Murder Hooks a Mermaid

Haunted Souvenir Shop Mysteries, Book #2

By Christy Fifield

ISBN# 9780425251843

Author’s Website:  http://christy-evans-mystery.blogspot.com/

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Heidi

*Beware of possible Spoilers*

Murder Hooks a Mermaid is the second installment of the Haunted Souvenir Shop Mysteries series written by Christy F. York under her pseudo name, Christy Fifield.  It is the sequel to Murder buys a T-Shirt, which I have NOT had the pleasure of reading.

Glory Martine is running a souvenir shop that she inherited from her Uncle Louis, having to deal with her obnoxious business partner and cousin, Peter, and taking care of Louis’s foul-mouthed parrot, Bluebeard, that she is sure is possessed by her uncle’s ghost.

All the stores in Keyhole Bay are preparing for the influx of tourists that will be coming their way during spring break.  But as Glory is preparing Southern Treasures for the crowd that will be coming she is thrown off course by the news that her best friend’s ex-brother-in-law has been arrested for murder; a murder that none of her friends think he’s capable of.  Now Glory and her friends are on a hunt for clues to find the real killer so Bobby’s name can be cleared and their lives can go back to normal.

For the most part I did like this story.  It was sweet and innocent and chuck full of southern hospitality.  I’ve never been drawn to the nice wholesome books, but this one is one that people of all ages and varying tastes can enjoy.  It wasn’t one that kept you on the edge of your seat, but it wasn’t boring either.  I think that anybody can find something they can enjoy in this book.

Glory was a likeable enough character, a little goodie-two-shoes at times, but her dealings with her cousin and the ‘colorful’  Bluebeard, threaten to make her, in the words of my mother-in-law, lose her religion, and makes her a more believable character.

There is a sweet budding romance forming between Glory and a fellow shop-owner, Jake.  I like Jake, but he really seems too good to be true.  He’s a business owner, a volunteer fireman, attractive, and protective; it makes him seem unrealistic.  But there are hints of something in Jake’s past that he’s keeping secret that I’m hoping will make him seem more real in the upcoming books of the series.

And if you love the idea of the weekly dinners between Glory and her friends, Fifield has included the recipes for each dinner shared in the book, so you can try them out for yourself!  I know I’m seriously contemplating that red velvet cake myself!

Overall a sweet and easy read that you can even read in front of your grandma without blushing!  I definitely would consider reading upcoming installments of the series and I hope they get more interesting as time goes on.