Postmortem of a Poem

Autopsy of a Fairytale #6

by Nicole Scarano

With a teenager's missing person’s cold case hanging over her head, Detective Isobel ‘Bel’ Emerson resolves to try to enjoy her summer, but when a gruesome discovery at the lake interrupts the Bajka Police Department 4th of July picnic, Bel is thrown back into the thick of it. But even with the aid of the FBI, this new investigation is filled with one dead end after another. Mountains of evidence lead no where, and then another teenage girl goes missing. As days turn to weeks with no real leads, Bel has to face a horrifying truth. These three possibly connected investigations might be the first cold cases to haunt the Bajka PD.

Loosely inspired by The Little Mermaid, Postmortem of a Poem is book 6 in the Autopsy of a Fairytale series, a crime thriller romantic suspense perfect for those who like dark fairytales, murder mystery/police procedurals (like AMC's The Killing, Netflix’s Lucifer, NCIS, Criminal Minds, or NBC's Hannibal), romance, found family, and a hint of fantasy. Each book will be based on a different fairytale, but Bel (and her Beast) will connect them all, her story ending on small cliffhangers in each book. *Series must be read in order*

Genres: Fantasy, Mystery, Romance, Retellings, Thriller

307 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 21, 2025

About the author

Nicole Scarano is an avid fiction reader and film enthusiast; her favorites being dystopian, apocalyptic, fantasy, and action sprinkled with a little romance here and there. She currently lives in Pennsylvania with her rescued pitbull, China (who was part of the inspiration for Kerberos in her first novel, Pomegranate). Nicole's passion for writing consumes her free time, especially when it includes snuggling on her sofa with China. Her love of writing is so strong, she even tattooed a quote from one of her stories on her rib-cage.

Reviews

[Becky (sirensongreads)]

Impatiently waiting for a cover and synopsis 🙃

[Kaija · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was an unexpected end to the story and not at all what I was expecting. I’m interested to see what happens in the next book that’s for sure.

Another book in this series that I just devoured

[Lizzy Jeane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Por favor, es que es una de las mejores sagas del mundo 😍😍😍 Qué bien he empezado 2026, Nicole Scarano nunca decepciona 💜

[KKEC Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just Keep Swimming

Postmortem of a Poem by Nicole Scarano
THE CLIFFHANGER ENDING THOUGH! Holy buckets. This was the most emotionally driven book in this series so far, so the emotional elements are understandable.

This book talked a lot about grief and family, and I want to hug Nicole. This was fast-paced and filled with delicious twists. I am glad that Olivia seems to be thawing after the last books. I have missed their dynamic.

My heart is aching for Bel, though. I can see both sides of her situation, but she is also at war with herself. And that breaks my heart. I loved the infusion of The Little Mermaid in this book. It was well done, and the story flowed beautifully.

I am ready for the next book, though. So many questions and emotions are raging through my brain right now. What will happen next?

Publication date: December 21, 2025

[Angel G · Rating 5 out of 5]

The twists and turns this story took! I always try to figure out who the culprit is once all the main suspects have been introduced just to see if I can solve the murder. There were so many viable red herrings, not to mention the red flags. I wanted so badly for Erik to be the bad guy for more than just being 28, dating a newly 18 year old because that's concerning on its own. And who starts seducing their "missing" girlfriends best friend within a month of her disappearance? But once everything was finished at the end, it's all tied up nicely with no loose ends. What I really like about Scarano's villains in this series is that they are not redeemable in any way, shape, or form. The kills are so creative and there's something horrifically beautiful about the way the murders are found. I didn't love Eamon is this one. He's always been morally gray and overly possessive but I just didn't care for the conversations about him taking his own life once Bel has died. I found him a little pushy when bringing up uncomfortable topics that, yes, they need to discuss for their relationship, but you couldn't find a better time than right after your girlfriend had to tell grieving parents that their 19 year old daughter was murdered?

[Courtney Baldwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series so much! I have become enthralled with each book and only takes a day or two to get through each one because I can’t put it down. I read half in one sitting and found myself mad I was already halfway done but happy it was so good I couldn’t put it down. I enjoyed this one as I have each one in the series. Can’t wait for the next one. I appreciate the way the books are written with little nods to fairytale classics, the growth of each main and supporting characters and how it keeps me guessing til the end who did it.

