This was the 4th installment in the Beacon Bakeshop mysteries series, and my first foray into the series. It's set right at Halloween, and seemed to be the perfect fit for my Summerween reading plans!

Lindsey, owner of the Beacon Bakeshop, set in a historic lighthouse in Michigan, finds herself with her hands full. From baking treats for Halloween, stopping pranksters at her lighthouse home, greedy treasure-hunters on the prowl, and dealing with ghost hunters intent on proving the lighthouse is haunted, a murder is just about the last thing she needs. However, murder comes calling, and Lindsey finds herself battling wits with a killer intent on proving just how they will stop at nothing to get what they really want.

This was an OK cozy mystery...I enjoyed the aspects of lore about the lighthouse and bits of information about Michigan. Being a native Michigander, that was a highlight for me. However, I did find the constant use of terms of endearment to be off-putting. It felt like every other sentence contained either "hun, honey, sweetie, darling, and babe," not to mention the nicknames of Linds and Ken (for Kennedy), Lindsey's best friend. There were also several instances that the author felt the need to make age jokes, which totally fell flat. And just as aside to everyone...contrary to what is written in the book NOT everyone in Michigan has a gun in their bedroom. Sheesh.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Cozies for an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for a fair and honest review!

I enjoyed another visit to the Beacon Bakeshop. All of our regulars are present and it's Halloween. What could go wrong in a haunted lighthouse at Halloween? While Lindsey loves fall and all it's wonderful baking and coffee options, I am craving a pumpkin scone, she is not so excited about people adding scary items to her outside decorations, someone hanging bodies from the oak tree out her windows, and Kennedy inviting Ghost Hunters for a live ghost hunt on Halloween. When the live broadcast blows up and a dead body is found you know Lindsey and company are going to try to make things right!

Murder At The Pumpkin.Pageant is definitely a Halloween mystery with pumpkins, costumes, pranks, food, and murder. The characters are likable and the mystery kept me guessing. Lindsey Bakewell owns a haunted lighthouse and bakery. Her boyfriend Rory and her best friend Kennedy help her find clues and.solve the.mystery. People in town are hanging scary stuff from Lindsey's tree and she wants to put a stop to it. On top of that Kennedy has invited a group of Ghost Hunters to investigate the lighthouse ghost and Kennedy will do her podcast live. Unfortunately things take a terrifying turn and Kennedy runs into a dead body hanging from Lindsey's tree. That part is a bit un-cozy and is mentioned a lot! Other than that it is a good book. There are basically only 4 suspects and of course they.move up and down Lindsay's suspect list as clues and secrets are revealed. I have read all the books in this series and I have enjoyed the other three more than this one. #MurderAtThePumpkinPageant #NetGalley. #BeaconBakeshop. #KensingtonCozies

Murder at the Pumpkin Pageant by Darci Hannah is a cute Halloween themed cozy mystery. We return to Beacon Harbor, Michigan where Lindsey works and lives with her Newfoundland, Wellington. It is October and the town is decked out for Halloween (my favorite holiday). Lindsey has been experiencing trouble with pranksters this year. It seems they want to add a touch of spookiness to the lighthouse décor. In addition, Lindsey has ghost hunters wanting to shoot an episode inside her haunted lighthouse thanks to her friend and podcaster, Kennedy. I like the diverse cast of characters that the author has created for this series. Beacon Harbor is a charming, welcoming town. I would love to live there (I would want to own the lighthouse, but I would turn it into a bookstore). The pastries sound delectable as well as the food Lindsey prepares. The mystery was fun to solve. Lindsey is upset when a teacher she recently met is murdered and left hanging in a tree outside the lighthouse. Lindsey is not about to let the culprit get away with the crime. She asks questions and searches for clues. There are red herrings to misdirect readers from the true culprit. The mystery can be solved if you pay attention to the clues. Wellington turns out to be a big help. I just love Wellington despite his drool. He is a big, lovable dog. Murder at the Pumpkin Pageant is the fourth A Beacon Bakeshop Mystery. It can be read as a standalone for those new to the series. However, reading the series in order will allow you to get to know the characters. I like the banter between Lindsey and her group of friends. You can tell that they are close and know each other well. I enjoyed the spooky atmosphere in this tale. Murder at the Pumpkin Pageant is a book that will put you in the mood for Halloween (has me wanting to dig out my Halloween decorations). Murder at the Pumpkin Pageant is a spooky story with perturbing pranks, a drooling dog, murdered educator, ghost hunters, tasty pastries, firm friends, and a wild ride.

