The sequel to last year’s Lies Beneath, picks up thirty days later with Lily taking the reigns as narrator, waiting for her merman Calder to come back to her. Lily is snarky and fun, and it is a nice relief to see this story from her perspective this go around. When Calder does return, it is not at all what Lily expects. Her father now knows of their secret which takes away from the precious time she thinks Calder should be spending with her. When bodies start to wash ashore, Lily and Calder start to fear that mermaids are back and killing. However, Lily and Calder disagree on who the murderer might be: Calder’s sinister sisters or Lily’s own father. Lily and Calder must work together to find out who has been killing along the shore, before it is too late.
Deep Betrayal is much improved from the original tale. The romance between Lily and Calder is more developed and realistic than the insta-love that occurs in the first novel. With Lily narrating, the reader does loose the main conflict that drives the first novel; Calder’s attempt at suppressing the evil that lurks within him. However, we do get to experience the changes that Lily must face, and I really enjoy how her character matures throughout the novel. It is a great sequel and I will be anticipating the next installment!