I won this little gem from Librarything. I began reading before realizing it was 3rd in a series. It would have helped if I had read the previous books, but the author's references helped. (Almost too much revealing).

Mermaids have always fascinated me. But, from my limited experience, most fantasy novels depict the creatures as conniving, manipulative or seductive. But here, there are merfolk and sirens. Merfolk are good people.

Red, is an alchemist. Her companion William, is a protective magical creature in the form of a very large sheepdog. Don't mistake him as a normal dog. The two are attending the wedding of a good friend - merfolk and human. The wedding will last weeks per tradition. Except not for everyone is happy. There are obvious tensions amongst guests and wedding party alike.

What was absolutely fascinating was Elle Hartford's world of the Merfolk. Their oceanmade structures are built to serve a purpose - receptions, gatherings, feasts and ceremony - to be returned back to the waters afterwards. They have structures for both peoples of land and water. Most interesting is how they allowed air breathers travel and live under the ocean without breathing apparatus.

The world is full of fantasy creatures of all persuasions and temperaments and have every sort of positions.

Very clever. Very good. ( )

Loved the setting for this book and the fun characters. Actually focusing on the merpeople and their world was such an exciting experience and so beautifully described. I've never read anything with a main character who uses they/them pronouns and I really enjoyed it and didn't find it hard to follow. The chapter titles were a wonderful hidden gem that just added to the beauty of this book.

I fell in love with Ella Hartford’s Alchemist Tales series after reading the first book (“Beauty and the Alchemist”) and “Mermaid for Danger” – the third book in the series – is no exception – I thoroughly enjoyed this book! This latest entry takes Alchemist Red and her dog familiar William out of Belville to Seaside where they are to attend the wedding of Red’s friend Taiwo to Rei. This is a mystery series and the murder mystery in this book is a good one (the identity of the killer took me by surprise) but it is the fantasy elements in this series that really have me hooked. There are fairy tale elements in each book (this one is a take on The Little Mermaid), magic, trolls, elves, wizards, and so much more! There is even a nice touch of romance even if Red is very slow to realize it! All in all I really enjoyed this book.

I won a copy of this book but was under no obligation to review it.

I absolutely loved it! The character dynamics were wonderful, as always, and there were some intriguing plot twists. I also enjoyed learning more about merpeople. I'm excited for the fourth book! ( )