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And the Sea Called Her Name
Born a poor lobster fisherman's son on the stark, Maine coastline, Jason Kingsley has always struggled with becoming more than what his father intended for him. After meeting and falling in love with the beautiful Delphi Arans, he feels his destiny has finally been fulfilled.
Their joy is unrivaled, something he's only ever dreamed of.
But soon disturbing events begin to invade the couple's life, and Jason starts to doubt the nature of their relationship as well as his sanity.
As his world unravels around him, Jason comes to realize that some secrets are better left untold, and others are worse than death itself.
*Note: Short story, approximately 15,000 words.
Their joy is unrivaled, something he's only ever dreamed of.
But soon disturbing events begin to invade the couple's life, and Jason starts to doubt the nature of their relationship as well as his sanity.
As his world unravels around him, Jason comes to realize that some secrets are better left untold, and others are worse than death itself.
*Note: Short story, approximately 15,000 words.
40 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 15, 2015
66 people are currently reading
308 people want to read
About the author
Joe Hart
52 books1,376 followersJoe Hart is the Edgar Award-winning and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of seventeen novels including The River Is Dark, Obscura, The Last Girl, and Or Else. His work has been optioned for film and translated into eight languages. He lives with his family in Minnesota.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
August 24, 2024
Lovecraftian!
I felt like I was reading a Lovecraftian horror!
Jason and his new wife, Del, move into his old family home. Unable to find work in his small, Maine town, he takes up work as a fisherman, the family business.
Everything is wonderful until Del disappears for several hours. When she returns, she has no memory of ever leaving. And then strange things begin.
This novel is truly suspenseful! You are constantly holding your breath, waiting for something to happen. And something does happen!
Five stars. ✨✨✨✨✨
I felt like I was reading a Lovecraftian horror!
Jason and his new wife, Del, move into his old family home. Unable to find work in his small, Maine town, he takes up work as a fisherman, the family business.
Everything is wonderful until Del disappears for several hours. When she returns, she has no memory of ever leaving. And then strange things begin.
This novel is truly suspenseful! You are constantly holding your breath, waiting for something to happen. And something does happen!
Five stars. ✨✨✨✨✨
March 14, 2018
Creepy Good!
This is a terrific short horror story. It is so well written and draws the reader in with each and every page. My interest and curiosity was tweaked in the prologue and never stopped, anxious to discover the basis of this unusual tale. Wonderful suspense and characters so likeable that I found myself feeling sad when the story had ended. I highly recommend this short story and it should not be passed over if you enjoy a bittersweet horror tale. I gave this book a rating of 4 1/2 🌟🌟🌟🌟⭐.
This is a terrific short horror story. It is so well written and draws the reader in with each and every page. My interest and curiosity was tweaked in the prologue and never stopped, anxious to discover the basis of this unusual tale. Wonderful suspense and characters so likeable that I found myself feeling sad when the story had ended. I highly recommend this short story and it should not be passed over if you enjoy a bittersweet horror tale. I gave this book a rating of 4 1/2 🌟🌟🌟🌟⭐.
October 2, 2025
Great atmosphere, solid story, great characters, and a fly ass conclusion. I really enjoyed how Joe Hart didn’t overuse the horror elements. Each of the strange stories or occurrences were just strategically placed and furthered the story along, with no excess. And, again, the ending was supremely satisfying. I just wish that we could have had some more time with Jason and Del. A very good outing with the author.
September 24, 2019
This was my first time reading author, Joe Hart, so I was pleasantly surprised when the book turned out to be really good. I will be looking for more books by this author as this book was a page turner.
So on with the review of this short story!
Jason Kingsley has found the woman of his dreams as he falls head over heels in love with Delphi a/k/a Del and they end up getting married. Jason has a home which is by the ocean. Jason has to go into town one day and when he returns home, he cannot find Del in the house, so he goes into frantic mode trying to find her. Jason finds her finally out by the ocean and she is gazing out with a blank stare toward the sea with her body completely wet as if she had been swimming. When he asks her what is going on, she doesn't remember.
