The Mermaid’s Scream by Kate Ellis: Why did Wynn Staniland, a legend in the literary world, suddenly become a recluse in the 1980s? Most assumed he stopped writing because of his wife’s bizarre suicide; a death that mirrored a murder case from the nineteenth century. And now a promising young author called Zac Wilkinson is working on Staniland’s biography and hopes to reveal the true story to a waiting world – while at the same time keeping his own troubled past hidden from public view.
When Wilkinson is found brutally murdered, DI Wesley Peterson finds links to the unexplained poisoning of a middle-aged couple at a local caravan park – and Wynn Staniland appears to be the connection.
As Wesley delves further into the case he suspects a sinister puppet show might provide the solution: a grim re-enactment of the murder of Mary Field, a cause celebre from the reign of Queen Victoria that inspired Staniland’s best-known novel.
The case becomes personal for Wesley when he discovers his son is involved, and as he begins to unravel decades of secrets and deception, the shocking truth proves almost too much to bear.
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My Review of The Mermaid’s Scream by Kate Ellis
If you’re a regular reader, you’ll probably know that I tend to favour chick lit and Young Adult urban fantasy books. However, every now and again I do like to push myself out of my comfort zone and read something totally different. I have actually done that more often this year and have been thoroughly enjoying the change. The Mermaid’s Scream by Kate Ellis is one such book. There’s no comedy and romance in this story. This is full of police drama, murder, mystery and suspense.
I admit it did take quite a while for me to really get into it. But once I did, I was gripped. There is quite a lot going on throughout the book, with rather a lot of characters to remember but once you’ve clocked who everyone is, the story jumps off of the page. So much so that I could very easily see this becoming a sure fire TV hit (are you reading, BBC?).
Usually, I’m pretty good at guessing ‘who did it’ and I did have a rough idea about two thirds in. I was close… but not exactly right! It’s one of those books that will keep you guessing and you have to just keep reading until the end. I spent several summer afternoons floating on a lilo reading it and thoroughly enjoying every moment.
Kate Ellis is a fantastic author, with subplots swirling in and out of the main plot, which really does keep the story exciting throughout. I’d definitely read more of her books in the future. But for now though, my brain needs a good dose of light-hearted chick lit!
About Kate Ellis
Kate Ellis was born in Liverpool and studied drama in Manchester. Kate has been shortlisted for the Crime Writers’ Association Dagger in the Library award and has been twice nominated for the CWA Short Story Dagger. She has also been nominated for the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year. Kate was elected a member of The Detection Club in 2014. Visit her at www.kateellis.co.uk
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