Murder at the Pumpkin Pageant is the fourth mystery in the Beacon Bakeshop series. Lindsey, owner of the Beacon Bakeshop housed in an old lighthouse, has a tendency to stumble into murder investigations. When it happens yet again, Lindsey, with her friends, Kennedy and Rory, searches for clues until she can piece together the mystery.

I have loved this series from the beginning and this latest book was no different. I love the characters in the series and the haunted lighthouse setting. This mystery was set during Halloween and that added so much to it for me since I am a big fan of Halloween themed cozy mysteries. The mysteries in this series are engaging and have you guessing until the very end. I can’t wait to see what is next for Lindsey and the gang!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book!

Murder at the Pumpkin Pageant is the 4th book in the Beacon Bakeshop series by Darci Hannah and is easily read as a standalone if you're like me and haven't read any of the previous books.

The main character, Lindsey, runs a bakery out of her converted lighthouse which is also rumoured to be haunted. When ghost hunters find the body of a local woman in Lindsey's backyard while livestreaming a video podcast on Halloween night, Lindsey feels compelled to assist in investigating the murder. Not only is there a murder to solve, but the murder seems to be tied to sunken treasure, and Lindsey and her friend Kennedy are determined to find out if the rumors about the treasure are true and how it ties to the murder.

Murder at the Pumpkin Pageant has the usual small town setting with lots of fun characters not least of whom is the ghost of Captain Willy, a former lighthouse keeper who tends to show up in the nick of time on several occasions. The characters were all interesting, with several who appeared to be suspicious, so the story kept me guessing who the culprit was and what their motive may have been.

This was a fun read, and being set in the fall and in a bakery, had mentions of all the fall pumpkin treats that you can imagine. There are even recipes at the end of the book, including one for easy Pumpkin Spice Latte. (I want to try the Pumpkin Scones with Maple Glaze, personally.)

I enjoyed reading Murder at the Pumpkin Pageant, and recommend it, especially if you curl up with a Pumpkin Pie Martini (another recipe from the book), while you read. I'll probably go back and check out earlier books in this series.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the advanced copy of this book to review. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Lindsey owns a bakery in the lighthouse. It's almost Halloween and the bakery is filled with the smells of pumpkin. Her best friend Kennedy signs the lighthouse up to be investigated by the Ghostbusters guys for ghosts, a cable show. Kennedy decides to do a live video podcast showing behind the scenes of the show. They definitely get more by finding a dead body.

I really enjoyed this book. I'm liking getting to know the characters better. I'm definitely craving pumpkin muffins now. The mystery kepte intrigued and I liked following the clues with Lindsey. I can't wait to see what happens next.

I LOVE this series!!! This book is like a warm hug froma familiar friend...from the first line, I felt like I was home again. Darci has an unbelievable way of entertaining, comforting, and exciting me all at the same time. It's such a cliche, but I couldn't stop reading! This series is the PERFECT blend of mystery, comfort, charm, romance, happiness, and hilarity. I look forward to each installment, and this one met every expectation. My only fripe is that it's finished and I have to wait for the next book!!

Murder at the Pumpkin Pageant by Darci Hannah is the fourth installment in the Beacon Bakeshop Mysteries, and another fantastic read, plus it takes place during Halloween… the most wonderful time of the year!

How can you go wrong with a haunted lighthouse turned into a bakery, Halloween, ghost hunters, a costume parade, and tons of mouth watering food descriptions throughout the book, along with lots of great recipes at the end.

I want to live in this imaginary town and become friends with Lindsey and her group… that’s one of the reasons I keep returning to the series because Hannah writes such wonderful and diverse characters.
Another reason is her descriptions of the town and all the food. I’m always inspired to bake something new after reading one of her books.

I read many cozy mystery series, but there are maybe a dozen that I actively seek out to find when the next book is coming out, and the Beacon Bakeshop Mysteries is one of them…. So if you can’t guess, I highly recommend this book and series.

This is a fun cozy series that never disappoints. This is the fourth in series and a fun Halloween theme addtion to the series. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinion is my own.

Lindsey is enjoying life with her boyfriend Rory and finding success with her bakeshop in small town Michigan. Halloween is approaching when someone is doing pranks near her shop and lighthouse. Lindsey arranages for a friend to spend the night at the lighthouse on Halloween and a corpse is found hanging from a tree. Darci is determined to save herself and her business by investigating on her own with the help of her friends.

I enjoyed the Halloween theme of this book which was spooky and fun. The sleuth was well crafted to conclusion and the returning townspeople all add to the series. I look forward to the next in series.

I love this series! I’ve read these all and was super excited to receive an ARC from NetGalley! Thanks to them as well as Kensington Books for the opportunity to read this for an exchange for a honest review.

Lindsey Bakewell is at it again. Baking scrumptious Fall treats (yes, lots of pumpkin!), living in her haunted lighthouse that she remodeled into a bakery in Beacon Harbor, Michigan and solving murders that seem to hit to close to home. Wonderful characters, as always, such as Kennedy (her best friend), Rory, (her boyfriend), Wellington, (loyal dog) and many others.

Holiday cozy mysteries are the best for me and Darci Hannah did this with perfection!

I just finished reading "Murder at the Pumpkin Pageant" by Darci Hannah, and it was an absolute treat! Set in the charming town of Beacon Harbor, Michigan, this book is the latest installment in the delightful Beacon Bakeshop Mystery series. With a baker heroine named Lindsey and her lovable Newfoundland dog, Wellington, living in a haunted lighthouse, you know you're in for a fun and quirky adventure.

The Halloween spirit is in full swing as Lindsey prepares her bakeshop for the season. But when her best friend Kennedy convinces her to host a live ghost hunting investigation in the lighthouse, things take a spooky turn. The discovery of a real corpse dressed as a creepy clown sends Lindsey and her friends into a thrilling murder-solving mission. With plenty of twists and turns, this book had me guessing until the very end.

What I loved most about this book was the fantastic cast of characters. Lindsey is a relatable and resourceful protagonist, and her interactions with her lively friends and the ever-protective Wellington brought a smile to my face. The author skillfully weaves humor, romance, and a dash of mystery throughout the story, creating an engaging and enjoyable read.

If you're a fan of cozy mysteries with a touch of the paranormal, "Murder at the Pumpkin Pageant" is a must-read. Darci Hannah's storytelling is top-notch, and she effortlessly blends mouthwatering descriptions of baked goods with an intriguing whodunit. So grab a cup of tea and a tasty treat, and dive into this delightful Halloween mystery—it's the perfect escape for cozy crime lovers and those who crave a lighthearted adventure.

This is the perfect cozy book to get you into the Halloween/autumn spirit! It was exactly what I needed. I didn’t realise this was technically part of a series (it can easily be read as a standalone) but I will now be looking to read the others!

This book had everything, a murder, ghost hunting, a mystery and some t all takes place around Halloween.

I really loved to imagine how cozy the lighthouse cafe would be, even with a lighthouse keeper ghost keeping it company. I loved to picture all the yummy bakery items too and will definitely be trying some of the recipes. I though the story was really interesting and I was definitely left guessing until the very end!

I highly recommend this book if you love a cozy Murder mystery

The fourth Beacon Bakeshop mystery series finds Lindsey celebrating Halloween in Beacon Harbor. She’s annoyed that teens keep hanging spooky decorations by her house, so she pairs with a teacher at the high school to host a party to try to teach the students about the lighthouse. That goes well, but the next day, on Halloween itself, Lindsey’s friend Kennedy stumbles upon that teacher’s dead body while filming a live podcast. Lindsey and the crew must team up again to solve the murder.

I’m enjoying this series a lot! I like that Lindsey and co don’t pretend they aren’t going to snoop/try to solve the mystery. It allows for the reader to get more investigation and clues! The clues were good and the pacing was on point. Plus there are delicious sounding pumpkin recipes at the back! Can’t wait for the next in this series!

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Lindsey Bakewell, Rory, her boyfriend and Wellington, her Newfoundland dog are back in the fourth Beacon Bakeshop Mystery set in a small town in Michigan.. This one is set at Halloween. Lindsey is having problems with the local high schooler pranking the area around the bakeshop. She enlists the help of a local teacher. Later Kennedy, her friend and podcaster, invites some ghostbusters to spend the night of Halloween at the (haunted) lighthouse with terrifying results.

Darci Hannah continues to impress me with being cozy yet so original with her motives, the suspects and the victim. Her descriptions of small town life are true to life. She has great insight into how small towns work. The descriptions of the baked goods are enough to make you drool constantly. I am looking forward to the next installment of this great series. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the free Advanced Reader’s Copy in exchange for my honest review.

[thank you NetGalley for this Advanced Copy in exchange for my honest review]

Although this is a series, this held up well as a standalone. The characters are likable, theres a murder, theres a deep-dive in to a family’s history, theres plenty of suspects, theres pumpkin spice everything and theres a cozy small town setting.

This was a nice cozy read, but my main issue is the characters just don’t talk to each other like normal human beings talk to one another. All the dialogue is animated and corny, and just not realistic? I think this is unfortunately common for many cozy mysteries, however.

All in all, it was a perfectly fine cozy mystery set in the fall.

I thought the last book was the best so far in the series... NO WAY.... this book is funny, great story telling, great ghost story and great mystery. Def a must read for fans of Ms. Darci and the Beacon Lighthouse - Bakery.

I love how all the characters are perfectly synced. I love how the Capt. is always on duty and protecting Lindsey and lets not forget Kennedy and her quirks and our favorite pooch Wellington.

I can not get enough of these stories. The books are stand alone, but each story is great and will delight all cozie mystery readers.

Murder at the Pumpkin Pageant
(Beacon Bakeshop 4)
Darci Hannah


Darci Hannah is the author of the Beacon Bakeshop and Cherry Hills mystery series along with a Scottish historical series.


It’s Halloween time and Lindsey, a former Wall Street darling, is now the owner of the Beacon Bakeshop out of her historic lighthouse in Michigan. Is busy preparing for her first Beacon Harbor Halloween Bash. Her mom's new business Ellie & Co is also participating by hosting a pageant. It would all be wonderful if only she wasn’t being haunted, not by her lighthouse ghost but by teenagers! They keep waking her by playing horrible pranks on her in the early morning hours.

Betty recommends that Lindsey speak with Leslie Adams, a popular and well-loved teacher. She and Lindsey hatch a plan to educate the students on the lighthouse’s history. Snacks are prepared and pumpkins are purchased for carving. Everything goes wonderful! Ms. Adams and some students stop by to thank Lindsey. While there Leslie tells Lindsey that she needs to speak to her later.

Unfortunately, later never came. Leslie Adams is found murdered during a ghosthunter live stream hosted by Kennedy, Lindseys' best friend!

Who killed Beacon Harbor’s most beloved teacher?!


I loved this book and Ms. Hannah’s writing style so much that I immediately picked up the first three books in the series! I loved everything about this book. The mystery angle was excellent with me miss guessing only to find it was a previous guess! I really, really loved that it kept me thinking and reevaluating the information being given. It was super easy for my newbie self to fall in love with the characters and storyline as I never felt lost or like I was missing some insider joke. The whole book just felt welcoming, like the Newfie on the cover! 5*****

As a bonus, the book also contains 7 recipes. (1 main & side, 4 desserts & 2 drinks)

Beacon Bakeshop
1. Murder at the Beacon Bakeshop
2. Murder at the Christmas Cookie Bake-Off
3. Murder at the Blueberry Festival
4. Murder at the Pumpkin Pageant
5. Murder at the Blarney Bash (01/23/24)





Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC.
#Netgalley #MurderatthePumpkinPageant #BeaconBakeshop #DarciHannah #Halloween #Ghost #Murder #Mystery #Food

I like mysteries that are set during the Halloween season and this one doesn’t disappoint. A haunted lighthouse, baked goods and a mystery that kept me guessing all add up to a fun read.

Beacon Harbor, Michigan, is celebrating Halloween and if you live in an apparently haunted lighthouse it would be rude not to join in! Lindsey Bakewell, the prosaically named owner of the Beacon Bakeshop, has her hands full with all the Fall baking she's doing alongside taking part in the various activities set up around town. Added to that, and against her better judgement, Lindsey has agreed to let best friend, Kennedy Kapoor, stage a ghost hunt live on social media culminating at the top of the lighthouse!

Unfortunately, before Halloween comes to an end a body has been found propelling Lindsey, boyfriend Rory, Kennedy, and the local police force into an investigation where suspects are many while clues are few and far between. What was the victim hiding and who was desperate enough to kill for that information?  Whoever it is they have Lindsey in their sights, can she stay one step ahead or will she have baked her last pumpkin flavoured goodies?

Book four in Darci Hannah's series was my first but once I had worked out who was who I thoroughly enjoyed it. I didn't work out whodunnit in advance as there were a generous amount of red herrings and entertaining main protagonists to keep me occupied. Wellington, the Newfoundland hound, who graces every cover, was also there to make me smile. There are also some scrumpy sounding recipes included at the end of the book which I look forward to sampling very soon.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. I thoroughly enjoyed this and happily recommend it to cosy crime lovers everywhere.