When Del becomes pregnant she becomes different and Jason wonders what has happened to make Del start acting weird. He thinks that maybe the pregnancy has brought on the changes as she doesn't seem like the same person that he married. When Del becomes more distant and takes more walks out to the ocean, Jason's red alert flags go into high gear and he wonders what has happened to his wife. What he finds is way beyond his imagination and there is no turning back!
What has happened to Del? Has her pregnancy affected her mind as well? Does Jason find out what is wrong with Del? Why is Del entranced by the ocean? What secrets does the ocean hold that makes Del want to seek them out? No spoilers here as you will just have to read the book!
Even though this was a short story it packs a powerful punch within these pages and there is no let up from beginning to end. Fast paced, mysterious, atmospheric story which grabs the reader from the beginning of the book and takes them on a mysterious terror ride into the sea. I could feel what Jason was feeling as he tried to figure out what was going on with his wife. Everything that was happening within the book, I felt that mystery surrounding me, and I wanted to know what was going on myself. Giving this book four "mysterious" stars!
So on with the review of this short story!
Jason Kingsley has found the woman of his dreams as he falls head over heels in love with Delphi a/k/a Del and they end up getting married. Jason has a home which is by the ocean. Jason has to go into town one day and when he returns home, he cannot find Del in the house, so he goes into frantic mode trying to find her. Jason finds her finally out by the ocean and she is gazing out with a blank stare toward the sea with her body completely wet as if she had been swimming. When he asks her what is going on, she doesn't remember.
When Del becomes pregnant she becomes different and Jason wonders what has happened to make Del start acting weird. He thinks that maybe the pregnancy has brought on the changes as she doesn't seem like the same person that he married. When Del becomes more distant and takes more walks out to the ocean, Jason's red alert flags go into high gear and he wonders what has happened to his wife. What he finds is way beyond his imagination and there is no turning back!
What has happened to Del? Has her pregnancy affected her mind as well? Does Jason find out what is wrong with Del? Why is Del entranced by the ocean? What secrets does the ocean hold that makes Del want to seek them out? No spoilers here as you will just have to read the book!
Even though this was a short story it packs a powerful punch within these pages and there is no let up from beginning to end. Fast paced, mysterious, atmospheric story which grabs the reader from the beginning of the book and takes them on a mysterious terror ride into the sea. I could feel what Jason was feeling as he tried to figure out what was going on with his wife. Everything that was happening within the book, I felt that mystery surrounding me, and I wanted to know what was going on myself. Giving this book four "mysterious" stars!
November 6, 2021
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Horror + Short Story
A short story that is dark, weird, and at times subtly sinister. The life of the protagonist, Jason Kingsley is full of struggle and hardships. However, things start to get better when he falls in love with Delphi and marries her. But soon he discovers that life with Delphi is not the quiet life he dreamt about. There is something wrong with Delphi. Is she sick, disturbed, or maybe more? All that starts when one day Delphi disappears for several hours and the scary thing about it is that she has no recollection of where she was or what she did during those hours!
This is one of those stories that will not give you the answers. You are left to do your own interpretation of the situations and I feel that made the story has a longer-lasting effect in my mind. Since I finished reading it, I have been thinking about it a lot and still asking myself all the questions related to Delphi.
I loved the atmosphere a lot. I hope all the author’s other books are as fascinating because I’d like to read more of his books. If you want something short and creepily sweet then this is the one!
Genre: Horror + Short Story
A short story that is dark, weird, and at times subtly sinister. The life of the protagonist, Jason Kingsley is full of struggle and hardships. However, things start to get better when he falls in love with Delphi and marries her. But soon he discovers that life with Delphi is not the quiet life he dreamt about. There is something wrong with Delphi. Is she sick, disturbed, or maybe more? All that starts when one day Delphi disappears for several hours and the scary thing about it is that she has no recollection of where she was or what she did during those hours!
