By Nancy Coco
Published by Kensington Books
It's Halloween on Mackinac Island and time for the annual Zombiefest. The last thing Allie expects to find is a dead zombie. This fudge making master plus historic hotel caretaker, has plenty on her to-do list which includes deciding if she should brave the harsh winter or travel south to stay with her BFF in Chicago. Sure that this is a case of mistaken identity, Allie works through the clues like she works through her fudge recipes. Incidentally, those recipes are out of this world, I would suggest starting with the flourless brownies. Great story filled with suspects, secrets, sweets, and surprises.
By Sharon Farrow
Published by Kensington Books
It is Halloween in Oriole Point and the Piper, the Mayor's wife has set up an impressive line up for the Harvest Health Fair. From professional athletes to diet gurus and world famed beauty consultants this fair will have it all including a break out session on the importance of berries and their health benefits given by Marlee. Of course the last thing Marlee imagined was that the mysterious Lake Lady would solicit her aid in the form of mulberries, a whole lot of mulberries to protect her and the ghost from the shadow people. As Mr. Charles Chesnutt would say, "sins like chickens come home to roost," sins of the past. A past that involves love, loss, lies, sorrow, and murder. Marlee and her friends do a great job getting to the bottom of the murders both old and new while providing some interesting facts about mulberries and a couple of great recipes that I can't wait to try out the mulberry muffins recipe. This is my second Berry Basket mystery so I need to go back and find out what happened to the fiancé, although I never really liked him and am happy to read that Marlee is with Officer Kit Holt.
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| Halloween Trifecta of short stories |
Haunted House Murder
By Leslie Meier
Grandmother Lucy Stone, reporter for the Pennysaver gets the opportunity for some quality time with her grandson Patrick. While Patrick's life doesn't skip a beat even with the change in school and soccer team. Lucy has forgotten how much time and energy it can take to take care of a child who has fractions homework and soccer practice. In addition to Mom duties, Lucy is balancing her investigative reporting duties which include looking into the strange goings-on at the old house across from the school and the strange new owners. Moon is abrupt and his wife is a pale willowy creature who is rarely seen. This story definitely has a twist and is good for putting one in the Halloween mood. I only wish that Lucy and Bill had been portrayed as the loving couple from the earlier stories.
Death by Haunted House
By Lee Hollis
Hayley Powell, journalist, Mom, wife, and good neighbor is plunged into a who done it, when she and her husband stumble upon a local real estate agent dead and buried in the forest when looking for their run away puppy. Halloween fun to be sure! In addition to the murder mystery is the mystery of the strange family that has moved in next door. Hayley's husband is sure that the neighbors are up to no good and must be involved. The ensuing hijinks are rather comical but over all I was not a fan of this Hayley Powell book. The last one I read, Death of the Wedding Cake Baker was much more light hearted and did not seem to be quite so contrary with regards to kids and husband.
Hallowed Out
By Barbara Ross
Definitely the best was saved for last. Thoroughly enjoyed this short story of a reenactment gone wrong during a haunted trolley tour. Julia Snowden, an easy to like character is front and center for a "lights go out and then a shot rings out" staged scene from history. Only it wasn't staged and she must figure out who killed the actor. It becomes a bit twisted as it turns out that several people could have done it and it seems like the clues are adding up a bit too quickly. Highly entertaining and my first Busman Harbor mystery so I will be sure to look up others.
Written by Melissa Erin Jackson
Published by Ringtail Press
Something wicked this way comes and it isn't just wickedly cool teen fashions and Olaf Betzen. Amber, our worrisome witch (you would be too if a cursed Penhallow witch was after you) is determined to solve the mystery of her parents' death. Thankfully she is able to work with local law enforcement . Aunt Gretchen and sister Willow show up unannounced and much earlier than expected to team up with Amber to save not only themselves but the whole town as well. In addition to taking chances with a cursed face-changing witch, Amber thinks she might be ready to take a chance with her heart. Will it be Connor the reporter or Jack the baker and will she need a spell to not only ward her home but also her heart. Great story and I enjoyed how the sisters supported each other. This book also introduces Aunt Gretchen who to be one tough old witch as well, even though she drives Amber crazy with her secrets. Lastly, you get to meet the only other Henbane, cousin Edgar who lives like a hermit who just wants to be left along but is also a crucial part of the mystery surrounding the death of Bella and Theo Blackwood. I pawsitively enjoyed this one just as much as the first and cannot wait to read what is in store for Amber and her blossoming powers.
By Kennedy Kerr
Published by Bookouture
This is the "maiden" book for this new cozy series and I think is most becoming! The Love sisters and their interestingly named pets are wonderfully different and fully embrace their witch heritage and even better is that their sleepy Scottish town fully embraces it. Temerity has the gift of psychometry and Tilda is gifted with the ability to brew up something to fix that which/witch ails you. So needless to say, Temerity is handy to have around when you need to know where an item came from or who it is associated with such as the black scrying mirror with the thistle motif. The only one who doesn't seem to get how important Temerity is to the investigative process is new arrival, Constable Angus Harley, sent to take over for soon to retire Investigator Kim Hyland. A murdered teacher, a stalking co-worker, a disgruntled roommate, a shifty seeming maid, and all sorts of secrets and portent to be sifted through. Temerity is trying to avoid distraction while working with the new Constable and I especially like the one sided conversations she has in her head with the "Wolfman". I literally laughed out loud every time. It can be hard to let go of the past and move onto the future but this might just be what Temerity needs. Hope this is the start of many more books to come!
Dressed to Kill
By
Published by Seven House Publishers
Halloween can be a scary enough day but what would you do if a bank robber in a clown costume pointed a gun at you? What would you do if this same person shot your nephew, the local Chief of Police? I'm not sure what I would do but apparently Miss Mary and her canine side-kick Millie are hot on the trail. With Chief Dan out recovering from a shot to the shoulder, Detective Sean Ryan is sent on loan from the big city of San Luis Obispo and the locals would really like to see the heavy handed interrogator to go back ASAP. Mary is wise and well connected local whom people respect, unlike Detective Ryan whose arrogant attitude makes him miss vital clues. Miss Mary definitely reminds me of Miss Marple as she ascertains what seems obvious to her but not so much to everyone else as the case becomes convoluted with another death, the retired bank manager who has dementia and is in a care facility. There has to be a pattern, a connection between the two and Miss Mary is sure she can figure it out. Very enjoyable read with really good character development. I was able to figure out the who and why before the end of the book even with the odd red herring here and there.
Late Checkout (Witch City Mystery #9)
By Carol J. Perry
Published by Kensington Books
It's October in Salem, Massachusetts and the busiest time of the year with parades, pumpkin everything, tours, and parties which means plenty to report on. Unless the boss's wife has a nephew fresh out of college wanting to break into the news business. Lee is working part time for the station so she decides to do some part time volunteer work for Aunt Ibby at the library. Last thing Lee expected was to end up finding a story while re-shelving books. Okay so she found a story and a dead body....Willie Wallace found dead with a pile of sports collectible reference books scattered around him in a locked area...Willie once worked at WICH-TV and Lee is in charge of the anniversary special research, tying both events together nicely. Of course she should have known what she would find while up in the stacks, she say the shiny swirling image after all. It seems like Willie wore many hats and worked with many people back in the day and he was not very reputable. So which is his former coworkers finished him off? What is it about the reference book about the "Boys of Summer" and when is Lee going to be able to go back to working full time? The snoop sisters are at it again and Officer Pete as learned to value their intuition as well as their research skills. Old forgot files might hold the key or maybe just a great new marketing idea to sell advertisement air time. Either way Lee is hot on the trail of a story involving her childhood TV heroes. Perfect book to read this month and I have now added Salem in October to my travel bucket list to be sure!
Designs on Murder (A Ghostly Fashionista Mystery #1)
By Gayle Leeson
Produced by Grace Abraham Publishing
The only thing better than starting your own business is starting it with a new friend. Amanda Tucker decides to put her passion for classic designs and seamstress ability to work for herself and happens upon an office space for rent in a historic multi-use house known as Stores on Main. Shortly after securing her spot for a dress boutique called Designs on You, a "neighbor" the programmer/web designer is found shot dead. Oh and I almost forgot, the new store came complete with a new friend, a special friend, a dead friend. It seems that Max took a tumble down the stairs many, many moons or was it moonshine, ago. "Max" Englebright is a very fashionable ghost who can only be seen by Amanda and Grandpa Dave. Max is the "elephant's eyebrows" to be sure and a frisky fun character plus a true friend to Amanda. Grandpa Dave is the sort of Grandpa that everyone would like to have with his words of support and pleasant disposition. All of Amanda's "neighbors" seem to be nice people but one of them is not so nice which has Amanda jumping at shadows and questioning everyone with the exception of Jason the talented and attractive photographer who only recently moved into his own Shop on Main as well. Max believes that it is up to Amanda and her to solve this mystery to not only put their minds at ease but to keep Amanda in her new shop. Nice story line and wonderful attention to period detail in the description of the clothes that Amanda designs. The author definitely did her research from all aspects of this story. I cannot wait to read the next one!
By
Published by Seven House Publishers
Halloween can be a scary enough day but what would you do if a bank robber in a clown costume pointed a gun at you? What would you do if this same person shot your nephew, the local Chief of Police? I'm not sure what I would do but apparently Miss Mary and her canine side-kick Millie are hot on the trail. With Chief Dan out recovering from a shot to the shoulder, Detective Sean Ryan is sent on loan from the big city of San Luis Obispo and the locals would really like to see the heavy handed interrogator to go back ASAP. Mary is wise and well connected local whom people respect, unlike Detective Ryan whose arrogant attitude makes him miss vital clues. Miss Mary definitely reminds me of Miss Marple as she ascertains what seems obvious to her but not so much to everyone else as the case becomes convoluted with another death, the retired bank manager who has dementia and is in a care facility. There has to be a pattern, a connection between the two and Miss Mary is sure she can figure it out. Very enjoyable read with really good character development. I was able to figure out the who and why before the end of the book even with the odd red herring here and there.
By Carol J. Perry
Published by Kensington Books
It's October in Salem, Massachusetts and the busiest time of the year with parades, pumpkin everything, tours, and parties which means plenty to report on. Unless the boss's wife has a nephew fresh out of college wanting to break into the news business. Lee is working part time for the station so she decides to do some part time volunteer work for Aunt Ibby at the library. Last thing Lee expected was to end up finding a story while re-shelving books. Okay so she found a story and a dead body....Willie Wallace found dead with a pile of sports collectible reference books scattered around him in a locked area...Willie once worked at WICH-TV and Lee is in charge of the anniversary special research, tying both events together nicely. Of course she should have known what she would find while up in the stacks, she say the shiny swirling image after all. It seems like Willie wore many hats and worked with many people back in the day and he was not very reputable. So which is his former coworkers finished him off? What is it about the reference book about the "Boys of Summer" and when is Lee going to be able to go back to working full time? The snoop sisters are at it again and Officer Pete as learned to value their intuition as well as their research skills. Old forgot files might hold the key or maybe just a great new marketing idea to sell advertisement air time. Either way Lee is hot on the trail of a story involving her childhood TV heroes. Perfect book to read this month and I have now added Salem in October to my travel bucket list to be sure!
By Gayle Leeson
Produced by Grace Abraham Publishing
The only thing better than starting your own business is starting it with a new friend. Amanda Tucker decides to put her passion for classic designs and seamstress ability to work for herself and happens upon an office space for rent in a historic multi-use house known as Stores on Main. Shortly after securing her spot for a dress boutique called Designs on You, a "neighbor" the programmer/web designer is found shot dead. Oh and I almost forgot, the new store came complete with a new friend, a special friend, a dead friend. It seems that Max took a tumble down the stairs many, many moons or was it moonshine, ago. "Max" Englebright is a very fashionable ghost who can only be seen by Amanda and Grandpa Dave. Max is the "elephant's eyebrows" to be sure and a frisky fun character plus a true friend to Amanda. Grandpa Dave is the sort of Grandpa that everyone would like to have with his words of support and pleasant disposition. All of Amanda's "neighbors" seem to be nice people but one of them is not so nice which has Amanda jumping at shadows and questioning everyone with the exception of Jason the talented and attractive photographer who only recently moved into his own Shop on Main as well. Max believes that it is up to Amanda and her to solve this mystery to not only put their minds at ease but to keep Amanda in her new shop. Nice story line and wonderful attention to period detail in the description of the clothes that Amanda designs. The author definitely did her research from all aspects of this story. I cannot wait to read the next one!
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