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little mermaid themed. I was a little frustrated with the whole wanting/not wanting to have kids situation and also the ending. At 35 most women have some idea whether or not they want kids. She doesn't really seem to want them, but since her bf does not, suddenly she isn't sure. She says she makes her bf a better person, but she does something bad and suddenly its his fault for making her a monster.

[Koreen Swanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series !

Nicole Scarano has written these crime thriller fairytales from a human perspective, adding in the monsters and characters from our childhood. The plot is gripping and the Easter eggs in each of the stories pull the reader back in time. Postmortem of a Poem is no different - however the cliffhanger ending leaves me impatiently waiting for the next book in the series!

[Tabitha Peverley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book series! perfect combination between crime and fairy tales!

[Bec H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in this series!! I’m not okay after finishing it. 😭

[Donna (BookDragonGirl) · Rating 5 out of 5]

ANOTHER AWESOME BOOK IN THE AUTOPSY OF A FAIRYTALE SERIES BY NICOLE SCARANO!!!

I absolutely LOVE everything Scarano writes!! And I love how she’s a mood writer, because I’m a mood reader. She has written so many different genres and they’re always AMAZING!! I have some I haven’t even gotten to yet!

This series is one of her most popular! Imagine Mysteries tied in with fairytales, a detective that is a great character that you can easily relate to (Bel), and the Pitbull who is her family (Cerberus), and the man/beast she falls in love with (Eamon). Non spicy Romance. Very Suspenseful and somewhat dark crime scenes that are weird and violent. Lots of twists and turns that have absolute shock factor. This is a uniquely original series that I absolutely love!! I never want it to end, because I’m really emotionally invested in these characters!!

The end of this book is a jaw dropper! I need the next book!!! Although I’m looking forward to her second book in her new post apocalyptic horror series too!! If you haven’t read anything by Scarano yet, you need to now!!

[E ♥️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been devouring the Autopsy of a Fairytale series ever since it became my book club pick just over a year ago, and Postmortem of a Poem did not disappoint. My only real complaint? A criminal lack of Cerberus scenes.

The opening took a moment to sink its teeth into, lingering on Bel’s very real, very heavy “do I want kids?” dilemma and what that means for her future with Eamon, before the murder mystery fully revved up. But once the first disappearance hit, I was hooked.

The final 50 pages? Absolutely unhinged in the best way. Every thread snaps into place, answers collide, and suddenly it’s 2 a.m. and I’m staring at the page like excuse me?? The story ends on an unexpected cliffhanger, which doesn’t feel cruel, just a reminder that I’ll now be waiting (im)patiently for book seven.

[Katelyn Peel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is my favorite of the whole series and that is saying something for how much I love beauty and the beast. When I saw it was about the Little Mermaid I was intrigued on how they would make that work. It did NOT disappoint let me tell you. From the details of the mermaids to the names of characters/ personalities you can really envision this book through. I would have never expected it to be Triton at all which really threw me for a loop when it was so obvious to be Erik/ the Prince’s. However, I do love that Olivia is finally giving back into her friendship with Bel while slowly understanding Eamon and Ewan to let them back in as well. The ending had me MESSED up so the fact I still need to wait A WHOLE YEAR for the 7th has me mad but in the best way.

[Kenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really good! This is one series that I cannot shut up about: Bel, Eamon, and Cerberus are my favorite family to read about and I am seated for every book in this series. At times, it does feel rushed, and the pacing sometimes feels fast, just to slow back down, sort of giving a bit of whiplash. However, it does not take away from the overall impact of the story at all. Overall, this was a four star read for me, but I am absolutely seated for book seven later this year, especially after that shocking ending! I know this year just started but I am (im)patiently waiting for December 2026!

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️ Scarano conseguiu, novamente, entregar um livro incrível com uma narrativa misteriosa e mítica ao mesmo tempo. O retelling de Ariel, com as sereia embalsamadas, foi muito bem escrito com detalhes e um twist no final inesperado. A única coisa que me deixou meio assim foi o final, quando a Isobel fica em estado de choque depois de matar Mr. Triton. At pq, eu tinha a impressão de que ela já tinha matado antes, mas eu entendo que matar por necessidade e matar por desejo são coisas diferentes. Muito ansiosa para o próximo!!

