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Daughters of the Tide: The gorgeously atmospheric 2026 debut that explores secrets and selkies in 1920s Tasmania
Not yet published
Expected 26 May 26Weaving historical fiction with folklore and Tasmanian gothic, this is a gorgeously atmospheric debut that explores memory and self, the resilience of women and a dangerous longing for the sea.
The Findlay family history has long been steeped in secrets, tragedy and dark rumours of madness. Generations of its women have been haunted by a dangerous luring melody and an insatiable longing for the sea.
It's 1923 and Isla Findlay lives with her parents on the edge of the ocean in Tasmania, in a rambling mansion full of whispers of this cursed legacy. When Isla discovers her estranged aunt is finally coming home, long repressed memories of the selkie stories of her childhood start to resurface, along with disturbing dreams of seals and an eerie song that Isla starts to hear even in her waking hours.
As the line between what's real and imagined starts to blur, Isla and her aunt and mother must reckon with long-held secrets and ghosts who have not been properly laid to rest. The closer they get to the truths of the past, the louder they hear the seductive call of the ocean. Does it sing of freedom, or only more tragedy?
A tale of madness and miracles, secrets and sins, myth and reality, and the tenacity and resilience of women in the face of impossible choices.
PRAISE FOR DAUGHTERS OF THE TIDE
'Memory, reality and truth swirl and tumble in waves of dream, ancient song and mystery to create a lyrical and poetic novel that pulls at the senses like the tides themselves. An assured and alluring debut.' MARY-LOU STEPHENS, author of The Hobart Hotel
'This is a piece of historical fiction magic that will captivate and delight.' KAREN BROOKS, author of The Whisky Widow
'A beautifully written debut, lush with dark family secrets shrouded in memory and mystique' DARRY FRASER, author of The Adventuress of Albany
The Findlay family history has long been steeped in secrets, tragedy and dark rumours of madness. Generations of its women have been haunted by a dangerous luring melody and an insatiable longing for the sea.
It's 1923 and Isla Findlay lives with her parents on the edge of the ocean in Tasmania, in a rambling mansion full of whispers of this cursed legacy. When Isla discovers her estranged aunt is finally coming home, long repressed memories of the selkie stories of her childhood start to resurface, along with disturbing dreams of seals and an eerie song that Isla starts to hear even in her waking hours.
As the line between what's real and imagined starts to blur, Isla and her aunt and mother must reckon with long-held secrets and ghosts who have not been properly laid to rest. The closer they get to the truths of the past, the louder they hear the seductive call of the ocean. Does it sing of freedom, or only more tragedy?
A tale of madness and miracles, secrets and sins, myth and reality, and the tenacity and resilience of women in the face of impossible choices.
PRAISE FOR DAUGHTERS OF THE TIDE
'Memory, reality and truth swirl and tumble in waves of dream, ancient song and mystery to create a lyrical and poetic novel that pulls at the senses like the tides themselves. An assured and alluring debut.' MARY-LOU STEPHENS, author of The Hobart Hotel
'This is a piece of historical fiction magic that will captivate and delight.' KAREN BROOKS, author of The Whisky Widow
'A beautifully written debut, lush with dark family secrets shrouded in memory and mystique' DARRY FRASER, author of The Adventuress of Albany
- GenresHistorical
459 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication May 26, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 20, 2026
“Findlay women have the sea in their veins, and the sea doesn't shrink herself for anyone.”
Perfect for fans of Heather Rose, Mary Lou Stevens and Alice Hoffman’s “Practical Magic” ✨🐚🌊
Daughters of The Tide masterfully blends historical fiction, unique folklore and an eerie gothic atmosphere. It is magic brought to life. A beautiful, powerful yet haunting exploration of identity, secrets, sins, the resilience of a generation of women up against insurmountable odds and the transformation that comes with healing and allowing one’s true nature to swell.
I was instantly connected to the stories of the Findlay women, each with their own unique struggles yet so tightly bound and connected to one another. I loved how Arianne explored the erasure of women in this story, of how their legacies, sacrifices, intelligence and identity is so commonly swept away, forgotten or stolen from lesser men. And now each of the women grieved the lives they were unable to have because of their womanhood and all the cages it comes with.
