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The Mermaid Killer
Holly St. James has always known there was something different about her. . .
Haunted by a past of abuse and misery, Holly's delusions drive her to a spree of insatiable crimes. Convinced she is The Mermaid Killer, a mythical figure of unimaginable power, Holly's reality is a twisted landscape where madness and the supernatural collide.
Scarlett McNamara, a grizzled detective with her own dark past, is tasked with hunting down this elusive killer. As Scarlett plunges into the investigation, she unearths the fractured depths of Holly's mind. Each step closer to Holly pushes Scarlett deeper into a chilling game of cat-and-mouse.
In an unbelievable climax, the boundaries between sanity and madness dissolve, forcing both women to confront their darkest fears.
"The Mermaid Killer" is a pulse-pounding thriller that explores trauma, identity, and the fragile line between reality and delusion.
Scarlett McNamara, a grizzled detective with her own dark past, is tasked with hunting down this elusive killer. As Scarlett plunges into the investigation, she unearths the fractured depths of Holly's mind. Each step closer to Holly pushes Scarlett deeper into a chilling game of cat-and-mouse.
In an unbelievable climax, the boundaries between sanity and madness dissolve, forcing both women to confront their darkest fears.
"The Mermaid Killer" is a pulse-pounding thriller that explores trauma, identity, and the fragile line between reality and delusion.
430 pages, Hardcover
Published November 9, 2024
10 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
About the author
Joseph Miguel
2 books13 followersJoseph Miguel is a healthcare professional by day and a vigilante writer by night. He is also a prolific photo artist and surrealistic painter, having sold and showcased many works throughout the United States and beyond. His inspirations flow within the vast complexities of the human psyche, along with the natural world around us. He works and resides in the California Bay Area.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 26, 2025
Hmm where do I start.. I love the writing style and the gore and details. I love the strong feminine rage that seeped through the pages. I did enjoy the killer's POV more than the others. This book was leaning towards a 4 stars all throughout the book until the last 20%. I did like how the killer started to become messy because she was spiraling but what made me think this was a solid 3 stars was because I didn't like the detective. Marv sold St. James because he felt guilt from releasing a psycho out to the world which was understandable but how did he know that she was the killer? What gave it away? He certainly didn't have any correlation between St. James and the Mermaid Killer.. unless he's heard something on tv that the writer didn't share. And then how the detective pieced together The Blue Lagoon from the jogger was fine but I didn't like how she walked into the bar and "knew" right away that St. James was the killer. There were no thoughts or process on how she knew, she just knew. It could've been Deliah (the original mermaid performer). Maybe it's her gut instinct that she was off or whatever but there was nothing that told us, readers, how she came to the conclusion that St. James was the killer. It felt like the author wanted to skip through that part and just get it over with and then decided to throw in an elaborate blowing up the building scene just for a little more juice for the detective's backstory of her time on tour. All the action throughout the book lead to an ending where the detective gets an award for practically doing nothing is mind blowing to me. & now that I've came to the end of it, I'm upset how this book is a flop.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 8, 2025
Sinister, gory, and a satisfying psychological thriller
Mermaid Killer is a splendid symphony of bloodshed. We follow Holly St. James in a manifesto format narrative and learn of her turbulent past-essentially what turns her into a serial killer.
Parallel to Holly’s confession, we have Sergeant McNamara’s experience playing cat and mouse, trying to track the killer down.
There’s a cool supernatural twist woven into this fast-paced tale, and it’s set in the late nineties, lending to some nostalgia feels.
If you aren’t shy of gore, depravity, and utter heartlessness, give this a read. You won’t be disappointed. The one thing I think would have been helpful is trigger warnings so folks know what they’re getting into. There is animal killing, though it goes by fast, but that’s a topic I like to be mentally prepared for, personally.
Mermaid Killer is a splendid symphony of bloodshed. We follow Holly St. James in a manifesto format narrative and learn of her turbulent past-essentially what turns her into a serial killer.
Parallel to Holly’s confession, we have Sergeant McNamara’s experience playing cat and mouse, trying to track the killer down.
There’s a cool supernatural twist woven into this fast-paced tale, and it’s set in the late nineties, lending to some nostalgia feels.
If you aren’t shy of gore, depravity, and utter heartlessness, give this a read. You won’t be disappointed. The one thing I think would have been helpful is trigger warnings so folks know what they’re getting into. There is animal killing, though it goes by fast, but that’s a topic I like to be mentally prepared for, personally.
