The Case of the Fickle Mermaid

Brothers Grimm Mystery #3

by P.J. Brackston, Paula Brackston

Gretel—yes, that Gretel—is now all grown up and working as a private investigator in 18th century Bavaria. Her professional interest is piqued when she begins to hear whispers of of mysterious goings-on off the coast of Schleswig-Holstein: sailors are disappearing, and there are rumors of mermaids and sea creatures and all manner of slippery, sea-based happenings. Ordinarily, Gretel’s interest in sea-life does not extend beyond that which is edible, doused in butter and garlic, and already on the plate before her. However, funds are low, and the captain of the ship Arabella makes a tempting offer of good pay and a free cruise in return for her detective services. With a splendid new wig packed, Hans as her bodyguard on the journey north, and the promise of two weeks of fine dining and erudite company whilst sailing around the picturesque Friesian islands, what could possibly go wrong?

Genres: Mystery, Fantasy, Audiobook, Humor, Fiction, Fairy Tales, Mermaids

352 pages, Hardcover

First published January 15, 2016

About the author

Pseudonym of author Paula Brackston.

Reviews

[The Lit Bitch · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
This is a very quirky mystery series. I read the second book in the series last year and while it was quirky it was also pretty enjoyable. PJ Brackston is short for Paula Brackston who most famously writes what I call ‘the witch books‘.

I’m a huge fan of her witch books and her writing style, so when this series came across my nightstand for review I agreed even though I started with the second book. I enjoyed the whole ‘Gretel as a sleuth’ idea and when I read the book I found lots of things to love about the series.

I love the whole fairy tale and murder mystery idea that the series is based on. Even though I started with the second book in the series I was able to connect to the characters for the most part and follow along with the back story without any real struggle. So when this third book came out I gladly decided to read it!

This book combined some of my favorite things….fairy tales and murder mysteries. It was really cute and a fun little escape. It took me a bit to sort some things out since this is the second book in a series, I felt like I was missing a couple of things in the landscape, like how did she become a private investigator in the first place?

As far as the dialogue goes, I struggled a bit with some of the statements. For example, this book is supposed to be set in the 1700s Bavaia…..did they have vodka martinis then? There were lots of little things like this that seemed more like modern dialogue and unlikely in the historic period. Same with some of the hygiene things….people in the 1700s just didn’t care that much about personal hygiene etc.

But once I accepted the fact that this story was a fairy tale and anything could happen in a fairy tale so I just took it at face value and tried to let it not annoy me…it was hard but I tried. Sometimes I just wanted to scream ‘that’s not historically accurate’ but this wasn’t marketed as a historic fiction novel so in the end I just had to let it go and enjoy the story.

Also the constant references to Gretel’s weight was kind of annoying. I don’t know that it added much to the story….it was lighthearted and comical at times but a couple of comments was plenty to get the point across.

All that said, I liked the magical/fantasy elements in the story and the overall premise. The mystery was enough to keep me interested. The book over all was cute and entertaining as well as funny. I liked that Gretel was a more mature heroine and she had a unique and quirky way of looking at things and the mystery. I liked her, I don’t know that I loved her, but I liked her enough to keep reading the book to see what happens next.

Brackston is probably best known for her ‘witch books’, which I love, and I thought this new genre (cozy mystery) was a fun little detour for her. She does a good job with fantasy, and while I liked this book just fine, I still think her strongest work comes from the witch books.

See my full review here

[nikkia neil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wickedly funny, put a smile on your face, and laugh out loud fun! Gretel and Hans would make a great t.v. series. I love these books!

[Fanny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the first two books of this series in German, and this one in English. I'm usually hesitant to read translations, but I think the translator for the first two did rather well and the quirkiness of all characters worked well in either language.

The books itself are fun because you're confronted with all manner of mythical beings that we've all heard about before, but a different side of them is shown here (usually their desires).

Other than that: a murder, a mystery, an unexpected twist, and the banter make this book a good one!

