September is here, which means it’s time for another Read with Cyn’s Workshop read-along! This month, we’re diving into the dark, haunting waters of All the Murmuring Bones by A.G. Slatter.

Described as a dark gothic fairy tale, the novel follows Miren O’Malley, whose once-powerful family built its fortune through a horrifying bargain with the mer: protection for their ships in exchange for a child from every generation. But the O’Malleys have failed to uphold their end of the bargain, their fortune has crumbled, and Miren’s grandmother is determined to restore the family to its former glory—even if Miren’s freedom is the price.

With witchcraft, merfolk, family secrets, gothic atmosphere, dangerous supernatural creatures, and generations of complicated family history, this sounds deliciously dark—and perfect for our September read.

All the Murmuring Bones is a 368-page gothic fantasy first published in 2021 by Titan Books. Alongside Miren’s story, Slatter builds a world filled with merfolk, witches, kelpies, ghosts and other creatures drawn from folklore and fairy tales.

But beneath all that magic is a story about family, power, control, inherited trauma, and the expectations placed upon women. Miren has essentially been raised as the last hope of a dying dynasty—and her family has very specific ideas about what she’s supposed to sacrifice to save it.

Something tells me we’re going to have a lot to discuss.

All These Murmuring Bones

by A. G. Slatter

Long ago Miren O’Malley’s family prospered due to a deal struck with the mer: safety for their 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 have fallen into decline. Miren’s grandmother is determined to restore their glory, even at the price of Miren’s freedom.

A spellbinding tale of dark family secrets, magic and witches, and creatures of myth and the sea; of strong women and the men who seek to control them.

Reading Schedule

Join my Book Club

Storygraph Chat Room:
https://app.thestorygraph.com/readalongs/d52597de-9844-4d75-8b6f-1d36b9297dad
Discord:
https://discord.gg/HCVjAs7dV
BookClubs:
https://bookclubs.com/read-with-cyns-workshop/join/
Fable:
https://fable.co/club/read-with-cyns-workshop-with-cyns-workshop-175536812339?club_type=free

Like this?

Don’t forget to follow Cyn’s Workshop on Facebook | Instagram | TikTok |  Twitter | Tumblr | Spotify | YouTube | BookBub | Goodreads | LinkedIn to stay tuned for more like this.

Become a Supporter