This was an interesting tale loosely based on a serial killer in Jamaica. I enjoyed most of it. Some of the dialogues between the two main characters were often witty, which made the reading of the distressing situation of the slaves in Jamaica a bit lighter. However, what really disturbed me was the appearance of mermaids!!!!!! I can read about superstitions common hundreds of years ago, as well as understand their significance, but mermaids???? I found this fantasy element utterly unfitting in this story. Shame. Otherwise, the novel was entertaining .
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.

Book review 4 The Mad Doctor by PD Lennon
4 Starts

Thank you to Canelo Publishing for an Arc of the case of the Mad Doctor.This is a fictionalized tale of the first serial killer in Jamaican History.

I enjoyed the criminal case plot line of this story. I like the fact that the good guy accomplished his goal in the end


However, one thing did not seem to fit within the larger plot line of the story for me. I feel like the scenes with the mermaids represent a genre jump, from True Crime to Fantasy. although when I read the first instance with the mermaids it was jarring, I like the fact that they did get to exact their vengeance by the end.

I would read another book by this author.

Set in 1772, the story starts in Bristol but soon transfers to Jamaica. Charged with locating three missing persons on the island, Isaiah Ollenu and Ruben Ashby seem an unlikely pairing. Faced with prejudice and violence, they are thrown together in an extremely dangerous situation.
This is an interesting historical story based on a real life serial killer. Aspects of the story relating to slavery are quite disturbing but the historical detail is excellent.