Mrs. Morris and the Mermaid

Salem B&B #8

by Traci Wilton

Set in Salem, Massachusetts, this fun, cozy series sees a widowed B&B owner teaming up with a charming ghost to solve murders—an engaging read for fans who like a paranormal tinge to their mysteries.
 
Charlene and her handsome spectral friend, Dr. Jack Strathmore, are thrilled that their Salem, Massachusetts, B&B is overflowing with mermaids in advance of the town’s newest attraction—a mermaid parade! Retired Hollywood actress Trinity Powers has even agreed to appear on the lead float to commemorate her breakout role as the eponymous mermaid in the blockbuster cult classic, Sirena. The parade also features Trinity’s rival, an up-and-coming ingénue, who stars in the film’s recent (and somewhat controversial) reboot. Though their rabid fan clubs seem ready to tear each other—and the festivities—apart, the vying actresses are keeping it cool, for now . . .
 
But when Charlene discovers a mermaid murdered, she realizes a killer is out to steal the show. With the help of Jack and Detective Sam Holden, Charlene plunges into the case, determined to stop a killer from striking again . . .

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Paranormal, Cozy, Fiction, Ghosts, Paranormal Mystery

1 pages, Audio CD

Published May 14, 2024

About the author

Traci Wilton is a pseudonym of authors Traci Hall and Patrice Wilton.

From contemporary seaside romances to cozy mysteries, USA Today bestselling author Traci Hall writes stories that captivate her readers. As a hybrid author with over fifty published works, Ms. Hall has a favorite story for everyone.

Mystery lovers, be on the lookout for her Salem B&B Mystery series, co-written as Traci Wilton, and her Scottish Shire series, which takes place in the seaside town of Nairn, as Traci Hall. Whether it’s her ever popular By the Sea series or a fun who-done-it, Traci finds her inspiration in sunny South Florida, by living right near the ocean.

New York Times, bestselling author, Patrice Wilton knew from the age of twelve that she wanted to write books that would take the reader to faraway places. She was born in Vancouver, Canada, and had a great need to see the world that she had read about.

Patrice became a flight attendant for seventeen years and traveled the world. At the age of forty she sat down to write her first book—in longhand! Her interests include tennis, golf, and writing stories for women of all ages.

She has more than forty books published on Amazon, and is best known as a popular romance author. She is especially proud of her best selling contemporary romance series, Paradise Cove, and Heavenly Christmas and the Wounded Warriors. Co-writing with Traci Hall, they have assumed the name Traci Wilton for the Salem B&B mystery series published with Kensington.

Reviews

[Suhailah · Rating 5 out of 5]

8th installment complete ✔️

Overall Rating: 4.5 ☆ (rounded up)

Mystery: 4/5 (This was not my favorite themed mystery of the series. To be honest, I did not really care about the victim. She had a very bad attitude and was quite rude. They tried to make up for that later, but it failed. I still had no sympathy for her!)

A mermaid parade is being held in Salem. The B and B is bustling with a new group of interesting guests.

But….
a nasty feud between two rival actresses of a famous Mermaid movie/remake (25 years apart) is brewing.

And then….a murder ensues.

Charlene is once again inadvertently caught in the middle of yet another murder mystery and needs Jack (her resident ghost) to help her solve it! You would think at this point it would be getting bad for business haha, but business is all good and booming!

I love my visits at the B and B and continue to enjoy this cozy mystery series so much that I find I’m pretty invested in these character’s lives! Traci Wilton, please keep the books coming, and I’ll keep on preordering them!

Even though the mystery was not my favorite so far and kind of dragged, there were still some moments that fed my 5-star review meter:
1) Charlene really shocked me with her relationship decision regarding Sam. I was like get it girl!!!
2) The ENDING! I was sobbing along with Charlene. I am heartbroken for JACK! I need the next book ASAP!
3) The mystery was still unpredictable with a major twist that I did NOT see coming!
4) Loved catching up with all the characters. Especially Avery and Minnie! ♡

These are always a lot of fun! I can’t wait for Book #9!

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review coming soon.

[Karen Stallman · Rating 5 out of 5]

"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.

