I had read the short prequel to this a few years ago, so I was super happy to learn that the author had written a full novel that followed it. You've got my usual favorite elements to a classic, page-turning monster horror: a cast of characters that all have their quirks and character development through the story, but nothing surprising (you hate the baddies, love the goodies), killer "mermaids" as the monsters that pick off the crew one by one, the classic "we're going to make the same mistakes as the last ship that was doomed to study the 'mermaids'" and no one learned from past mistakes due to hubris, so you can just sit back and read as their downfall echoes the other ship's and hope your favorite character(s) survive. Always a good recipe for a fun monster horror! :)

Update: reread it because it was our pick for the July Horror Book Club. Everyone seemed to like it as well! I didn't think the dolphins had so much of an impact, I personally barely remembered that part, but it definitely affected a few people in the club! LOL