Harbour of Hungry Ghosts

by Eliza Chan

Set in 19th-century British colonial Hong Kong, the story follows Kiamling, a member of the Au family who serve as demon hunters and intercessors with the spirit world. Kiamling, who feels stifled by her strict grandmother's mentorship, is forced to take charge of the family business when her grandmother disappears following a chaotic encounter with a shadow beast during the Hungry Ghost Festival. As Kiamling navigates the challenges of managing supernatural incursions, she is joined by her younger sister Jingling, her childhood friend Hoi Gor, and Archie, a British civil servant. The narrative explores the collision of Cantonese and British mythologies as Kiamling struggles to prove her capabilities and uncover the truth behind the supernatural threats endangering Hong Kong.