False Mermaid

By: Erin Hart

Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor

American pathologist Nora Gavin fled to Ireland three years ago, hoping that distance from home would bring her peace. Though she threw herself into the study of bog bodies and the mysteries of their circumstances, she was ultimately led back to the one mystery she was unable to solve: the murder of her sister, Trona. Nora can't move forward until she goes back to her home, to the scene of the crime, to the source of her nightmares and her deepest regrets.

Determined to put her sister's case to rest and anxious about her 11-year-old niece, Elizabeth, Nora returns to Saint Paul, Minnesota, to find that her brother-in-law, Peter Hallett, is about to remarry and has plans to leave the country with his new bride. Nora has long suspected Hallett in Trona's murder, though there has never been any proof of his involvement, and now she believes that his new wife and Elizabeth may both be in danger. Time is short, and as Nora begins reinvestigating her sister's death, missed clues and ever-more disturbing details come to light. What is the significance of the "false mermaid" seeds found on Trona's body? Why was her behavior so erratic in the days before her murder?

Is there a link between Trona's death and that of another young woman? Nora's search for answers takes her from the banks of the Mississippi to the cliffs of Ireland, where the eerie story of a fisherman's wife who vanished more than a century ago offers up uncanny parallels. As painful secrets come to light, Nora is drawn deeper into a past that still threatens to engulf her and must determine how much she is prepared to sacrifice to put one tragedy to rest...and to make sure that history doesn't repeat itself.

©2009 Erin Hart (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Rich with atmosphere and Irish legend, this exceptionally crafted story of murder, family secrets, and redemption is a welcome addition to Hart’s suspenseful series.” (Library Journal)

“Few writers combine as seamlessly as Hart does the subtlety, lyrical language, and melancholy of literary fiction with the pulse-pounding suspense of the best thrillers.” (Booklist)

“Many readers will find this passionate, complex novel almost impossible to put down.” (Publisher's Weekly)

A good listen

I appreciate her "sense of place" details from both MN and the Donegal coast. The links with traditional music and folklore make this a satisfying listen. I enjoyed the narration a great deal. I loved the Irish acsent and then the American it really seperated the charaters. I would highly recommend this book.

A Very Enjoyable Mystery

Erin Hart's three mystery novels set mostly in Ireland have been compelling and enjoyable experiences. She has woven together murder mystery, a little romance, and a wonderful exposure to many of the nuances of Irish culture and history and mythology into the fabric of a very satisfying novel.
The narrator does an excellent job of providing clear distinctions between the characters and reads with good pacing, great expression, and what sounds to me like an authentic Irish accent for the Irish characters.
I would certainly highly recommend this novel and Hart's other two novels: Lake of Sorrows and Haunted Ground.

Great!!!

Great. loved the three books. This one did not disappoint. Hoping to find more books by Erin Heart.

Interesting little story

I enjoyed this listen. The narrator did a good job with the characters and intonation which kept things interesting. The story had nice little intricacies and was woven together well.

absolutely breathtaking

i truly loved this book with absolutely passion and love for every moment, I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity to come across this title. It will forever be a favorite.

Fun, Thrilling, Somewhat Predictable

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This book is very accurate in it's setting. The characters are flawed and believable. The story is a twist on a typical murder mystery.

What other book might you compare False Mermaid to and why?

It is like all murder mysteries, it is always the person you least suspect but at the same time you already know who the murderer is and who actually does the dirty work. It is very much like The Fugitive.

Have you listened to any of Rosalyn Landor’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Any additional comments?

If you like murder mystery this is the book for you. It has all the twists and turns needed to hold your interest. The characters are perfectly flawed. There is no new way to make a cliche subject like murder mystery but False Mermaid does a great job with round characters and beautifully drawn settings.

Narrator distracting

What did you like about this audiobook?

The story was interesting.

How has the book increased your interest in the subject matter?

It really hasn't.

Does the author present information in a way that is interesting and insightful, and if so, how does he achieve this?

The information was presented in a straightforward way.

What did you find wrong about the narrator's performance?

While the heroine spent time in Ireland, she lived most of her life in the U.S. so the heavy Irish accent of the narrator was a distraction rather than an enhancement.

Do you have any additional comments?

none

Another good one from Erin Hart

Having enjoyed the previous Nora Gavin stories, I looked forward to reading one with a foot in St. Paul. I appreciate her "sense of place" details from both MN and the Donegal coast. The links with traditional music and folklore make this a satisfying read. Details of the mystery, from both this current book and the previous two, are tied together through characters in the subplots and unexpected connections - very well done. I look forward to more from Ms. Hart. I enjoyed the narration a great deal. While male voices, particularly American, were harder to believe, I found the differences in dialect, between northern Donegal and Dublin or Clare very true and a wonderful detailed addition.

An expert in bog mummies!

This is, perhaps, a unique specialty in the murder mystery category.

I have listened to all three of the books. I do enjoy a mystery, an independent woman, and a bit of character(s) development. Needless to say there is travel to peat bogs when there is a new discovery, urgency to excavate the mummy, and pressure to solve the mystery.

The narration is well done.

Slow but still a good who dun it

What did you love best about False Mermaid?

The narrator was the key to making this story loved her Irish influence

Would you be willing to try another book from Erin Hart? Why or why not?

Sure

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, very slo but good