Set in the intriguing and dangerous world of free diving, Storm and Grace takes us into a private and sensual space where two lives intertwine and exclude the world around them. Grace is drawn to Storm’s affinity with the ocean, his physical prowess and his stories of an exotic heritage.

An outsider herself, Grace is also fascinated by Storm’s driven and unconventional personality. She abandons her studies and friends after a single meeting and travels to the Pacific to be with him – at first for a visit, but soon she decides to stay and embrace her new life as Storm’s muse and companion.

Grace has her own affinity with the deep and, as her abilities become apparent, Storm trains her to break records previously seen as unreachable.

But there are lingering questions surrounding Storm, and the reader develops a feeling of unease and a sense of protectiveness toward Grace as she gives up more and more of her autonomy to demonstrate her love and commitment.

We see glimpses of jealousy and distrust in Storm and increasing indications of a need to control.

Kathryn Heyman uses an interesting literary device by employing narration from a chorus of Sirens, who call Grace and the reader into the depths to join Sedna, the Inuit goddess of the sea. Their ghostly voices signify an atmosphere of inevitable doom as the novel progresses. The reader is led to examine the difficult territory of abuse masquerading as love and violence pretending to be sensuality.

Heyman takes us into the chilling world of psychological abuse and the futile attempts to avoid offending a volatile partner. As is so often the case when we listen to the stories of our friends or watch the TV news, we ask Why didn’t she leave? When we should be asking ‘Why did he act so appallingly’?

Reviewed by Sue Noonan