Set on a Caribbean island in 1976 Monique Roffey’s Costa Prizewinning novel The Mermaid of Black Conch is a dark and extraordinary love story between a fisherman and a mermaid torn from the sea. Haunting and lyrical this is a beautifully written book by an author at the top of her game

Set in Cornwall in 1972 Emma Stonex’s debut, The Lamplighters, is a gripping mystery, love story and ghost story rolled into one. The sea keeps its secrets when three men vanish from a remote lighthouse still locked from the inside. Inspired by real events this is a remarkable first novel.

Rachel Genn is an author and Lecturer in Creative Writing

Part of Fiction Day