Helpful Score: 1
I was excited to read a book about mermaids but this did not meet my expectations. It could have been a romance where the hero and heroine were from opposite sides of the tracks and worked better. First off, it's called Siren's Secret, but the heroine can't sing! It's also never explained whether or not siren = mermaid in this author's world. Second, other than the setup of the crime and the reveal of the mermaid self, the heroine never swims in the ocean! I expected a lot more water time in a book about water creatures. The mermaid cousins to the heroine are mostly mean and we don't learn much about their world. If you don't mind a mystery where you know the bad guy from the start and the cops don't feel free to give this a try. The evildoer is very creepy! If you want a paranormal book, I'd recommend skipping this one.
Mermaids and serial killers! What more could you ask for? I was fascinated from the beginning. Shelley, half human and half mermaid, is spotted by a madman as hes disposing of his latest kill. Unfortunately, shes not quite human when he does. Now the race is on to see who can put the other away first. Shelly wants him locked up. He wants her six feet under. And just to complicate things, the local sheriff is no fool. Too bad Shelley cant get him out of her thoughts. And what thoughts they are.
Sirens Secret is so much more than a romantic tale, or tail for that matter. The mermaid world is just starting to be fleshed out in this first mermaid story from Debbie Herbert. Shelley has two mermaid cousins, and the three couldnt be more different. Their own stories will be something to look out for. But its not just the mermaid world we discover. Herbert has wrapped us up in the town and the people who live there. You get a real sense of the characters daily lives and what drives them. Herberts writing takes the reader there, all five senses bringing the details to life.
And the suspense! This is a romance, but the villain in this story almost stole the show. Im often tempted to skim over the bad guys point of view, but not here. The details and darkness Herbert paints him with is chilling, right down to his insect collection. Hes the horrifying accident you cant look away from. The attention to detail is why we fear for Shelley. Not just fiction-fear but something that churns in your gut. You, the reader, fear him.
Tillman is our lead man, the local Sheriff. If you find yourself used to the usual fictional heroyou know the one; hes kind, alpha, obsessed with the girl, and oh so well, fictionalthen this is a breath of fresh air. Tillman doesnt lack for these things, but he is real. This is how you know most people, real people, would be. Hes a cop first, a protector of the people first. Its the brain up top that drives him, always. The rest must follow what is the right thing to do. Hes true to himself, and you respect him for it. Our couple doesnt change for each other. They learn to love what they are. Even if what they are is impossible to believe.
Sirens Secret is so much more than a romantic tale, or tail for that matter. The mermaid world is just starting to be fleshed out in this first mermaid story from Debbie Herbert. Shelley has two mermaid cousins, and the three couldnt be more different. Their own stories will be something to look out for. But its not just the mermaid world we discover. Herbert has wrapped us up in the town and the people who live there. You get a real sense of the characters daily lives and what drives them. Herberts writing takes the reader there, all five senses bringing the details to life.
And the suspense! This is a romance, but the villain in this story almost stole the show. Im often tempted to skim over the bad guys point of view, but not here. The details and darkness Herbert paints him with is chilling, right down to his insect collection. Hes the horrifying accident you cant look away from. The attention to detail is why we fear for Shelley. Not just fiction-fear but something that churns in your gut. You, the reader, fear him.
Tillman is our lead man, the local Sheriff. If you find yourself used to the usual fictional heroyou know the one; hes kind, alpha, obsessed with the girl, and oh so well, fictionalthen this is a breath of fresh air. Tillman doesnt lack for these things, but he is real. This is how you know most people, real people, would be. Hes a cop first, a protector of the people first. Its the brain up top that drives him, always. The rest must follow what is the right thing to do. Hes true to himself, and you respect him for it. Our couple doesnt change for each other. They learn to love what they are. Even if what they are is impossible to believe.
Cute story. I enjoyed it. I would have liked more of the mermaid's swimming, but I guess she can't have hot monkey sex in the water. For a species who are supposed to be secret, a lot of people know about them. Overall, well worth reading with good characters. You even have to feel a bit sorry for the bad guy!
Mermaid book!!!! I was excited to pick this up and am happy I enjoyed it so much!
