I had never actually been to an auction before. Of course, I had seen plenty on TV, so I had a little idea of what to expect.

It wasn’t like anything I’ve ever seen on TV.

It started off like any normal auction. The various items on sale were presented and bid on. Most of it was literary merchandise. I mean, why else would I be at an auction, right?

I noticed that in a very back corner of the room, an old man sat in a wheelchair with a nurse standing at his side. He seemed bored, like nothing here was of any interest to him.

So, why was he here?

I put the odd man to the back of my mind when items I was interested in popped up. There was a first edition copy of The Phantom of the Opera I desperately wanted, but to my great disappointment I was outbid.

The last item of the auction was an old freakshow poster of their Little Mermaid attraction. I had heard all about it online. Despite being worn somewhat by time, it was beautiful. They say you could still the flaming red of the hair that swirled around her and the purple tail that floated in the water.

Movement caught my eye, and I saw the nurse wheeling the man closer to everyone. The auctioneer announced the item, then gestured to his helper to reveal the item.

It was pandemonium! The poster was gone, and everyone was running about. Most were running out the door. I happened to see the man prompting his nurse to leave. I saw him looking around every so often. It’s like he expected someone to stop him from leaving. I can’t say that it was him for sure, but I couldn’t help by notice that his suit jacket was wrapped in an odd shape. Like something was rolled in it. I could have sworn I heard the nurse call him Andrew too…

About the Book

Andrew Grayson thought he had everything… until he met her.

The indulged son of wealthy parents, Andrew has always gotten whatever he wanted almost before he knew he wanted it—clothes, gadgets… even a car! What more could a young man desire?

Enter Annabel Thompson. Freakshow mermaid extraordinaire… in a wheelchair!

Of course, her beauty attracts him. How could it not? Add to that a kind heart, and Andrew can’t help but fall for her.

Annabel’s connection with the freakshow repels his parents and their society friends. They want him to sever all ties with her and his new friends. Oh, and marry the “right” girl with the “right connections.” But he won’t do it. He’ll defy them and marry his little mermaid.

When Annabel turns up missing, declared dead, things don’t add up, Andrew begins asking some difficult questions, the most important being, “What happened to the little mermaid of the Coney Island freak show?”

Find out in this next book in the Ever After Mysteries, combining beloved fairy tales and mysteries. Silencing the Siren offers a retelling of “The Little Mermaid” that will keep you gripped to the edge of your seat as you watch the story unfold.