[Jenna (readinginjennaland) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Salem, Massachusetts is hosting its first mermaid parade. They've asked a movie star famous for a mermaid movie headline the parade. Trinity Powers was in a popular movie called Sirena 25 years ago. There's been a remake and there's a new popular mermaid Alanna. Alanna made some snide remarks publicly which created a feud between the fans. Charlene Morris is helping the new business and is helping Brandi with the parade. When Trinity fails to show up, Sharlene is sent to her hotel room where she finds a dead body. She starts to ask questions to find the killer.

I really enjoyed this book and following the clues with Charlene. I'm glad the romance is picking up a bit. The mystery was fantastic and kept me guessing until the end. I can't wait to read more of this series.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a difficult review to write. There’s nothing wrong with this book, overall, but, as someone who has read the whole series as they come out, I was hoping for more: I want the characters to develop more, I want the strange love triangle to be resolved (which it might be?); I guess I just want some growth in the series. It feels like the same story, different quirky thing to explore. And this one was much longer than it needed to be so the story dragged as Charlene revisited the same places and had the same conversations over and over again. The whole Jack thing is getting creepy, too. Hoping the next one has things resolved and a little more to it.

I received a copy from #NetGalley and #Kensingtonbooks for an honest review.

[Cozybooklady · Rating 4 out of 5]

 #MrsMorrisandtheMermaid #NetGalley is another fun addition to this series by Traci Wilton.
Charlene Morris opened her bed and breakfast after the death of her husband.
Set in Salem, Massachusetts, this series is always fun to read.
Charlene and her friends and guests are preparing for the first annual mermaid parade, and everyone is excited to participate.
Salem is celebrating Trinity Powers, the original actress of the movie Sirena, but not everyone is team Trinity.
There's a new mermaid in town and she has no problem telling everyone that Trinity is a washed up has been.
Unfortunately, a tragic death upsets the excitement and its up to Charlene, her best pal ghost detective Jack, and her current love interest, Detective Sam Holden.

I enjoy this series and I think this may be my favorite so far.
It was nice having so many guests interacting with Charlene and her friends, it made this book more interesting.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of the book.

[Mr Francy Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

REALLY ENJOYED THIS ONE!!

SERIES PREMISE: In this series we follow Charlene aka Mrs Morris, who runs a B&B in Salem, Massachusetts with her cat Silva and cook Minnie and house ghost Jack.
In this book: Two actresses. Two Movies. One original and one reboot. Both about Mermaids. Now, both actresses are coming to town for the Mermaid's Parade. However, when the original actress doesn't arrive on time for her float, Mrs Morris is sent to find her. When she does, it's to find the original actress dead. But who killed her and why?

THOUGHTS: I really enjoyed this one as I normally do (all the books I've read in this series I've given either 5 or 4 stars to). But this one just felt even more like coming home. I always love my time with Mrs Morris and her Ghost Jack and the mystery was super compelling. I did solve the mystery before the reveal, I was correct with the person but not the motivation. Not much else to say other than I can not wait to read the next book.

5 Stars!
xoxo.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always look forward to a new Mrs. Morris book. This is the 8th book in the series. Mrs. Morris and the Mermaid has Salem starting a new annual mermaid parade to earn money for the town and the ocean. Trinity Powers who was born and raised in Salem returns to lead the parade. She left for Hollywood at 10 and as an adult became a Mermaid in the popular Sirena movie. Not everyone loves the diva including the star of the remake, her partner and those who chose team Alannah. Who dislikes her enough to kill her? Charlene along with help from Jack, tries to find the answer .

This is a wonderful story with a not to easy to figure out mystery, a light amount of romance and great characters.

[Cozy Reader Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Mrs. Morris and the Mermaid (Salem B&B #8)" by Traci Wilton finally has Charlene and Jack being realistic about their relationship and what it can be. I am glad that this isn't getting dragged out further and that Charlene is finally starting to see Sam as more than a flirtation.

This book centers around a mermaid festival that Brandy, Serenity, and Charlene seem to be the primary planner's for. It's also celebrating the 25th anniversary of the pop cult hit movie Sirena. Both actresses who played the main character, original and remake, show up. One was invited, one was not and their fans are taking sides. Then the original production's actress is found in her hotel room by Charlene. I have to say I was pretty sure who the culprit was the whole time. Just the motive, because of who they are, threw me off.

[Janet Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Traci Wilton is my second favorite author who uses the modern day Salem, Massachusetts as the backdrop for a mystery series. Here Mrs. Morris is the owner of a B&B that would be right up my alley to visit should it really exist.
Charlene Morris solves crimes with two helpers: a ghost and a police detective. Both have a romantic interest in her, but only one can realistically win her heart.
Dr. Jack Strathmore died a number of years earlier, but he still inhabitants the house he once lived in: Charlene's new home. In this series' first book, Charlene helped him discover who liked him. Now in the eighth entry, Jack sticks around for two reasons: to help solve other Salem murders and because he's fallen for the lady.
Will he remain in residence once he discovers that Charlene is falling in love with the very real Salem police detective, Sam Holden?
This is a question for another time. Right now Sam is trying to discover who killed a Hollywood celebrity who headlined the Mermaid Parade in town. Sam has trouble reconciling that Charlene is usually there ahead of him when the killer comes to light.
This time is no different, but perhaps Sam is coming to accept Charlene's genius for detection.
Well written and plotted, this book has a plethora of characters to choose from before Charlene stumbles onto the solution of who killed the mermaid.

[Sue Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars, rounded down

Another wonderful entry to one of my favorite series. Charlene Morris has flourished in the past two years running a B&B in Salem, Massachusetts, where she escaped to after losing her beloved husband to a drunk driver. Not that it has been easy, but with Minnie, her housekeeper/chef, making even a ham sandwich a culinary delight, her reputation for hospitality has led to a booked up reservation schedule. And, of course, there's Jack, the handsome resident ghost, providing support for her penchant in solving unexplained deaths. To boost tourism, the town inaugurates a mermaid parade/festivities and Charlene's B&B is full with parade entrants and some just fascinated by mermaids. The top draw of the parade is the participation of Trinity, a native daughter and movie star known for her mermaid movie of 25 years ago. Of course, the best plans can go awry. The story moves along at a steady clip populated by both the entertaining cast of continuing characters, and new one in town for the event. The only reason I didn't round up to a 5 star rating, was my certainty of who the murderer would be from the very first time the character was introduced. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yeah, I was very impressed with this book, nothing really wrong but it’s like the same as previous books in the series just with a different metaphysical elements. The characters are the same, no evolution. Same old, same old. #MrsMorrisandtheMermaid #NetGalley

[Cassandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh it was fine. But I really don't get jack and Charlene which makes me just feel like she should let Sam go. I won't read anymore books. I don't even mind that she is on love with a ghost its just a weird love triangle.

[LittleRead · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a retired actress, with ties to Salem agreed to participate in the first annual mermaid parade, Charlene‘s finds herself hosting several guests who participate in the mermaid lifestyle. Not only does Charlene learn a lot about how these people travel from event to event and their costumes, she learns that they were tired actresses movie was remade recently, and the star of that movie has also turned up in town uninvited

When Trinity powers is found dead in her hotel room, Charlene Hester, wonder whether she is living with a murderer under her roof, or whether one of several other suspects killed the woman who was on the cusp of making a comeback. Can Charlene and Jack solve the case or will Charlene be dragged under and drown in the case?

What I love most about this series is that it takes on multiple paranormal beings. Who is the say witches ghost or even mermaids aren’t real? You’ll find yourself working alongside Charlene and Jack to figure out whodunit and wondering where my next book will take them.

[Kay Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

MRS. MORRIS AND THE MERMAID by Traci Wilton is the 8th book in A Salem B&B Mystery series. It’s the wonderful story of Charlene Morris, owner of the Salem B&B, as she sees to the needs of her new guest. Most of them are Merfolk anxiously awaiting their participation in the First Annual Mermaid Parade. The parade funds are to go equally to the City of Salem and Clean Oceans. The arrival of Trinity Powers, the major star of the first Sirena movie 25 years ago and who was born in Salem, brings both excitement and tragedy.

Charlene has been excited for this new group of guests. On check in, their varied personalities and connections to mermaids intrigue her and lead her to believe that the next few days will be fun and interesting. Charlene runs the B&B with the help of Minnie – her housekeeper, cook and friend, Dr. Jack Strathmore - her resident ghost that’s become a very dear friend in the last two years, and Silvia – a Persian cat – who overseeing it all. One thing Charlene really enjoys when not at the B&B, is sharing company with Detective Sam Holder. Due to her past history of getting involved in crimes solving and being helpful in seeing that justice is done, plus Sam’s being offered a promotion, they had agreed to keep their relationship low key. So far, they’ve been able to, but then again, they’ve only had four little meet ups.

The Mermaid Parade was a new venture for the city of Salem as a way to promote tourism and help bring revenues to the locals. Brandy Flint, friend of Charlee’s, is dating City Councilman Tony Cortez, but since she’s also a witch, their relationship is under the radar so to speak. She’s working hard to promote this event in order to help him in his re-election. A major boost to the parade was getting Trinity Powers to agree to participate. When Alannah Gomez, the actress for the latest remake of the move, shows up there is delight for another fan base coming, but there seems to be friction between the two fan bases.

When Charlene finds actress Trinity Powers dead in her room, can they manage to salvage the events without seeming irreverent to the situation? Will people’s previous comments be taken as threats leading to them becoming a suspect? Who has an alibi and who doesn’t? When Bobbie Rourke, artist that designed the festival’s t-shirts, runs on sight of the police, will that mark him their number one suspect? What connection is there to the murder and the attack on the maid at the Waterway Hotel? When the B&B guests become suspects, can Charlene and Jack find proof of their innocence or involvement? Is it possible that Trinity’s own father, a local resident that’s been estranged from his daughter for years, could have killed his own daughter? Can Charlene’s hunting for clues on foot and Jack’s computer skills for digging for clues help Sam and the police department figure out whodunit and why? Can they nail down the quilty party, before more victims fall claim to the murderer or Charlene’s investigation gets her into more trouble? Where will Charlene and Sam’s relationship go? Will Sam take the new job out of town? Can Charlene keep both Jack, as a friend without hurting his feelings, and Sam, who she can’t stand the thought of losing but who doesn’t believe in ghost?

MRS. MORRIS AND THE MERMAID will immerse you in the world of the Merfolk, both past and present fan bases, while in the anticipation and preparations for the Salem Mermaid Parade. Learning about both the past and present movie Serina, will having you see both sides of the fan base. Which will you be Team Trinity or Team Alannah? When murder tarnishes the events, Author Traci Wilton will have you feeling like you’re right there walking beside Charlene as she tries to salvage the parade events and helps Sam figure out whodunit. Fabulous addition to the A Salem B&B Mystery series, but MRS. MORRIS AND THE MERMAID can most definitely be read as a standalone book. I imagine that after reading MRS. MORRIS AND THE MERMAID you will have a great desire to learn more about the adventures of Charlene and the rest of the character that live in Salem. Definitely FIVE STAR reading that I highly recommend to that loves a great paranormal cozy or a well-written whodunit!

I receive a copy of this book with no requirement or expectations of a review. All opinions are completely my own.
#MrsMorrisandTheMermaid #ASalemB&BMysterySeries #TraciWilton
#cozymystery #paranormalcozy

[June Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun series. I came to it rather belatedly but each book I have read works well as a stand alone. True, there remain some unanswered questions in my mind that may or may not have been answered in previous books, like why is the ghostly Dr. Jack Strathmore stuck not only on earth but cannot leave that particular property. But, in the grand scheme of things, you just accept and move along because, well, you'll quickly be intrigued. Besides Charlene, the Mrs. Morris of the title, only Silva, her cat, seems able to see him. It's rather obvious that were he still among the living, Charlene and he would make a great pair. As it is, though, his mere existence creates complications for Charlene's budding relationship with Detective Sam Holden who doesn't believe in such nonsense as ghosts and such. Uh, oh....

This book focuses on the murder of Trinity Powers, a former movie legend known for her role as the mermaid Sirena. She's been living a reclusive life for decades for reasons unknown but returns to her home town of Salem to participate in the town's new, hoped-to-be annual mermaid parade and festival. Unfortunately, she never makes the parade. Alannah, her younger rival for "most popular" mermaid does, however. Could she be the killer? She does seem self-absorbed and wasn't even invited to the festival but invited herself. Pushy much? How about her father? Their relationship is odd, definitely strained. He also seems to have turned to drink. Then there are the obsessed, over-the-top fan club presidents, so to speak. Or maybe the artist filled with angst after Trinity derided his design for the festival's collectible tee-shirt? He did take off and go into hiding almost immediately at the approach of a police officer after the murder, after all.

Heck, even some of the fans gathered for the festival, several staying at Charlene's B & B, seem obsessed with the mermaid lifestyle. They travel from show to show, in costume, and spend big bucks for anything mermaid. Could one of them have decided to remove Trinity, the older, more classical mermaid actress as a means to curry favor with the ambitious Alannah? In other words, lots of suspects and twists and turns, not to mention side-stories.

Bottom line, I thoroughly enjoyed this one and am already looking forward to the next. I felt very comfortable dropping into Charlene's world, ghosts, witches, and all. I not only liked Charlene but the rest of the characters, even her spectral friend Jack. Both make giant steps forward in their lives (can I call Jack's ghostly existence a life?), and, oh, my, so glad to see Charlene's relationship with Sam make some huge strides. I guess I can say that I came for the mystery but it's the characters that keep me coming back. Between them and the lure of Salem's history, this series is a winner in my book. Now, if I could just find time to go back and see which of my lingering questions have been long answered in past books. Thanks #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks - #KensingtonCozies for letting me catch up to their present, however.

[JoAnne McMaster (Any Good Book) · Rating 5 out of 5]

After her husband was killed, Charlene Morris moved from Chicago to Salem, Massachusetts and opened a B&B, hoping to help her heal and discover a new life. She's made friends here, and along the way discovered that both witches and ghosts are real. Especially the ghost of Dr. Jack Strathmore, who haunts the home that used to be his, and has become Charlene's closest confidante. If only he were human again...

She has a full house with people attending the first mermaid festival that the town's hosted, including the star of the original film Sirena, about a mermaid and her adventures, Trinity Powers. But a surprise guest shows up with her entourage, Alannah, the woman who remade the sequel and believes she's better than the original actor. Now, the town is filled with people who are Team Trinity or Team Alannah, and the results aren't pretty...

Even the B&B has their share of them, but at least they are behaving themselves. Well, some of them, anyway...

When there's a murder and Charlene discovers the body, Detective Sam Holden tells her to stay away from it. But if the killer turns out to be someone who's one of her guests, how is she supposed to do that? As things progress, her friend Brandy also asks for her help in proving that one of her own friends isn't a murderer. Now Charlene is right in the middle, but at least she has ghostly help from Jack. However, things are heating up with Sam, and it's causing Charlene internal angst.

With everything going on, can she locate a killer before the person strikes again? And will she be able to keep her guests happy and herself away from the murderer?

This is the eighth book in the series and I have read them all. I also have loved them all. Charlene is progressing in her life in Salem, with staunch friends around her, and of course, Jack, who can be seen and heard only by Charlene and her cat, Silva.

This book has quite a bit going on in it, and I won't say too much about that in order not to spoil it for others. I will say that it is definitely worth reading, as Ms. Wilton has once again engaged us in a tasty tale that keeps us reading all the way through. The plot and subplots are all interesting, with enough intrigue, secrets, and lies to wield the story well, and when the killer is discovered, it all comes together nicely and leaves us wanting more. The ending gives us a hint of what is to come, and you will have to discover it yourself. Highly recommended.

I received an advance copy from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.

[Katreader · Rating 4 out of 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.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 8th installment in the Salem B&B mystery series. Charlene Morris moved to Salem to start over after her husband’s tragic death and she has finally begun to move on. I love the family Charlene has made for herself in Salem with Jack (her resident ghost), Minnie, Avery (who has just started college in nearby Boston thanks to Charlene) and Sam. Charlene is always there for her friends and her friend Brandy and her daughter Serenity have put together the first ever Mermaid festival and parade. Charlene also has full house of guests who are in town for the parade and since the star of the movie Sirena Trinity Powers is the guest of honor and former Salem resident, there is lots of buzz and excitement since Trinity is rarely seen in public and basically did nothing after this movie (which was done 25 years ago). The movie has just been remade and the new star Alanna has started a social media war with Trinity and now everyone is picking sides with Team Trinity or Team Alanna. Charlene’s guests are evenly split but when on the day of parade, Charlene finds Trinity dead everyone is wondering what might have happened. Trinity was estranged from her Father ever since she left Salem as a child and her Father was actively trying to reconcile. Trinity turns out wasn’t so nice and there are lots of options for her murderer. The new star Alanna is not so nice either and seems like neither entourage are nice. Once again Sam tells Charlene to stay out of it and since they are secretly dating it makes things very complicated. Charlene is trying to help Brandy but also wants to see justice done. Jack is also a constant for Charlene and I love their great friendship but dating Sam makes things complicated. This is a great series and this was a solid mystery which keeps you engaged the entire book. Emotional ending to the book. Can’t wait for the next in the series. Highly recommend.

[Jennifer Ritter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mrs. Morris and the Mermaid is the eighth installment in the Salem B&B series by Traci Wilton. (Traci Wilton is the pen name for the collaboration of seasoned authors Traci Hall and Patrice Wilton.) Charlene Morris is on the new business development board of her adopted home, Salem. To raise funds and awareness for both the board and the group working to keep the ocean off the coast of Salem clean, the board has instituted a Mermaid celebration. This is partly to honor the 25th anniversary of the cult movie Sirena, starring Salem’s own Trinity Powers.

There is a recent remake of the classic starring up and coming actress Alannah Gomez. While updated with music and dancing, many find the remake lacking. This has created a rivalry between Team Trinity and Team Alannah. This rivalry comes to a head the morning of the Mermaid parade when Trinity Powers is found dead in her hotel room.

As Charlene and board members Brandy and Serenity Flint navigate trying to find out who committed this crime, Charlene also maneuvers her budding relationship with Detective Sam Holden. Being torn between her resident ghost and best friend Dr. Jack Strathmore, former owner of the property including her B&B, and the very live detective who adamantly does not believe in anything paranormal, Charlene is as much at a crossroads personally as in her community position.

With many twists and a host of culprit candidates, this story leads to a treacherous finale with the seemingly most unlikely villain. This author team continues to pen intriguing mysteries filled with wonderful characters and a perfect setting. I have enjoyed each book in this series and do very much recommend each and every one

[The Sassy Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

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⚠️

[Jae · Rating 4 out of 5]

With Salem hosting its first ever Mermaid Parade, Charlene is thrilled that her B&B is fully booked with guests eager to enjoy the festivities. Charlene’s friend, Brandy, has scored big by luring retired actress Trinity Powers, who starred in the cult classic “Sirena”, to ride on the first parade float. Tensions heat up when the younger version of Sirena, starlet Alannah Gomez, also arrives in Salem to participate. There’s no love lost between the actresses, and their rabid fan bases (Team Trinity and Team Alannah) butt heads on several occasions. All of that pales, however, when Charlene discovers one of the mermaids dead. Now the rush is on to find a killer before anyone else ends up sleeping with the fishes.

This was an intriguing mystery with a slew of suspects. The feuding fans added some drama, but I found it over the top. These are two actresses from separate generations, not two sports franchises vying for a championship! For once, Charlene did not dive head first into the investigation; rather, she subtly questioned some of the suspects at the urging of others. It was a refreshing change from her usual Nosey Nellie bit. Even more refreshing was the fact that Charlene is interested in pursuing a relationship with Detective Sam, and her resident ghost, Jack, was not being a jerk about it. To be honest, the switch happened so suddenly as to be jarring. Was this book written by the same author?! I mean, I’m glad for the change, but perhaps we could have eased into it? Gave me whiplash.

