Reviews

Mrs. Morris and the Mermaid by Traci Wilton

the_sassy_bookworm's review

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funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

Book Review: Mrs. Morris and the Mermaid by Traci Wilton

Rating: 3 stars

Traci Wilton's "Mrs. Morris and the Mermaid" takes readers on a whimsical journey to Salem, Massachusetts, where B&B owner Charlene Morris finds herself caught up in a murder mystery amidst the excitement of the town's first annual mermaid parade. As the streets fill with mermaids and Hollywood stars, including the infamous Trinity Powers, tensions rise and a killer lurks in the shadows.

While I have enjoyed the series thus far, I found this particular installment to be a bit drawn out and repetitive. The central issue of the love triangle between Charlene, Dr. Jack Strathmore, and Detective Sam Holden felt overplayed and, frankly, tiresome. Sam's character development left much to be desired, making him rather unlikable in my eyes. The constant back and forth between the characters detracted from the main plotline and left me feeling frustrated.

Despite these shortcomings, Traci Wilton's storytelling still shines through, keeping readers engaged in Charlene's quest to uncover the truth behind the mermaid murder. The author weaves together elements of mystery, humor, and a touch of the supernatural that have become synonymous with the series, ensuring that fans will still find enjoyment in this latest installment.

Overall, "Mrs. Morris and the Mermaid" may not have been my favorite in the series, but it still offers an entertaining escape into a world where mermaids and murder collide. While I hope for some resolution in the tangled web of relationships in the next book, I look forward to seeing where Charlene's adventures take her next.

 ⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

lmerricks's review

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emotional lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

katreader's review

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emotional slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.5

MRS. MORRIS AND THE MERMAID by Traci Wilton
The Eighth Salem B&B Mystery 
 
Charlene Morris is thrilled to have a full house at her B&B. Her guests are in Salem for the city's first Mermaid parade. Brandy Flint, Charlene's friend and resident witch, managed to bring the recluse and star of the famed mermaid movie Sirena into town to celebrate the film's anniversary. The stars from the recent reboot of the film have also arrived and rabid fans are taking sides. When Charlene discovers a major player dead, the whole event could be washed away. With the help of her ghostly best friend Charlene will have to uncover the murderer and make sure this first Mermaid event is not the last.

Many people forget that the word fan comes from the word fanatic. Instead of merely liking and showing appreciation, fanatics take things to the next level and are excessive in their devotion. While MRS. MORRIS AND AND THE MERMAID has some fans, it also has a host of true fanatics whose beliefs and actions lead to murder.  

I always enjoy visiting Charlene's B&B. She treats her guests like family. In fact her hospitality can be a bit over the top, being overprotective of her guests and wanting their every needs met. I certainly wouldn't pass up Millie's cooking, however, and wish I had her and Will taking care of my home! 
 
Several suspects and lots of bad behavior, along with stars who are too high and mighty populate the pages of MRS. MORRIS AND THE MERMAID. Even our victim wasn't that nice. And I certainly wanted to smack the smirks off the young stars of the reboot. As for the fan club presidents...whoo boy.

In addition to the murder, there's a good deal of personal drama in the eighth Salem B&B Mystery. Charlene is starting to open her heart up to romance with Sam, but is sneaking around and not being completely honest a true relationship? And then there's Jack. No spoilers, but what an ending.
 
Movie stars, mermaids, and murder combine in a unique mystery, decades in the making. MRS. MORRIS AND THE MERMAID is a delightful tale that questions your ability to truly know someone.

librarygirlreads's review

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adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

thisandthatwithkaren's review

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funny mysterious fast-paced

5.0

"Mrs. Morris and the Mermaid" the 9th instalment in the Salem B&B Mystery series by Traci Wilton. This is my favourite one so far (I say this every time) , I just loved it!

B&B owner Charlene Morris expects Salem’s first annual mermaid parade will make quite a splash, until a high-profile murder threatens to sink the whole event . . . 

I love visiting Salem and Charlene’s B&B with its resident ghost Jack and her B&B family. I love all the characters Charlene, Jack, Minnie, Sam and Avery.

The mystery was interesting, well plotted, with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing till the very end. There was sub mysteries to figure out as well, especially surrounding Trinity. I definitely was surprised by the ending and can’t wait for book 10 to see what happens next with Jack and Sam!!!

I highly recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.

I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Kensington Books and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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