Book Description

Suspense builds slowly in this debut novel as two families deal with trust, mental illness, and ghosts from the past along the Canadian Atlantic coast. When Emily and her family move back to Nova Scotia from Calgary, it is a return to the coastal landscape that already haunts her—and the waters where her father died. She meets her neighbors Linda, a gruff but loving widow, and Linda’s grown son, Tom, who struggles to stay on an even keel. As they settle in, Emily and her husband, Daniel, learn more about the short but turbulent history of the house they’ve just bought. With Daniel away for work, Emily becomes caught up in the lives of her neighbors, relying on Linda’s friendship and growing closer to Tom, despite his unsettling knack for appearing when she least expects him. As the tension in each family builds, both Emily and Linda must confront long-unanswered questions . . . Praise for In the Wake “A subtle, heartfelt meditation on intimacy and the many ways we can lose those we love. Behind the seemingly tranquil backdrop of quotidian, seaside lives, a storm is building . . . . Davison sensitively explores how grief and mental illness reverberate through families and across generations.” ―Sarah Faber, award-winning author of All Is Beauty Now “With striking acuity, In the Wake reveals how people’s deepest desires are charged with danger, the bonds between those who love the most often fraught with self-deception . . . . [A] beautiful rendering of nouveau Nova Scotia.” ―Carol Bruneau, award-winning author of Brighten the Corner Where You Are “Nicola’s writing is a lighthouse catching moments of sorrow and joy. . . . This novel can deepen you.” ―Jon Tattrie, award-winning author of Limerence