As a Tasmanian I loved how much it felt the a character in the story, as did the sea. It evokes such a sense of belonging, nostalgia and vibrancy while reading. Truly atmospheric and enthralling, like a Florence and the Machine song come to life.
A wildly beautiful, memorable and powerful debut. 5 stars!!!!
Highlights —
“But rage feels good. So much easier to deal with than sadness. Sorrow stings and clings like sticky sap to the underside of her heart
where she thought she was safe.”
“We can feel things that others can't, hear things that are beyond the realm of normal listening. We can bite back.”
“Women are powerful, but we have to be clever with how we use that power. It can be so easily taken from us.”
“To love is to find oneself reflected in the heart of another, to see oneself magnified in their gaze and as such learn to love yourself. lo love is to find your soul's home, a place where you feel safe even while knowing that safety may, at times, be threatened, but choosing to reside there anyway. To love does not mean to lose yourself."
“He was my escape as much as my undoing, Adelaide says. I don’t think I'd feel like myself if I hadn't known him.
But you wouldn't know, if you'd never met,' Clara says.
I think I would. That's what I've never been able to shake. The feeling that I would have always known him.”
“It’s hard to know when you’re young and the world is full of possibilities, a thousand and one directions to choose from and no due which is right save for your heart's compass.”
Perfect for fans of Heather Rose, Mary Lou Stevens and Alice Hoffman’s “Practical Magic” ✨🐚🌊
Daughters of The Tide masterfully blends historical fiction, unique folklore and an eerie gothic atmosphere. It is magic brought to life. A beautiful, powerful yet haunting exploration of identity, secrets, sins, the resilience of a generation of women up against insurmountable odds and the transformation that comes with healing and allowing one’s true nature to swell.
I was instantly connected to the stories of the Findlay women, each with their own unique struggles yet so tightly bound and connected to one another. I loved how Arianne explored the erasure of women in this story, of how their legacies, sacrifices, intelligence and identity is so commonly swept away, forgotten or stolen from lesser men. And now each of the women grieved the lives they were unable to have because of their womanhood and all the cages it comes with.
As a Tasmanian I loved how much it felt the a character in the story, as did the sea. It evokes such a sense of belonging, nostalgia and vibrancy while reading. Truly atmospheric and enthralling, like a Florence and the Machine song come to life.
A wildly beautiful, memorable and powerful debut. 5 stars!!!!
Highlights —
“But rage feels good. So much easier to deal with than sadness. Sorrow stings and clings like sticky sap to the underside of her heart
where she thought she was safe.”
“We can feel things that others can't, hear things that are beyond the realm of normal listening. We can bite back.”
“Women are powerful, but we have to be clever with how we use that power. It can be so easily taken from us.”
“To love is to find oneself reflected in the heart of another, to see oneself magnified in their gaze and as such learn to love yourself. lo love is to find your soul's home, a place where you feel safe even while knowing that safety may, at times, be threatened, but choosing to reside there anyway. To love does not mean to lose yourself."
“He was my escape as much as my undoing, Adelaide says. I don’t think I'd feel like myself if I hadn't known him.
But you wouldn't know, if you'd never met,' Clara says.
I think I would. That's what I've never been able to shake. The feeling that I would have always known him.”
“It’s hard to know when you’re young and the world is full of possibilities, a thousand and one directions to choose from and no due which is right save for your heart's compass.”
May 13, 2026
I'm so grateful to have received an advanced readers copy for review from HaperCollins/HQ!
Daughters of the Tide is a haunting and atmospheric blend of historical fiction, mystery, and mythology that completely drew me into its coastal world. Told through the perspectives of Adelaide, Isla, and Clara, alongside Ettie’s diary entries memories, and dreamlike sequences, the novel created a layered and intriguing reading experience where reality often felt blurred beneath suppressed memories and long-buried family secrets.
The writing style itself was lyrical and immersive, especially whenever the ocean and underwater imagery took centre stage. The seals, tides, storms, and rugged coastline all felt vividly alive on the page, adding an eerie beauty to the story that perfectly matched its darker themes. I also really appreciated the novel’s exploration of power dynamics between men and women during the late 1800s through to the 1920s, and the ways society attempted to confine women within rigid expectations and roles.
