A Sweet Sting of Salt by Rose Sutherland

Once a young woman uncovers a dark secret about her neighbor and his mysterious new wife, she’ll have to fight to keep herself—and the woman she loves—safe in this stunning queer reimagining of the classic folktale The Selkie Wife.

When a sharp cry wakes Jean in the middle of the night during a terrible tempest, she’s convinced it must have been a dream. But when the cry comes again, Jean ventures outside and is shocked by what she discovers—a young woman in labor, already drenched to the bone in the freezing cold and barely able to speak a word of English.

Although Jean is the only midwife in the village and for miles around, she’s at a loss as to who this woman is or where she’s from; Jean can only assume she must be the new wife of the neighbor up the road, Tobias. And when Tobias does indeed arrive at her cabin in search of his wife, Muirin, Jean’s questions continue to grow. Why has he kept his wife’s pregnancy a secret? And why does Muirin’s open demeanor change completely the moment she’s in his presence?

Though Jean learned long ago that she should stay out of other people’s business, her growing concern—and growing feelings—for Muirin mean she can’t simply set her worries aside. But when the answers she finds are more harrowing than she ever could have imagined, she fears she may have endangered herself, Muirin, and the baby. Will she be able to put things right and save the woman she loves before it’s too late, or will someone have to pay for Jean’s actions with their life?

Published by Dell
on April 9, 2024

Review:

As a kid, I was obsessed with folk tales, fairy tales, and Aesop’s Fables. I remember reading the tale of “The Selkie Wife” and being unable to comprehend why a man would ever steal the woman’s seal skin, forcing her to stay human and become his wife. Naturally, when I read that Rose Sutherland’s “A Sweet Sting of Salt” was a retelling of this famous Scottish tale, I knew I needed to read it. In this version, Sutherland transports readers to a small village in Nova Scotia where secrets, love, and danger collide in unexpected ways.

Set in the early 1800s, the story is told through the eyes of Jean, the village midwife in a small coastal town. Jean has a troubled past in that she once had an “inappropriate romantic relationship” with her best friend Jo. Jo’s mother discovered the relationship and sent her away to be married to a man. Jean still deals with the heartache but pours her time and energy into her work to keep her mind off her lost love.

Late one evening, Jean hears a chilling cry in the night. When she goes outside to investigate, she discovers a young woman in labor. Jean has never seen this woman before, which is strange because the village is small, and Jean knows everyone – especially anyone who is pregnant. Though the woman speaks a foreign language, Jean eventually learns that the woman is named Muirin, but where she came from is still a mystery. Jean takes Muirin back to her cottage and helps her deliver a healthy baby boy. Later, she learns that Muirin is the wife of a reclusive fisherman who lives up the hill from Jean, and it soon becomes apparent that it’s not exactly a happy marriage. As Jean tries to help Muirin and unravel the mystery of where she came from so she can help her return home, she falls for Muirin and discovers shocking truths that threaten to upend her world.

Sutherland expertly weaves together a tale of love, sacrifice, and resilience as Jean navigates the complexities of her feelings for Muirin amidst the turmoil surrounding them. The author’s rich writing style brings the village and its inhabitants to life. Her vivid descriptions of the rugged landscape and the close-knit community create a sense of place that is both immersive and enchanting; I was easily drawn into the world of the story.

The characters in the novel are well-developed and complex, each with their own secrets and desires that drive the narrative forward. Jean is a compelling protagonist, with a quiet strength and determination that makes her a sympathetic and relatable figure. Muirin, on the other hand, is a mysterious and enigmatic presence whose true nature remains elusive (at least to Jean – not so much to the reader) until the very end. The dynamic between the two women is at the heart of the story, creating a powerful and emotional connection that resonates throughout the novel. The dangerous presence of Muirin’s husband (who quickly becomes Jean’s nemesis) adds a layer of danger that helps up the tension and moves the narrative forward.

As the plot unfolds, Sutherland deftly blends elements of mystery, light suspense, and romance to keep readers engaged. The climax wasn’t exactly a surprise, but it was still satisfying. I think my only complaint was some sections seemed to drag a bit. Had some of these scenes been tighter and the suspense ramped up, it would have helped keep my mind from wandering as much as it did.

Overall, this was a well-written and enchanting read. With its beautifully crafted prose, compelling characters, and well-structured plot, Rose Sutherland has crafted a novel that will appeal to fans of retellings, romance, and mystery. Despite an uneven pace, I still enjoyed this one and would recommend it.