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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2340 KP) rated Death by Haunted House in Books

Aug 17, 2022  
Death by Haunted House
Death by Haunted House
Lee Hollis | 2022 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A Haunted Flashback
This novella flashes back ten years to 2009 and a time when series protagonist Hayley Powell was still married. A new family has moved to town and moved in next door to Hayley and her young family into a long-abandoned house that is rumored to be haunted. When they move in, they are unfriendly and obviously keeping secrets, and Hayley’s husband, Danny, is certain that they are hiding something. When a dead body turns up in the woods behind their neighborhood, Danny is certain they are involved. Is he right?

I found the story here very entertaining, although I did guess a couple plot points early. Still, the solution to the mystery was a surprise, and I had to laugh at some of the events along the way. On the other hand, I found Danny extremely selfish and annoying, and Hayley does something extremely stupid, with is ironic since she complains about Danny’s behavior at times.

NOTE: This story is a novella, roughly 100 pages, and was originally part of the novella collection Haunted House Murder. If you have that book, there is no need to buy this ebook. If you haven’t read the story, now is the time to sit back and enjoy this Halloween trip to Maine.
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2340 KP) rated Death of a Halloween Party Monster in Books

Aug 26, 2023  
Death of a Halloween Party Monster
Death of a Halloween Party Monster
Lee Hollis | 2023 | Mystery
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Cold Costumed Corpse
This story features Lee Hollis’s series star Hayley Powell, who is hosting a Halloween party at her new restaurant. However, the night ends in horror when the body of the high school music teacher is found in the freezer. Is one of Hayley’s friends a killer?

I don’t read this series, just the novellas when they are part of an anthology I want to read, but I found myself feeling right at home partying with these characters from the beginning of this story. I did figure out one aspect of the story early on, but there were several more, including the identity of the killer, that I hadn’t pieced together until Hayley did. It’s a twist on a locked room mystery, which is always fun. The ending was great and kept me turning the pages. There are also some recipes to enjoy while you read or at a party you are hosting this Halloween.

NOTE 1: This is a novella, so expect something shorter than a typical novel before you pick it up.

NOTE 2: This novella was originally in the Halloween Party Murder anthology. If you’ve already read it there, you don’t need to buy it again here.
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2340 KP) rated Scared Off in Books

Aug 26, 2023  
Scared Off
Scared Off
Barbara Ross | 2023 | Mystery
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
While the Parents Are Away, a Corps Turns Up
Julia Snowden responds to a panic call from her niece, who was supposed to be spending the night with two friends but needs help when a party breaks out. The police have been called, and, while they are making sure everyone is gone, discover a dead body in the shed outback. Was Julia’s niece spending the evening with a killer?

If you are also a fan of this series but haven’t read, Shucked Apart, a word of warning that this story contains spoilers for that book. As I said earlier, it’s always great to spend time with the characters. It’s also hard to believe how old Julia’s niece is getting. I always lose track of book time in the series I read. Anyway, the mystery was great; I enjoyed the way it unfolded. As a bonus, there’s a recipe for you to enjoy at your own party.

NOTE 1: This is a novella, so expect something shorter than a typical novel before you pick it up.

NOTE 2: This novella was originally in the Halloween Party Murder anthology. If you’ve already read it there, you don’t need to buy it again here.
  
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2340 KP) rated Once Upon a Murder in Books

Feb 21, 2024  
Once Upon a Murder
Once Upon a Murder
Samantha Larsen | 2024 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Not as Strong as the First Book
It’s 1784, and spinster Tiffany Woodall is hoping to put the chaos and intrigue of the last few months behind her. However, when she finds a dead body on her way to work at the castle one morning, she knows that isn’t going to happen. When the local bookseller, the man Tiffany loves, is accused of the crime, she can’t help but get involved. Can she figure out what happened?

The first book in this series was one of my favorites of last year. This book wasn’t as good, but it was still enjoyable. As with the first book, the mystery takes a backseat at times. However, here the other storylines weren’t as compelling. This is especially true of the romance. I was glad it wasn’t dragged out too much and I bought it in a way I wouldn’t in other series, but I wasn’t as invested in it. When the murder really kicks in during the second half, I was more fully on board, and I love how that was resolved. Likewise, I still loved all the characters and did enjoy seeing what happened to them. Fans of the first will want to pick this up. If you missed the first, you’ll definitely want to start there.