Murder and the Mermaid

Posie Parker Mystery #13

by L.B. Hathaway

Sometimes the truth is as slippery as a mermaid...

December, 1925

A dark, smog-filled London doesn’t seem very Christmassy, or exciting, but then Posie Parker, London’s premier female Private Detective receives an urgent call from one of her oldest friends; Rufus, Earl of Cardigeon.

Summoned to ‘The Mermaid’, an ancient hotel in Rye, on the Sussex Coast, in the heart of smuggling country, Posie, together with her husband, Richard, finds her friend in a real state.

Rufus has been promised answers about his missing wife, Dolly, but instead there’s simply a bizarre string of events: a priceless car mysteriously driven off a cliff; a missing Frenchman, and telegrams from men who simply don’t exist. While Richard Lovelace, Chief Commissioner of New Scotland Yard tries to work out if Rufus himself is the target of a complicated plot, Posie has her own investigations to make.

The local tragedy of a missing dancer has been dealt with by local police as an open-and-shut case. But Posie soon discovers it is anything but. And she suspects foul play.

And as the snow falls, and Christmas lights go up, secrets are revealed, and Posie becomes involved in perhaps her most personal case so far. She becomes aware that danger lurks at ‘The Mermaid’, and not just for Rufus.

A murderer is on the loose.

A totally gripping and glamorous 1920s historical cozy! Fans of Agatha Christie and Downton Abbey are in for a treat.

'Murder and the Mermaid' is the thirteenth book in the delightfully classic English Posie Parker Mystery Series, although this novella can be enjoyed as a stand-alone story in its own right. This is a clean read, with no graphic violence, sex, swearing or strong language. If you love an action-packed historical cozy crime with a feisty protagonist, download a sample or buy 'Murder and the Mermaid' now.

Genres: Mystery, Audiobook, Historical, Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery

134 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 21, 2021

About the author

Cambridge-educated, British-born L.B. Hathaway writes historical fiction. She worked as a lawyer at Lincoln’s Inn in London for almost a decade before becoming a full-time writer. She brings her love of detective novels set in the Golden Age of Crime and an obsession with English history to her own writing.

The Posie Parker series of cosy crime novels span the 1920s. They each combine a core central mystery, an exploration of the reckless glamour of the age and a feisty protagonist who you would love to have as your best friend.

Her other interests, in no particular order, are: very fast downhill skiing, theatre-going, drinking strong tea, Tudor history, exploring castles and generally trying to cram as much into life as possible.

Reviews

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short story about events occurring after Posie’s friend Dolly has disappeared. Not great but an entertaining interlude resolving some loose strands from Posie’s past.

[Jeanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not the best book in this series. Maybe the worst? A very short interlude that just didn’t do it for me.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another in this pacy and pithy series. It was an excellent read while donating plasma. I want a book which will make me forget there is a big needle in my arm, and this did well.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the Posie Parker series but in this particular book (and in one of the earlier ones too) there's far too much suspended intelligence in order to make the plot move along. For Posie to be such an incredible detective and yet be so unaware is kind of rough.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent mystery

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Mermaid, Tunnels, and Ghosts

Posie is at it again and it makes me so happy. She finds out much more about her mother and her mother's other family. Poor Rufus and Dolly. I really hope things will be settled in the next book. But at least Posie was able to put a few ghosts to rest this time.

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

i couldn't believe it that when I was thinking of jumping to the end that I discover I have finished 75 % of the book. This is def a short story.

This book tied up the loose ends of her strange half sister. So, according to the half sister, because Posie didn't care to return her postcards she wanted to kill her. I mean that is a very polarized reaction.

Well, Posie only have this murderess half sister left of her family.

[Kim Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would have given five stars but...

For the fact that I'm blessed if I can see why Richard Lovelace was ever promoted. I don't think he's solved one of Posie's cases, in fact most of the time he appears to be clueless (if you'll pardon the pun). He didn't get to be Chief Commissioner as an act of charity one assumes, so please give him some brains please Lily.

[Kristine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short/ quick read

Posie Parker Lovelace wife, mother, sister, sleigh and now psychic. This is a fast read (very fast). I did like the way it ended even though it was weird. This is my last Posie Parker book. I liked the earlier books and stories, characters. Now it's just silly and sloppy.

[Lois Strecker Howry · Rating 5 out of 5]

nice and short while wrapping up some personal baggage for Posie

I am very sad to see this series end. Even if there are more coming, i won’t be immersed with Posie stories as i was reading the whole series. And the Count is still hanging out there and where is Dolly? So i know more must be comjng and i cannot wait

[Melissa Lindberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

A frantic phone call from an old friend sends Posie dashing off to Rye - with her husband joining her, somewhat against her wishes. What she finds is a very personal crime, that resolves some of her pent-up family issues. I found some of her attitudes odd - those wouldn't have been my choices - but other than that I liked the story and resolution.

[Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ Jenn Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ Schu · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have never read the Posie Parker Mystery Series, so I started out with this short story to
capture a glimpse of the writing and for the most part, I did enjoy.
What I liked:
The setting, I'm a sucker for Gilded Age stories.
The main character, Posie is a strong female protagonist
What I would have liked:
I really should have started with the first book to have a better idea of the characters.

I recommend this short novella to fans of historical fiction mysteries with strong female protagonists.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series

Posie is such a well developed character I feel as though I know her personally. She has evolved from the first book to this one as a real person does in life - making choices she never expected to make, living a life different from the one she envisioned.

[Caridad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read

Interesting concept for story line. The only downside was that I felt I had missed an entire book for most of this story. This was not one of my favorites.
Will still continue to read the series.

[L Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting mystery.

Strange happenings as Dolly is still missing, her husband may be being led into a trap, and
Posie and Richard travel urgently to a port town that is now a mile from the water.

[Carlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a short book, leading us to know what happened to Posies mother. But not yet finding where her best friend went, or why. A good story with many twists and turns. Looking forward to next book.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Novellas often feel a bit superficial to me and I tend to avoid them. This one however has emotion and depth, and reveals more about Posie, while telling an engaging story with a twisty mystery. The narrator is a perfect fit for this audiobook.

[E.L.Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hauntings

Really enjoyed this one well written like the rest of these novels. L.B Hathaway certainly has a vivid imagination. And the good news is I have just brought novel 16 keep writing L B Hathaway

[Iabarnowlrlb-too.us · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good author

I have read all the boos in this series. If your looking for a cosy mystery written the early 1900this the series to read

[Cathy Collins · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short and not very consistent book after the excellent Murder in a Chelsea Garden.

[JoyceCharbonneau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good Beach read

Intriguing. A book to read in sunshine and warm places. Pick it up any time between the delights of ice cream and beach walks.

[Virginia Massey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Posie Parker series!

I especially enjoy the historical notes at the end of each book. Posie has become one of my favorite characters in this genre.

[KathleenWH · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read but a superficial plot and a rushed conclusion

I have enjoyed all the Posie Parker books to date, but this one seems like it was rushed to conclusion.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hathaway does a great job of continuing Posie’s story. I can’t wait for the next one!

[Beatrice Gleaves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally enjoy the books by this author

[jacqui Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointing

This is probably the last of this series that I'll read.
The outcome was obvious and I'm a little tired of the supernatural elements the author uses.

[Jan Duthie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Small but perfectly formed is the phrase which springs to mind if describing this book. It’s well worth a read.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Short easy read.

[Elizabeth Sirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series

A must read series, I enjoyed reading all her books. Hope more are to come. I need to know what happened to dolly

[Annie Belts · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just ok.