Shelly's mother was a mermaid, her dad human. After their deaths, she goes to live with her cousins, Jet and Lily. Jet and Lily are full blooded mermaids. Mating with a human is a no-no and Shelly has some baggage from her parents relationship. Tillman moved back home and took over his dad's position as sheriff when he died. His mother is an alcoholic and his younger brother is severely developmentally disabled.
Shelly, while out for a swim, unwittingly meets a serial killer. This added some suspense to the plot. There are some things she should have done, but oh well. Tillman's brother, Eddie, adds to the plot and makes him realize when he's being an unfair asshole.
I love mermaids and there's not many books featuring them. Some more backstory would have been nice. Jet and Lily's stories are coming in books 2 and 3, so maybe I'll get some more. What is here was interesting. I loved all the treasure they have from shipwrecks. And being able to hear/communicate underwater. And they eat a lot of seafood.
Some continuity issues- One moment Eddie is with Tillman and then later he's not (it mentions he finally feels asleep. Nothing said about taking him home. I remember this one because of what Tillman does.)
Mermaid book!!!! I was excited to pick this up and am happy I enjoyed it so much! Shelly's mother was a mermaid, her dad human. After their deaths, she goes to live with her cousins, Jet and Lily. Jet and Lily are full blooded mermaids. Mating with a human is a no-no and Shelly has some baggage from her parents relationship. Tillman moved back home and took over his dad's position as sheriff when he died. His mother is an alcoholic and his younger brother is severely developmentally disabled. Shelly, while out for a swim, unwittingly meets a serial killer. This added some suspense to the plot. There are some things she should have done, but oh well. Tillman's brother, Eddie, adds to the plot and makes him realize when he's being an unfair asshole. I love mermaids and there's not many books featuring them. Some more backstory would have been nice. Jet and Lily's stories are coming in books 2 and 3, so maybe I'll get some more. What is here was interesting. I loved all the treasure they have from shipwrecks. And being able to hear/communicate underwater. And they eat a lot of seafood. Some continuity issues- One moment Eddie is with Tillman and then later he's not (it mentions he finally feels asleep. Nothing said about taking him home. I remember this one because of what Tillman does.)
Shelly's mother was a mermaid, her dad human. After their deaths, she goes to live with her cousins, Jet and Lily. Jet and Lily are full blooded mermaids. Mating with a human is a no-no and Shelly has some baggage from her parents relationship. Tillman moved back home and took over his dad's position as sheriff when he died. His mother is an alcoholic and his younger brother is severely developmentally disabled.
Shelly, while out for a swim, unwittingly meets a serial killer. This added some suspense to the plot. There are some things she should have done, but oh well. Tillman's brother, Eddie, adds to the plot and makes him realize when he's being an unfair asshole.
I love mermaids and there's not many books featuring them. Some more backstory would have been nice. Jet and Lily's stories are coming in books 2 and 3, so maybe I'll get some more. What is here was interesting. I loved all the treasure they have from shipwrecks. And being able to hear/communicate underwater. And they eat a lot of seafood.
Some continuity issues- One moment Eddie is with Tillman and then later he's not (it mentions he finally feels asleep. Nothing said about taking him home. I remember this one because of what Tillman does.)
Mermaid book!!!! I was excited to pick this up and am happy I enjoyed it so much! Shelly's mother was a mermaid, her dad human. After their deaths, she goes to live with her cousins, Jet and Lily. Jet and Lily are full blooded mermaids. Mating with a human is a no-no and Shelly has some baggage from her parents relationship. Tillman moved back home and took over his dad's position as sheriff when he died. His mother is an alcoholic and his younger brother is severely developmentally disabled. Shelly, while out for a swim, unwittingly meets a serial killer. This added some suspense to the plot. There are some things she should have done, but oh well. Tillman's brother, Eddie, adds to the plot and makes him realize when he's being an unfair asshole. I love mermaids and there's not many books featuring them. Some more backstory would have been nice. Jet and Lily's stories are coming in books 2 and 3, so maybe I'll get some more. What is here was interesting. I loved all the treasure they have from shipwrecks. And being able to hear/communicate underwater. And they eat a lot of seafood. Some continuity issues- One moment Eddie is with Tillman and then later he's not (it mentions he finally feels asleep. Nothing said about taking him home. I remember this one because of what Tillman does.)