While I found the premise incredibly strong, the pacing occasionally felt a little slow for me, particularly in the middle sections, which stopped it from becoming a full five star read. That said, I was still deeply invested in uncovering the truth behind the family’s history and the mysteries surrounding the women at the heart of the novel.
Alistair was such a well-written antagonist and honestly one of the standout characters for me. There was something deeply predatory about him that reminded me of orcas beaching themselves to hunt seals or the stories of killer whales harassing and capsizing small boats out at sea. That same sense of calculated menace followed him throughout the novel, making it incredibly satisfying to see justice eventually served.
Interestingly, Clara began as my least favourite character, but by the end she had become the one I felt most emotionally connected to as more of her story unfolded.
Overall, this was an eerie, richly layered, and beautifully written novel that balanced historical themes with mythology and psychological mystery in a compelling way. I would absolutely read from Arianne James again.
Daughters of the Tide is a haunting and atmospheric blend of historical fiction, mystery, and mythology that completely drew me into its coastal world. Told through the perspectives of Adelaide, Isla, and Clara, alongside Ettie’s diary entries memories, and dreamlike sequences, the novel created a layered and intriguing reading experience where reality often felt blurred beneath suppressed memories and long-buried family secrets.
The writing style itself was lyrical and immersive, especially whenever the ocean and underwater imagery took centre stage. The seals, tides, storms, and rugged coastline all felt vividly alive on the page, adding an eerie beauty to the story that perfectly matched its darker themes. I also really appreciated the novel’s exploration of power dynamics between men and women during the late 1800s through to the 1920s, and the ways society attempted to confine women within rigid expectations and roles.
While I found the premise incredibly strong, the pacing occasionally felt a little slow for me, particularly in the middle sections, which stopped it from becoming a full five star read. That said, I was still deeply invested in uncovering the truth behind the family’s history and the mysteries surrounding the women at the heart of the novel.
Alistair was such a well-written antagonist and honestly one of the standout characters for me. There was something deeply predatory about him that reminded me of orcas beaching themselves to hunt seals or the stories of killer whales harassing and capsizing small boats out at sea. That same sense of calculated menace followed him throughout the novel, making it incredibly satisfying to see justice eventually served.
Interestingly, Clara began as my least favourite character, but by the end she had become the one I felt most emotionally connected to as more of her story unfolded.
Overall, this was an eerie, richly layered, and beautifully written novel that balanced historical themes with mythology and psychological mystery in a compelling way. I would absolutely read from Arianne James again.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I’ve always had a thing for selkies – the siren song of seals and Celtic folklore is so appealing, so I jumped to read Daughters of the Tide, set in alternating timelines among three generations of women in 1920s Hobart. This is a beautiful and haunting novel about the Findlay family of women who struggle with seals, love and everything that women have endured for men.
The narrative moves between Ettie in 1885 and Isla, Clara and Adelaide in 1923/24. There’s a balance between the mystical aspects of their lives, and the more prosaic challenges of 1920s society in Hobart.
Ettie was the first generation to settle in Fossil Cove, where she mysteriously drowned in 1889. Her granddaughters Clara and Adelaide continue to live in the sea-side Findlay family home when Clara marries Harold, and has a daughter Isla. Adelaide leaves for Scotland when Isla is six, fracturing the family unit and destroying the closeness with her sister and niece.
Isla has secretly been accepted to Oxford University to study paleobiology, but her plan is put on hold when she learns that Adelaide is returning from her years’ long exile in Scotland. Adelaide’s return means that all the secrets that have been safely kept during her absence begin to unravel.
The call of the sea is real for the Findlay women, and at its most potent, they can hear a song that is both comforting and haunting, and draws them to the water. Author Arianne James doesn’t dive deeply (so to speak) into the selkie mythology, but there’s enough detail for the reader to follow. The attraction of the seals is especially strong for Isla in the months around Adelaide’s return, and we gradually find out why.
