"Life is But a Scream" By Heather Weidner: Review/Giveaway

Review by Sarah Erwin

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win an ebook copy of the book and a link to purchase it. 

Life is But a Scream is book four in Heather Weidner’s Mermaid Bay Christmas Shoppe cozy mystery series, and readers once again are in for a fast-paced and charming read. This reads easily as a standalone if readers are new to the series.

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Readers are back in the small beach town of Mermaid Bay, Virginia, and life is busy as the area’s first CreatureCon is about to begin. This CreatureCon celebrates the fictional (and maybe not so fictional–this is up for debate!) creatures that have thrilled and terrified humans for centuries. There’s even a paranormal tour in Todd’s hearse to a spooky site that is home to the giant presidential busts from a defunct historic park. But it would not be a Mermaid Bay event without a mystery to solve! This time a popular expert and a prickly skeptic ends up murdered, and Jade sets out to uncover the truth before the event is a bust.

This is another well-plotted and page-turning mystery by Heather. I enjoy sorting out all the clues with Jade. The mayhem around CreatureCon makes such a unique premise, and I felt like I was part of the event.

Jade is a thoughtful sleuth, and I especially adore her team of friends (and significant other Sheriff Nick) as they work together to uncover clues. While I enjoy the mystery of each entry into this series, I always am happy to be back in the town. The town has a true sense of community – lots of found family vibes. The cozy and vivid descriptions of life in Mermaid Bay also bring the setting to life, and I wish I could pack my bags and visit with Jade.

I do so enjoy Heather’s storytelling and am always happy to dive into another of her stories. This one won’t disappoint!

To enter to win an ebook copy of Life is But a Scream, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "scream,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen May 30, 2026. US residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via comment please include your email address so we can contact you. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section in Kings River Life and in our mystery category here on KRL News & Reviews. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. And check out our new mystery podcast which features mystery short stories and first chapters read by local actors!

You can click here to purchase this book.

  Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.

Sarah Erwin started her career as a children’s librarian, later becoming a public library director and now she’s a stay at home mom. While her career might have changed, her love of reading has been a constant since 4th grade and she reads over 200 books a year. Read along with her on her blog Sarah Can’t Stop Reading or on Instagram. Sarah lives in St. Louis, MO with her two kids, her husband and a family dog and cat.

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.