Where Mermaids Sing

The title of Brian Keaney’s novel comes from a poem written by Jasmine, one of a group of teenagers who have gone on a ‘creative writing’ school trip to Cornwall. In view of what happens later in this rather unusual treatment of a ‘coming of age’ theme the poem takes on a central and sad significance, not just for Jasmine herself but for the five friends whose experiences on the trip are inextricably entangled with her own. Keaney handles the evolution of teenage friendships and rivalries with considerable insight, particularly when these are affected by tragedy. The framing device within which he places his essentially straightforward narrative provides an appropriate introduction and conclusion, thematic and tonal, for what comes between.