Mere

A dark and disturbing tale set in an East Anglian abbey in Dark Ages England, where the old pagan Gods are meeting a fledgling Christianity. A supernatural mystery, a political power struggle, a romance, a woman bringing compassion and healing to a brutal world, and fenland ripe with stagnant secrets. Beautifully written, you will be drawn into the claustrophobic world of the mere, where sinners fear the retribution of both God and the devil. -- Laura Shepherd-Robinson, bestselling author of <i>The Square of Sevens</i> It is rare for an author to fully recreate the strangeness of the past, but Danielle Giles has done exactly that. Through eerie, beautiful writing, she takes readers on a mystery in Medieval Norfolk, until, like the proud, resourceful women of this novel, one can't help but be swallowed into one of the damp mouths of the mere. This is a gem of a novel. -- Costanza Casati, bestselling author of <i>Babylonia</i> Chilling, dark and immersive, I raced through Mere. I loved the originality of the story and the brave and unexpected use of language. Such a treat of a novel -- Rosanna Pike, bestselling author of <i>A Little Trickerie</i> This is an artful and atmospheric novel that reveals uncomfortable truths about the way we lived then and, for the thoughtful, the way we live now -- Annie Garthwaite, author of <i>Cecily</i> This is historical fiction at its most captivating. Mere is a story about fear and survival, each page crackling with intrigue . . . Simmering with secrets and ultimately love, I was swept away by this book -- Molly Aitken, author of <i>Bright I Burn</i> Danielle Giles has created a captivating world that pulls the reader in as strongly as the mere itself, and the characters feel imprinted on my mind. This is a book filled with gentle magic, gentle horror, gentle love, and I adored it from beginning to end -- Elizabeth Lee, author of <i>Cunning Women</i> Atmospheric, gorgeously mystical, Danielle Giles spins the tale of Mere with poetic perfection. A beautiful story of hope in the midst of darkness and decay. -- Isabelle Schuler, author of <i>Lady MacBethad</i> Mere is a deftly written, stirring debut novel and a folk tale I'd yearn to hear around a campfire. Haunting and beautiful, it is a deeply affecting read that will stay with me for a long time to come. Even in Mere's brutality, there is a rare tenderness to be found -- Lucy Rose, author of <i>The Lamb</i> Dark, evocative and atmospheric - I loved it! -- JJA Harwood, bestselling author of <i>The Shadow in the Glass</i>