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Cover illustration by Julie Dillon.

When the Imagine Network commissioned a documentary on mermaids, to be filmed from the cruise ship Atargatis, they expected what they had always received before: an assortment of eyewitness reports that proved nothing, some footage that proved even less, and the kind of ratings that only came from peddling imaginary creatures to the masses.

They didn't expect actual mermaids. They certainly didn't expect those mermaids to have teeth.

This is the story of the Atargatis, lost at sea with all hands. Some have called it a hoax; others have called it a maritime tragedy. Whatever the truth may be, it will only be found below the bathypelagic zone in the Mariana Trench...and the depths are very good at keeping secrets.

From Publishers Weekly:

“In this slim, grim tale of aquatic horror, Grant (Symbiont) unveils the tragic last voyage of the SS Atargatis, hired by the Imagine Network to help film a fake documentary on mermaids while also performing deep-sea scientific studies... In true horror fashion, Grant introduces a large cast of colorful personalities, giving many of them brief chances to shine, before unleashing the horrors of the deep upon them.”

From Library Journal:

“A well-crafted little monster tale from Seanan McGuire (author of the popular ‘October Daye’ urban fantasy series as well as horror/sf under the Grant pen name), this novella is a treat for her fans…”

From Romantic Times:

“…Without belaboring her point, Grant deftly explores the oddly and shamefully satisfying exploitation inherent in reality television, while still crafting a chilling and unrelentingly dark tale.”