Thank you for the opportunity to read this book. I have attempted it on a number of occasions but unfortunately I haven’t been able to get into it.

A great book by a fantastic author. The writing is excellent and the mystery keeps you turning the pages. Characters are well developed. Highly recommend.

Once again, I jumped into a series that has already been established. In this case, it's well established. Can you jump into a series at book 13? I wouldn't have thought so but yes, you can. Isis Crawford manages to make each a stand-alone book yet it has the feel of a world that has underlying plot-lines woven among the books. I didn't feel as though I missed anything by not starting at the beginning and I didn't feel like I was getting any spoilers. Maybe when I go back and read the series, I will realize that maybe there were a few but I doubt it. The world created is very rich and meeting these characters where I did felt like hanging out with friends I had just met.

The book was well-written with a definite Hitchcock meets cozy vibe. It took place around Halloween and the decorations for the holiday were utilized wonderfully. There were lots of twists and turns that I didn't see coming. I could brag that I guessed who the guilty party was but to be honest, I guessed a lot of other people too and kept bouncing among them.

I expected that with the Halloween theme we may get recipes to go along that line. Nope. The 3 recipes have a loose central theme relating to Scandinavia. Two of them, I will definitely try and the last I'm looking forward to serving at a party.

The characters were well-developed, even if you were being introduced to them for the first time. I loved the sisters (Libby and Bernie) and their relationship with their dad (Sean). It felt very real. The dad's girlfriend was like nails on a chalkboard and I took a serious dislike to her. I'm not sure why I reacted to her as strongly as I did since I have no build up with these characters and she wasn't a main player in the book.

I definitely recommend this book to lovers of cozies and I would even recommend it to fans of suspense mysteries/thrillers who are looking for something just a little bit lighter than their norm.

Thank you to NetGalley, Kensington Publishing, and Isis Crawford for the opportunity to read this book and provide my honest opinion of it.

Loved this book. A quick but good read. Would definitely recommend. Loved the great characters and having sisters as team.

This is the first cozy mystery I have read that started with a narrated murder. Darrius Witherspoon takes us step by step through the demise of his wife only to be found dead at his own Halloween soiree catered by our sister heroines; Bernie and Libbie Simmons.  No strangers to suspense and the occasional dead body, these ladies get busy snooping out clues while doing their best to whip up tasty treats and stay out of jail.  The local law enforcement does not appreciate their "meddling." To add to the macabre of this story is the mysterious Berkshire Arms apartment co-op where the  place overseen by it's own murder of crows.  The police say it's suicide but the girls were left instructions and promise of payment from Witherspoon just in case. I thoroughly enjoyed the plot and character development was spot on.  I will take a look at the previous installments although this story did just fine as a stand alone and can't wait to try out the recipes.

This was a fun read. Bernie is a smart mouthed woman who wants answers and doesn't scare easily. The mystery itself was very interesting. After all, there were two to be solved...or were there? It had some nice twists and a good reveal. I'd suggest it for some light seasonal reading.

I have only read one other Isis Crawford book, and I have to admit that I liked this one a lot more. I think I need to start the series from the beginning, although it wasn't that difficult to follow along the storyline, even though I didn't know a lot of the character's back stories.

The characters are interesting, and I enjoy the interactions between Bernie and Libby. It feels authentic, with squabbling but real affection.

The mystery was interesting and lasted through the entire book. I had my suspicions about who did it, but it was a good mystery.

I'd recommend this to any cozy mystery lover and plan to read more in this series.

This is my first time reading a book by this author. It is a good cozy mystery. I thoroughly enjoyed it and plan to read more books in this series.

I've read all the books in this series and this one feel flat. I couldn't finish it. We have patrons that love it still even this one but I was some what disappoint.

The book begins with Darius hitting his wife Penelope over the head and weighing down her body so it will sink in water. In order to explain her disappearance, he tells everyone that she was very depressed. Darius also tells them that he is not cancelling the costume party he had planned; he is having it anyway because his wife loved Halloween. After that, the author does a nice job of showing how Darius is changing. He acts like he is worried and things aren’t going well. During the party, someone is killed.

Next, the two female leads, Libby and Bernie, join forces to solve the murder. If they weren’t bickering, they often came up with lots of inane comments while dealing with some of the people that they knew. That often became quite annoying, and it was relief when the comments stopped as their investigation broadened and they had more people to interview. There were some unexpected twists in the story, and an interesting assortment of suspects. By the end, the mystery was neatly tied up.

One thing that puzzled me is that numerous delicious sounding fall desserts were mentioned in the book, and since this is advertised as having original recipes to try, I expected them to show up at the end. None of them did. The three recipes that were included aren’t for things I want to eat, so that was a disappointment.

I didn’t like how the author threw in cursing. While it only happened once, that was enough. Why do authors feel a need to bring God into their curse words? This is a huge pet peeve of mine. This is a first for a cozy mystery, and one I hope to not see again. Note to authors: some people find this very offensive. Many Christians like to read cozy mysteries because they don’t have this.

Overall the book was ok.

A Catered Costume Party by Isis Crawford is the thirteenth A Mystery with Recipes novel. Bernie and Libby Simmons have agreed to cater Darius Witherspoon’s Halloween party at the Berkshire Arms (the old Peabody School). They do not wish to return to the building, but bills must be paid. They are surprised Darius was still going through with the party since he wife, Penelope went missing three weeks prior (methinks something hinky is going on). The celebration is in full swing, but the guest of honor has yet to make an appearance. Suddenly a scream rings out and the guests can see the Darius’ body hanging outside the French doors. The police rule it a Halloween prank gone wrong, but the Simmons sisters have other ideas. They waste no time in diving into their investigation to prove that Darius was murdered and identify the culprit.

A Catered Costume Party is the thirteenth book in the series, but it can be read alone (easily). While the book is easy to read (for the most part), it has a slow pace (the roof scene went on forever). The sisters’ constant speculation and questions bog down the story along with the repetition of details (the crime scene, Darius’ life, their business, Michelle and their father, Sean). I did like how the author started the novel with Darius offing his wife (this is not a spoiler). It sets the stage for the rest of the story. The killer’s identity is easy to discern. I knew how the story would play out after I read the beginning (do you think I have read too many mysteries?). While I identified the culprit early in the story, many readers will be surprised when the perpetrator is revealed. My rating for A Catered Costume Party is 3 out of 5 stars (it is okay). I am shocked that the sisters are still in business with the small amount of time they spend at A Little Taste of Heaven (no wonder they are having trouble paying their bills). Sean Simmons girlfriend, Michelle is irritating and dislikable. I wish the author had not written her into the series. The sisters’ childishness regarding Michelle has gone on far too long. I can certainly understand their disdain but does it have to be brought up so often in the story. Libby and Bernie’s squabbling got on my nerves (I read to be relaxed, not irritated). I ended up skimming through the last half of this book just to reach the end and verify the killer’s identity. I do want to mention that there is mild foul language in A Catered Costume Party. I read A Catered Murder (first book in series) when it first came out and after reading A Catered Costume Party, I notice a lack of growth/development Libby and Bernie Simmons. One thing I enjoy about cozies is how the characters develop of the course of the series. We get to know and love the characters. In this case, the Simmons’ sisters seem to be going backward with regard to their behavior. I have come to the conclusion that I am not the right audience for this series.

A Catered Costume Party is the 13th novel in the popular A Mystery with Recipes cozy series by Isis Crawford. Darius Weatherspoon, a well-to-do resident of Longely, a small town in upstate New York, hires sisters Libby and Bernie Simmons, owners of A Taste of Heaven, to cater his upscale Halloween Party which will be held at his new apartment in the Berkshire Arms, a building that was previously called the Peabody School, and one in which the sisters believe is haunted due to a murder there in the recent past. Darius‘s wife, Penelope, has gone missing (probably due to the fact that he murdered her), but he still insists on having the party. The problem is that his dead body suddenly appears hanging from a rope outside a window at the party. The sisters, who consider themselves amateur sleuths, are all about solving the murder, which gets them into plenty of trouble, as well as danger to their lives.

Followers of this fun series will be excited to read this latest installment. The sisters are likeable, and their characters are well-developed. In this installment, however, first-time readers of the series may find themselves in the dark, since there isn’t enough background information to really get to know the sisters. It would be a good idea for first-time-for-this-series readers to read some of the previous books (which shouldn’t be a problem since they are delightful) before this one to give them a proper knowledge of the background and characters.

Crawford’s books can always be counted on to include mouthwatering recipes, actually recipes that most readers will actually want to try. This one has a unique recipe for scrumptious salmon chowder that was very easy to make, as well as a German Pancake, and Swedish Glogg. Cozy aficionados will enjoy the entire series, and especially A Catered Costume Party, since they are easy, quick, and fun reads.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. The story flowed very well and was very enjoyable. This book will keep you reading long into the night and you will not want to put this book down until you finish. This was such a great read and full of surprises. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader’s copy of this book. The free book held no determination on my personal review.

Solving crimes is a family affair in this cozy mystery series. Sisters Bernie and Libby, caterers who run a shop called A Little Taste of Heaven (which used to be run by their mother) and their retired police chief father give the local police a run for their money by finding out who dunn it before they do. This Halloween the sisters are hired by Darius Witherspoon to cater a Halloween themed party, despite the fact that his wife has recently vanished and they figure he will want to cancel the party. Instead, the party is held but Darius is found at the party, an apparent suicide...case closed. Not so fast - he left the sisters an envelope full of money along with a request to investigate. That trumps the local police theory and off they go, solving this, the 15th book in this enjoyable series.
The plot twists and turns kept me guessing all the way and the recipes sound yummy. While this can be read as a stand alone, the sisters, along with their father will be more fleshed out if the reader has gotten to know them better from previous entries.

Isis Crawford has written a delightful series about two sisters, Bernie and Libby, who have taken over their mother's shop called A Little Taste of Heaven. Throughout the series we have seen the sisters hard at work making all sorts of wonderful foods for the bakery and catering service. We have seen their dad recover from injuries that forced him to retire as police chief, and watched the girls hoover over him. It is one of those warm series that you never get tired of reading or even rereading her books. The sisters have become quite good at sleuthing and with their dad's help, I have no doubt there isn't a crime that they can't solve.

This Halloween story has multiple crimes and bodies, and nothing is quite what it seems. The setting is at a former private school (suspected to be haunted) and on the edge of the Hudson River. It is a fascinating blend of diverse personalities, history, and lifestyles. The author keeps things moving even when Bernie and Libby don't seem to be making much headway. Best of all, the twists and turns lead to a very surprising ending!

Well written mysteries and characters coupled with foodie talk that makes you drool, only gets better when you discover there are a few recipes in the back of the book as well! What fun. I haven't tried any from this book yet, but ones from other books in the series have been delicious. So this book is a win-win-win-winner all the way!

Darius Witherspoon is a man who has just "made the discovery of a lifetime." He has his sights set on being famous and rich, independent of his wife, Penelope who comes from a well-heeled family. That would be the wife he just callously bludgeoned to death with a lead pipe.
But the show must go on! So, Darius continues with his plans for a Catered Halloween party at the Berkshire Arms, even with his wife currently "missing."
Apparently, Darius doesn't foresee the event going off without a hitch because with a trembling hand he entrusts a mysterious envelope to his caterers, telling them to open it if he doesn't return after the party.
It isn't long before Darius is found by his guests, hanging by his neck, swaying in front of the Berkshire's French doors with crows perched on his shoulders. It seems that the Berkshire, formerly the Peabody School has witnessed another murder, leaving the small catering duo, sisters Bernie and Libby to investigate Mr. Witherspoon's death.

I enjoyed the concise cast of characters in A Catered Costume Party. The secondary line is just as entertaining as the first, including Mrs. Randall, a yellow Converse wearing old lady who describes herself as "an anarchist from way back."

Looking for a fall read that can't be missed? Pick up this brand new mystery from Isis Crawford, bake a few recipes included in the back of the book, and share them with all your spooky friends this Halloween!

Thanks to Kensington Publishing for sending me a review copy of this festive book.

This is book number 15 in the Bernie and Libby Culinary Mystery by author Isis Crawford..
I highly recommend the entire series. A reader can easily read this as first in series and understand the characters and background.
In this next in series our intrepid sleuths are catering a fabulous Halloween party. When someone ends up dead they investigate. The sisters think it was a calculated murder because the victim left them a note from the grave asking them to solve his murder. . As Bernie and Libby dig to find out the truth of what really happened that fateful night the sleuth builds to a exciting conclusion.
I love the engaging characters, the repartee between the sisters and the charming setting. Each book is a delight and I look forward to the next in series.

Darius Witherspoon has killed his wife and went ahead with the Halloween party she was planning before which, he gave caterers, Bernie and Libby, an envelope with instructions to open it if he didn't return for it.

After he's found hanging from an upstairs window during the party, Bernie retrieves the envelope which contains $5000 and a note telling her and Libby to use the money to find out who did this to him.

There were quite a few secrets and intrigue in this book. It read a little differently from books I'm used to reading. I guess there was just so much more dialogue but when it was between the sisters, it was usually fun banter. I mean who but two sisters can bicker/joke with one another while stranded on a roof top, right? I thought it was a nicely constructed mystery and I would like to read the first one in the series to get a little more backstory on the sisters and their dad who in this book is engaged to someone much younger than he is.

I enjoyed that they conferred with their dad who was a retired police officer and it was fun to see him actually go sleuthing with them. I didn't guess the killer at all although my suspicions about something else turned out right. A different type read isn't always a bad thing!

I volunteered to read an ARC of this book and give an honest review. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for providing the advanced e-copy.

When the host of a Halloween party Bennie and Libby are catering for ends up dead the police immediately think suicide, but was it? His wife recently disappeared could she be back for revenge or did Darius feel guilty over her being missing. The sisters think murder because Darius left them a note from the grave asking them to solve his murder. Can the sisters clear it up and show that he was murdered or was it truly a suicide and this is Darius's way at getting back at his enemies. Follow along as Bernie and Libby dig to find out the truth of what really happened that fateful night. Will they be able to find answers before something befalls them? Dive in and find out.

I had high expectations for A Catered Costume Party.  The introductory chapter where Darius murders his wife has just the right dash of humor.  After reading it, I was eager to discover what comes next.  

On the whole A Catered Costume Party is a fun fresh mystery.  Many of the passages are cleverly written and the dialogue is excellent.  I was disappointed, however,  by the lack of individual characterization.  Each of the characters were referred to by name, but there was little to distinguish one from another.  Even Libby and Bernie could only be told apart by their different choices in footwear- and they were the main characters. A bit more effort was spent on the suspects, but still far too little.  I think that Isis Crawford has a lot of potential as a mystery author.  The book would be great if she spent more time breathing life into her characters, making them unique, memorable individuals.  That weakness in characterization leads me to give a 3 rather than a 4, but I am definitely willing to give one of her future novels a try.

3 / 5

I received a copy of A Catered Costume Party from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

--Crittermom