This is one of those stories that will not give you the answers. You are left to do your own interpretation of the situations and I feel that made the story has a longer-lasting effect in my mind. Since I finished reading it, I have been thinking about it a lot and still asking myself all the questions related to Delphi.
I loved the atmosphere a lot. I hope all the author’s other books are as fascinating because I’d like to read more of his books. If you want something short and creepily sweet then this is the one!
November 2, 2019
3.5 stars
September 21, 2019
What a creepy short story. This guy marries a girl named Del and she is very weird. Even though you could tell what was going to happen, it was written very eloquently and evocative that I loved it. The scene where she is eating a live squid was disgusting and you could sense the husband's horror. It was very well done and I really enjoyed it. It creeped me out actually and yet to me it felt kind of Poe-esque and extremely haunting. I thought about it way after I read it. I want to read more of this authors work.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 4, 2016
Great, engrossing story! Review to come.
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Jason Kingsley meets and falls in love with Delphi ("Del") who tells him how her mother just mysteriously disappeared shortly after marrying her father. She was found a week later with no recollection of what happened, only to go missing again (for good) years later.
Not long after Jason and Del are married, Jason returns home and Del is gone. Fortunately, she turns up that same night, soaking wet and standing on the grass not far from the sea. She has no explanation as to why she was in the water.
It isn't long before Del becomes pregnant. When she begins acting strangely and growing distant, Jason suspects that something is terribly wrong. He has no idea just how wrong things are going to get....
Well-written and engrossing, this short story had me wondering what was happening to this poor couple who started out so much in love and so happy. I generally don't enjoy short stories because they feel too rushed or incomplete, but this story was perfectly paced and had a satisfying ending. I will definitely be reading more books by Joe Hart.
-----
Jason Kingsley meets and falls in love with Delphi ("Del") who tells him how her mother just mysteriously disappeared shortly after marrying her father. She was found a week later with no recollection of what happened, only to go missing again (for good) years later.
Not long after Jason and Del are married, Jason returns home and Del is gone. Fortunately, she turns up that same night, soaking wet and standing on the grass not far from the sea. She has no explanation as to why she was in the water.
It isn't long before Del becomes pregnant. When she begins acting strangely and growing distant, Jason suspects that something is terribly wrong. He has no idea just how wrong things are going to get....
Well-written and engrossing, this short story had me wondering what was happening to this poor couple who started out so much in love and so happy. I generally don't enjoy short stories because they feel too rushed or incomplete, but this story was perfectly paced and had a satisfying ending. I will definitely be reading more books by Joe Hart.
September 22, 2019
A good creepy short story. And it’s not a selkie!
April 15, 2017
This is the second body of work that I have read by author Joe Hart and I can now say unequivocally that he is the master of the creepy short story.
He has the talent to take an initial story about everyday people and surplant an unusual happening that causes a steadily increasing sense of dread. The end culminates in a reveal that's paranormal in nature and your left with your heart beating in your mouth and a sense of "Oh my god!"
I have two more of his short stories to read then I'm going to explore his longer novel works.
If you're a fan of well crafted short stories that leave you gasping at the eerieness then this is the book for you!
He has the talent to take an initial story about everyday people and surplant an unusual happening that causes a steadily increasing sense of dread. The end culminates in a reveal that's paranormal in nature and your left with your heart beating in your mouth and a sense of "Oh my god!"
I have two more of his short stories to read then I'm going to explore his longer novel works.
If you're a fan of well crafted short stories that leave you gasping at the eerieness then this is the book for you!
May 30, 2021
Creepy Short Story
Joe Hart had me guessing what was going on in this creepy short story. I really liked it all the way to the end. Short or long, Hart can tell a story that keeps your attention.