Secondary characters are terrific – Clara’s husband Harold especially. He’s both of his time (wanting to lead and be the head of his family) but he loves his wife and daughter, and is trying ever so hard to do the ‘right thing’ – my heart ached for him. I would have liked to know more of Jack, Isla’s platonic love interest. Most of the action occurs between September 1923 and June 1924, on a tight countdown to the annual solstice ball. This time-frame kept the momentum up and the focus on life in Fossil Cove.
I felt that sometimes the language feels too modern for the 1920s, but overall it’s immersive and haunting, and a little Gothic, and by the end I felt as if I shared the sea’s comfort. Recommended!
Thank you Arianne James and HQ Insiders for giving me an ARC printed copy to read and review. Opinions are my own.
The narrative moves between Ettie in 1885 and Isla, Clara and Adelaide in 1923/24. There’s a balance between the mystical aspects of their lives, and the more prosaic challenges of 1920s society in Hobart.
Ettie was the first generation to settle in Fossil Cove, where she mysteriously drowned in 1889. Her granddaughters Clara and Adelaide continue to live in the sea-side Findlay family home when Clara marries Harold, and has a daughter Isla. Adelaide leaves for Scotland when Isla is six, fracturing the family unit and destroying the closeness with her sister and niece.
Isla has secretly been accepted to Oxford University to study paleobiology, but her plan is put on hold when she learns that Adelaide is returning from her years’ long exile in Scotland. Adelaide’s return means that all the secrets that have been safely kept during her absence begin to unravel.
The call of the sea is real for the Findlay women, and at its most potent, they can hear a song that is both comforting and haunting, and draws them to the water. Author Arianne James doesn’t dive deeply (so to speak) into the selkie mythology, but there’s enough detail for the reader to follow. The attraction of the seals is especially strong for Isla in the months around Adelaide’s return, and we gradually find out why.
Secondary characters are terrific – Clara’s husband Harold especially. He’s both of his time (wanting to lead and be the head of his family) but he loves his wife and daughter, and is trying ever so hard to do the ‘right thing’ – my heart ached for him. I would have liked to know more of Jack, Isla’s platonic love interest. Most of the action occurs between September 1923 and June 1924, on a tight countdown to the annual solstice ball. This time-frame kept the momentum up and the focus on life in Fossil Cove.
I felt that sometimes the language feels too modern for the 1920s, but overall it’s immersive and haunting, and a little Gothic, and by the end I felt as if I shared the sea’s comfort. Recommended!
Thank you Arianne James and HQ Insiders for giving me an ARC printed copy to read and review. Opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
✨ 𝔸ℝℂ ℝ𝔼𝕍𝕀𝔼𝕎 ✨
Thank you so much to @harpercollinsaustralia @harlequinaus and @arianne_writes for the gifted ARC of this stunning debut. 🌊🦭
This book completely swept me away with its haunting atmosphere, lyrical writing, and beautifully woven blend of historical fiction, folklore, and Tasmanian gothic.
From the very first page, I felt like I could hear the ocean calling alongside Isla, pulling me deeper into the mystery surrounding the Findlay women and their tragic family legacy.
Set against the wild Tasmanian coastline in 1923, this story is drenched in melancholy, secrets, and that eerie sense that something ancient is lingering just beneath the waves. The selkie folklore added such a magical yet unsettling layer to the story, and I loved how the line between myth, memory, grief, and madness constantly blurred.
What truly stood out to me was the exploration of womanhood, generational trauma, and resilience. The relationships between Isla, her mother, and her aunt were emotional, raw, and incredibly compelling. Every revelation felt like another wave crashing against the shore, pulling long-buried truths to the surface.
If you love:
🌊 Atmospheric gothic fiction
🦭 Selkie folklore & ocean mythology
🏚️ Family secrets & generational curses
✨ Lyrical, immersive writing
🌫️ Haunting seaside settings
📖 Historical fiction with magical realism
…then this absolutely deserves a spot on your TBR.
A gorgeously haunting debut that lingers long after the final page.
Releasing May 26th and definitely one to watch. 🌙🌊
Thank you so much to @harpercollinsaustralia @harlequinaus and @arianne_writes for the gifted ARC of this stunning debut. 🌊🦭
This book completely swept me away with its haunting atmosphere, lyrical writing, and beautifully woven blend of historical fiction, folklore, and Tasmanian gothic.
