3 tales to get you into the Spirit of Halloween. Some elves, a little supernatural and some twists and turns. I enjoyed these.
Many thanks to Kensington and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Three great cozy mysteries in one book! I can’t get enough of these holiday cozy mysteries. I’ll definitely be rereading this when the fall season comes around.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Cozies for the arc of this book.

The Halloween Cupcake Murder is wonderful compilation of three cozy mysteries set around Halloween and cupcakes! I’m a big fan of Liz Ireland’s Mrs. Claus series and Carol J. Perry’s Haunted Haven books, so I was excited to read the stories. Now I’ve found a new author in Carlene O’Connor. The Mrs. Claus was my favorite of the three and it was a great tease to get ready for the next book “Mrs. Claus and the Trouble with Turkeys”.

I highly recommend this book. I was provided an advanced readers copy from Netgalley and these are my opinions.

The air is crisp with sounds of trees rustling, ghosts moaning...and mysteries boiling. The Halloween mystery tour is mere days away and Tara Meehan is setting out to find some unique decorations to entice her customers in visiting her salvage store. All of a sudden Tara finds herself in a mystery rooted in ancient Gaelic. If she doesn't solve it soon, she might be joining the ancestors sooner than she chooses to.

This is an anthology with three stories. My favorite is Mrs. Claus and the Candy Corn Caper. Mrs. Claus and her fellow detectives are on the case when an elf is murdered. In this story Mrs. Claus faces danger before ferreting out a murderer, Juniper is still looking for her HEA and reindeer Quasar gets to do a runaway sleigh ride. I really like the characters in this series. This was a fun read.

"Halloween Cupcake Murder" is a delightful collection of cozy mysteries that will get you in the Halloween spirit. Written by bestselling authors Carlene O'Connor, Liz Ireland, and Carol J. Perry, these three stories are filled with spooky thrills, intriguing puzzles, and mouth-watering treats.

In the first story, "Halloween Cupcake Murder" by Carlene O'Connor, we follow Tara Meehan as she prepares for Galway's Halloween Mystery Tour. When she stumbles upon a mysterious cupcake and an ominous message, she is thrust into a thrilling adventure with ancient roots and modern dangers. O'Connor's writing captivates with its atmospheric descriptions and a well-crafted mystery that keeps you guessing until the end.

Liz Ireland takes us to Christmastown in "Mrs. Claus and the Candy Corn Caper," where a bitter rivalry among the elves takes a deadly turn during a Halloween carnival. Mrs. Claus steps in to solve the murder and save the Halloween festivities. This story is a perfect blend of holiday cheer, humor, and a puzzling whodunit. Ireland's clever writing and witty banter make for an enjoyable and entertaining read.

Lastly, in "A Triple Layer Halloween Murder" by Carol J. Perry, we dive into the enchanting town of Salem during its month-long Halloween celebration. When a wealthy bakery owner goes missing under mysterious circumstances, reporter Lee Barrett uncovers a web of secrets and must unravel the truth. Perry's storytelling brings Salem to life, blending suspense, supernatural elements, and a touch of romance.

"Halloween Cupcake Murder" delivers a fun and engaging reading experience. The authors skillfully create immersive settings, endearing characters, and intricate plots that will keep you hooked from beginning to end. Whether you're a fan of cozy mysteries or simply looking for some Halloween-themed escapades, this anthology is a treat you won't want to miss.

I read the book MRS. CLAUS AND THE CANDY CORN CAPER by LIZ IRELAND because it follows the series of Mrs. Claus that I have been reading. I really enjoyed this short little story. It was fun and kept me entertained. I highly recommend this series or to read this story as a stand-alone.

The cover of this book immediately grabbed my attention. I always look for the holiday themed books that have three others writing novellas or books on the same holiday topic. The book usually has a story by Carlene O’Connor and two other authors. I really enjoy the Mrs. Claus series by Liz Ireland and Carol J. Perry is a new to me author. I plan to look into her series and start this one from the beginning.

Halloween Cupcake Murder is a nice collection of cozy mysteries set during Halloween. Each story is well-written and thoughtfully plotted. I enjoyed them.

As always, Mrs. Claus entertains. I love the wit and whimsy in this series. Mrs. Claus has recently introduced the holiday of Halloween to the Christmastown. In the last story by Ms. Perry the means that the main suspect escapes the kitchen is intriguing.

I highly recommend this book. I was provided an advanced readers copy from Netgalley and these are my opinions.

This is a compilation from three different authors, one of which was unfamiiar to me. Given the cover, O'Connor's piece took me by surprise as it was heavier in tone, albeit still with a touch of humor and family. It centers about the Celtic tradition of celebrating the Samhain, with spooky, albeit human characters and a mystical cave thought to be a portal where all sorts of demons and monsters cross over into the human world one day a year. What day? You guessed it. Halloween. I get the idea that main character Tara is a crossover from another of the author's books but once I settled into the tone of the story, although I rather wished I knew more, works fine as as a short standalone.

Liz Ireland's story is set in the unexpected setting of Santaland. As the book opens, the elves are hard at work preparing for what is still a relatively unfamiliar holiday to them, Halloween. And, oh, my gosh, there's a shortage of candy corn after a shipment of candy corn has seemingly been stolen. The whimsical, lighthearted tone allows us to easily fall into a world of not just rival elves but talking snowmen and the like, so this one was the lighthearted read I had expected. And, who knew Mrs. Claus was a sleuth?

Finally, Carol J. Perry was a new-to-me author but a situation I hope to remedy soon. I have to admit, even having an ancestor who was hanged as a with in Salem I love stories set there. This one features Lee Barrett, whose cat finds a stray cat. Hey, it's Halloween. Cats are mystical creatures anyway, so worked for me. Then a baker goes missing. Then.... oh, read the book and find out. I was intrigued enough to have now added a few of Perry's books to my list, so I imagine you won't be sorry. Thanks #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks - #KensingtonCozies for this fun bit of Halloween magic.

Loved this collection of Halloween cozy mysteries. They were fairly quick read. It would be a great to read in October for Halloween for those who don't really do scary.

This title makes one to own a shop in Ireland. The storyline keeps one entrhalled with trying to figure out whodunit. This is a highly entertaining amateur mystery. I just found that the characters could be more developed.

'Halloween Cupcake Murder' is an anthology by three delightful authors that effectively put one in the mood for Halloween. Carol J. Perry is newer to me, but Carlene O'Connor and Liz Ireland are my go-to authors whenever published. Each story, though short, paints a perfect picture and is satisfying in the resolutions. I highly recommend this holiday read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Don’t touch that cupcake! Or, I should say, don’t touch that cupcake if it gets close to Halloween. Three authors , Carlene O’Connor, Liz Ireland, and Carol J. Perry offer their amateur sleuths the chance to celebrate Halloween, despite a cupcake of death in Halloween Cupcake Murder.

Carlene O’Connor’s “Halloween Cupcake Murder” is set in Galway, Ireland. Tara Meehan needs decorations for her architectural salvage shop because Galway goes all out for Halloween. She buys a few items, including a painting called “Cave of the Cats”, at a strange little shop. She almost collides with a masked figure when she returns later. When she finds the shop owner dead, she suspects the masked figure and a strange group who call themselves The Samhain Six. They have a strong interest in the “Cave of the Cats” painting, and they urge Tara to join their group. She’s willing to play along if it will help to find a killer.

“Mrs. Claus and the Candy Corn Caper” is Liz Ireland’s novella that precedes her September mystery, Mrs. Claus and the Trouble with Turkeys. Every time April Claus tries to introduce a new holiday to Santaland, there’s trouble. This time, there’s a theft of a large candy corn shipment the week before Halloween. This causes trouble for the local bakers who were depending on the candy corn as the theme ingredient for the Halloween bake-off. When an elf baker is killed, and his grieving mother asks Mrs. Claus to investigate, it’s hard to say no. How do you turn down a grieving mother?

Carol J. Perry takes readers to Salem, Massachusetts in “A Triple Layer Halloween Murder”. Lee Barrett feels pushed aside at WICH-TV. She feels insulted when she’s asked to cover a story about a cat up a tree, but that cat, Cupcake, turns out to be owned by a well-to-do bakery owner who is missing. Lee’s new talent of scrying, seeing things in glass, gives her a clue about the missing man.

O’Connor, Ireland, and Perry all took the hint about a deadly cupcake, and successfully incorporated it into a story featuring an amateur sleuth. You’ll be eager for treats after reading Halloween Cupcake Murder, but anything with a cupcake could be a trick.

These are some of my favorite kinda of books to read to get in the Halloween spirit.
Great cozy short stories that you do not need to read the previous in the series to enjoy.
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review this book!

This is an anthology of three short stories by well-known cozy writers. In the first, Halloween Cupcake Murder by Carlene O'Connor, we join her in Galway, where the American has made a good life for herself. As the owner of an architectural salvage shop, the ex-interior designer knows what to look for when browsing, and one day comes across a shop with an old man who owns it. He sells her a few items to decorate for Halloween, and also an unusual painting that has a legend attached to it.

Later that day, she sees someone in a cloak and Halloween mask enter his store, and when she returns, the man is dead. While she becomes the main suspect, she knows she needs help to solve the murder. But it doesn't help when she receives a cupcake with a key in it -- from the same bakery that the elderly man had mentioned to her. Now she's involved in a secret group, and doesn't want to be. With Halloween coming up fast, she needs to solve the mystery before her only costume will be a jail jumpsuit...

This is the story that I loved the best. I do love Ms. O'Connor's writing, and I love this series, so perhaps I am biased, but oh, well. The tale is written beautifully, and you are almost pulled into the Irish isle yourself. It is a delightful tale for Halloween, with a bit of suspense thrown in, and a very good ending indeed.

The second story, Mrs. Claus and the Candy Corn Caper by Lis Ireland, has a new bakery opening up directly across from the one everyone goes to. It is run by the owner's former chef, and he has high hopes for it. That is, until his employee is found dead with a candy corn cupcake near him. Mrs. Claus wonders who wanted to kill the elf, since he seemed well-liked by everyone. But someone didn't want him around, and she's determined to figure out who, before the Halloween Festival is ruined.

I have not read anything by this author before, and I will say that she is very talented, also. But I am not really interested all that much in fantasy, to be honest. However, I did enjoy the tale quite a bit. I would have really liked to have seen more interaction between April (Mrs. Claus) and her husband, Nick. It seemed to me that they led two separate lives, as he never asked her what she was doing or even seemed involved. Other than that, the story was cute and would definitely interest those who love this author. The ending was cute as well.

In the third story, A Triple Layer Halloween Murder by Carol J. Perry, one of the town's most respected citizens disappears, along with his cat, leaving his bakery in chaos and his wife heartbroken. Lee Barrett, who works for WICH-TV, finds the cat in her front yard, but no one is with him. Lee has a special talent -- when she looks in a reflective image maker, she can see things that are pertinent to what she needs -- and now she sees a cabin. But what does it have to do with the missing man?

Informing her detective boyfriend, he knows whatever she tells him will matter, but he deals in facts, and can't act on her impressions. With Halloween approaching, will she be able to help find the man before it's too late? Or will something more sinister approach leaving her out in the cold?

I have read Ms. Perry's books upon occasion and enjoyed them. I enjoyed this one as well; so much so that I think I need to re-read her Witch City series. It grows on you, and this short story just adds to that. As a final story, it holds up well, and plays to Halloween nicely. When the ending comes, it is a very good epilogue, and leaves us wanting more.

All in all, the three stories are highly enjoyable and I would definitely recommend this anthology to those who love reading about Halloween, and even those who don't.

I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley but in no way did it influence my review.

Halloween Cupcake Murder
Carlene O’Connor, Liz Ireland, & Carol J. Perry


Halloween Cupcake Murder

Carlene O’Connor is the author of An Irish Village mystery, A Home to Ireland mystery, and A County Kerry mystery series. Research leads me to believe that this short story is from her two-book series A Home to Ireland. I have not read either book.

This is a Halloween-themed short story. Starring Tara Meehan as an American celebrating her first Halloween in Galway, Ireland. After spending more than she intended, after being charmed by the curiosity store owner. Tara is signed up to receive a free cupcake. After taking a walk she decides to check in on the old man before returning to her shop. She finds him dead with a cupcake! I loved the fast pace and descriptiveness. I also enjoyed learning a few new Gaelic words. Even though I have not read the other books I was confident I understood the characters and storyline. Excellent read!

Mrs. Claus & the Candy Corn Caper

Liz Ireland is the author of 18 books, four in the Mrs. Claus mystery series. This is my first experience with both the series and Ms. Ireland. As such I can only say that the next book in the series, Mrs. Claus and the Trouble with Turkeys, will be released on 09/26/23.

Santaland is hosting its second Halloween celebration. The first apparently featured a pumpkin theme. This one was to have featured candy corn. As no one other than April and Nick had ever tasted the candy, a tasting shipment was ordered and stolen upon arrival in Christmastown! Add in a murder and you have the beginnings of the mystery.

As previously stated, I have never read the series and was fairly confused about parts. Therefore, I would not recommend starting with this snippet of time. There are moments even when I didn’t understand how people and events were connected I found the dialogue to be funny and engaging. I liked Ms. Irelands’ writing style, I will look for the first book in the series. If you like Kristen Painter’s Jayne Frost, you may enjoy this series.

A Triple Layer Halloween Murder

This short Halloween-time glimpse into the life of our favorite reporting gazer takes place before ‘Til Death, book 12 in the Witch City series. The series features Lee Barrett, Aunt Ibby, Pete, and last but most important the amazing O’Ryan.

It’s Halloween in Salem Massachusetts. Lee Barrett our favorite reporter’s, cat O’Ryan (Orion) finds a cat hiding in the tree at home. After rescuing the pretty calico, it’s determined to be the missing cat of Pat Duncan, a businessman who went missing the day before. Will Lee and her detective boyfriend find the bakery owner or will they end up burnt like the bakery cakes?!



Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC.

I was excited to read spectacular Halloween stories from three different authors. I think its a great way to introduce a reader to potential new authors and series they may like to read.

Halloween Cupcake Murder
What felt like it was supposed to be the flagship story of this anthology flagged a little instead.
An architectural salvage store was a refreshing change from bakeries and coffee shops, but the introduction to the story and how the store was involved felt like it lacked a little clarity when we jumped straight to a visit to another somewhat similar seeming store.
The plot did have a couple of interesting turns and I would give a full length novel from this author a go, but for me it wasn't jumping off the page.

Mrs Claus and the Candy Corn Caper
This was by far my favourite story in the book.
The way Santaland has been portrayed is magical, the character of Mrs Claus well developed and the plot is fun.

A Triple Layer Halloween Murder
This was the story I struggled with the most. The earnest TV reporter wanting to get the 'big story' but being pushed aside felt overdone and lacked emotional depth.
The plot did have a few little twists, and once again the author had potential.

But overall this anthology (with the exception of Mrs Claus) sadly left me feeling more tricked that treated.

A trio of seasonal cozies
Halloween Cupcake Murder by Carlene O’Connor
Ms. O’Connor’s Halloween tale is set in Galway and is set around the Samhain Festival. She provides an entertaining cozy with the requisite intrigue. Who killed Mr. Sharkey and why? Since the police consider her a person of interest, Tara is determined to find out the who what, and why. Nicely woven tale.
Mrs. Claus and The Candy Corn Caper by Liz Ireland
A Halloween tale set in a North Pole Christmas town.
Ms. Ireland’s tale of the Clauses and their elves celebration of Halloween is a unique take on the Autumn holiday. The murder of an elf brings out plenty of motives and suspects after Ms. Claus investigation, but someone is lying. The story is interesting and has both humor and intrigue. Nicely done.
A Triple Layer Halloween Murder by Carol Perry
Set in Salem Massachusetts, Lee Barrett works foe a television station and her boyfriend Pete is a cop. When their favorite baker turns up missing, her station and Pete want the answers. Although the police are working hard, Tara seems to learn most of the information, even when she’s not looking. Fun read.
All three are great stories individually, but are a triple threat together.
I requested and received a NetGalley arc and recommend to any cozy lover.

Halloween Cupcake Murder was so fun! I loved seeing how each author would incorporate cupcakes into their story. Even though the books were shorter than a typical cozy they packed a seasonal mystery punch!

Halloween Cupcake Murder consists of three short stories populated with the characters from the author's full-length cozies. All three are enjoyable reads with Carol Perry's story being my favorite.

If you're new to these authors, or long time fans you will enjoy this anthology. And it's just the thing to get you in the mood for Halloween.

I received an ARC from the publisher but the opinion expressed is my own.