Book Reviews of Sleeping With the Fishes (Fred the Mermaid, Bk 1)

The first of what looks to be a new series for MJD. Featuring a half human/half mermaid named Fred who works at the New England Aquarium. Fred is brash to the point of rudeness, and allows few people close to her. When a visiting marine biologist (who is also a secret romance novelist) seems to be very attracted to her, and then the Prince of the Merpeople shows up demanding fealty -- and both want to woo Fred -- well, things are a bit tricky to manage. Throw in her best friend who is in love with her boss and her hippy, trippy (yet filthy rich) parents. It's a madcap story!

Although this is not a Queen Betsy book, I like it. It really is two love stories in one. It was a quick, amusing read; great for a lazy afternoon. Fred is a bit off-putting but she develops a more "human" side by the end of the book.

Surprisingly dirty, but I guess I don't think of this author as writing "romance" books. Enjoyable, very quick and light. Not my favorite, but I will read the second. I enjoy the Betsy series more.

This is a great book. One of the few authors that literally cracks me up everytime I read one of her books.

I haven't read many of Mary Janice Davidson's books, but thhis one did peak my interest. It's not my favorite, but I would consider it in my top 15 favorites. If you like mermaids, or wonder what it might be like if they were real, I think most would enjoy this book. Plus it's the beginning of a series, so there's more to come.

Amy

I like Mary Janice Davidson and this book proves why, she has a style. This book was witty and a fun read.

A bon-bon. Davidson takes the easy way at every path in this frothy fantasy about an ill-tempered mermaid and a "mystery" that is solved and dispatched in about 10 pages.

This is apparently a very early book of MaryJanice Davidson's that was realized for the treasure it is and published after her Betsy books became popular. (the World Trade Center was mentioned as being refurbished shows it was probably written before 2001).

The characters were funny and I adore Fred (just don't let her know that!) with her wit and sarcasm. Fred says what she thinks and doesn't let anyone's dislike of her get her down. (wish we could all have such confidence!) She, for the most part, has common sense and gets irked by a lot of things that most of us do which is great for a laugh. "Rilly rilly!"

There are too many funny things to cover in a review, but if you love a character who's funny and sarcastic, Fred is for you! Can't wait to read the next one!

From the cover: 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 cranky. And it doesn't help matters that her hair is ocean colored. Being a mermaid does help Fred when she works at the New England Aquarium. But, needless to say, it's there that she gets involved in smething fishy. Weird levels of toxins have been found in the local water. A gorgeous marine viologist wants her help investigating. So does her mer person ruler, the High Prince of the Black Sea. You'd think it would be easy for a mermai to get to the bottom of things. Thank again . . .

Fred is not your ordinary mermaid. She's not blonde. She's not buxom. And she's definitely not perky. In fact, Fred can be downright cranky. And it doesn't help matters that her hair is blue.

While volunteering at the New England Aquarium, Fred learns that there are weird levels of toxins in the local seawater. A gorgeous marine biologist wants her help investigating. So does her merperson ruler, the High Prince of the Black Sea. You'd think it would be easy for a mermaid to get to the bottom of things. Think again.

What a silly book ~ maybe someone else will like it.

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 cranky. And it doesn't help matters that her hair is ocean-colored.
Being a mermaid does help Fred when she works at the New England Aquarium. But, needless to say, it's there that she gets involved in something fishy. Weird levels of toxins have been found in the local water. A gorgeous marine biologist wants her help investigating.

Though there were some funny moments, the heroine had not redeeming qualities and was not likable at all. The plot was too thin and very little character development.

I liked the color of Fred's hair but wondered why the author wrote this book. She seemed bored with the men in it and the story was quite predictable. The humor I associate with Davidson was lacking.

First in series that I will enjoy! Love mermaids! (Not Disneyish, real mermaids!) Fun, easy read. Made me homesick for Boston and the Cape.

A fun and fast read. Who doesn't want to believe in mermaids? Fred isn't what one would expect. A good cast of characters.

I thought this book was a little funny, but the character of Fred was so much like the character of Queen Betsy in a way that it seemed a little to familiar considering how different mermaids and vampires should be. With that said, there was a reason I like the Queen Betsy books and Davidson's humor is very quick-witted and funny so I also enjoyed reading Sleeping with the Fishes. I guess with her books, you have to be aware that they are similar, but pretty witty.

The fun starts with Fred walking in on her parents "doing it" on the coffee table right in the living room. Too funny!

Fred the mermaid living in Boston and working in an aquarium meets merman Artur,Prince of the Black Sea, and a fellow aquarium worker, Thomas. While investigating toxins in Boston Harbor, both fall in love with her. Meanwhile, her best friend, Jonas, is trysting with her boss in Thomas's hotel suite. The laughs keep coming all the way to the end. Truly laugh out loud funny.

I love MaryJanice Davidson, and this book kept right with what I've come to expect from her. Fast paced, funny, naughty, and a just a little bit crude...what else could you ask for? I could definitely relate to the far-from-perfect characters, and read the whole book in one day. I can't wait to read the next one!

