The Mermaid and Mrs. Hancock

Book of the Month choose this as a selection in the fall, comparing the writing "with the embellished writing of a Jane Austen-era classic, this rags-to-riches story is as well-crafted as it is entertaining. When a mermaid falls unexpectedly into Jonah Hancock’s hands, he decides to parade it about the country in exchange for fame and fortune. From intellectual coffeehouses to high-class brothels, Hancock and his unusual possession travel throughout London, seizing the notice of a host of remarkable characters, including Angelica Neal, a savvy coquette on the lookout for a way out of her unsavory profession. The historical details are expertly rendered, the characters are full of heart, and while the supernatural creature that kicks off this novel might be dead, this is one imaginative story that is full of life."