"A well written, modern gothic, tracing the parallels between the past and the present."

--Read the Review by the Horror Fiction Review.

"Cultivates the same brand of psychological horror as Shirley Jackson's Haunting of Hill House ... A satisfyingly compelling haunted house story with a twist ... highly recommended for readers who like their ghost stories packed with literary achievement and suspense."

--Read the Review by California Bookwatch.
 

 

“As the first novel of an award-winning short story writer, In the Midst of the Sea makes an impressive debut.”

--Read the Review by The New York Journal of Books

 

“Dark, emotional, and incredibly creepy … In the Midst of the Sea is a haunting debut from a talented new voice.”

— Read the Review by Foreword Reviews

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Praise for In the Midst of the Sea

“Strong characterizations and startling imagery give powerful dimensions to this riveting novel. A very compelling read.” 
—James Hanna, author of Call Me Pomeroy, The Siege, and A Second, Less Capable Head: and Other Rogue Stories

“In his novel In the Midst of the Sea, Sean Padraic McCarthy gives us an unnerving ghost story that tackles domestic abuse, addiction, and crumbling familial relations. A book filled with compelling characters, beautiful prose, and unsettling specters, In the Midst of the Sea will spread its fog into you, fill you with a chilling sense of unease, but tempt you to read further, as McCarthy has managed to create a pitch perfect blend of psychological realism and horror that will appease fans of literary fiction and horror alike. Trust me, this novel will haunt you long after you put it down.”
—duncan b. barlow, author of Of Flesh and Fur, The City, Awake, and A Dog Between Us

“Sean Padraic McCarthy’s lyrical gift contributes substantially to this literally haunting tale. Spanning a narrative trajectory between 1871 and 1994, the story depicts two comparable families in two contradistinct times, occupying the same house on Martha’s Vineyard in shades of Turn of the Screw and The Haunting of Hill House. Long after the reader has turned the final page, McCarthy’s portrayals of both heart and spirit will continue to make their presence felt.”
—Toni Graham, author of The Suicide Club

“Fans of ghost stories will enjoy this one by Sean McCarthy. The author gives us not one, but two sets of very active ghosts and spirits, one of whom is apparently a time traveler. Add in a dysfunctional family whose members all attempt unlikely solutions to their problems, a naive but resourceful young mother, and McCarthy offers up a rousing good read.”
—Vern Miller, publisher/editor, Fifth Wednesday Journal

“Sean Padraic McCarthy’s In the Midst of the Sea is a beautifully written and multifaceted novel. It is the tale of a woman’s ‘fresh start’ and the remote house which does not hold her happiness. This book is a thriller and a ghost story, but it is also much more. In the Midst of the Sea is also a detailed exploration of the impact of isolation on the human psyche, reminiscent of Stephen King’s novel The Shining, but with lively twists and unique notions that make McCarthy’s characters and story stand on their own. It really is a book that you won’t want to close until the story is over.”
—Michael Hathaway, publisher, Chiron Review

“Dysfunctional families, creepy dolls, dangerous ghosts, In the Midst of the Sea creates compelling characters whose tragic lives will haunt you.”
—Alisha Costanzo, author and editor, Transmundane Press