This was my first MaryJanice Davidson novel, but it won't be my last. Fred, the grumpy mermaid, is a laugh a minute. I truly enjoyed this book and can't wait to read the rest of the series.

A little predictable but very enjoyable. The characters are likeable and it was just a fun book to read. A great vacation read.

This book sucked! I hated the whole story!

This book was one of those that you think you know what is going to happen and some of it does, but it happens in a interesting way. I enjoyed this quick read and will continue the series.

Complete trash. I read the first page and threw it in the trash...I wasn't going to spend good money to send this on to some other poor reader...I wouldn't put that garbage through anyone else's brain. Ugh! Apparently the author (if she can be called that) didn't go to school to learn to use words other than the F word which shows a complete lack of both intelligence and imagination. Don't waste your time or money on this filth.

This is an extremely easy book to read. Not chalangeing at all, but fun nonetheless. I had just finished a fairly tough book, so this was a relaxing read, even if I was able to finish it in 2 days. I liked it..fun, light, sexy, casual.

It was funny and cute, and the only problem I had with it is that it was so short and I would have liked it to be much longer. I read it in less than a day.

I enjoyed reading this fast read. The main character, Fred, is sarcastic the two heroes are sexy, there is no real plot until the last part of the book. Suddenly the episode was done! With more than one opening for the second.

This really didn't live up to its potential. A few bits of funny physical comedy and diaglogue that don't hold up surrounded by many more duds. It's a breezy read at 272 pages, but shallow plotting and characterization create the brevity.

I really liked the characters and look forward to the other books in the series. Fred's mother & father, who she starts off the book by having an embarrassing incident with, are rich hippies. Her bestfreind seems so metrosexual as too be gay but is still buff. The intern who annoys her at work is Barbie perfect, which haven't we all been annoyed by? And even her fishy co-workers are funny in their hunger strike over tank shaking music. But, her mother and father are just in the beginning of the sotry with an announcement of adoption and then they disappear once they introduce Fred to Artur, Prince of the Black Sea.

Naturally Fred has two love interests. First there's the marine biologist who travels the world and is rich from writing romance novels. Second, naturally, Prince Artur of the Black Sea who decides that Fred will be his queen. Oddly the two big lugs like each other so much I could see them all being one big happy disfunctional supernatural familly.

I have the second and third and want to see what Fred is gonna do with Thomas and Artur. Will Jonas and Dr Barb keep on keeping on?

Cute book. Different kind of genre. Not engrossing, but fun.

I really enjoyed reading this book, I laughed my way through the whole thing. Fred is one fish with attitude! I can't wait to read more of her adventures.

I loved Fred the Mermaid. I finished this in less than a day. I wanted more. Can't wait for the next book.

Not sure how I feel about this book. Simi-pointless. Very easy read, I was done in three hours. I like the idea, and the humor. I'll be reading the sequel simply to get a better feel if I actually liked this book or not. I don't like either love interests, both are too clingy for such an aloof character.

It was ok, unfortunately all her heroins are sounding alike now. Whether it's the Undead series, the Alaska series, or this series, all the females talk the same way, have the same,,, not lousy, but silly and unreal, attitude. Disdaine for royalty, but becoming one,, not caring about appearances but harping on it, etc. If you've never read the other series you would enjoy it a lot more.

This book is definitely a unique read. It's a whole new take on mermaids and one that is funny and interesting. I will definitely be reading the next in the series!!

Cute story about a half-human/half mermaid who works at an aquarium. She ends up between 2 men(one: The High Prince of the black sea, the other:a marine biologist) She must help both of them find out who is dumping toxins into the local harbor while they both vie for her affections. Can't wait for the sequel

A bit strange....will try reading a few more of her books & see if I like them any better.

This is a fun story and an easy read. As usual MJD keeps things fresh and funny. I will look forward to reading the next Fred book.

Rilly Rilly Good! Can't wait to for the next in series to come out!

A bit lightweight but enjoyable. I prefer Betsy.

This was not one of her best books. I will read the other book in this series though. I'm enjoying the Betsy series much better.

a cute fun book. easy read for the summertime!

For a person who works with marine scientists all day, this was totally unbeliable. The characters were stereotypes, and the scientist- hah! But a light read. The author can't write logical, scientific people.

Not one of her best books.. short.. funny

Very funny!!! I want more of this character!

Fun fast read!

"(Her) prose zings from wisecrack to wisecrack" Detroit Free Press
"A darkly comic sensibility" Chicago Sun-Times

I really liked it. It was a quick read though.

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 cranky. And it doesn't help matters that her hair is ocean -colored.
Being a mermaid does help Fred when she works at the New England Aquarium. But, needless to say, it's there that she gets involved in somthing fishy. Wierd levels of toxins have been found in the local water. A gorgeous marine biologist wantes her help investigaing. So does her mer-person ruler, the High Prince of the Black Sea. You'd think it would be easy for a mermaid to get to the bottom of things. Think again...

