Salt Water Blood

A page-turning, rivals-to-lovers thriller about a small-town murder with a paranormal twist.

Eighteen-year-old Moe hears the sea's prophetic thoughts. Not just hears them—she feels them. That's how she experienced her father's death before he died and how she felt her mother's relief when she abandoned Moe and her younger brother, Tao, months later.

So when the sea warns Moe that Tao will drown, she's determined to get in fate's way and soon secures them a way off their island home. But those plans are ruined when Tao's girlfriend goes missing and Tao is found where she was last seen... with blood on his hands—and no memory of what happened.

Moe will do anything she can to clear her brother's name, even if it means swallowing her pride and teaming up with her annoyingly clever school rival, Temanea. Even if it means relying on the sea's prophecies.

Because her dreaded gift may be the only way to save her brother—and uncover a sickness lurking in their community before it poisons them all.

Perfect for YA readers looking for:

• Small-town murder stories with a paranormal twist
• A page-turning thriller with a satisfying rivals-to-lovers romance and thought-provoking themes
• Richly imagined fiction with multiple layers to explore for the classroom or book club

Praise for Salt Water Blood:

- 'A riveting and original page-turner' Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

- 'This is a marvel.' Publishers Weekly (starred review)

- 'A breathless, heart-pounding rush of a book—Salt Water Blood weaves history with mythology in an extraordinary debut.' - Vikki Wakefield, CBCA award-winning author of This is How We Change the Ending

- 'Salt Water Blood is an absorbing and richly layered read that will keep you guessing right to the end.' - Vanessa Len, internationally bestselling author of the Only a Monster series

- 'A page-turner, a mystery, a marvel... Bravo, Manuia Heinrich. Māuruuru ia 'oe.' - Célestine Hitiura Vaite

- 'Let this incredible book sweep you away.' - Dhonielle Clayton, New York Times bestselling author

- 'Manuia honours the strength and resilience of Māʻohi communities while courageously confronting the lasting legacy of colonialism and nuclear testing. A powerful reminder that our Moana carries not only the stories of our past, but also the hope and responsibility of our future.' - Moemoana Safa'ato'a Schwenke