[Paige · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hovering between 2 and 3 stars.
This one was not my favorite, the crime was interesting but this one took a turn overall. There was a fixation on not wanting children, that’s fine as a choice but the repeated start to the conversation with no resolution over and over was getting unpleasant. Then the ending… that didn’t sit well. Her quitting her dream job, after the whole conversation with Briar that it was her whole life’s dream? Is she going to leave Eamon now because she’s going to think she wants children now?

[Bookishgirlwiththefeet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book pulled me out of my reading slump. Bel and her beast, while having supernatural things to deal with, also have very human, very real problems that relationships face. As well as the friendship with Oliva and taking time to repair that while solving cases together.
I love how this series takes fairytales that we think we know and changes them without taking away from the magic. I always think I know who the killer is but get surprised when the right thing is said and makes it so obvious.
They way the themes fit together. Nothing seems like it is out of place, it all works.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

With her father’s blessing, Bel and Eamon’s relationship is progressing quickly. Ramon gives her a fantastic birthday gift, but the same day, a young woman disappears without a trace.

Footnote: 1) Amazing coincidence. Ms. Scarano says she wrote this right after her mom died in 2025. My mom died in 2024, and shortly thereafter, I finished and published my first book.

Fave scenes: Bel’s birthday present, the thunderstorm, Cerberus’s toenails, and doggie ice cream.

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved, loved, loved this book. It's just another brilliant instalment in a absolutely brilliant series. Love all the characters and their developments. This story was really good and I loved where it went. The only downside was I read it so quickly and have to wait now for the next one. I can't wait to see what happens next.

[Madison Shay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing suspense filled edition to this series. I loved the little mermaid pieces throughout the book! I am still beyond speechless at the revelation of what truly transpired. This book had me pacing my living room trying to put the pieces together before everything was uncovered. But that cliffhanger was not what I was expecting, I am left speechless.

[Rebekah Kuhl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think is my favorite one yet! I loved how the whole thing played out. It pulled my heart and made me excited and sad all at the same time.
The only thing I feel is wrong for it, is the name of the book. I feel this one and the last book should have switched names. But that’s probably just me overthinking things.
Thank you Nicole, I can’t wait for the next one.

[Miriam Harwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was not expecting that ending. Nor did I suspect the actual murderer. I was following the lines the author was laying out. not paying attention to the other ones. I love Eamon and Bel's relationship. i love me a possessive man, and the way this author does spice is so tasteful. You know they did it without getting the details about how they did it.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE this series!! The writing, storytelling, characters, and multiple plots within the stories are fantastic! This one like all the others had me second guessing the main Antagonist until the reveal and it was masterful! I also love the growth that was shown between Eamon and Bel even from the last book it makes the relationship more real feeling! One of my absolute favorite series!

[Bree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now We Wait

A cliffhanger ending to a good novel. Its agonizing. The story was well done,loved the theme of this one and it feels like the author has for her footing again in the series after books 4 and 5. But the cliffhanger is a big one. It taunts us and has me eager to know what Bel will do.

[Chloe Wilkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a cliffhanger of an ending! I loved this book from beginning to end. The Little Mermaid is one of my favorites and she weaves it wonderfully into this book. I love a good mystery/romance and Nicole Scarano never disappoints with this series.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is brilliant and this book did not disappoint! The emotionally driven plot line really makes me feel as if I know these characters and that cliffhanger?!?! I need the next book ASAP!!!!
So proud of Nicole for this series!

[Kenzie Scott · Rating 2 out of 5]

Slow start, the story was interesting. It’s great that there’s never too much repetition book to book for the crimes the author writes. Not my favourite in the series but the ending was quite the cliff hanger.

[Eileen Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow

This one was by far the best of the series. The way Bel and Olivia work thru their differences and become a team again. The story immediately pulls you in and you need to find out The Who the what and the why.

[Hailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up. I adore this series, every single book. I love the fairytale inspired crimes, I love Bel, I love Eamon. I took off half a star because this one got started a little slowly for me, but picked up just like they always do! And a cliffhanger ending??! Give me the next one immediately.

[Ashley Soulsby]

Oh my gosh. SO good! Again, continuous plot twists and then the big reveal left you saying "What?! It was that person the WHOLE time?!" And the ending??!!!! Now I have to wait a whole year for the next one?! The agony!