Sleeping with the Fishes (Fred the Mermaid, Book 1)

by MaryJanice Davidson

Book Overview

Fred is a mermaid. But stop right there. Whatever image you're thinking of right now, forget it. Fred is not blonde. She's not buxom. And she's definitely not perky. In fact, Fred can be downright... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0515142220
• Release Date: November 2006
• Publisher: Berkley
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.8" x 0.8" x 4.2"

Customer Reviews

Great to read by the pool

Loved this book - it was totally enjoyable, the humor had me laughing out loud.

Fun summer read!

I read her "Undead" series and loved them...this one seems to be off to an interesting start. I'll get the next one to kick off my summer reading!

Amazing book!

This novel was amazing! Great plot, amazing characters, mystery, romance, sci-fi, this book has it all! And it definately leaves you wanting more! Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys romance or sci-fi books with some humor!

New Undersea Fantasy will turn the genre on its tail!

New and filled with a sarcastic wit that makes one wonder if the author herself is hiding green hair and a tail, SLEEPING WITH THE FISHES is book you absolutely won't want to miss. Dr. Fredrika "Fred" Bim is a surly hybrid (half mermaid, half biped) marine biologist in charge of the main tank at the New England Aquarium. Fred has her share of problems, including the fact that her parents have decided to clue her in that she's not her father's biological child (duh, the man would drown in a tide pool) and the fact that the fish in Main One are on a hunger strike because she refuses to play "Pet Shop Boys" for them over the P. A. system. Her life has just been made more complicated by: Jonas her metrosexual best friend who is crushing on her boss (Barb is fifteen years his senior and thinks he's gay). Jonas has a knack for showing up at the worst possible moment and really can't help sticking his nose into her business. Dr. Barbara Robinson, her boss who thinks that wearing a lab coat and her hair in a braid (so everyone can see her name) gives her an air of authority over her employees who all have more education than she does. Barb however is intuitive and had the great insight to see through Fred's "punk" hair to the brilliant scientist she is. She has just introduced Fred to the new water fellow, Dr. Thomas Pearson. Thomas, marine biologist and "mermaid geek" who has made a fortune writing romance novels and who is the only person ever to notice that her hair is green not blue. (Her mother had often told her that "Mr. Right" would see her true self, and the fact that he's totally hot doesn't hurt either.) Thomas has come to find the source of toxins in Boston Harbor. High Prince Artur of the Black Sea who is "Undersea Folk" royalty with Ruby hair and eyes to match has come to claim his "subject's" fealty and to gain her aid in solving the problem of poisons in the harbor. He's not at all pleased to note Thomas' interest in Fred as he's got his eye on her as well. Poor Fred hasn't had a date in quite some time (the last one having unfortunately turned out to be Barb's ex-husband). Now suddenly she has two men after her tail (pardon the pun). Madison (yeah like the mermaid in "Splash") Fehr the gorgeous, too bubbly, man-eating new intern who predictably "loved dolphins as a girl", has rich parents who just happen to be the museum's benefactors and who just might be connected to the goings on in the bay. Okay so I loved dolphins as a kid myself, which is why I picked this book up in the first place! I'll be the first to admit that I love any literature that features mermaids or selkies, but this book may just set the genre on its tail (so to speak). SLEEPING WITH THE FISHES is a refreshingly funny modern romantic fantasy, I can't wait for another. Reviewed by Leslie Tramposch for PNR Reviews

Excellent 1st novel in a new series

Sleeping with the Fishes is a delightful example of chick-lit. The main character, Fred, a mermaid-human hybrid is clever, funny, antisocial, and cynical. The characters in the novel are well thought out, well developed and interesting. Davidson handles a decently large cast of characters deftly, enabling the reader to sympathize and identify with them. The setting is interesting (an aquarium) and the story line (discovering who is poisoning the harbor) engrossing. Throw in a little romance and a little competition and a whole lot of cursing and you have an excellent mix. This novel is light reading, don't expect deep reflection on current issues. It is thoroughly enjoyable. I look forward to the next installment in Fred's story.