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HALLOWEEN PARTY MURDER is a compilation of three cozy mystery novellas by three terrific authors: Leslie Meier, Lee Hollis, and Barbara Ross. If you haven’t yet read any books by these authors, this Halloween trilogy is a great way to try them out. And if you’re already a fan, you’ll love catching up with favorite characters via these quick vignettes. Despite the shortened length of each story, the authors do a marvelous job of setting the stage, capturing the essence of Halloween with spooky atmospheres, and creating a murder for the heroines to solve. The short books are well-plotted with a quick pace, yet the stories never feel rushed.
Each author brings their individual styles and strengths to their novella, from Leslie Meier tackling social issues, to the humor and wit imbued by Lee Hollis, to the strong character development and descriptive voice embraced by Barbara Ross. Each of their strengths has a hand in creating stories that captured my attention and kept me glued to the pages all the while adhering to the theme of the title. Another aspect I enjoy about the annual cozy mystery novella trilogy published by Kensington, is that each story is short enough to finish in one evening without feeling the need to stay up half the night to find out the conclusion. Of course, if you have time on your hands, you’ll want to gobble up the entire book all at once while munching on trick-or-treat goodies!
Barbara Ross and Lee Hollis are known for adding tempting recipes to their books, and Halloween Party Murder is no exception. With several tempting Halloween treats mentioned on the pages, be prepared to be hungry and be sure to check out the Halloween-themed recipes included. Barbara Ross includes a recipe for Vee’s Gluten-Free Pumpkin Cookies, which sounded intriguing because you don’t have to roll out the dough to cutout pumpkin shapes. Instead, these cookies are shaped free-form (or patted within the confines of a pumpkin-shaped cookie cutter like I did). You can easily swap out all-purpose flour for the gluten-free blend called for. Full of flavor, these cookies are pumpkiny and spicy, chocolately and cakey, yet moist with a crunch from the walnuts added. Your ghouls and goblins will thank you for this yummy treat!
Amazon Synopsis
Small town traditions are celebrated throughout Maine during the holiday season. But when it comes to Halloween, some people are more than willing to reap a harvest of murder . . .
HALLOWEEN PARTY MURDER by LESLIE MEIER
Tinker’s Cove newest residents Ty and Heather Moon turn their Victorian home into a haunted house to raise funds for charity. But the Halloween fun turns to horrific fright when Heather overdoses on tainted drugs—and Ty finds himself accused of murder. Digging deep into the story, journalist Lucy Stone uncovers some sinister secrets in the Moons’ past linked to a conspiracy in her hometown . . .
DEATH OF A HALLOWEEN PARTY MONSTER by LEE HOLLIS
Everyone attending Island Times Food and Cocktail columnist Hayley Powell’s Halloween bash is dressed as their favorite movie monster from the Bride of Frankenstein and Jaws to Chucky and Pennywise the clown. But when partygoers stumble upon Boris Candy’s bludgeoned costumed corpse, it falls to Hayley to discover who among her guests wanted to stop the man from clowning around permanently . . .
SCARED OFF by BARBARA ROSS
Three teenage girls having a sleepover on Halloween night get spooked when high schoolers crash the house for a party. But no one expected to find a crasher like Mrs. Zelisko, the elderly third floor tenant, dead in the backyard—dressed in a sheet like a ghost. With her niece traumatized, Julia Snowden must uncover who among the uninvited guests was responsible for devising such a murderous trick . . .
A special thanks to Barbara Ross for providing one lucky winner with a print copy of HALLOWEEN PARTY MURDER. Giveaway is limited to U.S. residents. Contest ends Thursday, September 9 , 2021 at 11:59 pm PST. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below to enter. The winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)
In the story, Vee Snugg makes her traditional pumpkin cookies gluten-free in an attempt to entice Sergent Tom Flynn. In reality, you can make them either way. Vee's recipe is a twist on the one that used to appear on the Libby pumpkin can. Lots of people make versions of these cookies, but I think Vee's are particularly delicious.
Full of flavor, these cookies are pumpkiny, and spicy, chocolately and cakey, yet moist with a crunch from the walnuts added.
- 3-1/2 cups Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free All-Purpose Baking Flour (or standard all-purpose flour)
- 2-1/3 cup old-fashioned oats (if gluten-free is necessary, make certain to use gf oats)
- 1-3/4 teaspoons baking soda
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1-1/2 teaspoons salt
- 3-1/2 sticks butter, softened
- 1-3/4 cup sugar
- 1-3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 (15-ounce) can of pure pumpkin
- 2 large eggs
- 1-3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-3/4 cup chopped walnuts
- 1-3/4 cup chocolate chips
- Decorator icing (optional)
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
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Mix flour, oats, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and salt in a medium bowl.
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In a large bowl, beat butter, sugar, and brown sugar until fluffy.
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Add pumpkin, eggs, and extract. Mix well.
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Gradually stir in flour mixture. Add nuts and chocolate chips.
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Drop 1/4 cup dough onto a parchment-covered baking sheet. Spread into a pumpkin shape, about 1/4 inch thick. Continue until all dough is used.
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Bake for 14 - 16 minutes, until firm and golden brown. Cool on baking sheet for 2 minutes and then remove to wire racks.
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Decorate with icing when cool, if desired. Vee uses orange icing to outline the pumpkin ribs and green icing for the stem and leaves.
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I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
yes loved attending Halloween parties pre pandemic.
I’ve never attended a Halloween party.
Yes. My family and I attend the Lone Star Bulldog Rescue and DFW Pug Rescue Halloween parties ever year.
I have attended a few and even given a few in my time. As a senior citizen, I really enjoy seeing the kiddos in all their costumes and treating them. That means Halloween parties need to be on a day other than the 31st.
Yes I went to Halloween parties it was so much fun to dress up
I don’t attend Halloween parties anymore. I did when I was growing up, though. Lots of fun!
I’ve attended two. One when I was a teenager and I was the only one that dressed up. The other was a few years ago, our nephew and his wife had one and she said that her whole family dresses up. Everyone else in our family wore a costume, except for me, nobody in her family was dressed up.
I have not been to a Halloween party since I was a Girl Scout.
No, I haven’t been to a Halloween party.
I have attended Halloween parties before.
Haven’t attended any Halloween parties for years.
The last Halloween party I attended was about 20 years ago.
I won second place in the costume contest though.
The cookies look delicious! I don’t attend Halloween parties. I am not really a fan of dressing in costume…I’m not very creative.
Halloween has always been a fun time for us. When I was growing up, my one girlfriend always had big birthday parties because her birthday is on Halloween. Then now as an adult, our son was also born on Halloween so we have tried to make every year special and fun for him.
Yes, I have.
Many years ago I attended one and had a great time. I love going to them ….
I usually had to work Halloween night but I was able to attend a couple Halloween parties at my friend’s house.
I used to go to Halloween parties in college. Been a long time. I do get dressed up when I am working. The Patients love it. and I love the cookie recipe
No parties, but I liked dressing up a bit to go out with the kids.
I have not attended a Halloween party in a long time.
Halloween parties are ok. I did a lot when I was younger. Now I don’t even dress up ?
I remember attending a Halloween party EONS ago when I was in 4th or 5th grade.
Thanks for this giveaway! Spoooooky!
I’m not a pumpkin lover, but my daughter is.
I might have to try these. Love all three of those authors.
I used to go to Halloween parties before the plague and hope to again.
My husband used to work with someone who (with his wife) are mega Halloween people! They take off from work to decorate their house and yard.
Every year we were invited to their party with required costumes. One person always won one award for his fancy purchased costumes.
We won an award one year when we went as a Hitchcock Double bill. I was wrapped in a Psycho shower curtain and he had birds and blood all over him for The Birds.
I have They are fun! I enjoy dressing in costumes! Thank you for the chance
I don’t see my post. I have been to Halloween parties. Thank you for the chance
When I was a kid I attended Halloween parties
Yes, I have been to a Halloween parties when times were safer.
Yes! I used to attend Halloween Parties and even had my own! I miss the parties and Fall Festivals, especially the spooky Hayrides!
I use to teach preschool so had fun planning and giving the little ones special parties every year.
Yes, our across the street neighbors were big Halloween fans & hosted a party every year a week before (he was a state trooper & the block would be full of all types of police cars all evening as the officers would stop in during their breaks to see everyone in costume…lol…It was the safest night to be in our neighborhood!)
I used to, but not for a long time, except for school parties for my kiddos. I miss the old days of going places and doing things… Thank you for sharing! Those cookies are going to grace our home this weekend!
No I never been to a Halloween party. Thank you for a chance to win a print copy of Halloween Party Murder.
It’s been awhile since I have been to one, I do love to get dressed hand go. Thanks for your great generosity. The cookies look delicious.
It’s been awhile since I have been to one, I do love to get dressed and go to a party. Thanks.
The Halloween parties when I was in school were so fun
Yes, I have but it has been quite a few years since I have attended one.
I did back in high school, but I haven’t been to a Halloween party in a very long time!
I have gone to few. It was fun!!!
I have gone to my share of parties, but it’s been a minute. 🙂
The cookies look wonderful. I have not been to a Halloween party in years. Thank you for the opportunity. God bless you.
Yes, we love going to Halloween parties. They’re so much fun!
Thanks for having this great giveaway!
Gosh, I haven’t attended a Halloween Party in quite a long time. I live in an over 55 retirement community and our neighborhood used to get together for appetizers and drinks but it was usually over before it got dark. LOL!
Thank you for the giveaway!!
I have occasionally attended Halloween parties in the past, but in the past couple of years, I have preferred to stay home and have a Halloween Movie Night and watch films like Practical Magic or Something Wicked This Way Comes and eat snacks with my kids.
I used to attend parties a long time ago, but haven’t in years. Not the same without the kids and too many friends now live too far away. So I decorate and relax, and watch a movie.
Went to one a few years ago but not really since my kids were little.
No. I don’t do Halloween parties. I don’t really like to dress up.
Yes I used to, didn’t usually do costumes though.
Yes, I enjoy dressing up. This is one of my favorite holidays!
I haven’t in years but I hope to change that soon. Those cookies look so good!
I have a Halloween party at my house every year for family and friends. I make my chili and other goodies and we hand out candy to the little goblins! Halloween is my jam! LOL!
We sometimes have a small Halloween party with the children in our immediate family.
Loved Halloween parties! It was always fun to dress up! Also, loved making food to bring to Halloween parties! Pretty scary looking things!
Loved Halloween parties! Always fun to dress up and make scary looking dishes to bring!
Never really had an opportunity to go to a Halloween party since high school and it was a sleep over. I think it would be fun and those cookies would be a perfect addition to the treats table!
No, not in a very long time.
not a big pumpkin fan but the book looks good
I don’t go to Halloween parties. I am not a party person.
I haven’t been to a Halloween party in years! I do like to hand out treats to kids, though.
No I haven’t attended Halloween parties
I have attended “halloween” parties in the past and have had many parties on halloween since it’s my birthday.
These pumpkin cookies look yummy.
Is it horrible to admit that scary costumes freak me out so the only Halloween parties I would attend are very tame ones.
I attended Halloween parties when I was much much younger. Now that I’m a firmly established very senior citizen no more parties for me.