Darker Water (2026)

A claustrophobic young adult science-fiction thriller set four kilometres beneath the ocean surface, where three teenagers are trapped in a terrifying struggle for survival. In 2089, underwater stations house hundreds of miners, engineers and biologists, all excavating and processing ProLEC, a miraculous bacteria that offers a solution to the energy crisis. Betty, a miner with years of experience, remains at the bottom of the pecking order. Maia, a new engineer, knows she has the intelligence to become a ProCORPer and reach the very top, while Audley, a biologist, is on course to become the youngest science lead ever. But something is seriously wrong with ProLEC. Peaceful sea creatures are turning into bloodthirsty fiends, unprecedented power cuts and tremors are shaking the station, and as the three draw closer to the truth and to one another, they find themselves in greater danger than they could have imagined. The first book in a thrilling new series for fans of Ben Oliver, Neal Shusterman and Wren James.