All the Murmuring Bones

Written by A.G. Slatter

Narrated by Aoife McMahon

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.

“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.

Praise for A.G.Slatter:

"Angela Slatter's stories are horrific, mysterious, whimsical, and mischievous. Beautifully written, full of humanity and intelligence, her stories are both timely and timeless in their concerns. This is an essential collection from one of our best." Paul Tremblay, author of A Head Full of Ghosts and The Cabin at the End of the World.

"Marvellous stuff! Angela Slatter confronts the darker side of humanity in these bracing meditations on the nature of belief, betrayal, and wonder." Helen Marshall, author of The Migration

"Angela Slatter is a literary fabulist and an emotional realist. These are stories of men's cruelties and women's revenges, told with the ferocity, complexity and wit that ranks their author among the finest working in the field today." Kim Newman, author of Anno Dracula

"Angela Slatter writes some of the darkest, most beautiful stories in the world today." Nathan Ballingrud, author of North American Lake Monsters

• Language: English
• Publisher: W. F. Howes Ltd
• Release date: Apr 8, 2021
• ISBN: 9781004033522

A.G. Slatter

A.G. Slatter Angela has won a Shirley Jackson Award, a World Fantasy Award, a British Fantasy Award, a Ditmar, three Australian Shadows Awards and eight Aurealis Awards. Most recently, All the Murmuring Bones was shortlisted for the 2021 Queensland Premier’s Literary Awards Book of the Year and the 2021 Shirley Jackson Award; The Path of Thorns won the 2022 Aurealis Award for Best Fantasy Novel and the 2022 Australian Shadows Award for Best Novel. She has an MA and a PhD in Creative Writing, is a graduate of Clarion South 2009 and the Tin House Summer Writers Workshop 2006. Angela’s short stories have appeared in many Best Of anthologies, and her work has been translated into many languages. She lives in Brisbane, Australia.

Reviews for All the Murmuring Bones

[Keelin · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A surprising tale and an even more surprising heroine! I loved it!

[kate clark · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Well written with twists, turns and a unique interweaving of storytelling and plot telling. Expect magical creatures and strong women characters. Very entertaining and beautifully read!

[K G · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A pleasant listen with an lovely narrator. Admittedly not my typical story type but the tale was a unique one set in perhaps the 16/1700s? Merfolk, wights, assassins and old wives tales abound but in a medieval vs fantastical way which held my interest.
I doubt this is a story that will stay with me, but it’s worth the listen if you have the time and go thru as many books as I do. I would consider reading more by this author.
One of my favorite narrators, highly recommend anything read by her!

[Fadra Hepner · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Mermaids, mystery, magic. This is a superbly written story of strength, betrayal and survival beyond all odds.

[Marcy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Took a bit for me to get into it, but once I did, I was so glad. It’s dark and complicated and mythical in a Grimm way.

[Lyricalgothic · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Good book frist time hear this author and love the story in the storyline. Was pleasantly surprised

[Valery Bolliger · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A lovely mix of fairytale and novel. Really beautiful as much as intriguing!

[kathy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The narrator was wonderful-
And the story was unique.
I loved the stories within the story!

[CharleneCarruthers · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great narration and weaving of an epic tale about the failures of patriarchy, domination and greed.

[Sunny Cc · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Interesante,alucinante , original, la trama te envuelve por completo , siempre estas al borde del suspenso.

[Cat Chronister · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Well written, but LGBTQ+& sexposivity didn't make the fatphobia tolerable.

[KataHonu · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I can't really put my finger on if it was the story or the fantastic narration but this book had me enthralled from the start. It has a very interesting approach to introducing its world , snippets of information here and there that let your imagination wander. Sort of in the same vein as the best horror doesn't really show you what is going on until it has to. It is extraordinary but presented in a mundane way which makes the characters and their reactions to things all the more believable.