From the very first page, I felt like I could hear the ocean calling alongside Isla, pulling me deeper into the mystery surrounding the Findlay women and their tragic family legacy.
Set against the wild Tasmanian coastline in 1923, this story is drenched in melancholy, secrets, and that eerie sense that something ancient is lingering just beneath the waves. The selkie folklore added such a magical yet unsettling layer to the story, and I loved how the line between myth, memory, grief, and madness constantly blurred.
What truly stood out to me was the exploration of womanhood, generational trauma, and resilience. The relationships between Isla, her mother, and her aunt were emotional, raw, and incredibly compelling. Every revelation felt like another wave crashing against the shore, pulling long-buried truths to the surface.
If you love:
🌊 Atmospheric gothic fiction
🦭 Selkie folklore & ocean mythology
🏚️ Family secrets & generational curses
✨ Lyrical, immersive writing
🌫️ Haunting seaside settings
📖 Historical fiction with magical realism
…then this absolutely deserves a spot on your TBR.
A gorgeously haunting debut that lingers long after the final page.
Releasing May 26th and definitely one to watch. 🌙🌊
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
just finished Daughters of the Tide by Arianne James, and honestly, it’s one of those books that leaves a bit of a lingering feeling after you’re done.
The story is set by the coast, and the atmosphere is such a big part of it. It’s kind of moody and a little eerie, especially with how the sea and the local folklore are woven in. The folklore isn’t just there for vibes either—it actually connects to what the characters are going through, which I really liked.
One of the main things the book explores is family, especially mother-daughter relationships. It doesn’t sugarcoat anything—there’s love, but also a lot of tension and unresolved stuff. It felt pretty real in the way families can be complicated and messy.
Mental health is another big theme, and I think it was handled really well. The characters’ struggles feel genuine, and it shows how much your past and your environment can affect you. I also liked that it didn’t try to wrap everything up perfectly—some things just take time, and the book reflects that.
Overall, it’s a really emotional, slightly haunting read with strong characters and a unique atmosphere. If you’re into stories that mix family drama with a touch of folklore and deeper themes, it’s definitely worth checking out.
This book was gifted to me by HQ Insiders
The story is set by the coast, and the atmosphere is such a big part of it. It’s kind of moody and a little eerie, especially with how the sea and the local folklore are woven in. The folklore isn’t just there for vibes either—it actually connects to what the characters are going through, which I really liked.
One of the main things the book explores is family, especially mother-daughter relationships. It doesn’t sugarcoat anything—there’s love, but also a lot of tension and unresolved stuff. It felt pretty real in the way families can be complicated and messy.
Mental health is another big theme, and I think it was handled really well. The characters’ struggles feel genuine, and it shows how much your past and your environment can affect you. I also liked that it didn’t try to wrap everything up perfectly—some things just take time, and the book reflects that.
Overall, it’s a really emotional, slightly haunting read with strong characters and a unique atmosphere. If you’re into stories that mix family drama with a touch of folklore and deeper themes, it’s definitely worth checking out.
This book was gifted to me by HQ Insiders
May 6, 2026
The Findlay women are spoken of in hushed tones. They live beside the sea and have an eerie connection with it; their lives often ending under the waves they’re drawn to. Sisters Adelaide and Clara, as well as Clara’s daughter, Isla, all seek to understand this pull they feel before it drowns them. To succeed they must break down the walls they’ve built, find peace within themselves and draw on the strength of their sisterhood.
This was such a pleasure to read.
This is a beautifully written piece of historical fiction that focuses on the power of women, family secrets and the folklore of selkies.
I especially loved the folklore element, having been fascinated by it since I was a child.
But, I also loved the characters and their relationships with one another. I loved reading and seeing the walls they’d built up between them slowly come down. I loved the growth they all showed and the different ways each character used to deal with the draw they feel to the ocean.
Such a great debut. I will definitely be reading whatever Arianne James writes next.
This was such a pleasure to read.
This is a beautifully written piece of historical fiction that focuses on the power of women, family secrets and the folklore of selkies.
I especially loved the folklore element, having been fascinated by it since I was a child.
