The Devil and the Dark Water

Stuart Turton

  • Harry Illingworth

  • Historical; Mystery; Thriller

  • ​October 2020

    • Bulgaria: Ednorog

    • Canada: HarperCollins CAN

    • Czech Republic: Dobrovsky

    • Finland:​ Otava

    • France: Sonatine

    • Germany: Klett Cotta

    • Greece: Metaihmio Publishing

    • ​Italy: Neri Pozza

    • Japan: Bungeishunju Ltd.

    • ​Korea: Daewon Cl

    • Netherlands: House of Books

    • Poland: Wydawnictwo Albatros

    • ​Portugal: Grupo Almedina

    • Romania: Rao Distributie

    • Russia: Azbooka-Atticus Publishing Group

    • Serbia: Vulkan

    • Sinhalese: Muses Publishing House

    • ​Slovakia: Slovensky

    • Spain: Atico

    • Sweden: Modernista

    • ​Turkey: Ithaki

    • UK & Commonwealth: Bloomsbury Raven

    • USA: SourceBooks

A murder on the high seas.
A remarkable detective duo.
A demon who may or may not exist.

It's 1634 and Samuel Pipps, the world's greatest detective, is being transported to Amsterdam to be executed for a crime he may, or may not, have committed. Travelling with him is his loyal bodyguard, Arent Hayes, who is determined to prove his friend innocent.

But no sooner are they out to sea than devilry begins to blight the voyage. A twice-dead leper stalks the decks. Strange symbols appear on the sails. Livestock is slaughtered.

And then three passengers are marked for death, including Samuel.

Could a demon be responsible for their misfortunes?

With Pipps imprisoned, only Arent can solve a mystery that connects every passenger onboard. A mystery that stretches back into their past and now threatens to sink the ship, killing everybody on board.

  • CHOSEN AS A BOOK OF THE YEAR BY THE GUARDIAN, SUNDAY TIMES, DAILY MAIL, FINANCIAL TIMES, DAILY EXPRESS AND i PAPER

  • WINNER OF THE BOOKS ARE MY BAG READERS AWARD FOR FICTION

  • SELECTED FOR THE BBC TWO BOOK CLUB BETWEEN THE COVERS AND THE RADIO 2 JO WHILEY BOOK CLUB

Selected Praise

“If you read one book this year, make sure it’s this one”
— Wendy Holden, Daily Mail
“Brilliant... intoxicating... The Devil and the Dark Water overflows with wonderful descriptions, neat similes, and enough horror, mystery, and crime to keep anyone enthralled ”
— Independent
“A glorious mash-up of William Golding and Arthur Conan Doyle ”
— Val McDermid

Other Books by Stuart Turton

Also by Stuart Turton

  • The Winter Spirits: Ghostly Tales for Frosty Nights, October 2023