I may have pitched the prequel novella already but anyway,
Fun book recommendation: Into the Drowning Deep; Mira Grant
It's like Jurassic Park but oceanic, a lot gayer, and with undiscovered mermaids. Also one of the leads is autistic and presented in a way that I find nice.
Reading the novella isn't necessary. This hits most of the same beats, only better.
(thanks @cyndisision@witches.town !)