All the Murmuring Bones, by AG Slattard

Miren is the last of O’Malleys, a formerly rich and dominant family that attained its status with an unholy bargain with the mer people. They have not kept the bargain for several generations and have fallen on hard times, but Merin’s grandmother plans to restore their fortunes through Merin’s marriage to her cousin. This sends Merin on a quest for her true history and her independence. Good and moral people are few and far between in this dark tale full of witches, selkies, shape shifters and water horses. It’s a strange world, reminiscent of 18th century Ireland and filled with creatures from folk tales, but with some interesting quirks. Merin’s courage and determination sees her fight for her freedom, drawing on a murky salt water heritage heritage for the tools she needs to survive, but ultimately demonstrating that decency can win.