Joe Hart had me guessing what was going on in this creepy short story. I really liked it all the way to the end. Short or long, Hart can tell a story that keeps your attention.
November 7, 2016
Creepy!
I rarely read short stories but when I do, I want it to be as enthralling as a full length novel, especially one in the paranormal genre.
And The Sea Called Her Name was definitely creepy! From start to finish I was intrigued and wanted to know what was going on with Delphi. The story had a dark appeal, not to mention the writing was superb. I liked how even though 15,000 words, so much was given and I got to understand Jason and his situation. He never really wanted the things his parents wanted for him, but sadly he ended up in the fishing business while still chasing his dream.
Throughout everything, Jason found comfort in the love between him and his wife, Delphi. It was such a beautiful and convincing love that I rooted for them and even felt heartbroken in the end after what happened. Being that it is a short story, I can't give too much without spoiling everything. I'll conclude with this, haunting story that's wonderfully written. I could envision every scene based on the fantastic descriptions. This is my first time reading Hart's words and I'm now yearning for more.
I rarely read short stories but when I do, I want it to be as enthralling as a full length novel, especially one in the paranormal genre.
And The Sea Called Her Name was definitely creepy! From start to finish I was intrigued and wanted to know what was going on with Delphi. The story had a dark appeal, not to mention the writing was superb. I liked how even though 15,000 words, so much was given and I got to understand Jason and his situation. He never really wanted the things his parents wanted for him, but sadly he ended up in the fishing business while still chasing his dream.
Throughout everything, Jason found comfort in the love between him and his wife, Delphi. It was such a beautiful and convincing love that I rooted for them and even felt heartbroken in the end after what happened. Being that it is a short story, I can't give too much without spoiling everything. I'll conclude with this, haunting story that's wonderfully written. I could envision every scene based on the fantastic descriptions. This is my first time reading Hart's words and I'm now yearning for more.
February 14, 2016
Very, very creepy. And while I'd kind of sussed out where the story was headed, I was still very tense, very on edge about what was going to happen next. I will definitely be reading more of this author's work.
September 30, 2019
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.
My 2nd Joe Hart, I enjoyed this and I love anything 'Lovecraftian'. There were a couple of twists, one I saw coming, one not so much. I felt a real empathy with the protagonist, and a nice creepy horror at the end.
My 2nd Joe Hart, I enjoyed this and I love anything 'Lovecraftian'. There were a couple of twists, one I saw coming, one not so much. I felt a real empathy with the protagonist, and a nice creepy horror at the end.
May 9, 2015
And this book called my name!
Came to amazon for some short ghost stories, and ended up finding this one. Definitely a nice little surprise of a book!
Came to amazon for some short ghost stories, and ended up finding this one. Definitely a nice little surprise of a book!
July 14, 2021
Amazing creepy story! Joe Hart has found a way to my heart 😏 and from now on I will read anything I get my hands on. First I read Obscura, which was amazing, and then the short Outpost, now this. I love the way he has with words that put you through ALL the emotions, and also paint a picture in your head that you still recall long after reading, for better or for worse..
August 26, 2023
Entertaining horror listening 🎶🔰
This is a free novella on Amazon. Oh those free books 📚!
A will written fantasy horror adventure thriller short story. A man 🚹 and his wife move into the family home on the Maine coast. Then are good but strange things start happening. Then it all falls apart. I would recommend this novella and author to 👍 readers of horror novels 👍🔰. 2023 👒😀💘🏡
This is a free novella on Amazon. Oh those free books 📚!
A will written fantasy horror adventure thriller short story. A man 🚹 and his wife move into the family home on the Maine coast. Then are good but strange things start happening. Then it all falls apart. I would recommend this novella and author to 👍 readers of horror novels 👍🔰. 2023 👒😀💘🏡
May 15, 2016
This was a fascinating read. Hart writes with incredible heart (excuse the terrible pun), and this story proves his writing only continues to get better. The setting, the relationship and the tremulous sense of foreboding all carry the story quickly along. While I wouldn't classify this as straight "horror" it definitely had moments of perverse tension. If you haven't yet read Joe Hart, this is as good a place as any to start.