[STEPHANIE HAUSSLER · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this quirky series and the "Fairy tale Characters". Very fun and look forward to many, many more!

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are just plain fun. I do miss the audiobooks though. They're so well done.

[Jane Pettitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A whimsical mystery, enjoyed

[Emmalynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars Mermaids, merdogs, sea sprites, pirates, smuggling, what more can Gretel take on as she tackles this new mystery on the high sea. Hansel and Gretel on a seafaring adventure if only it dint involve murder and a mermaid possible singing sailors to their deaths. When the cook is murdered and Hans steps in, Gretel, with the help of a wily sea sprite continues the investigation. This was another fun and witty adventure with Gretel in her role as a PI. She’s not your fairytale Gretel :) for sure. With old characters and some new ones, this was a medium to fast paced read.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm listening to this entire series, this is #3. I just don't want to stop! It is super fun and full of surprises. The narration is amazing! On to #4!

[Roberta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my gosh, these books are fun and funny. Gretel is now a private eye and uses her observation skills to help people with the problems of their age. Her brother Hansel (yep, of Hansel and Gretel fame) is her support system, which is the only thing that he can manage to do well. Other than drink beer and eat sausages in Bavaria.

[Thebooktrail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Visit the locations: Fickle mermaid tour

here are certain books that you read, having no idea of the plot or theme and are totally surprised and shocked by what you find. This is one of those books as I have never read any of the Brother’s Grimm mysteries! This was so not my kind of book but what fun it was! I was taken aback, shocked, surprised, not sure what to make of it all, but always entertained. I’m quite pleased I had no early knowledge of the plot etc as this would have taken all the fun out of the book!

Fancy Gretel and Hans now being involved wit private detection agency! A real fun premise and I will be taking a look at the other two now. It’s not like anything I’ve read before – a fairytale for adults mixed with cosy crime, serious issues such as smuggling and disappearances but mixed with fantasy and child like wonder.

I still don’t know what to make of it all really but it’s made an impression on me

[Judy Nappa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love this series of books. A wonderful and fun twist on childhood fairy tale characters all grown up - Gretel is determined and ambitious ( with a very large streak of vanity running in her blood) while Hans is laid back and "unmotivated" unless his activities include drinking ale and eating or cooking. He often insists on "escorting" Gretel in her sleuthing travels so that she remains safe! Ms. Brackston's style of writing enables you to envision these characters as clearly as if they were in the room with you. A good helping of mystery with large sides of humour and adventure as well as a great assortment of colourful and delightful supporting characters. I think Gretel is developing serious feelings for a certain handsome Uber General.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun mystery that keeps you reading. Offered a position to solve a mystery aboard a cruise ship, Gretel jumps at the chance to spend two weeks sailing in the sun. When she gets to the docks, the ship is not quite what she had in mind. Gretel is initially not happy to be bringing her bother Hans along, but he does come in handy. Slowly crew members start disappearing and the remaining crew are pretty sure they have been taken by the mermaid. The captain wants the mystery solved immediately. In the meantime, Gretel encounters sprites, mermaid hunting hounds, and more.

This is the third book in the series - but can be read alone.
Digital review from Edelweiss.

[Marlana · Rating 3 out of 5]

For some reason, I did not enjoy this novel as much as its predecessors. There was something lacking in the telling I think. It wasn't as polished, humorous, or exciting as the two other books in the series. In fact, the pacing was a bit slow and it never seemed to reach a climax. I will, however, read the next installment and have high hopes the next book will not disappoint.

[Debbie Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have thoroughly enjoyed this series based on a grown up Hansel and Gretel. Hansel is a loafer and Gretel, a detective is a go-getter. The mysteries are fun and they weave fairy tale characters into the mysteries. They are fun and light. Pure enjoyment.

[Kiera Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Today we’re here to talk about The Case of the Fickle Mermaid: A Brothers Grimm Mystery by P.J. Brackston, in which Gretel (yes, that Gretel) solves mermaid related crimes and mysteries on a cruise ship.