I'm smelling a series on this one! Pretty funny, I love the heroine and her smart wise crackin' mouth. Very similar to Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series.

This book was pretty good. I enjoyed the plot of the book and the characters but I really wish Fred would have been a more emotional and relatible heroine.

MaryJanice always makes me laugh out loud. While this isn't as funny as her Betsy the vampire series, it was still a fun read.

good, but seemed to end too soon, like one book was divided into two...

A great first book. The main character is a mermaid, who happens to be a marine biologist. She gets caught up in a "fishy" mystery and has two men suddenly vying for her attention.

pretty much a fluff book. This is essential her Betsy character written as a mermaid...and not even much mermaid in it! Quick read, worth the book swap...probably wasn't worth the original $7.99!

I thought it was mildly interesting. I was put off because seemed to me to be a what was essentially a "Mermaid" Betsy instead of the author's usual "Vampire" Betsy series.

The first in the new 'Mermaid' series by the author of the highly popular 'Undead' series. I beleive this series is destined to become highly popular as well. I picked this up, started reading and didn't put it down until I was through. Davidson's writing never falters. She always managed to keep the storyline going & keep you turning those pages to see what would happen next. This was an all around fun-filled, sometimes sexual, often funny read. I cannot wait for the next one in this series to come out!

Slightly entertaining, read in a couple of hours. The main character really wasn't likeable. And nothing really happened in the book. It feels like this was the trailer and the real story will come later.

Oddly interesting and funny! A typical Davidson novela.

I was very disappointed with this book.It was just like a very bad version of the Queen Betsy series. I kept reading hoping the storyline would pick up, but by pg122 I just had enough.

Cute and sarcastic, much like her Queen Betsy series. Light and easy read.

A fast, pleasant read but I felt the characters could have been developed more. It seemed extremely rushed.

Another hit series by MaryJanice Davidson! I loved it

Good book

Cute quick book about a mermaid detective from the author of the Undead series.

I like Betsy better. This was ok.

Fast read and very funny.

a Fun read

This is kind of a dark wisecrack comedy about a girl named Fred. It is a light read.

Loved this book. Something different by MJD.

*****

This is a cute and fast read. Very enjoyable on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Oh my god, this book was soooo good & funny I read it in 4hrs. A record for me but once I started I couldn't stop. I love Betsy but Fred is great too. I hope she has another story with Artur & Thomas because I would love to hear that one. You will not be disappointed with this book. Enjoy!

I didn't like how it started out, but I guess that was a set up for the character. Lets you get to know who she is. I really enjoyed the story. Fast, easy read. Left you hanging, so you know there'll be more books to follow.

Not really up to par with Davidson's Dead series, but a good read none the less.

Cute and very fast read. The first book in her mermaid series.

Fun and fast read. Great characters.

Cute - a mermaid with attitude.

Cute story. Very fast read.

Cute, it's more of a novella than a novel; it probably could have been condensed into a short story. The main character, Fred, is typical for the characters this author writes. Enjoayble fluff.

Great light read

Not really my cup of tea but it might be yours. "Fred is a mermaid...

Fred is not blonde...not buxom...not perky...in fact she can be downright cranky. She works at the New England Aquarium..[where] she gets involved in something fishy...a gorgeous marine biologist arrives to help her. So does her mer-person ruler, the High Prince of the Black Sea. You'd think it would be easy for a mermaid to get to the bottom of things. Think again!"

It's fun, silly and a really fast read by the author of the "Undead and Upopular [etc.,]" series.

It was great concept. The mermaid idea was fantastic. It was an okay read. Not very memorable though.

Fred is a mermaid. But stop right there. Whatever image you're thinking of right now, forget it. Fred is not blonde and she's not buxom. She is definitely not perky. In fact, Fred can be downright cranky. It doesn't help matters that her hair is ocean colored either.
Fred works at the New England Aquarium and it's there she gets involved in something "fishy". Toxins have been found in the local water and Fred's help is needed to investigate.

I love anything MJD writes! This is a fun book. I'm looking forward to more mermaid stories.

From the back of the cover:Fred is a mermaid. But stop right there. Whatever inage you're thinking of right now,forget it. Fred is not blonde. She's not boxom. and she is defenitely not perky. In fact, Fred can be downright cranky. And it doesn't help matters that hair is ocean-colored.
Being a mermaid does help Fred when she works at the New Englad Aquarium. But, needless to say,it's there that she gets involved in something fishy. Weird levels of toxins have been found in the local water. A gorgeous marine biologist wants her help investigating. So does her mer-person ruler, the High Prince of the Black Sea. You'd think it would be easy for a mermaid to get to the bottom of things. Think again.
Great story. Quick read.

This is a fun book! It's a quick read, but I haven't wanted to put it down

Not quite as good as her Betsy the Vampire Queen series, this book was amusing.

Silly - a good chuckle.

Fred is a mermaid. but stop right there. Whatever image your're thinking of right now, forget it....

Awesome, I couldn't put it down. This is going to be a great series.

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