October 26, 2017
Creepy Tale of Lovecraftian Love
This story is a slow burn, revealing its horrible secrets only at the end. It is heartbreaking on many levels, but I couldn't put it down. The descriptions are amazing, and they really put me into the world of the story with little touches that make it come alive. Fans of cosmic horror might find this to be a worthwhile and quality read. It is short but don't be put off by that. It is worth taking a look at.
This story is a slow burn, revealing its horrible secrets only at the end. It is heartbreaking on many levels, but I couldn't put it down. The descriptions are amazing, and they really put me into the world of the story with little touches that make it come alive. Fans of cosmic horror might find this to be a worthwhile and quality read. It is short but don't be put off by that. It is worth taking a look at.
October 15, 2015
The thing about short stories, especially when they are as well written as this one, is that they drive you crazy with all the questions left at the end. Or they do to me at any rate. Didn’t go exactly the way I thought it would, not at all the way I thought it would in fact, but thoroughly enjoyable.
November 15, 2015
Horror mixed with emotion
A great tale of a couple living near the sea and the sea wants what it wants. Deep emotions are felt in this horror short from anyone who has had a relationship go sideways and not know why. To say more may spoil the story, but if you have read Joe Hart before than know this one will not disappoint.
A great tale of a couple living near the sea and the sea wants what it wants. Deep emotions are felt in this horror short from anyone who has had a relationship go sideways and not know why. To say more may spoil the story, but if you have read Joe Hart before than know this one will not disappoint.
July 29, 2015
Different and interesting
A very unusual story, but I enjoyed it completely. For a short story, the main characters were very well rounded and filled out. They seemed very real in every way. A very nice and interesting little tale.
A very unusual story, but I enjoyed it completely. For a short story, the main characters were very well rounded and filled out. They seemed very real in every way. A very nice and interesting little tale.
March 15, 2016
Extremely CREEPY
Couldn't put down..totally gave me the willies! You did an excellent job. The ending? Didn't see that comming! Was waiting for the sweet reunion. Thank you
Couldn't put down..totally gave me the willies! You did an excellent job. The ending? Didn't see that comming! Was waiting for the sweet reunion. Thank you
June 20, 2016
A gem of a little novella. I really enjoyed this brand of supernatural horror. In an age where, I'm told, novellas and short stories are extinct, it's good to see that reports of their demise were exaggerated!
November 26, 2018
Interesting take on the Sea
Sure wasn't expecting such a short story. And couldn't get behind someone growing up on the ocean wanting to be stuck in an office. But again totally got wife.s craving for fresh seafood while pregnant. Even raw. I was the same!
Sure wasn't expecting such a short story. And couldn't get behind someone growing up on the ocean wanting to be stuck in an office. But again totally got wife.s craving for fresh seafood while pregnant. Even raw. I was the same!
September 16, 2015
Cool Short story, continuing to be impressed by you Joe!! Keep em comin!
September 22, 2015
Got the chills
And I can't shake it off. Good job. Short but full of life and this chill, this feeling, the ocean... Recommended.
And I can't shake it off. Good job. Short but full of life and this chill, this feeling, the ocean... Recommended.
October 17, 2015
A good Lovecraftian piece. Short, but this one might not have sustained the central concept for a whole lot longer. A light recommend for horror fans, leading to a heavy recommend for Lovecraft fans.
February 7, 2016
Loved it!
I love a good scary story and this one fit the bill. Anyone who likes Stephen King would like this.
I love a good scary story and this one fit the bill. Anyone who likes Stephen King would like this.
August 7, 2016
Good short story. I would have liked a little more "why" but this was well written and enjoyable.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews