A Darker Shore

by Leigh Bardugo

First published 2026

Two investigators sift through evidence from a brutal massacre on an island near Ketterdam. Among the documents lies private correspondence between crime boss Kaz Brekker and an unknown sailor identified only as "I" aboard the ship called the Wraith. The letters hold clues to understanding how this disaster unfolded and who orchestrated it. For years following Kuwei Yul-Bo's auction, Ketterdam's merchants have suffered relentless attacks. Someone has been exposing their secret operations, destroying their ships, and turning the tables on slave traders. All signs point to a mysterious sea captain commanding the Wraith. Now the lead investigator must decode Brekker's cryptic communications to uncover the captain's identity and motives. As the investigation deepens through found documents and witness accounts, the true scope of the violence becomes clear. The massacre represents more than random destruction. It connects to a larger pattern of justice being served by unconventional means. The investigators race to understand whether they're hunting a criminal or confronting something else entirely.

Genres: historical-fiction, mystery, crime, detective

Vibes: dark, emotional, fast-paced, suspenseful

Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family, mystery

Setting: Ketterdam, Wraith

64 pages · Hardcover · Insight Editions

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