Genre and Target Demographic?
• Adult Cozy Mystery, Murder Mystery, Detective Noir
• Nothing particularly inappropriate for children, but unlikely to hold a child’s interest or attention

Part of a Series?
• Yes, third novel in A Brother’s Grimm Mystery series
• Can be read as a standalone

Is it a Little Mermaid Retelling?
• No

Mermaid Type and Presence?
• Traditional mermaid
• Moderate
◦ While she only physically shows up for two chapters, the mystery surrounding her permeates the entire narrative.

~*~

Content Warnings?
• Alcohol Consumption & Abuse
• Cigar Smoking
• Fatphobia
• Murder

~*~

You Should Read This Book If You Enjoy:
• Film Noir genre conventions
• No-nonsense protagonists
• Excellent attention to detail
• Cozy mysteries

You Should Avoid This Book If You Dislike:
• Wall-of-text paragraphs (that sometimes stretch on for multiple pages)
• Slow paced stories
• Murder mysteries without much mystery
• Protagonists who strongly dislike dogs

~*~

Did I Enjoy It?

Yes. TL;DR, it’s a charming, cozy noir detective murder mystery with a delightfully colorful cast of characters and an inoffensive plot that clips along at a slow but steady pace.

Imagine a hard-boiled detective noir story, but the hard-boiled detective was Gretel from the Hansel and Gretel fairy tale (as the narrative is insistent on repeatedly clarifying) and it took place on a boat in 18th century Europe. It’s all at once gritty and whimsical—an all-around delight.

Gretel’s whole attitude boils down to, “Well excuse me, sir, but I was led to believe this was an entirely different sort of adventure,” and the sheer delightfulness with which the author implements poor Gretel’s mood whiplash and comical mishaps is exquisite.

Now, I do hesitate to call this a proper murder mystery, as only one culprit was ever presented, so the only mystery was how Gretel was going to foil them. What’s more, Gretel got most of her clues from a supernatural entity invisible to everyone else, making her seem less like a clever detective and more like a diplomatic medium.

I must also wonder why Gretel, who in her original story came from a family so poor that the children were turned out to fend for themselves, is so vain and fixated on luxurious material wealth. She seems to care more for elegant dresses and expensive brandy than solving mysteries, which is more than a little off-putting for a protagonist. Especially considering how ungrateful she was for all of her brother’s contributions to keeping her safe and solving the mystery. Perhaps this attitude is elaborated on on earlier installments in the series, but I have no interest in reading them, so I may never know.

~*~

THAT SAID…

While cozy and largely inoffensive, this story is absolutely not a fair-play whodunnit, so if that is the kind of story you’re looking for, you will not find it in these pages.

~*~

Happy reading for those who dare to delve into these pages, and swift sailing for those still searching for their perfect mermaid tale!

[Cheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun. boisterous, rollicking, and unashamedly entertaining! PJ Brackston has caught my attention with “The Case of the Fickle Mermaid.” A sea sprite in love with the ship’s captain, a doctor who loves birds, a captain who loves gallantry, a mermaid with a song (and a bit of an agenda) all manage to spread chaos and red herrings as the intrepid Gretel sleuths for answers.

This was a fast read, only around 250 pages. It paces well and has characters so well drawn you could invite them to dinner, though you may want to think twice about some of them. This novel was a nice little vacation from the everyday world of work and news. I will be looking for more from Ms. Brackston the next time I am at a library or a bookstore!

[Cara Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a library book find! It’s the third book in a series. The premise is that Hansel and Gretel have grown up, and now Gretel is a detective who gets wrapped up in all sorts of fantastical hijinks.

For some reason this was a slow read for me. I found myself getting a little sleepy every time I read it, with long paragraphs sometimes spanning multiple pages.

Overall the story was fun and an homage to the classic fairy tale, with a twist . The mental images of some of the fixes our main character ended up in made me chuckle.

A Brothers Grimm Scooby-Doo mystery - there was even a big, lovable dog.

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's fairytale logic and disdain for history, and then there's just foolishness.

A ship whose second in command is the quartermaster? Another that gets along quite nicely without a captain, but when it loses the first mate it must make immediately for the nearest suitable port?--nothing about the suitability of the expectable second mate mentioned.

The baroness (never capitalized) of Schleswig-Holstein who turns up her nose at anyone of lesser rank--and therefore snubs two counts?? (There is a historical duchy of S-H, so maybe this reflects a late MS change. But see the nautical idiocy above.)

Even in a spoof, some annoyances remain annoying.

[Wanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third in the series featuring Hansel and Gretel, yes that Gretel. Gretel is the well renowned private detective and her bumbling brother Hansel is her aide. In this story, Gretel has been hired to find an elusive mermaid whose singing is bringing havoc to the cruise ship of the former snaggle-toothed pirate now captain of the Arabella. Adventures abound with the presence of supernatural creatures and of course the appearance of Uber General Ferdinand von Ferdinand.

Delightful and amusing books and especially so with the audiobook read by Kate Reading!

[Katie O'malley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an entertaining story with Gretel's--yes, THAT Gretel's--trademark sarcasm and overconfidence and Hans' lovably bumbling self setting in motion a series of hilarious events. A fun, zippy read for a lazy day, it's light on plot but has plenty of escapades. I did find that it's not quite as witty as its successor, 'The Sorcerer's Appendix', and Gretel's pining over her dull love interest was a bit much. Good, but not great.

[Waldelfenpummelfee · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Sterne

3 Teil einer Reihe !!!!

interessante Geschichte

auf alt gemachter Stil der Sprache passt gut zu den Figuren und der Handlung

Hänsel und Gretel auf andere weise erzählt, was ist aus den beiden Kindern die in Gefangenschaft einer Hexe waren geworden? Dieses Buch erzählt auf interessante und Humorvolle weise den Werdegang von Hänsel und Gretel und den Aberglauben auf der See.

[Joseph D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third installment of the Brothers Grimm mysteries. Off to the high seas for this one. A pleasant mixture of fantastical creatures and scurvy dogs. Defiantly YA but still a pleasant read. These are short and cute, but I would have liked a bit more of a twist in the ending. ​

Joseph McKnight
http://www.josephmcknight.com

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to the audio book for this one and I rather enjoyed it! I loved Gretel's character! There were a few time when it manged to make me laugh but otherwise it put a smile on my face most of the time. This was a very nice and easy read, quite enjoyable. Definitely recommend the audiobook for this one.

[Astrid · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute series, tongue-in-cheek, with fun characters and always some kind of fairy tale character. Here we have a mer-hund, a sprite, and a mermaid, though the mer-hund is an actual dog.
Light and fun.

[Suzi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Same, same but different.
This story follows the same recipe as the two previous. Not a lot of character development and the mermaid was a side note. Easy listening in the background while you’re doing other things, but doesn’t really manage to hold the listener’s attention fully.

[Lilac Pearl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful cozy mystery with a lot of humor. Quick and fun read! I think these are all stand alone mystery books- hadn't read the first 2 books in the series and I didn't feel like I was missing anything with the story.

[Teddi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy this series and so glad they've been on audible plus. Sadly, the the other 2 are not included and full price and my library doesnt have them online, book or audio, either. I'll put them on my "to-find" list and hope I come across them somewhere

[Bhrigha G · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun romp through a Brothers Grimm tale with grownup Hans and Gretel, yes, that Gretel, solving a mystery and murder at sea. With pirates, a mermaid, a mer-hund, a sea sprite, and other whimsical characters, this is sure to enchant young and old alike.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much more amusing than the last book. Gretel shows her true colours and proves why she has a reputation as such a good detective. A sprinkling of murder and a small helping of a certain General certainly helps.

[Patricia King · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an ok book for me. I assume it was written for a much younger audience. I believe a younger audience would appreciate it much more than I did.

I wanted to read this series, as I absolutely love Ms. Brackston witch stories.