Blackwater

Less than two years after meeting and falling in love with a mysterious and much-older man, a young bride is brought home to his huge and isolated manor…

Set in the wilds of Tasmania, Jacqueline Ross’s Blackwater has obvious shades of Daphne Du Maurier’s Rebecca, but this contemporary psychological thriller is also influenced by Shirley Jackson, Stephen King, and Tasmania’s own sinister colonial history.

When word comes that her father-in-law is dying, a heavily pregnant Grace accompanies her enigmatic new husband, King, home to the sprawling estate in Tasmania where he was raised. But any hopes of a warm welcome are dashed when she arrives to find her new family, including King’s twin sister Ruth, odd and threatening; their home, Blackwater, a derelict building with a dark and tragic history. And worse, a curse: a baby will never be born at Blackwater.

While Grace races against the clock to uncover the secrets at the heart of the house, Blackwater seems to be having a strange and transformative effect on her husband. Can she escape before it is too late, or will the house claim yet another victim?

Sinister, atmospheric, and with hints of the supernatural, Blackwater is a work of Australian gothic noir that sits very comfortably beside its European counterparts. Perfect for fans of The Dressmaker and The Haunting of Hill House alike.