Miss Penny Dreadful and the mermaid's locks by Allison Rushby

This is the third book in the Miss Penny Dreadful series, and it doesn't disappoint (except that it is the last and I really wanted it to be a longer series!)

Penny and her Aunt Harriet are on the hunt for a new story and discover a story in the newspaper about a Mermaid living in a grotto in the River Thames. They both think that this might just be the ticket, however Aunt Harriet's publisher doesn't seem as keen and is doing everything he can to stop them.  Penny is becoming suspicious about his motives and his involvement in not only her parents’ absence but also the roles he has played in some of the other incidents that Penny and her Aunt have been confronted with.   

When they arrive at The Mermaid Locks and see for themselves the mermaid grotto and find a comb with red-gold hair entwined around it, Penny decides to investigate and find out all she can about the mermaid.  With Penny's parents still missing and strange postcards arriving can Penny solve two mysteries and finally reunite with her parents.  

As this is the third book in a very well written series it really does need to be read in order so that the reader is aware of what has already happened, however it is a great book that could be read alone is the reader really wanted to.  

I would highly recommend this book and the series to any mystery lover or a class teacher who wants to keep the listener on the edge of their seats.  It is a fabulous book that will engage and delight any reader, it will be loved by all ages. 

Themes: Mystery, Mermaids, History, Friendship, Family.

Mhairi Alcorn