The Mermaid
About This Book
Book 8 of 8 Bill Reyner mystery adventures
Author: Wentworth M. Johnson
Publisher: Local Legend Publishing February 7 2011
Category: Fiction
Paperback: 230 pages
Language: English
Dimensions: 22.9 x 15.2 x 1.3 cm
From the book
The lawyer had his own car and drove us to the bookshop. I have to admit I was both pleased and surprised. The shop looked very grand and modern. On the outside it had a large marquee and proudly in huge, illuminated letters it said TOMBBELLDOOM – kind of an odd name for a bookshop. The interior was enough to give a person goosebumps. One step through the door and you’re in a different time zone, a different existence.
I expected a library-like atmosphere with books on shelves and maybe a reading room. No, man! The place looked straight out of Dickens, with a hint of museum. Dim, poor lighting with terrible shadows that almost illuminated the vast room. There were paintings on one wall that would give any kid nightmares. The rest of the space seemed to be taken up with self-illuminated showcases. Each case had its own light in dim green. At the opposite end of the room to the paintings stood a long counter with what looked like bar stools.
A prehistoric manifestation of manhood stood by the counter with a huge book in his hands. He looked at least as old as Methuselah and wore a robe rather like a monk, but in denim blue. The room felt suffocating and warm. The bearded apparition in the robe ambled towards us as the door closed us in.