November 2, 2025
A dark, gory psychological thriller that will send shivers down your spine.
A gripping psychological thriller that had me on the edge of my seat from the get-go. The portrayal of Holly's descent into madness and the blurred lines between reality and delusion were masterfully crafted. The characters, especially Holly and Detective McNamara, were compelling, each with their own haunting pasts. Miguel skillfully weaves themes of trauma and identity throughout the story, keeping the suspense palpable. This book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a thrilling cat-and-mouse game with a touch of the supernatural. Prepare to be emotionally invested and thoroughly captivated.
A gripping psychological thriller that had me on the edge of my seat from the get-go. The portrayal of Holly's descent into madness and the blurred lines between reality and delusion were masterfully crafted. The characters, especially Holly and Detective McNamara, were compelling, each with their own haunting pasts. Miguel skillfully weaves themes of trauma and identity throughout the story, keeping the suspense palpable. This book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a thrilling cat-and-mouse game with a touch of the supernatural. Prepare to be emotionally invested and thoroughly captivated.
November 18, 2024
Cat and Mouse Thriller
From the very first page, "The Mermaid Killer" grips you tightly and doesn't let go until the final sentence. Holly's haunting past and Scarlett's own demons intertwine in a thrilling game of cat-and-mouse that will keep you on the edge of your seat. This pulse-pounding thrilling story explores the dark side of trauma and how it affects who we are, leaving you questioning what's real. A must-read for fans of psychological suspense!
From the very first page, "The Mermaid Killer" grips you tightly and doesn't let go until the final sentence. Holly's haunting past and Scarlett's own demons intertwine in a thrilling game of cat-and-mouse that will keep you on the edge of your seat. This pulse-pounding thrilling story explores the dark side of trauma and how it affects who we are, leaving you questioning what's real. A must-read for fans of psychological suspense!
August 19, 2025
I loved every minute of this book a true thriller masterpiece.
October 30, 2025
Finished it that night. It is definitely a wild ride. It’s not for the faint of heart. Dive deep into the back and forth of a victim/killer’s mind. Your heart will be torn in two directions.
April 23, 2025
5 out of 5 stars – A Dark, Haunting, and Unforgettable Thriller
The Mermaid Killer by Joseph Miguel is an absolutely gripping read from start to finish. With a chilling blend of psychological suspense and supernatural undertones, this book dives deep into the minds of two unforgettable women—Holly St. James, a deeply disturbed yet strangely magnetic figure, and Detective Scarlett McNamara, whose own demons make her the perfect foil in this intense, high-stakes hunt.
Miguel masterfully explores trauma, identity, and the fragile line between truth and delusion. Holly’s belief that she is The Mermaid Killer—a mythical and powerful figure—adds a unique and unsettling layer to the story that sets it apart from anything I’ve read before. Scarlett’s journey into Holly’s twisted world is full of tension, emotion, and unexpected turns.
The writing is sharp, the pacing relentless, and the ending left me breathless. This is not just a crime thriller—it’s a psychological deep dive that lingers in your mind long after the last page. Joseph Miguel is a bold new voice in dark fiction, and The Mermaid Killer is a triumph. Highly recommended for fans of smart, emotionally complex thrillers.
The Mermaid Killer by Joseph Miguel is an absolutely gripping read from start to finish. With a chilling blend of psychological suspense and supernatural undertones, this book dives deep into the minds of two unforgettable women—Holly St. James, a deeply disturbed yet strangely magnetic figure, and Detective Scarlett McNamara, whose own demons make her the perfect foil in this intense, high-stakes hunt.
Miguel masterfully explores trauma, identity, and the fragile line between truth and delusion. Holly’s belief that she is The Mermaid Killer—a mythical and powerful figure—adds a unique and unsettling layer to the story that sets it apart from anything I’ve read before. Scarlett’s journey into Holly’s twisted world is full of tension, emotion, and unexpected turns.
The writing is sharp, the pacing relentless, and the ending left me breathless. This is not just a crime thriller—it’s a psychological deep dive that lingers in your mind long after the last page. Joseph Miguel is a bold new voice in dark fiction, and The Mermaid Killer is a triumph. Highly recommended for fans of smart, emotionally complex thrillers.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews