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A Fate Worse Than Drowning

A Novel
Brief Description
A Dark and Drowning Tide meets The Lighthouse Witches... 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. When a shipwrecked survivor washes ashore, she... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$2800
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Releases 21st July 2026 (Approx. Date) Pre-order  "A Fate Worse Than Drowning" now to secure your copy from our first shipment

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A Dark and Drowning Tide meets The Lighthouse Witches...

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. When a shipwrecked survivor washes ashore, she is left with an impossible choice...

One deal with the devil makes a fool. Two? A villain...

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 harbour. 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 β€” more shipwrecks, no survivors β€” Elle knows what she must do to keep Liney safe...

Another ship. Another crew killed in the devil's name.

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 β€” the merciless sea, ruthless men on the mainland, and the infernal bargain itself...

Souls and sisterhood, fate and fire β€” what must be sacrificed for the devil to get his due?

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781464291456

Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 21 July 2026

Country: United States

Imprint: Poisoned Pen Press

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 320

About the Author

SARAH HAWTHORN (she/they) is a Canadian horror and speculative fiction writer. Sarah recently moved back to her hometown of Halifax, Nova Scotia, a maritime locale full of spooky stories.

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