But, I also loved the characters and their relationships with one another. I loved reading and seeing the walls they’d built up between them slowly come down. I loved the growth they all showed and the different ways each character used to deal with the draw they feel to the ocean.
Such a great debut. I will definitely be reading whatever Arianne James writes next.
Read
May 9, 2026Stories from lutriwita / Tasmania are finding their way to my reading list and I am here for it!
This beautiful tale swept me out of my mainland, contemporary existence into the folkloric atmosphere of Hobart the turn of the century (the last century), when women were beginning to take the right to determine their own lives with both hands.
Selkie stories are an haunting evocation of women losing control of their own bodies, their skin, to men who tether them to lives not of their choosing. Their yearning for the sea is the irresistible need to live with authenticity and with freedom. When women keep secrets even from those they love the most, that freedom can be out of reach.
Weaving historical fiction with folklore and Tasmanian gothic, this is a gorgeously atmospheric debut that explores memory and self, secrets and sins, myth and reality, and the resilience of women in the face of impossible choices.
For those who, like me, love Holly Ringland, Heather Rose, and Kate Forsyth, this is a fable brought to life that you will not want to miss.
This beautiful tale swept me out of my mainland, contemporary existence into the folkloric atmosphere of Hobart the turn of the century (the last century), when women were beginning to take the right to determine their own lives with both hands.
Selkie stories are an haunting evocation of women losing control of their own bodies, their skin, to men who tether them to lives not of their choosing. Their yearning for the sea is the irresistible need to live with authenticity and with freedom. When women keep secrets even from those they love the most, that freedom can be out of reach.
Weaving historical fiction with folklore and Tasmanian gothic, this is a gorgeously atmospheric debut that explores memory and self, secrets and sins, myth and reality, and the resilience of women in the face of impossible choices.
For those who, like me, love Holly Ringland, Heather Rose, and Kate Forsyth, this is a fable brought to life that you will not want to miss.
May 10, 2026
This story weaves between reality and dreams, blurring memories with mythology. The Findlay women are up against past tragedy and madness, trying to find their place in the present whilst hearing the lure of the ocean and the selkies.
The writing was beautiful and made everything feel a little off kilter in the right way. The characters were so varied and I really like reading from the three different POVs. I found the pace a bit on the slow side, and struggled initially to get into the story and have an idea where it was going, but once in the story, found it an enjoyable read. It does transition between the past, present and dreams quite often, and while I understand why this was done, it felt a bit disjointed for me and sometimes difficult to understand exactly what was happening.
Tropes/themes:
🌊 blurring of reality
🦭 selkie inspired
🌊 set in Australia
🦭 women finding their strength
The writing was beautiful and made everything feel a little off kilter in the right way. The characters were so varied and I really like reading from the three different POVs. I found the pace a bit on the slow side, and struggled initially to get into the story and have an idea where it was going, but once in the story, found it an enjoyable read. It does transition between the past, present and dreams quite often, and while I understand why this was done, it felt a bit disjointed for me and sometimes difficult to understand exactly what was happening.
Tropes/themes:
🌊 blurring of reality
🦭 selkie inspired
🌊 set in Australia
🦭 women finding their strength
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A stellar debut book. Weaving family secrets into folklore selkies and creating a beautiful atmospheric that is vibrant as well as mysterious. I like the intergenerational lines and how they combine. The Tide felt full of emotional love and immersed me completely. It's warm plot ties it up while feeling included.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A big, impressive debut by a new Tasmanian author. A story that lures its family of women into the otherworld of selkies, that unravels inter-generational secrets, and immerses the reader in a vibrant 1920s Tasmanian world.
May 3, 2026
This is everything I thought The Sirens would be but wasn’t (for me).
I really enjoyed it (although I found the last few chapters very stressful thinking the story might be going a different way for the ending)
Thank you to HQ insiders for this copy.
I really enjoyed it (although I found the last few chapters very stressful thinking the story might be going a different way for the ending)
Thank you to HQ insiders for this copy.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is a beautiful gothic historical fiction story by debut author Arianne James. Set in an old rambling house in Tasmania, it features family secrets, compelling characters & selkie folklore at its heart.
Out 31st May!
Out 31st May!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Beautifully written novel with compelling characters. Absolutely loved it!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews