The Mermaid Riot

Inspired by the real-life event known as “the mermaid incident” that occurred in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1867, this young adult ‘romantasy’ novel explores the truth amid mystical moments and the lesson of when to believe what you’re told and when to find things out for yourself.

$24.95

The Mermaid Riot by Joy E. Held tells the story of friends Tobi Doyle and Serena Robinson who watch spellbound as the neighborhood apothecary carries a limp body from his fishing boat during a violent rainstorm. It looks suspiciously like a mermaid. The childhood friends unite to save the mermaid from the doctor’s greedy plans in a fictional town facing economic and magical problems following a recent civil war. Inspired by the real-life event called “the mermaid incident” that happened in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1867, this young adult ‘romantasy’ novel explores the truth in the face of mystical moments and the lesson of when to believe what you’re told or find things out for yourself.

 

 

Author

Joy E. Held

Cover

Paperback

ISBN

9781882658015

Pages

352

Size

6 x 8

Year Published

2026

Reviews

There are no reviews yet.

Be the first to review “The Mermaid Riot”

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

About the Author

JOY E. HELD is a wife, mom, nana, published author, and yogi. She graduated from Seton Hill University with an M.F.A. in Writing Popular Fiction, as well as Glenville State College with a B.A. in Liberal Arts. Additionally, she is an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher-500+ (E-RYT-500) with Yoga Alliance, and a certified journal facilitator for Journal to the Self/Center for Journal Therapy. Joy is published widely in newspapers, literary magazines, and a variety of arts trade journals including Yoga Journal, Dancer Magazine, Dance Teacher Now, Juggler’s World, Gambit Journal, and Dance Teacher of London. She is a regular contributor of book reviews for BlueInk.com. She resides in West Virginia and enjoys journal writing, walking, herb gardening, and reading.