But as Nell edges closer to the truth, dangerous things start to happen. Someone seems to be watching her every move, and soon she starts to wonder who in her life she can actually trust… I’ll straight up tell you that I was utterly thrilled to be granted an ARC of this book because Dorothy Koomson has long been one of my favourite authors; her storytelling skills are off the scale! Unputdownable novels such as Rose Petal Beach, The Ice Cream Girls and That Girl From Nowhere all embody her phenomenal talent of writing genre-crossing bestselling books! Ok, so now you know I’m a huge fan. This book did not disappoint; it is everything you’d hope for from Koomson, and some. Caroline and other members of the New Brighton Coastal Community Team, will be joined by the artist, Barry Canning-Eaton, Lee Rollason from funders DONG Energy, those who decorated the statues and other local people on a walkabout of the trail to mark the official launch on Wednesday 7 th June.

New Brighton Mermaid Trail New Brighton Mermaid Trail

Fancy dress competitions also took place at the party, the Best Dressed Tiddlers, Best Dressed Queen Mermaid and King Prawn were crowned, as well as the best recycled costume. Host a mermaid party for your birthday, your hen weekend or just to have fun with your friends. We run mermaid experiences so you can book for you child or best friend. All profits from our events and parties support Zanzibar Schools Project, an initiative set up by Brighton and Hove Soiree Rotary Club. Registered Charity number 1138898.

IN PICTURES: March of the Mermaids take to Brighton seafront

Nell, Jude and Macy the three main characters in the book are very special to me. I still feel like I have a connection with them and I’ve been very reluctant to let them go. But let them go I must if you are going to read about them. The Brighton Mermaid, although an emotional thriller with some highly tense and threatening moments still feels, to me, like a love letter to my home city – Brighton. Follow the trail around New Brighton and read the story of the legend as told by local storyteller Cathy Roberts of Literally A Bookshop. Shortly after that Jude disappeared and was never heard from again, and the sisters have to continue with their life, despite the directions the police investigation was going in. It will be a rare chance to marvel at the real-life mermaids as they join sea turtles, Lulu and Gulliver, in the Day & Night Ocean experience. If you catch their eye, you may even get a mer-mazing greeting!

New Brighton ahead of busy summer Mermaids come ashore in New Brighton ahead of busy summer

Complete with a picnic at Hove Lawns, before a parade towards Brighton beach, the celebrations will go on into the evening. I absolutely enjoyed every moment my time reading, The Brighton Mermaid. It was hard to put it down. Trust me, it’s a MUST read this summer. Be sure to l let me know what you think, if you do.

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The Map Guide to accompany the trail includes a bespoke map designed by local illustrator Fat Cat Illustration and is available from venues including: We have marched for ocean-related charities for many years. It’s a fun event but it has a very serious message behind it. The March of the Mermaids, a glittery annual spectacle, took place this weekend for the first time since the start of the pandemic. There will soon be some very special visitors at the world’s oldest aquarium on Brighton’s seafront. In these limited evening sessions, guests are invited to dive in and explore the aquarium, before they get to see an extraordinary swim display. This includes our new state-of-the-art attraction, Day & Night, which offers guests the chance to experience the 24-hour wonder of a coral reef as it moves through the day in a 750,000-litre display!