The Earl of Beresford isn’t expecting to get accosted by a naked woman on the beach, but the selkie cares little for propriety and demands help in finding her kidnapped brother, the High Prince of Skerry. Beresford reluctantly agrees and sets out with his crew, a selkie princess, and a case of Beresford Plum Jam in order to find the missing prince.
This is a delightful little novella, though it does raise more questions than answers. It’s the prequel to a mystery series that I’m definitely going to have to check out. I have some many questions: Do regular humans know about selkies and merfolk outside of stories? Is magic a thing in this world or is it just the mythical creatures who have it? What is it with the Beresford Plum Jam? The story went in directions that I did not expect which was a nice surprise, and I’m sure the events of the novella will inform the series proper. Beresford is an interesting character, and it seems like he might have more hidden depths than explored in this story. There are clear hints that he’s a spy or something for the English crown. Three out of five stars.
Bingo – Play