Enjoyable read, and I am beyond pleased that Jack is no longer being such a jack-wagon when it comes to Charlene. Four stars

[Shaina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Traci Wilton for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Mrs. Morris and the Mermaid coming out February 20, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Charlene and her handsome spectral friend, Dr. Jack Strathmore, are thrilled that their Salem, Massachusetts, B&B is overflowing with mermaids in advance of the town’s newest attraction—a mermaid parade! Retired Hollywood actress Trinity Powers has even agreed to appear on the lead float to commemorate her breakout role as the eponymous mermaid in the blockbuster cult classic, Sirena. The parade also features Trinity’s rival, an up-and-coming ingénue, who stars in the film’s recent (and somewhat controversial) reboot. Though their rabid fan clubs seem ready to tear each other—and the festivities—apart, the vying actresses are keeping it cool, for now . . .

But when Charlene discovers a mermaid murdered, she realizes a killer is out to steal the show. With the help of Jack and Detective Sam Holden, Charlene plunges into the case, determined to stop a killer from striking again.

This is actually the first book I’ve read in the series. I definitely need to go back and read the other books. But the summary really intrigued me. I love cozy mysteries, and I love that this book is set in Salem. I took a trip to Salem once and this book mentions a lot of the places I visited. So this book felt nostalgic and fun to me. I love the paranormal aspect of the book. It’s fun to have witches and ghosts be part of the plot. I wasn’t super into some of the actress mystery, but I loved the cozy vibes. I’ll definitely read other books in the series.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys paranormal cozy mysteries!

[Susan Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Princess Fuzzypants here: I always enjoyed the Ghost and Mrs. Muir vibe of this story with the impossible love shared by Charlene and her ghost Jack. When she first took over the B&B, she was still reeling from the death of her husband. Even though it could never come to fruition, their bond never seemed to be a problem until Sam, the detective. The twosome became a threesome, or at least potentially, and how that could be resolved with minimal heartache was always an underlying question. In this book, it is no longer underlying.

And while the murder of the star of a 25 year classic movie at the Mermaid Festival has lots of suspects and plenty of twists and turns, it almost takes a secondary role in the book. Tiffany, local girl who made good, has been a recluse, fearing a stalker who could never be found. This is her first foray back into the world and things could be turning around for her until someone ends it all. Who could it be? The fans and the star of a remake are rabid in their feud with the fans of the original film. Things between the two “teams” can get heated. There is also a father with whom she has been estranged amongst the suspects as well as other intrigues that bubble under the surface. Charlene and Sam are determined to figure out who killed Tiffany and why.

The bigger question going forward will be how to balance Charlene’s love for the two men in her life. It should be interesting. Four purrs and two paws up.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mrs. Morris and the Mermaid continues a fun series with Charlene Morris encountering mythical creatures like wolf men, leprechauns, ghosts, witches and mermaids. The touch of paranormal added by MMC Jack, the ghost doctor, is fun and provides a bit more drama to the series.
Charlene is helping Brandi and her daughter Serenity with the first mermaid parade in Salem. Trinity Powers, the star of the movie Sirena, is in town and meant to be the star of the parade. Trinity never gets her moment at the head of the parade because she is murdered.
The mystery is well conceived. I was fruitlessly following the many suspects just like Charlene until near the end when I suddenly had a clear idea of who the murderer was. I really enjoyed watching the events play out to finale.
The thing that doesn’t hit the right note for me with this series is the relationships Charlene has with Jack and with Sam, the detective. I like both men. I struggle with how Charlene interacts with them. Some things come up in this book that again disquiets me about how the book ends in regards to Jack and Sam. It’s what makes this four stars for me.
I enjoyed reading Mrs. Morris and the Mermaid.
Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to review this book.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great addition to the Salem B & B series. This is the 8th book in the series. I think it would be ok as a standalone novel, however I have read all the books in the series in order and I appreciate the backstory and how the characters evolve over time.

This story is about Salem's first annual Mermaid celebration, in honor of Salem native Trinity Powers, the star of a mermaid film named Sirena. The story has recently been redone in a new movie with a new star, and it's the anniversary of the original film. As the mermaid parade is getting ready to kick off, Trinity is nowhere to be found. Charlene, aka Mrs. Morris, goes to Trinity's hotel to look for her. Unfortunately, Charlene finds Trinity's dead body and has to call the police and her hunky boyfriend and detective Sam.

This story was well written and there were several possible suspects. I had my suspicions about who the killer was, but I won't give anything away here. I love the paranormal aspect of the Salem B&B series, including the B & B's resident ghost Jack and Charlene's friends who are witches.

This is a good story and I recommend it to anyone who appreciates a cozy mystery with a paranormal twist.

[Cozy Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series and this Eighth in series was my favorite. Thank you to Net Galley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to review. My review opinions are my own. This next in series has a exciting sleuth that kept me guessing to conclusion and fun activities for our protagnist. This has a pleasing paranormal element and a enjoyable ghost as part of the series.

Charlene Morris has a successful B&B located in Salam Mass. She has a resident ghost Jack who is also her friend and advisor. He was once a resident of her home. Only her cat can see him yet he is a good friend to Charlene. The B&B is full of guest for a fun mermaid festival when a murder occcurs of a recluse who was a former actress. The mystery deepens as suspects abound and with Jack's help Charlene finds clues. The victim has had disagreements and arguments with many. Soon Charlene discovers some in town did not wish her well. With her smart cat, her ghostly friend and friends to help Charlene is on the case. The sleuth was well crafted to conclusion to keep the reader guessing. The mermaid festival a delight to read . Thank you to the author for a wonderful next in series.

[Deana-Coffee, Books, Life Blog · Rating 3 out of 5]

It should be a splashin good time with Salem’s first annual mermaid parade. That is until a high profile guest is found dead, and Charlene has found herself right in the middle.

Charlene runs a wonderful little B&B that has a ghostly resident. In this addition we find ourselves gearing up for Salem’s first annual mermaid festival. Salem is also celebrating one of their own as Trinity Powers, the original actress of the movie Serena. Set movie has recently been remade, and the newer actress playing the same part, finds herself at the mermaid festival as well .Who would’ve thought there would’ve been a rift in the mermaid world, but lo and behold, tidal waves are happening. And a retired Hollywood actress has found herself murdered.

I very much enjoy the promoters of this book and I love the ghostly aspect. However, I don’t feel like there was anything super wild factor about it. I enjoyed the descriptions of the costumes and seeing a different side of Salem Massachusetts than one normally sees. I definitely found things I enjoyed, and makes me wonder about the rest of the series. This was probably not the best entry point, but I did find some enjoyment through the story.

[Rachella · Rating 4 out of 5]

The day is set to be fun, filled with mermaid parades and celebrations, ending with the showing of movie with the hometown actress as the star. Until she is found dead in her hotel room. Was this due to a feud between her and the actress of the remake? Or were there other factors at play?
Mrs. Morris and the Mermaid is the eighth book of the Salem B&B series. Each book in the series can be read as a stand-alone or in order.
This book was so much fun to read! The characters are well-developed, vibrant and feel real. They're characters I'd hang out with in real life, if possible. Mrs. Morris is intelligent, social and a great problem-solver.
The mermaid events were interesting and intriguing to read about. The tension after Trinity is found dead feels penetrating and real. The mounting hostility between the two star's fan groups kept me on the edge of my seat.
This is a book that I got lost in and found very relaxing.
Thank you to NetGalley, Traci Wilton, and Kensington Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. all opinions are my own.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 8th book in this cozy series following Charlene and her bed and breakfast in Salem, Massachusetts. The town is hosting it's first ever Mermaid Parade. The parade centers around the remake of a famous mermaid movie from 25yrs ago that starred a mysterious Salem native Trinity Powers, who is now a Hollywood recluse. She is coming out of hiding to appear at the festival. The new star of the remake of Sirena, Alannah Gomez is also appearing at the parade. The two have different fan bases fighting over who is better and "Team Alannah" and "Team Trinity" camps have formed. Shortly after she arrives back in Salem, Trinity is found dead in her hotel room and everyone is wondering if the online rivalry is involved.
Charlene with the help of her detective boyfriend, Sam, and resident ghost Jack works to solve the murder and save the reputation of the event and bring justice for Trinity. I love this series and have grown to love the characters like friends. Great cozy read!