Marvin Brauer’s A Sea Tail is a curious blend of mystery, folklore, and personal transformation, set against the backdrop of Venice. The novel follows Dr. Ulysses Manque, a quasi-retired dentist who drifts into the city almost by accident and finds himself tangled in a story that begins with a strange fishtail in a canal and stretches into whispers of mermaids, secret investigations, and an undercurrent of myth that refuses to stay submerged. What begins as a chance discovery soon grows into a meditation on belief, longing, and the strange ways the extraordinary can seep into ordinary lives.

I loved the setting. Venice felt alive, not just in its architecture and canals but in the way small habits, daily walks, and quiet encounters stitched together the fabric of the story. The pacing at times wandered, and that worked for this book. Sometimes I was completely drawn in by the odd charm of Dr. Manque, his pigeons, his suits, and his obsessive rituals. Other times, I found myself wishing the narrative would push harder, dig faster into the mystery instead of lingering so long on side details. Still, that slow build did give the novel a thick and intriguing atmosphere.

The ideas at play here really stuck with me. I didn’t expect to be caught up in questions about myth and belief, about what happens when someone lets the fantastic leak into their daily routines. The mermaid, whether real or imagined, becomes a mirror for the protagonist’s loneliness and yearning, and I found that strangely moving. There were moments when the writing leaned into symbolism. I sometimes wanted less explanation, but even so, I couldn’t help but admire the ambition of weaving folklore into a modern story of self-discovery.

I felt a kind of bittersweet satisfaction. The book is not for readers looking for a fast-paced thriller or a tightly plotted mystery. It is more for those who enjoy atmosphere, who like to sit with odd characters and let their inner lives unravel slowly. If you’re drawn to Venice, or if you’ve ever wanted to believe that a city can hide its own secret myths beneath its stones and waters, this novel is worth your time. I’d recommend it to readers who like literary mysteries with a touch of magic.

Pages: 252 | ASIN : B0CTD13985