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The Bone Diver
Kier Sealgair is the only daughter of a family of seal hunters. But as catches decline and the seals are dying the seal hunters and fishermen of the small town are struggling . Kier cannot kill and in hard times she is a burden to her family, especially now that her father is ailing. Her only friend is Fie, son of the town's tailor, living with the knowledge that his father hoped for a daughter.
Near the town, high on the cliffs, is Erskine Manor. Servants come from the manor to the town to buy supplies but the family is never seen and rumours abound about them. Did the Lord kill the Lady? Are the five towers of the manor for the five daughters? Are the children of the manor even human, or are they taloned and spine-toothed monsters set to roam the overgrown walled grounds?
And then one day a woman arrives in Fie's shop wanting an impossibly expensive dress for one of her daughters. She can only be Lady Erskine. And later, on the rocky shore Kier meets the same woman who offers her a bargain, one that could save Kier's father.
Near the town, high on the cliffs, is Erskine Manor. Servants come from the manor to the town to buy supplies but the family is never seen and rumours abound about them. Did the Lord kill the Lady? Are the five towers of the manor for the five daughters? Are the children of the manor even human, or are they taloned and spine-toothed monsters set to roam the overgrown walled grounds?
And then one day a woman arrives in Fie's shop wanting an impossibly expensive dress for one of her daughters. She can only be Lady Erskine. And later, on the rocky shore Kier meets the same woman who offers her a bargain, one that could save Kier's father.
289 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication October 10, 2024
About the author
Angie Spoto
3 books19 followersAngie Spoto is an American writer living in Scotland. She grew up near Chicago, lived in the Netherlands, and eventually moved to Scotland to get her PhD in Creative Writing at the University of Glasgow. She loves stories that are dark and surreal, strange and magical, and is inspired by writers like Ursula Le Guinn, Octavia Butler, Leonora Carrington, and Naomi Novik. She loves fairy tales, especially Scottish ones. She lives beside the shore with her husband and son.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 7, 2024
A dark and dreamy gem of a novel, perfect for fans of Gothics and Scottish folklore! The fairytale-esque atmosphere and the creepy, rotting vibes of Erskine Manor were glorious; I also really enjoyed the subtle queer rep, and the complexity of the relationships between Kier and her parents and between the members of the Erskine family. I'd definitely recommend reading on a dreich autumn day by the seaside :)
July 29, 2024
A darkly Gothic tale told by someone who clearly loves the sea, as I do.
There are elements of Moby Dick, there are undertones of the little mermaid but above all else this is a deeply gritty tale of love and retribution set against the backdrop of a decaying, brooding, Gormemghast like, mansion overlooking a small Scottish fishing village.
The seal killer’s daughter is our heroine and she faces some very tough choices.
There are elements of Moby Dick, there are undertones of the little mermaid but above all else this is a deeply gritty tale of love and retribution set against the backdrop of a decaying, brooding, Gormemghast like, mansion overlooking a small Scottish fishing village.
The seal killer’s daughter is our heroine and she faces some very tough choices.
September 23, 2024
Kier Sealgair is the only daughter to a family of seal hunters, those who risk their very lives to ensure a tradition as old as their blood going back many generations is upheld yet catches that were once bountiful are on the decline, seals are becoming more tricky to catch, outsmarting and moving further away from those who wish to capture them which in turn sees the small town struggle to survive.
Kier cannot kill what her family hunts and becomes more of a burden to her parents, especially now that her father is ailing. Her one friend in this world is Fie, the town’s tailor’s son who lives in the full knowledge his father longed for a daughter.
High on the cliffs lies Erskine Manor. Servants come from this looming, crumbling monstrosity to buy supplies but the family itself is never seen, and with them rumours have only multiplied over the years; did the Lord kill the Lady? Are the five gothic spired towers for the five daughters? And are the children even human? Gossip can be hurtful and cruel….
One day a woman arrives in Fie’s shop wanting the impossible for one of her daughters. She claims to be Lady Erskine herself and when Kier has a chance encounter with the Lady, she is given the opportunity to prove useful at last. She must dive for bones on the Erskine estate. But for what purpose? Well that would be asking far too much. But perhaps through listening to the house itself and those within, Kier may find answers to questions that have been waiting years to finally be heard….
Haunting, gothic, and dripping with unease, The Bone Diver makes for incredibly addictive and imaginative reading!
Kier cannot kill what her family hunts and becomes more of a burden to her parents, especially now that her father is ailing. Her one friend in this world is Fie, the town’s tailor’s son who lives in the full knowledge his father longed for a daughter.
High on the cliffs lies Erskine Manor. Servants come from this looming, crumbling monstrosity to buy supplies but the family itself is never seen, and with them rumours have only multiplied over the years; did the Lord kill the Lady? Are the five gothic spired towers for the five daughters? And are the children even human? Gossip can be hurtful and cruel….
One day a woman arrives in Fie’s shop wanting the impossible for one of her daughters. She claims to be Lady Erskine herself and when Kier has a chance encounter with the Lady, she is given the opportunity to prove useful at last. She must dive for bones on the Erskine estate. But for what purpose? Well that would be asking far too much. But perhaps through listening to the house itself and those within, Kier may find answers to questions that have been waiting years to finally be heard….
Haunting, gothic, and dripping with unease, The Bone Diver makes for incredibly addictive and imaginative reading!
July 17, 2024
3.5 rounded up. This was a cute, quick, and at times exciting read. It is a very simple linear story with fairly one dimensional characters, but it was nice to just be paced through a folkloric story with a pinch of magic and adventure. Given its simplicity and characterisations, it reads much more like a YA, I’d recommend it to fans of Frances Hardinge for sure, it has that vibe. Overall I enjoyed it, but the pacing at the start was slow, and too quickly wrapped up in the end. The middle 150 pages was definitely the most enjoyable. I like the queer rep without being a queer focused story. Was a little bit disappointed with some of the cultural missteps, it’s clear this author is not Scottish!
September 8, 2024
I do like a story based on old legends or fairy tales, and I think this story could fit both.
Spoto takes it, and fleshes it out beautifully.
She gives us a whole other story too, and weaves them together beautifully.
The setting of the old house, and it's strange family was perfect for this story.
I got completely caught up in this.
It's magical and mysterious, and very good.
Spoto takes it, and fleshes it out beautifully.
She gives us a whole other story too, and weaves them together beautifully.
The setting of the old house, and it's strange family was perfect for this story.
I got completely caught up in this.
It's magical and mysterious, and very good.
September 13, 2024
Beautiful and haunting, oozing with gothic atmosphere. Loved this, from the setting, to the characters, to the folkloric influences - a really unique take on the selkie myth. A must read for folklore and gothic horror fans.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews