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Sean O'Brien #11
Mermaid
The world has a fascination for the myths of mermaids. In MERMAID, the line between make-believe and murder evaporates when the body of a young woman in a mermaid tail washes ashore on a Florida beach. Police think her death is an accident, maybe connected to a big budget movie filming in the area. After another girl, this one working as a mermaid at a theme park, drowns – Sean O’Brien becomes involved because the daughter of his close friend may be the next victim, and O’Brien knows there are no coincidences or illusions when it comes to murder.
- GenresMystery
360 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 4, 2020
About the author
Tom Lowe
27 books241 followersTom Lowe is an American novelist known for writing atmospheric, high-stakes thrillers that blend crime, mystery, and psychological suspense with a strong sense of place. His novels often explore the darker side of human nature where belief, greed, and obsession collide. Tom's books are grounded in authentic investigative detail and morally complex characters.
He is the author of more than 30 novels, including the acclaimed Sean O’Brien mystery-thriller series. Also, he writes the Elizabeth Monroe psychological thrillers, and the Paul Marcus books of international suspense. Tom has written two standalone novels of love and redemption - The Painter and Midnight’s Whisperer, winner of the Spur Award from the Western Writers of America.
Drawing from a career as a journalist, award-winning screenwriter, and world traveler, Tom writes emotionally rich stories of loss, courage, and second chances. His books span the globe and the human heart, blending suspense, moral complexity, and unforgettable characters.
Tom lives in Florida with his wife, Keri. To receive the latests updates on his novels, appearances, and writing - please visit Tom's website to subscribe to his quarterly newsletter. tomlowebooks.com
He is the author of more than 30 novels, including the acclaimed Sean O’Brien mystery-thriller series. Also, he writes the Elizabeth Monroe psychological thrillers, and the Paul Marcus books of international suspense. Tom has written two standalone novels of love and redemption - The Painter and Midnight’s Whisperer, winner of the Spur Award from the Western Writers of America.
Drawing from a career as a journalist, award-winning screenwriter, and world traveler, Tom writes emotionally rich stories of loss, courage, and second chances. His books span the globe and the human heart, blending suspense, moral complexity, and unforgettable characters.
Tom lives in Florida with his wife, Keri. To receive the latests updates on his novels, appearances, and writing - please visit Tom's website to subscribe to his quarterly newsletter. tomlowebooks.com
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
July 13, 2020
Mermaid, Sean O'Brien #11 by Tom Lowe is one of my favorite books this summer! I am always anxious for a new Sean O'Brien or Elizabeth Monroe suspense thriller. Mermaid had such wonderful characters who I wanted to protect from the killer. I love reading the imagery and details the author includes in his stories. The locations for the filming of "Atlantis" were beautifully detailed. I can imagine being there at the cabin by the river, the marina, and the descriptions of places in Florida I would love to visit. As the story progressed I did have more of a challenge using the clues to figure out which person was the killer.
I enjoyed the slower pace for Sean and Winona as she is still recovering emotionally after being shot and also losing the baby. I was glad the loss wasn't just glossed over but was shown as a real trauma for Winona to try to work through. Any woman who has experienced the miscarriage of a loved unborn baby will identify and understand the heartbreak. Maybe that is why Winona held Max on her lap or in her arms many times in the book.
Max is a darling! I can almost see that tail wagging as she goes to her friends and asks for food at the marina!
Thank you, Tom Lowe, for these wonderful escapes. The cover art is beautiful!
I enjoyed the slower pace for Sean and Winona as she is still recovering emotionally after being shot and also losing the baby. I was glad the loss wasn't just glossed over but was shown as a real trauma for Winona to try to work through. Any woman who has experienced the miscarriage of a loved unborn baby will identify and understand the heartbreak. Maybe that is why Winona held Max on her lap or in her arms many times in the book.
Max is a darling! I can almost see that tail wagging as she goes to her friends and asks for food at the marina!
Thank you, Tom Lowe, for these wonderful escapes. The cover art is beautiful!
July 7, 2020
I love the Sean O'Brien series and have read every one. Mermaid seemed to have detailed sections about things I didn't feel were necessary for the story - I found myself skipping sections that didn't
add to the story. Hope there is another book and that they have a baby and get back to a
story that keeps my interest.
add to the story. Hope there is another book and that they have a baby and get back to a
story that keeps my interest.
August 21, 2020
2.75 stars. I feel like this series was more action packed and mystery focused in the first 8 or 9 books but they sadly dragged on since then. I hate saying that because this was one of my favorite series but I’ve been sorely disappointed by the past couple books in this series. I feel like Sean and crew just sat around doing absolutely nothing for about 97% percent of the book and the good stuff was just background noise. Only at the last possible second was there any kind of action. But to be honest it felt very underwhelming to me.
June 24, 2021
(Read as Audiobook) I mean, I didnt expect much. I chose it because I needed something to listen to while packing.
The preface of the story is quite interesting and I know technically it's the 11th book in a crime series - but the writing was subpar. The dialog was very stoic and not at all realistic (stuffing way too much information into a simple conversation). Alot of the motivation behind the characters was also shown through the dialog, which could have been shown through the actions and plots.
Sadly, the story fell flat.
The preface of the story is quite interesting and I know technically it's the 11th book in a crime series - but the writing was subpar. The dialog was very stoic and not at all realistic (stuffing way too much information into a simple conversation). Alot of the motivation behind the characters was also shown through the dialog, which could have been shown through the actions and plots.
Sadly, the story fell flat.
Did Not Finish
March 2, 2022DNF'd at 17%
The writing did not work for me, every sentence was just a recap of previous books and the audiobook narrator did not agree with me.
The writing did not work for me, every sentence was just a recap of previous books and the audiobook narrator did not agree with me.
September 1, 2020
Another terrific story!
As I have read and enjoyed all previous Sean O'Brien books I was happy to see a new one...and it did not disappoint! Someone is killing young women dressed as mermaids and posing them along the beach. Will Sean help before someone he knows meet the same fate?
As I have read and enjoyed all previous Sean O'Brien books I was happy to see a new one...and it did not disappoint! Someone is killing young women dressed as mermaids and posing them along the beach. Will Sean help before someone he knows meet the same fate?
February 12, 2022
I’ve liked Lowe’s Sean O’Brien books from the start. But the last two books in the series, Dragonfly and The Orchid Keeper didn’t measure up to the quality of earlier books.
In this book, Lowe redeems himself to some extent. It is far better than those two books but not quite up to the best of his earlier ones. The tension here is low-key but nearly non-stop.
A sicko is killing young women and posing them as mermaids around Florida. Is it someone from the company filming a moving titled ‘Atlantis’ or someone else? When the daughter of a friend spies one of the murdered women, Sean swings into action with help from his new love, Wynona Osceola, his pals Nick and Dave and several police officers. But Sean also has to keep looking over his shoulder for a hitman hired by a wealthy man he helped send to jail.
Lowe writes scenes featuring Sean in First Person POV, but slips to a broadly omniscient POV in scenes featuring other characters, indulging in frequent head hopping in them.
Around Chapter 34, Lowe brings the action to a halt as O’Brien and Wynona engage in an existential discourse about their past and future. Lulls in the action of a story are okay – they give the reader a chance to catch his or her breath – but this crawls on and on and belabors information Lowe doled out piecemeal earlier in the book.
Lowe had several info dumps – what a friend calls ‘Well, as you know, Bob’ dialog. Because they are somewhat forced, the come across as unrealistic and clunky. ”
He also has Wynona tucking a lock of hair behind her ear and detailed descriptions of sunsets all too often.
So why do I keep reading him? Those quibbles aside, he writes a damn good story and makes me care about Sean and his friends. And those are two things guaranteed to put an author on my ‘Must Read’ list.
In this book, Lowe redeems himself to some extent. It is far better than those two books but not quite up to the best of his earlier ones. The tension here is low-key but nearly non-stop.
A sicko is killing young women and posing them as mermaids around Florida. Is it someone from the company filming a moving titled ‘Atlantis’ or someone else? When the daughter of a friend spies one of the murdered women, Sean swings into action with help from his new love, Wynona Osceola, his pals Nick and Dave and several police officers. But Sean also has to keep looking over his shoulder for a hitman hired by a wealthy man he helped send to jail.
Lowe writes scenes featuring Sean in First Person POV, but slips to a broadly omniscient POV in scenes featuring other characters, indulging in frequent head hopping in them.
Around Chapter 34, Lowe brings the action to a halt as O’Brien and Wynona engage in an existential discourse about their past and future. Lulls in the action of a story are okay – they give the reader a chance to catch his or her breath – but this crawls on and on and belabors information Lowe doled out piecemeal earlier in the book.
Lowe had several info dumps – what a friend calls ‘Well, as you know, Bob’ dialog. Because they are somewhat forced, the come across as unrealistic and clunky. ”
He also has Wynona tucking a lock of hair behind her ear and detailed descriptions of sunsets all too often.
So why do I keep reading him? Those quibbles aside, he writes a damn good story and makes me care about Sean and his friends. And those are two things guaranteed to put an author on my ‘Must Read’ list.
October 18, 2020
So Disappointed
Ok. Can't hold off any longer. I don't do reviews. But after reading the last 3 "Sean O'Brien" books, 9, 10, 11, I had to express my disappointment. Tom Lowe became my favorite author because of the Sean O'Brien series, that is up through #8, Murder of Crows. Numbers 9, 10, 11, in my opinion were not Sean O'Brien adventures. The stories highlighted other characters, environmental issues, and especially Winona, his new love. In each of these stories Sean was in the background relegated to giving an opinion or stating he couldn't get involved with the matter. These stories could have been written by any other author with no notice of Sean. To be part of the Sean O'Brien series, he's highlighted, and the adventure is a nail-biter and only Sean can solve it. Mermaid appears to be the ending of the series with Sean and Winona sailing off into the sunset. I will miss the series. Maybe, at some point, Tom will resurrect the series with the same intensity as the beginning.
Ok. Can't hold off any longer. I don't do reviews. But after reading the last 3 "Sean O'Brien" books, 9, 10, 11, I had to express my disappointment. Tom Lowe became my favorite author because of the Sean O'Brien series, that is up through #8, Murder of Crows. Numbers 9, 10, 11, in my opinion were not Sean O'Brien adventures. The stories highlighted other characters, environmental issues, and especially Winona, his new love. In each of these stories Sean was in the background relegated to giving an opinion or stating he couldn't get involved with the matter. These stories could have been written by any other author with no notice of Sean. To be part of the Sean O'Brien series, he's highlighted, and the adventure is a nail-biter and only Sean can solve it. Mermaid appears to be the ending of the series with Sean and Winona sailing off into the sunset. I will miss the series. Maybe, at some point, Tom will resurrect the series with the same intensity as the beginning.
February 8, 2022
A killer has left the body of a young woman with a Mermaid tail attached to her, and nothing else, on a beach near Ponce Inlet. Surfer, college student and aspiring oceanographer Savannah Nelson finds the body shortly after seeing a man on the shore watching her. Is she in danger?
Tom Lowe has another winner in the Sean O'Brien series here. There are a few too many 'speeches' among the major protagonists, but otherwise this is a first rank thriller. Far better than many top sellers and right up there with Hurwitz, Connelly, Slaughter and other first rank authors. Good writing, good character development, a lovable ensemble cast, and a real page turner. Yet only Amazon carries his books and
Goodreads didn't even have a page count (345). Go buy this and other books by this great author if you like a good mystery.
Tom Lowe has another winner in the Sean O'Brien series here. There are a few too many 'speeches' among the major protagonists, but otherwise this is a first rank thriller. Far better than many top sellers and right up there with Hurwitz, Connelly, Slaughter and other first rank authors. Good writing, good character development, a lovable ensemble cast, and a real page turner. Yet only Amazon carries his books and
Goodreads didn't even have a page count (345). Go buy this and other books by this great author if you like a good mystery.
July 19, 2020
Great read
I have been a fan of the Sean O'Brien series since book one. This one does not disappoint, although I would love for Sean and Wynona to live happily ever after, I think it would be great for the couple to head in a new direction. Possibly hunt the bad guys as a team? I dont want the series to end yet this seems to be then perfect finale.
I have been a fan of the Sean O'Brien series since book one. This one does not disappoint, although I would love for Sean and Wynona to live happily ever after, I think it would be great for the couple to head in a new direction. Possibly hunt the bad guys as a team? I dont want the series to end yet this seems to be then perfect finale.
August 5, 2020
This book was one of his better ones. Sean has found love again, and they plan to sail away on his sailboat, Dragonfly. But, murders arise and a contract is put out on Sean by a rich man Sean had imprisoned, so they delay the trip till all is solved and the innocent rescued. I did like the different story lines in this book, instead of just one. I admit it. I do like mysteries.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 22, 2020
finished this one earlier this afternoon of the 22nd of august 2020 good read four stars really liked it kindle owned have read most if not all of the stories in this series can't keep up i think there might be another one #12...and a stand-alone story, as well. world is crazy. good thing there's stories to keep the yum yums at bay.
September 1, 2020
Sean O'Brien livesbon
I am a very big Tom Lowe/Sean O'Brien fan. This book was a bit darker and a bit less O'Brien. It did add to his story with the Afghanistan storyline. It is a good read, not quite as good as some of the earlier books, but it was still a great story. Looking forward to next book.
I am a very big Tom Lowe/Sean O'Brien fan. This book was a bit darker and a bit less O'Brien. It did add to his story with the Afghanistan storyline. It is a good read, not quite as good as some of the earlier books, but it was still a great story. Looking forward to next book.
July 3, 2020
As always great reading...
I love the cast of characters in these books. And love the main character Sean. I can't wait to see where the characters and the storyline goes from here!
I love the cast of characters in these books. And love the main character Sean. I can't wait to see where the characters and the storyline goes from here!
July 3, 2020
Excellent as usual!
Another outstanding and fast-paced Sean O'Brien detective novel by Tom Lowe. This time 3 women dressed in mermaid costumes show up read on 3 different beaches and the race is on to find the killer before he kills again.
Another outstanding and fast-paced Sean O'Brien detective novel by Tom Lowe. This time 3 women dressed in mermaid costumes show up read on 3 different beaches and the race is on to find the killer before he kills again.
May 7, 2021
Short Take: Loved it... Sean O'Brien is definitely another fictional hero after my own heart and he does not disappoint in this. Logical, clear headed, evenly paced, interspersed with honest dialogue - this is worth spending time on.
July 7, 2020
Tom Lowe is the best!
Love all his books! Mermaid was excellent as all of his books. Cannot wait for his next book! Great story teller and character development.
Love all his books! Mermaid was excellent as all of his books. Cannot wait for his next book! Great story teller and character development.
July 12, 2020
Loved the ending
Hated all the repartition of the characters background; which I skipped over several times when reading. Otherwise I liked the story
Hated all the repartition of the characters background; which I skipped over several times when reading. Otherwise I liked the story
July 12, 2020
As good as all his other books!
As usual, Tom Lowe's books are well-written and spellbinding. I can never put them down until they're finished. Mermaid is no exception
As usual, Tom Lowe's books are well-written and spellbinding. I can never put them down until they're finished. Mermaid is no exception
July 15, 2020
Mermaid
Tom Lowe is one of my favorite authors. He has a way of telling a story that holds your interest to the last sentence.
Tom Lowe is one of my favorite authors. He has a way of telling a story that holds your interest to the last sentence.
July 18, 2020
Love the Sean O'Brien series
Can't get enough. Every book is great on it's own but the narrative of the series is masterful. A great read.
Can't get enough. Every book is great on it's own but the narrative of the series is masterful. A great read.
September 10, 2020
Great read, as all the others have been, thank you!!
Exceptional book in this series, highly recommend. Sean O’Brien is a series worth reading. So looking forward to the next.
Exceptional book in this series, highly recommend. Sean O’Brien is a series worth reading. So looking forward to the next.
March 10, 2021
A little slower than his earlier books.
Have greatly enjoyed his earlier books, but this one was pretty slow until about 80% done. Has a good ending.
Have greatly enjoyed his earlier books, but this one was pretty slow until about 80% done. Has a good ending.
July 14, 2021
Mermaid
It was a very good mystery where Sean shines to protect his friends and find his own life in danger.
It was a very good mystery where Sean shines to protect his friends and find his own life in danger.
May 1, 2024
A good clean mystery
Hard to put book down. Good writer n keeps u interested. Love his dog Max he includes in this series.
Hard to put book down. Good writer n keeps u interested. Love his dog Max he includes in this series.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews