Bookstore Cafe owner, Krissy Hancock, snags a great date for the annual Halloween festivities at Yarborough Mansion, but the evening quickly becomes a horror. Not only does she have to dodge an old flame and a marriage proposal, but a woman dressed as Marilyn Monroe is found strangled in a room eerily decorated with creepy jack o'lanterns. The estate is locked down and everyone is a suspect. Krissy helps Officer Paul Dalton in his investigation to discover who brought death to the party.

The Halloween theme is definitely well represented in this book -- torrential rainstorm, creepy old house, scary jack o'lanterns and a murder!

I haven't read the other books in the Bookstore Cafe series, but I enjoyed this book without having read the books in order. The main character was likable, but a bit socially awkward. She has some real issues in her personal relationships with men. But, all in all, I found the plot engaging and the mystery interesting. There were plenty of suspects, twists and turns.

Death by Pumpkin Spice releases September 27th!

This is the 3rd book in the Bookstore Cafe Mystery series. Check out the author's website here: www.alexericksonbooks.com ( )

This is the third book in the Bookstore Cafe Mystery series, but the first I read. I definitely needed to read the previous books as I felt confused about the ongoing storyline in regards to Krissy and Paul. I gather there was an attempt to date in earlier books that ended poorly, but it did not ruin the book for me. Krissy, who co-owns Death by Coffee with her best friend is invited to a Hallowe'en Costume Party by handsome, doctor Will. There is mention of a situation from an earlier book regarding their relationship as well that I was not privy to. She decides to go even though she is extremely insecure and worried about what everyone will think. Shortly after arriving, there is a murder. Because there is no other police available to get to the scene, Paul asks Krissy to help him out.

This was a fun little read. I loved the aspect of a locked room murder and that it takes place with a Hallowe'en atmosphere. The majority of the book took place over just one evening. The mystery had some interesting twists and turns. I thought I had it all figured out, but was sadly mistaken. Overall, most of the characters are likeable and interesting. The one think I did not like was Krissy's insecurities. She is constantly worried about what others will think, her appearance, her lack of money when around affluent people etc. Yet, when it came down to action, she did not hesitate to jump in regardless what others thought. Rather mixed messages there, but I guess, there are a lot of people this way in real life. I also think Krissy needs to make up her mind about her dating/love life. She is dating Will, but I believe she would dump him in a minute if Paul asked her out again.

I am not sure about this series, I might try another one, but if I do not get a better sense of Krissy, even though the mystery was interesting, I might give up on it. The publisher generously provided me a copy of this book via Netgalley. ( )

Krissy is back and she is attending the party of the year! Halloween is upon the cozy little town and murder is going to be haunting. Also there is the conflict of romantic interest that keep Krissy jumping around.
I loved the plot, each book in this series has a strong plot, and I could release to Krissy in her jumpy emotions that dominated the book. It's impossible to not feel the tension with her ex and future lovers. I do think that took some away from the plot but if the plot would have been the focus I would have been reading the game of clue.

Read this book if
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It’s a Hallowe’en party that is second to none, and Krissy was lucky enough to be invited to it by a handsome doctor. But the company and the mansion are a bit out of her league. Still, she is determined to enjoy herself and not be intimidated by the guests. However, when a partygoer dressed as Marilyn Monroe is found murdered, Krissy’s instincts kick into high gear. She wants to help the detective in charge, who also just happened to be a guest, with interviewing the other people and solving the murder. Everyone is held captive at the party, waiting for reinforcements to come, since a driving rainstorm has washed out access to the mansion. The vast majority of this tale takes place at the party, and after a while, the story drags a bit. Still, it is an entertaining and scary tale, with just enough twists along with a dash of romance thrown in for good measure. ( )

This is the third book in the Bookstore Cafe Mystery series, but the first I read. I definitely needed to read the previous books as I felt confused about the ongoing storyline in regards to Krissy and Paul. I gather there was an attempt to date in earlier books that ended poorly, but it did not ruin the book for me. Krissy, who co-owns Death by Coffee with her best friend is invited to a Hallowe'en Costume Party by handsome, doctor Will. There is mention of a situation from an earlier book regarding their relationship as well that I was not privy to. She decides to go even though she is extremely insecure and worried about what everyone will think. Shortly after arriving, there is a murder. Because there is no other police available to get to the scene, Paul asks Krissy to help him out.

This was a fun little read. I loved the aspect of a locked room murder and that it takes place with a Hallowe'en atmosphere. The majority of the book took place over just one evening. The mystery had some interesting twists and turns. I thought I had it all figured out, but was sadly mistaken. Overall, most of the characters are likeable and interesting. The one think I did not like was Krissy's insecurities. She is constantly worried about what others will think, her appearance, her lack of money when around affluent people etc. Yet, when it came down to action, she did not hesitate to jump in regardless what others thought. Rather mixed messages there, but I guess, there are a lot of people this way in real life. I also think Krissy needs to make up her mind about her dating/love life. She is dating Will, but I believe she would dump him in a minute if Paul asked her out again.

I am not sure about this series, I might try another one, but if I do not get a better sense of Krissy, even though the mystery was interesting, I might give up on it. The publisher generously provided me a copy of this book via Netgalley. ( )