The Sea Hides Its Dead
The Descent meets The Ritual in a cult aquatic horror about a group of academics trapped in a sea cave who must reckon with eldritch horrors as they are forced to atone for their greatest sins.
ATONE OR DIE.
Grad student Caro has no idea what she wants to do with her life, but when an opportunity arises to act as a research assistant on an anthropological expedition for her professor and lover, Edward Beck, she doesn’t hesitate.
Beck assembles a team of academics and professionals to study the ancient sea-based Cult of the Leviathan, and the expedition descends into the sea caves where the cult are said to have dwelt.
But when the cave entrance collapses, trapping them inside, the expedition will find they are not alone in the darkness. Surrounded by strange artefacts and scattered bones, an ancient trial has been set in motion. One by one, the members of the expedition will be tested and forced to atone for their greatest sin… or die.
Additional information
| Genre | Horror |
|---|---|
| Age | Adult |
| Publisher | Hachette |
| Imprint | Orbit |
| Language(s) | English |
| Format(s) | Hardcover, Trade paperback |
| Author | Megan Bontrager |
| Release Date | 14 July 2026 |
| Release Month | July Releases |
| Author Identity | LGBTQIA+, Neurodivergent |
About the Author
Megan Bontrager is an author of SFF and horror currently based in Ireland, where she is a PhD candidate at NUI Maynooth. She received her MA from Johns Hopkins and BFA from the University of Central Florida, and has published short fiction with Quill & Crow Publishing House, Cypress Dome Literary Magazine, Frontier Poetry, and 30 North Literary Magazine. Her indie debut, Eye of the Ouroboros, was released with Quill & Crow in 2024, and her traditional debut, The Sea Hides Its Dead, is forthcoming in Summer 2026 with Orbit US/UK. When she isn’t frantically scribbling down her next big idea, Megan enjoys playing TTRPGs and volunteering with animal rescues. She is responsible for two furry children, and hopes to support their lavish lifestyles with her books.
Megan is represented by Clara Chuiton at The Rights Factory.
