Requiem

Waves of Memory and Loss

Requiem by Clare Francis carries readers into the restless waters of human emotion, where the past and present collide like swell and surf. Former naval officer Harriet “Hattie” Lawson, still haunted by the traumatic shipwreck that claimed her fiancé’s life, retreats to the Cornwall coastline to run a historic sailing charter. Surrounded by the salty tang of sea spray and the roar of Atlantic breakers, she seeks solace in routine—until the arrival of Thomas Keane, a marine archaeologist determined to locate the wreck that shattered her world.

Echoes Beneath the Ocean Floor

As Hattie reluctantly agrees to guide Thomas on a survey of submerged relics, each dive beneath the waves becomes a journey into her own submerged grief. Thomas’s quiet empathy and unwavering dedication to uncovering maritime secrets stir both admiration and wary fear in her heart. Together, they explore kelp-lashed hulls and barnacle-encrusted timbers, unearthing fragments of a vessel that may hold not only historical significance, but the last, fragile echo of her lost love. With every artifact raised from the depths, Hattie must face memories she hoped to keep buried.

Charting a Course to Redemption

Above the waterline, the small Cornish village buzzes with speculation: will the discovery bring closure or reopen old wounds? When Thomas uncovers a clandestine journal belonging to the ship’s captain—revealing betrayals and suppressed truths—Hattie is forced to confront her own capacity for forgiveness. As storm clouds gather on the horizon, their partnership is tested by ethical dilemmas and personal revelations. In a dramatic finale on the deck of the research vessel, Hattie must decide whether to let the past remain a silent requiem or to allow hope to set her free.

. Clare Francis is a bestselling British author and former professional yachtswoman celebrated for her evocative maritime narratives, richly drawn characters, and compelling explorations of loss, love, and the enduring power of the sea.