A Fate Worse Than Drowning
First published 2026
For fans of A Dark and Drowning Tide and The Lighthouse Witches comes a queer speculative novel about a lighthouse keeper who made a devil's bargain to save her sister, but when a shipwrecked survivor washes ashore, she is left with an impossible choice... A year ago, Elle made a deal with the devil to save her sister. Now, they live on a desolate spit of land beyond Halifax harbor. Elle, as lighthouse keeper, steers unsuspecting sailors to their destruction; those are the terms of her bargain. Liney need never know the cost. Her safety is worth every drop of blood. But a sinner's pact is not so simple. When the devil returns, demanding more – more shipwrecks, no survivors – Elle knows what she must do to keep Liney safe... Then a woman washes ashore. Is she a soul to be sacrificed, or part of a darker design? As Liney and the stranger grow closer, Elle faces an impossible choice: kill, and break Liney's heart, or forfeit her own soul. Danger arises from all sides: the merciless sea, ruthless men on the mainland, and the infernal bargain itself… Souls and sisterhood, fate and fire – what must be sacrificed for the devil to get his due?
- Published
- 21 Jul 2026
- Pages
- 368
- Publisher
- Poisoned Pen Press
- Edition
- Paperback
- Elsewhere
- Open Library
- Fantasy
- Science Fiction
- Horror
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