The Amalfi curse

Few know the secrets of Positano, an Italian village marred by shipwrecks and sea witches. Pirates who seek to reap its riches are often thwarted by overwhelming currents and storms off the Amalfi Coast, conjured up by 12 red-haired women with magic in their blood. But their powerful leader, 20-year-old Mari, despises the sea for taking her mother and sister. She dreams of running away with her lover, but these plans are derailed when local merchants discover and plan to exploit her fellow witches. Fast-forward to the modern day, when archaeologist Haven remains skeptical of the so-called Amalfi curse. Then she witnesses a superyacht disappearing with no explanation and decides to study Positano, continuing her late father's research into the village and its treasures. Gliding between past and present, Haven and Mari's alternating perspectives reveal what truly lies beneath the waters of an ancient curse. Penner (The London Séance Society, 2023) concocts a mystical page-turner that will leave readers spellbound. Perfect for fans of female-driven historical fiction and fantasy, with just the right amount of intrigue.

Penner (The London Seance Society) weaves a rousing story of witches, deep sea diving, and family secrets on the Amalfi Coast. In 1821 Positano, Mari DeLuca belongs to a coven who cast spells on the water to protect the town from pirates. Yearning for a new life, she makes plans to flee with a sailor from Boston. Before she can, though, a shipping magnate attempts to kidnap her, hoping to force Mari into using her powers to help his fleet, and she drowns him. In a parallel narrative set two centuries later, nautical archaeologist Haven Ambrose studies shipwrecks on the Amalfi coast while secretly searching for a trove of precious gems her father found before dying of a stroke. When Conrad, another researcher, shows up to take her place, Haven suspects he knows about the treasure. She hires Enzo Rossi, a local dive shop owner, to take her out on the water, and the pair race against Conrad to find the gems. A romantic subplot involving Enzo and Haven feels rushed, especially because it also serves a vehicle for Haven to learn about Mari's fate and the village's history of witches, but for the most part Penner keeps the pages turning with cliffhangers and complex characters. The author's fans will enjoy this adventure. Agent: Stefanie Lieberman, Janklow & Nesbit Assoc. (Apr.)