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All the Murmuring Bones

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All the Murmuring Bones

By: A.G. Slatter
Narrated by: Aoife McMahon
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About this listen

For fans of Naomi Novik and Katharine Arden, a dark gothic fairy tale from award-winning author Angela Slatter.

Orphaned as a young child, Mirin O'Malley has been brought up by her grandparents on their isolated, rambling estate Hob's Hallow. Long ago her family prospered due to a deal struck with the mer, the terrifying creatures who live in the depths of the sea: safety for their merchant ships in return for a child of each generation. But for many years the family have been unable to keep their side of the bargain and their fortunes have suffered as a result. When Mirin's grandfather dies, her grandmother puts in train a plan to restore their glory - but at the price of Mirin's freedom. Finding amongst her grandfather's papers evidence that her parents may still be alive, Mirin is determined to escape and discover the truth about her origins. This takes her on a treacherous journey to Blackwater, the estate her parents built when they fled Hob's Hallow, but on arrival Mirin finds the estate in decline and her 'Uncle Edward' in charge: where are her parents, and who is this Edward Elliott really?

A story of mystery and magic and the strange creatures that lurk beneath the waves.

©2021 A.G. Slatter (P)2021 W F Howes Classics Dark Fantasy Fantasy Fiction Gothic Horror Magic Scary

Critic Reviews

"Like the sea at its heart, Slatter s haunting story is treacherous and lovely in all its dark depths." (Heather Kassner, author of The Bone Garden)

"Slatter's dark fantasies have a bright, burning core of understanding and insight." (M.R. Carey, author of The Girl with All the Gifts and The Boy on the Bridge)
All stars
Most relevant  
Rumours have surrounded the
O’ Malley Family since they settled at Hobs Head. They kept to themselves, & were prosperous for a time. People both feared and were suspicious of them.

The O’Malley secrets run deep. Years ago it was said a deal was made with the Mer. One of the O’Malley children was sacrificed each generation so the Family would prosper from the sea, and have safe travel for their ships.

The tithe has not been paid in years, and the O’Malley’s are no longer prosperous. Miren quickly becomes aware the Family is looking to her to resolve their woes.

This deliciously dark tale filled with folklore was beautifully narrated by Aoife McMahon.
Miren’s character matures through her arc as she becomes wise to the manipulations surrounding her.

Recommend to read If you love:
Lore/ Folkloric tales
Magical realism
Stories within a story
Mythical creatures of the sea and land
Familial secrets and curses
Witchy vibes
A heroine not afraid to do what has to be done.

5/5 stars

CW: Death/murder of parents, grandparents and children, blood, violence, insinuation of domestic violence, physical and psychological abuse, low smut sex scenes

Deliciously dark folkloric tale

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So well written with an original storyline, great characters and fabulously narrated. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Fabulous

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A fantastic story and narrated well. I have listened through twice already. Highly recommend!

A Must Read.

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I was a bubbling fountain of delight when I discovered All the Murmuring Bones had been recorded as an audio book. Slatter has a lyricism of language that shines both on page and when read aloud. I especially enjoyed the merfolk tales littered throughout the greater story - the air of the oral story, that thing passed down through generations, was beautifully match to the audio narration. There are those small links that tie this story to other stories in the world Slatter has created, offering a web of interconnected malice, survival and magic. This is a good book. You should try it.

Sinister and exquisite

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That was cool! I was so in the mood for a fairytale that wasn’t all wishy washy - thoroughly enjoyed this tale x

What a neat fairytale!

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It was a little lacklustre, I wasn’t encapsulated by the story. But the writing was very good.

It was good but…

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.