Missing Mermaid

by A.E. Marling

We outlive capitalism. In a post-scarcity society, people do things not out of desperation but for joy. Xavi loves nothing more than putting on a silicon tail and swimming as a mermaid. She performs for children. Xavi encourages them and their parents to protect the clean water of the city’s canals. A community treasure, she is the first person who comes to mind when excited doctors develop a surgery to turn someone into a merperson. Xavi pioneers it, pushing the boundaries of transhumanism.

Then the mermaid goes missing.

A local citizen detective discovers Xavi had texted them “help” the night before, when their devices were silenced. The Citizen Detective Society mobilizes across the globe. They hope to crowdsolve the mermaid’s location and soon. Every passing hour reduces the probability they’ll discover her alive.

292 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 8, 2024

About the author

A.E. Marling writes on pages, cards, and buildings. A member of Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, A.E. has published several novels and written names and flavor text for Magic: the Gathering. In the past he also shone words in light on buildings as a projection activist (@AEMarling).

Pronouns: he/them

Reviews

[D · Rating 4 out of 5]

My feelings about this book are much the same as those expressed in my longer review of Murder in the Tool Library.

I continue to find the world building and thoughtfully-optimistic outlook stellar, but the vindictive and vengeful approach some characters take seems to be at odds with the setting and culture the books describe. Vittoria consistently shows disdain for the laws and processes set up to protect the private lives of the citizens- which seem like important parts of this proposed social fabric. Are we as the reader supposed to root for her?

I enjoyed following Myca's perspective/journey though, and will definitely read anything else set in this world. I very much appreciate Marling's choice to (in some way) build the world they want to see.

This is definitely worth a read if you have an interest in what a solarpunk future might actually look like.