Title: Sleeping with the Fishes
Author: MaryJanice Davidson

So I think I read something involving vampires by this author once long ago. This one? It might beat vampires.

Fred (short for Fredrika) is a mermaid. Apparently her mom was kindof drunk and hooked up with a merman, resulting in Fred; Mom and human dad are still total hippies (Mom’s name is “Moon Bim”, and dad’s another hippie totally cool with raising a mer-man’s child). Incidentally, Fred has legs on land, and a tail and gills underwater. And green hair at all times. She’s a marine biologist, and works at some huge aquarium.

So some crazy dude shows up at Fred’s house, saying he’s High Prince of the Black Sea, and he out to take out the human race for polluting the water. Artur’s the stereotypical royal, out of touch with reality and common folk.

And Fred’s also dealing with Thomas, another scientist from the aquarium; he accidentally saw her in mermaid form when she went for a swim with some of the fish she takes care of. He joins the fight with her and Artur, and both of them are fighting over Fred. I think he’s also independently wealthy.

Fred’s best friend Jonas is a total metrosexual with a secret thing for her uptight boss, Barb, who thinks he’s gay. He disabuses her of that notion, and they spend a few days in bed.

Fred and Artur take a swim through the bay, find the problem (sewage!), then they and Thomas deduce that it’s coming from a new hotel. They go to confront the owner, who happens to be Barb’s ex-husband, who goes crazy – apparently it was some weird scheme to get back at Barb? Whatever. He dies. And the book ends with Fred debating between Thomas (yes! Dorky and rich! Go for him!) or Artur (ok, probably a better body from all the swimming, but a terrible personality).

I’m not entirely sure if I’m looking forward to a sequel…

Labels: mermaids or undersea folk, trashy romance

6 Comments:

 Elizabeth said...

Mermaids triumph over vampires anyday.

Maybe Fred's love could fix Artur's personality problems? You have to read the sequel so we can find out : )

 reyn said...

Boo, Elizabeth, BOO!! Get the rich nerd to take up swimming!! That's a MUCH easier fix!

 Kate said...

Yeah, rich nerds are much better than haughty individuals with terrible personalities. Geez, Elizabeth, what were you thinking?

 Elizabeth said...

Please, people. I never advocated for Artur definitely. I just pointed out that he might have potential. Besides, if I had truly thought over Fred's dilemma, I would've proposed the following solution: why can't she have both? She's already half human/half fish, what's wrong with one fishy and one geeky lover? I don't think the paternity of any resulting squid spawn would be all that difficult to determine.

*grins*

 reyn said...

Let's get this straight: in addition to the pirate wardrobe and British accent, I also have to become rich and half-fish? Oh, and look like Brad Pitt. Like HE has any problems finding ladies.

 Elizabeth said...

Oh, reyn, don't be silly. Of course you don't have to be those things. You have to be those things AND an internationally reknowned escape artist. And don't forget the requisite castle on the dusky banks of an ancient river.