As the town of Greenwich, Connecticut, counts down to a spooky celebration on October 31st, a horrifying murder leaves Melanie Travis pawing for clues in a hair-raising game of trick-or-treat . . . With just a few days left before Halloween, everyone at Howard Academy is anticipating the guaranteed sugar high they’ll experience from gorging on Harriet Bloom’s famous marshmallow puffs. The … from gorging on Harriet Bloom’s famous marshmallow puffs. The private school’s annual costume party revolves around the headmaster’s assistant and her seemingly supernatural batches of gooey goodies. So, it’s a shock when Harriet’s elderly neighbor is suddenly found dead with the beloved dessert in his hand. In a snap, police start questioning whether Harriet modified her top-secret recipe to include a hefty dose of lethal poison . . .
Melanie knows her tenured colleague would never intentionally serve cyanide-laced puffs to a defenseless old man. But as explosive neighborhood gossip reveals a potential culprit, it also brings her closer to sealing her own doom. Because on an evening ruled by masked revelers, bizarre getups, and hidden identities, Halloween might just be the perfect opportunity for a cold-hearted killer to get away with murder once again—this time sending a nosy, unsuspecting sleuth to an early grave!
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Howloween Murder
Melanie Travis,book #26
Laurien Berenson
5 Stars
Synopsis:
As the town of Greenwich, Connecticut, counts down to a spooky celebration on October 31st, a horrifying murder leaves Melanie Travis pawing for clues in a hair-raising game of trick-or-treat . . .
With just a few days left before Halloween, everyone at Howard Academy is anticipating the guaranteed sugar high they’ll experience from gorging on Harriet Bloom’s famous marshmallow puffs. The private school’s annual costume party revolves around the headmaster’s assistant and her seemingly supernatural batches of gooey goodies. So, it’s a shock when Harriet’s elderly neighbor is suddenly found dead with the beloved dessert in his hand. In a snap, police start questioning whether Harriet modified her top-secret recipe to include a hefty dose of lethal poison . . .
Melanie knows her tenured colleague would never intentionally serve cyanide-laced puffs to a defenseless old man. But as explosive neighborhood gossip reveals a potential culprit, it also brings her closer to sealing her own doom. Because on an evening ruled by masked revelers, bizarre getups, and hidden identities, Halloween might just be the perfect opportunity for a cold-hearted killer to get away with murder once again—this time sending a nosy, unsuspecting sleuth to an early grave! (Goodreads)
Review:
Books written by this author are always good, and this one was no exception. I would not have cared if there was no mystery to solve, I was enjoying spending time with the Travis family.
The characters are well rounded and well developed. Melanie and her family are getting ready for Halloween and all of the fun that goes with it. But until she can completely enjoy the season, she has to find a murderer before a coworker is sent away for life.
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning and took me on a great adventure. The mystery was well plotted and even though I had the killer on my radar, I was not sure I was right.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I cannot wait for the next time I get to spend time with Melania and her family.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Howard Academy is getting ready for their annual Halloween costume party complete with the headmaster’s secretary’s marshmallow puffs. Harriet Bloom has been providing the treats for years and she even shares them with her neighbors. Everyone looks forward to these delightful puffs of marshmallows. But this year the treats appear to be the vehicle used to poison her elderly neighbor, Ralph Penders. So while everyone knows Harriet wouldn’t poison anyone the police have confiscated all the puffs made for the party.
Melanie is worried Harriet may be convicted of a crime she didn’t commit so she agrees to collect the marshmallow puffs from Harriet’s neighbors while trying to find out more about Mr. Penders and who may have wanted him dead. But not everyone is anxious to answer her questions. She may have even put herself on the killer’s radar sealing her own howloween fate.
I do love visiting Melanie, Sam, Davey, Kevin, Aunt Peg, and all their dogs. Faith is truly a special poodle, I love her empathic nature and the way she helps with Melanie’s students. I also love the relationship between Sam and Melanie. They truly are a perfect match and their love just shines in every interaction. Aunt Peg played a smaller role in this story but she does play a huge role for a special family. Almost all the characters Ms. Berenson creates are genuine and true to life. Even the dogs each have their own personalities, strengths, and weaknesses. Of course, she has to create a few people as suspects with questionable traits but she gives them layers to work through to reach their motives. I will say my heart was touched by the elderly victim and his circumstances.
I really enjoyed the Halloween theme as a background to the mystery. While Kevin tries to decide on a Halloween costume and she continues to work with her students Melanie divides her time up to include questioning likely suspects. The author blends it all together with a balanced hand. She drops the clues and inserts twists like the pro she is. I found myself leaning toward a certain character but it sure was fun to follow Melanie along step by step as she honed in on the killer and proved me right.
You really can’t go wrong with any book in this series. All are well-plotted and written. The characters are easy to become invested in too. The author does write each book to be read on its own so you can jump in anywhere. Howloween Murder was a fun and entertaining read perfect for this time of year. It was a howling good time.
Melanie Travis, who works at Howard Academy, is counting the days until Halloween. Not just looking forward to the party at school but also to the very delicious marshmallow treats that Harriet Bloom makes every year. Everyone loves them! The enjoyment of the treats comes to a screeching halt when an elderly neighbor is found dead and it appears the marshmallow treat was the cause. Harriet becomes the number one suspect and Melanie does her own investigating to prove her friend innocent. I loved this book! The characters are great and the story is well written. Also included is the recipe for the marshmallow treats. I’m’ looking forward to reading more books in this series. Highly recommend!
A cute Halloween-themed short story! I always enjoy reading about Melanie, Aunt Peg, and the poodles. Melanie gets involved helping the school office administrator, Harriet, prove that she didn’t kill her neighbor. Interesting characters and a fun bunch of poodles. Melanie’s son Kevin is such a fun kid full of energy and interesting thoughts. I can’t wait to read more of these series and see what’s next!
This is my favorite series. Howloween Murder was another wonderful story. I love the characters. I’m looking forward to the next one.
Howloween Murder by Laurien Berenson is A Melanie Travis Mystery novella. This was a fun tale to read. Melanie Travis and Halloween equals a delightful murder mystery. Melanie Travis is looking forward to Howard Academy’s annual Halloween party where everyone devours Harriet Bloom’s marshmallow puffs. Unfortunately, there will be no sugary treats this year after one of Harriet’s neighbors dies after eating one of the fluffy delights. It seems that someone added a little cyanide to that batch which puts Harriet at the top of the police departments suspect list. Melanie gets an appeal for help from Aunt Peg and Harriet. Melanie ends up visiting each of Harriet’s neighbors to ask questions while retrieving the pans of marshmallow puffs. Howloween Murder can be read on its own for those new to the series (I highly recommend reading all the books). I thought Howloween Murder was well-written with developed characters and a heaping helping of humor. Melanie’s youngest son, Kevin is quite a charmer and enough energy for five kids. He has yet to settle on a Halloween costume which means there will be rushing around at the last minute unless decisive action is taken. Melanie meets Harriet’s neighbors and gets a variety of responses. I enjoyed following the mystery. I had my list of suspects and collected the clues which allowed me to make a guess at the guilty party’s identity. I then waited to see if I was right or way off base. I had a howling good time reading Howloween Murder. There is a recipe for Harriet Bloom’s marshmallow puffs (minus the cyanide). Howloween Murder is a ghostly good time with a costume conundrum, poisoned puffs, nosy neighbors, a poodle problem, and Halloween hi-jinks.
Halloween and homicide – it’s that time of the year again and Melanie Travis has a lot to juggle. First there is talk of a ghost in the Howard Academy attic. In all her years working as a special needs teacher that hadn’t ever come up. Then she is facing a last minute costume crisis because her son hasn’t made up his mind about his costume. Then there is the really big one that lands in her lap. Every year her co-worker, Harriett, makes a marshmallow confection that everyone eagerly awaits. Why should this Halloween be any different? Let’s agree that cyanide isn’t one of her ingredients. Then who added it to one of the delicious treats that was consumed by her elderly neighbor, Ralph Penders? The police are laser focused on poor Harriett as the prime suspect but Melanie knows there is a killer out there and she is asked by Harriett to help her stay out of jail. Best to track down every one of the marshmallow puffs Harriett gave to her neighbors and that’s quite an undertaking. Turns out to be an interesting group of people. Which one might have a motive? I’ll say no more – spoilers, you know, as a no-no.
I have enjoyed every book in this delightful series and this one was no exception. It was the perfect escape and put me in the mood for Halloween and lots of sugary goodies. Hold the poison, please.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Interesting and fun cozy mystery book (and series) featuring intrepid amateur sleuth, Melanie Travis. The characters were engaging and the mystery was intriguing and had me guessing whodunit. Plus…poodles!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor.
I have loved everyone of Laurien Berenson’s books since I started reading them. Her books are entertaining, humorous cozies that you can snuggle up with along with a good cup of tea (and of course your favorite blanket!). Mel always seems to get “her” man or woman and the antics of Kevin and the poodles make it an exceptional read. Enjoy!
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.