Silencing the Siren: An Ever After Mystery

Written by Denise L. Barela

Narrated by Christa DelSorbo

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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Celebrate Lit Publishing
• Release date: Aug 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9781951839611

Reviews for Silencing the Siren

[grammy57 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I truly enjoyed listening to this book on our way home from a visit to our son. The drive was just a bit longer than the book so it made for a more enjoyable drive.The story was a well-done retelling of The Little Mermaid. I enjoyed hearing the story told from the views of Andrew. The very beginning of the story drew me in immediately. I couldn't wait to hear the ending of the mystery. This is part mystery, part love story, and part coming of age. Overall these aspects were well blended.The author developed the main characters very well. You got a good glimpse of the person they might be. The supporting characters were also well done.This is a Christian version of the story though it is not at all preachy. It shows how faith in the life of one person can positively affect the lives of others.I was given an audio version of this book through Celebrate Lit. The review is completely my own and freely given.

[robbyefaye · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Denise Barela's debut novel, Silencing the Siren, is a vibrant reimagining and retelling of the Little Mermaid.Andrew Grayson and Annabel Thompson, two star-crossed lovers, are introduced in Silencing the Siren. Their relationship is doomed from the start because they come from two extremely different socio-economic classes. Annabel's family is a troupe of entertainers from the Coney Island freak show, whereas Andrew's family is from upper-crust society.Barela has written an interesting story with a tinge of mystery and intrigue. I enjoyed the story, but there was a little too much worry and stress depicted in Andrew's mind at times, as well as recurring issues. Overall, the plot was fascinating, captivating, and at times completely charming for a debut novel.Silencing the Siren is a short story, an easy, quick read that is ideal for curling up with your favorite beverage while you while away the time, lost in a different historical era.I received this book from Celebrate Lit. However, my review is voluntary, and all opinions are my own.

[harley0326 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I am in awe of the writing style of this author. Her debut novel will take readers to a place that most of us have heard about. The setting of Coney Island is inviting and I loved getting to go behind the scenes. I immediately noticed that the author had captured a character in grace, beauty and love. Annabel is filled with a sense of being different but still her heart hopes for that one special person. My heart went out to her as people gawked at her while she swam in the water as a mermaid. It was so easy to visualize her as she glided with grace. Her smile radiated throughout the place as she entertained the people.It was sad to think that people were thought of as a freak show because they were different. Annabel is use to stares and whispers as she sits in her wheelchair. Can you imagine living a life where you are on display because others think of you as different? I noticed how the author was able to convey to readers that even though we may look different, God loves us unconditionally.Andrew comes from a wealthy family who are very judgmental and only thought of how important they were because of their financial stability. Even though his parents were rather snobby, Andrew had a heart that saw beauty from the inside. The relationship between Annabel and Andrew is so well written that I could feel their attraction to each other. The author builds a beautiful connection between the two with tender moments spent getting to know each other.I loved how the author incorporates a mystery in the story that illustrates jealousy to an extreme that danger comes to one character. I couldn’t read fast enough to see how the author would unravel a sinister plot to make Annabel disappear. Andrew’s parents are so determined that Andrew won’t disgrace the family that they will do anything to stop him from seeing Annabel. The story gets tense as Andrew tries to solve the mystery and the emotions he has spills across the pages.His pain is evident as he hears devastating news. The author is able to not only deliver a touching story of unconditional love, but shows how people can become irrational when their future is at stake.The ending caught me by surprise and I cried as I read the final words. I must say that I am very impressed with this debut novel and know this is only the start of a long career for this author. Thank you for taking me back in time where status was important and expose the ugliness of pride and jealousy.I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

[becky_l-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The seventh in the retold fairytales series, The Ever After Mysteries, Silencing the Siren by Denise L Barela takes place in 1920s New York City and Coney Island. Andrew Grayson is a sheltered, young, rich man who lives in a Central Park mansion, but falls in love with Anabelle, a circus performer on Coney Island.This is an imaginative retelling of the Little Mermaid. I loved seeing the closeness of the circus performers, who though mostly unrelated, form their own tight family. “This family was put together purely by the love and friendship they had for each other. The love they had ran far deeper than the blood Andrew shared with his parents.” I loved the way they care for and protect each other. Acceptance and love are freely given within the circus confines, things that are sadly lacking from the more affluent and “righteous” community without.I found Andrew to be extremely naive for his age and couldn’t believe he still was at an age where he could be disciplined by his parents the way he was. However, this thought is coming from someone who is living one hundred years later. So, maybe relationships in upper-class families really were like that?Annabel is very young in many ways, yet also mature beyond her years. The strength of character she exhibits every day to make a good life for herself amazed me.I love to zero in on secondary characters that I would enjoy meeting, often because of the way they treat others. William and Amalia are those people in this tale. Discerning, caring, quick to forgive, and to aid others, they almost need their own story!Great twists to complete this fairytale! Don’t miss your chance to find out whether the Siren is silenced for good!!Notable Quotables:“Anger clashed and rolled with the grief inside him. A war of fire and ice with no clear winner.”“This city cared about no one but themselves. They had no compassion, no love, and no heart. Why couldn’t these people just open their eyes to the struggles of their fellow men? Why couldn’t they see that while they obsessed over societal expectations and positions, others had to exploit their differences just to survive?”I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. I also bought my own copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.