Mrs. Morris and the Mermaid

February 21, 2024

Mrs. Morris and the Mermaid

Mrs. Morris and the Mermaid (A Salem B&B Mystery)
by Traci Wilton

About Mrs. Morris and the Mermaid

Mrs. Morris and the Mermaid (A Salem B&B Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
8th in Series
Setting – Massachusetts
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Kensington Cozies (February 20, 2024)
Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 368 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1496741390
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1496741394
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0C6FV91ML

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 . . .

Enjoy an Excerpt

“Thank you.” Minnie inched toward the kitchen with the clipboard to her chest. “And what are you going to do?”
Charlene gave Minnie an embarrassed smile. “I hate to admit this, but I haven’t seen Sirena.”
Jack had suggested they watch the movie so Charlene wouldn’t be clueless about the pop culture references from twenty-five years ago during the Mermaid Parade weekend. She’d meant to do so before now but had been too busy juggling her business, her mom threatening to move to Salem, and Avery going to college. Dates on the quiet with Sam were a bonus though he’d been traveling quite a bit to New York for work.
Minnie’s eyes widened at Charlene’s confession. “It was so popular! Well, maybe it was a bigger deal in Salem because Trinity Powers, the star, is from here. You’ve seen the remake? My grandkids are all about it.”
“No.” Charlene shrugged. “It’s on the agenda to watch them both today.”
Minnie clicked her tongue to her teeth in mock shame. “What on earth? It’s not like you’re running a bed and breakfast or anything. Unless you have something against mermaids?”
Charlene liked mermaids just fine, but they weren’t something she went out of her way for. “I saw Splash.”
“Well Sirena came out after that,” Minnie said. “It wasn’t a romantic comedy but more of a drama. Trinity Powers was a lovely water ballet artist and very graceful. Her presence on screen was mesmerizing. The remake came out three months ago and my grandkids have seen it several times. I don’t know the name of the actress. How could she be as good?”
“I’ll watch the first one at least.” The parade would feature Trinity Powers in the lead float to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the original movie.
“Charlene?” Natalie Southern hurried down the stairs with a friendly laugh. She exuded good vibes as she reached the foyer where she and Minnie, and Jack, stood.
“Natalie!” Charlene turned toward their pink-haired guest. Avery used to color her hair in fun ways too. “Is everything all right?”
“The rooms are perfect!” Natalie enthused. “I overheard you about the movies. Do you have a TV in a common area to play them on? I’m sure the girls would love to see both. They have the remake memorized but I don’t think they’ve seen the original. I have some last-minute costume adjustments to make, and I could use space to spread out.”
“Sure—why not come into the living room? We can set you up.” She glanced at Jack, who nodded. They wouldn’t view it together in her suite, but he could still watch it with her out here. In business, she’d learned that one had to be flexible.
Jack could comment all he liked but she’d have to be careful not to reply or look like an idiot. He liked to trick her into giving herself away. She was the only human so far who could see Jack, though Silva could too.
The cat had figured out by trial and error that she couldn’t touch Jack, who often teased her. Hard to believe that when Charlene had met Jack, he’d been so grumpy because he was very light-hearted now.
Charlene smiled at Natalie and checked her watch. One thirty. “Give me a few minutes and I’ll meet you in the living room. I’ll ask if some of the other guests want to watch the movie too. Shall we start with the old or the new?”
“I love Alannah’s version—it’s modern and hip while staying true to the storyline,” Natalie said. “Cute guy falls overboard, mermaid saves him, they fall in love. Mermaid captured, but cute guy saves her.”
Nice summary, Charlene thought.
“You should probably watch the original first, to compare,” Jack said. “Trinity Powers was magnetic on screen.”
Minnie unknowingly echoed Jack’s sentiment. “I think you should start with the classic and then the remake to understand the differences.”
Natalie brushed back her bangs, her eyes glinting with light-hearted mischief. “Minnie, are you Team Trinity?”
“Maybe.” Minnie lowered her clipboard suspiciously. “What does that mean?”
“There’s a big feud going on right now between Trinity’s fans, who like the original, and Alannah’s fans, who prefer the modern.” Natalie leaned closer to murmur, “It’s all over the internet that Alannah called Trinity a has-been and a nobody.”
“That’s not nice.” Minnie frowned.
“It’s not personal,” Natalie said, blowing the comments off.
“How couldn’t it be personal?” Jack asked.
“Of course, it’s personal,” Minnie replied. “How would you like to be called a nobody?”

About Traci Wilton

From cozy mysteries to seaside romance, USA Today bestselling author Traci Hall writes stories that captivate her readers. As a hybrid author with over sixty published works, Ms. Hall has a favorite tale for everyone. Mystery lovers, check out her Scottish Shire series, set in the seaside town of Nairn, or the Salem B&B Mystery series, as Traci Wilton. Her latest project is an Irish Castle cozy as Ellie Brannigan. Whether it’s her ever-popular By the Sea romances, an Appletree Cove sweet romance, or a fun who-done-it, Traci finds her inspiration in sunny South Florida, living right near the ocean.

Author Links

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Kensington https://www.kensingtonbooks.com/author/traci-wilton/

Purchase Links – Amazon – Kindle – Amazon – Paperback – B&N – Kobo – Bookshop.org

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