I received this book for an honest review from netgalley #netgalley

This is a new to me author and although I do wish that I would have read her series in order it was easy enough to catch up and enjoy this Halloween cozy I highly recommend.

This book consists of three novellas by three different authors. I really enjoy these holiday novella books. This is definitely a treat for Halloween. I wish there were many more seasonal cozy mystery compilations. Sometimes life is busy and these separate novellas are just the right length to dig into and a love the variety provided by the different writing styles of each talented author. More, please!

I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review. This has three short stories in. I was familiar with the Lucy Stone series which opens the book - though I found the whole drugs thing slightly implausible and spotted the killer far far too easily.

The second story really wound me up quite a bit - I’m used to cosy mysteries inserting recipes between chapters, but this one included random memories that jolted me out of the story each time. And why are the MC’s two best friends constantly bickering and sniping at each other? Why does no one get more angry at Chet for the laxative trick, given if he’d not done that, the victim would have never been in the kitchen at the wrong time and would still be alive? And as for the whole bit with the MC held captive bit - utterly implausible. You don’t sit waiting long enough for the captor to spring across the room, grab rope and start tying you up. If he can spring across the room, so can you. And who leaves candles lit in a windowless room with limited air supply? Oh right, the author because in a few paragraphs, the MC is going to need to try and burn off her rope shackles. And when that fails, she’ll need to knock them over so that in seconds, a conveniently draped blanket will go up in flames - when in reality it would take a few minutes surely? Wouldn’t want to read any more in this series.

The third story was also a new series to me, but a decent plot with the whole bookkeeping crime bit. I’d be happy to read more in that series.

A great book to get you in the Halloween spirit. I could’ve done without the politics in the Leslie Meier story.

Halloween Party Murder
Leslie Meier, Lee Hollis, Barbara Ross
8.31.21
This book had three novellas in it by three different authors. I enjoy this format of multiple holiday mysteries by various authors. It’s a good chance to read favorite authors and be introduced to new ones.
The first Novella is “Halloween Party Murder” by Leslie Meier. Leslie Meier is a favorite of mine and it feels as if she were an old friend. In last year’s Halloween story, a special effects person and his wife had moved into town into an old mansion and a lot of mysterious things were going on. This year the couple is still in the mansion and are in on the planning of a spectacular Halloween party with rooms full of tableaux and special effects followed by a blow our party with live music.
All goes well until Lucy notices that someone is not at the party and she goes upstairs and discovers a body. It looks like an overdose but was it an accidental overdose or murder?
No one seems to be sure but Lucy doggedly pursues the clues and ultimately uncovers the culprit leading to a most satisfying denouement.
Although one would indeed call this a cozy mystery Leslie Meier is to be commended for tackling a huge problem such as drug abuse which she has done in several books and novellas. Sometimes the narrative becomes a bit preachy but for a good cause.
Leslie Meier’s Lucy stone is like an old friend that one is always glad to see come for a visit. I look forward to her next outing.
The second novella is “Death of a Halloween Party Monster” by Lee Hollis. I try to never miss one of their books as they are outstanding writers. Their stories are engaging and filled with humor. As I began to read this offering, I was laughing out loud on the first page and continued to be amused throughout the story. It is rare to find authors who can both make you laugh and write a captivating story but they do it with panache.
This story takes place at a Halloween party in Hailey’s restaurant. She’s gone all out with incredible hors d’oeuvres and drinks and everyone is enjoying themselves. One of the guests, the high school music teacher, is dressed as Pennywise the clown and terrifies Sergio the chief of police who is afraid of clowns because of childhood incidents in Brazil. The clown doesn’t back down but continues to harass Sergio.
As the party winds down Hailey goes into the kitchen to pack up the food when she finds a corpse on the floor. It is Pennywise. But who killed him? It is unique in that there is a corpse and everyone there has a motive of some kind or the other but who did it is the question. For the most part, the “suspects” are continuing characters in the Hailey Powell books and you just know it couldn’t be one of them…or could it?
The story is masterfully pieced together and the pages practically turn themselves as the reader comes to a very satisfying conclusion.
Once again…Lee Hollis works their magic.
The third novella is “Scared Off” by Barbara Ross.
Barbara Ross writes well and describes things beautifully. Her main character Julia Snowden is very relatable and a down-to-earth person. I missed Julia’s boyfriend in this story as they had a great thing going with the restaurant they ran but times change and people move on.
In this story, three girls get together to celebrate Halloween and one of their houses. The parents of the girl who lives go off to a Halloween party as they are relatively new and want to meet people.
All goes well until the girls text their friends and invite them over and it gets out of hand and there are suddenly scores of people at the party which has gotten well out of hand.
The topper is that lady who lives upstairs appears to fly through the air and lands dead on the floor.
The attendees disappear and the police come. The lady is a quiet person a stalwart churchgoer who does books for small businesses in town.
She is so low-key that it is difficult to find someone who knows her first name.
The police come and begin to investigate and as they investigate the deceased it turns out that she is not what she appears to be and has been tricking the townsfolk.
The story flows smoothly and the murderer is not anyone that you would suspect.
I enjoyed this story and the descriptions of Maine.

I was only familiar with one of the authors but I’m glad I got the chance to add a few more to my auto buy list! This was a great book but I’m a sucker for anything Halloween!!

Three Halloween stories from three authors’ series I read, I definitely got the treat and not the trick this Halloween!

Whether you are familiar with these authors and their work, this is a great way for your to get your Halloween season started and discover a new cozy series or two…or three! Pardon me while I go off and plan my jack o lantern designs for this year, I’ve been ready since I started reading!

I love cozy mysteries and this collection of novellas hit just the spot. I've read books by Meier and Ross but not Hollis so I'll have to look up those. Thankful to NetGalley for providing me a copy of this title.

I was sold at the word “Halloween” in the title! Anything that has to do with Halloween and Autumn is definitely something that I need in my life.

This book also provided me with a much needed distraction and escape. In fact, as soon as I downloaded it, I laid down, fresh cup of coffee in hand (unfortunately with creamer that wasn’t pumpkin spice) and got right to reading.

This book was so fun and entertaining, and I definitely enjoyed my reading experience from start to finish.

This book is comprised of three different Halloween stories, and they did not disappoint. The stories are fun and fast paced, and I wasn’t bored while reading any of them.

And again: this book and all of the stories revolve around Halloween and I mean, how can you not love Halloween based stories? It was so enjoyable!

The only negative about this book? The fact that it got me into the Halloween spirit! The wait for Autumn seems so very long and far away.

If you love Halloween and cozy mysteries, then this is definitely an excellent choice for you!

This book is comprised of three Halloween stories. Each of which is fun and interesting. I enjoyed all three. It was nice visiting the characters of three of my favorite series. #HalloweenPartyMurder #NetGalley

Three seasonal stories that do not disappoint. Meet up with familiar characters and prepare for Halloween and fall season- these short stories will definitely get you in the spirit.

I received an advance copy of, Halloween Party Murder, by Leslie Meier, Lee Hollis, and Barbara Ross. This book has 3 mystery stories. I love Halloween books, and this book does not disappoint. I loved the mysteries, and there is even recipes we can make.

I love nothing more than catching up with these fine characters.
The three stories are fun and fast paced, with plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing.
I enjoy these books, I always look forward to a new one.

I love when these three authors put their stories together in a book. I read last years Halloween edition, and this one is even better. I love catching up with the characters and the authors settings. It’s a great way for our patrons who are not already familiar to be introduced to them.