something strange - the sea parting for a teenage girl, before carefully enveloping her.

Unsurprisingly, no one on the island believes Elio. But a few days later, Sam, a British tourist, comes to find him. Her twin sister Jess is one of the missing teens, and Sam thinks Elio's story could be true.

As they investigate, they too are pulled into the water and discover an underwater city ruled by selkie-like creatures. The beings are in desperate need of Elio and Sam's help, but why have they been taking teenagers, and can they really be trusted?

Paperback

Published May 7, 2026

About the author

Sophie Cameron is the author of several novels for teens and young adults. Her books have been shortlisted for the Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing, the UKLA Book Awards, the Polari Children's & YA Prize and the Diverse Book Awards, among others, and won a Leeds Book Award in 2023. Originally from the Scottish Highlands, she now lives in Spain with her children.

Reviews

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this charming seaside mystery, a fast paced read with important messages about the planet sprinkled in. It focuses on Elio whose family own a resort in Spain and as teenagers keep vanishing the tourists start to stay away. Soon Elio is dragged into this mysterious underwater world and starts to forget all about his life on land. Things aren't quite as perfect as they seem but to say anymore would be a spoiler.

I would recommend this to anyone who wants a fun, quick escapist summer read.

[Delia_liest · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book so much because I loved the idea and premise of it but I just couldn’t get into it. The story didn’t feel real to me. I didn’t manage to fully care about the characters and therefore didn’t care too much about them. But I still would recommend this book because I liked the writing style and idea of it.

[Beth Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cosy briny tale packed with mystery, characters learning about themselves and learning to be comfortable with who they are as well as advocate for themselves whilst also tackling themes of climate change, overtourism, and the socioeconomic divide as well as what can happen when people of all nationalities, backgrounds, and beliefs come together for something bigger than themselves.

[Kirsty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book of two halves for me. Liked the first half as it felt like a mystery. Didn't like the second half but that is a me thing as I didn't like where it went. Too otherworldly for my tastes.

interesting things to say on an environmental point of view.