This was a really enjoyable mystery set in the late nineteenth century in Cornwall. I love to read this genre and I wasn’t disappointed by The Mermaid’s Call. I had not read the previous books in the series but this didn’t really prevent me from understanding this book and I was able to follow the story. The Mermaid’s Call is about two women – Shilly and Anna - who run a detective agency and the strange cases that they try to solve as well as the complex relationship between them.
I loved the setting and the book was very atmospheric and I felt as if I was in 1880’s Cornwall as I was reading. The writing is good and and I was engrossed from the first page. The characters were really interesting and different and I loved Shilly and her perspective especially. I would highly recommend this book if you like historical mysteries.

I was unaware this book was part of a series, but I enjoyed it and was able to follow along nonetheless. I very much enjoyed the murder/mystery/thriller plot line of this story. I was unable to connect with some of the characters, but maybe that is just me!

The Mermaid’s Call by Katherine Stansfield is the latest in the ongoing storyline of Shilly and Anna Drake and their recently established Detective Agency.
This book is apparently part of the “Cornish Mysteries” series, however I have not read any of the books that depict the beginning of Shilly and Anna’s relationship, so I am unable to compare this book towards its predecessors. However, I feel that this can easily be a stand alone book with a stand alone mystery. As a newbie to this storyline, I was able to jump right in and understand the dynamics between the females and gather information overall that has created the foundation of who these women are, and why they act as they do.
I enjoyed the murder mystery aspect, and felt it had a good pace and complexity. I even enjoyed the slight “mystical component” that was added and it gave a mythical and dark layer to the story line. That aspect was slightly out of my normal reading genres, however I thought it was added tastefully.

Overall, I enjoyed the book and mystery. Only one star removed due to the fact that while I did not dislike the main characters, I also did not feel connected or invested in them either.

If you enjoy historical murder-mysteries, then this book is for you.

Thank you NetGalley and Allison & Busby for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.