It’s funny, it’s family, it’s a Zak and Zoe Halloween Mystery.As is his tradition, Zak has gone Halloween Crazy, while Zoe is trying to overcome the baby bump blues and harness some enthusiasm for the annual Haunted Hamlet. Things seem to be on track for a Spooktacular good time until Zoe stumbles onto the body of a long time friend in the alley behind Rosie’s just days before the big event. The … event. The death of this popular community member leads to an investigation which reveals a shocking history that Zoe and the gang never suspected and can’t quite explain.
Join Zoe and the gang as they peel back the layers to a mystery with fingers reaching into the past as well as into the future.
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Zoe is at it again and this time she’s pregnant! While out to eat with her friend Ellie she makes a trip to the bathroom at the store next door via the back alley and trips over a blanket wrapped body. Everyone is shocked when they realize its Willa, the local tax woman. With Zac and Salinger not wanting Zoe to investigate in her condition she has to come up with ways to help without putting herself in danger. After going around town talking to people she comes to realize that Willa may have had more enemies than she thought. Will Zoe be able to keep up with her home life, the Zoo, and investigating under the radar? Who killed Willa, was it an angry neighbor, business owner, or a random stranger. Follow along as Zoe tries to flush out the killer while keeping herself out of harms way. As always Kathi Daley does a wonderful job of blending the characters, their everyday lives, and the mystery into one cohesive read. I look forward to Zoe having her baby and continuing to solve mysteries.
Trick or Treason is book 26 in the Zoe Donovan Cozy Mystery series. It never fails. This author always sucks me right in! I enjoy Zoe and the gang’s antics, and this story is definitely one you don’t want to miss!
“Trick or Treason” earns 5/5 Masked Murderers!
Zoe finds dealing with her pregnancy not one with which she has much control: crazy dreams, frustration with her mother-in-law over ‘pink,’ and tears coming at the drop of the hat. But relaxing over a lite dinner with BFF Ellie and putting some things into perspective eases Zoe’s mind and helps her look forward to a quiet Halloween. But, she hoped too soon: Zoe takes a side trip to use the bathroom for the umpteenth time and trips over a body wrapped in a blanket dead from blunt force trauma… Willa Walton had been the town clerk forever, and chaired the events committee, but she was considered strict, maybe even rigid, but to those who looked beyond that she was a warm person. Now she’s dead, and the investigation is having its challenges including weeding through motives that just don’t seem to rise to the level warranting murder. Halloween just can’t catch a break in Ashton Falls…murder always seems to find a way to say, ‘Trick or Treat!’
This Zoe Donovan Mystery series is the one that first introduced me to Kathi Daley and making me a big fan. Over twenty-six stories I have been extremely entertained by clever murder mysteries, occasional change of setting and crossover episodes, and the evolving relationships between Zoe and Zak and their group of friends and family. Kathi Daley’s books define the ‘cozy mystery’ genre with its light treatment of murder and mayhem and its focus on character development, realistic interactions, and clever mixture of intrigue and mystery often with an action-packed ending that puts Zoe in harm’s way to catch the killer. “Trick or Treason” didn’t disappoint. Along with a very clever mystery that challenged my inner “Sherlock” all the way to the end when the last clue was revealed, the pregnancy quirks added a layer of frustration to Zoe’s typical hands-on investigative style. You can’t just go willy-nilly running after suspects in the third trimester! And again playing out in the background and adding entertaining elements of realism are the issues with being surrogate parents to thirteen-year-olds and prepping for the town’s Halloween festivities. And let’s not forget Kathi Daley’s signature fan-submitted recipes, too! Everything makes for an excellent book for your holiday enjoyment…
Kathi Daley wrote yet another fabulous episode in the Zoe Donovan cozy mystery series, filled with all the elements of a cozy mystery including suspense, romance, humor, love, friends and family, and a sense of community.
In this story, Zoe, the owner and operator of a wild and domestic animal control and rehabilitation shelter, is preparing for Ashton Falls’ annual Haunted Hamlet and other Halloween festivities. While having dinner with her best friend, Ellie, at Rosie’s, a popular restaurant, Zoe finds the body of a prominent member of the community, dead in the alley outside the restaurant, from blunt force trauma to the head. A slew of suspects quickly emerge and secrets from the past are revealed. Despite numerous distractions that occupy her time, Zoe is able to work with Zak, Ellie, Levi, Sheriff Salinger, and other friends to uncover the murderer.
This book is filled with the sights and sounds of Halloween. The fall season and fabulous Halloween decorations: with red and orange leaves covering the sidewalk, colorful lights, bells and whistles from the games, and Zak’s fog and sound machine make for a festive and spooky atmosphere. As always, Ms. Daley’s writing flows smoothly, and her setting and relatable characters make for an extremely enjoyable and quick read.
It could only happen to Zoe! While sneaking out the back door of Rosie’s Cafe to find a free bathroom next door, Zoe stumbles over the dead body of Willa Walton, the town clerk. Everyone tells Zoe that she cannot investigate this murder, now that she is pregnant. But will she listen or will she poke around as usual and put her and her unborn baby “Catherine” in danger. As always, this mystery presents the reader with a winding trail of suspects and motives until the final reveal. I love how the characters have matured throughout this series…from Zak and Zoe’s fostering of Alex and Scooter in their education and social developments to baby pros and cons from Ellie to Zoe’s growing relationship with her mother. And let’s not forget Zak’s delightful over-the-top Halloween decorations! Fun read. Disclosure: I am voluntarily reviewing this book.
Trick or Treason is the 26th book in everyone’s favorite Kathi Daley’s Zoe Donovan Cozy Mystery series. I read the first book in this series in 2014 and haven,t missed one since. The first book in this series is titled Halloween Hijinks another book set during the Halloween season. My point being that if you have not read this series, now is a great time to start.
In Trick or Treason the main character Zoe is experience the aches and pains of being pregnant. Her husband and friends are asking her to slow down. She doesn’t see how she can with all the Halloween activities scheduled. So next comes the murder. Zoe finds a body wrapped in a blanket behind Rosie’s restaurant. The victim is a lady Zoe knows well and is a well know although somewhat hard to get along with resident of Ashton Falls. Zoe feels she has to “research” the murder. He husband Zac promises to help her. I did not guess the murderer at all in the book.
I love this series and it continues strong for 26 books. May there be 26 more! Start with book 1 and read them all. But read this one for sure! A super talented author continues to entertain us…
Trick or Treason is the 26th book in Kathi Daley’s delightful Zoe Donovan Cozy Mystery series. Halloween is Zak and Zoe’s favorite holiday and the Haunted Hamlet has become one of Ashton Falls most treasured events. To add to the excitement Zak is decorating to the extreme, Zoe is dealing with third trimester pregnancy blues, Scooter has a major soccer game, Alex is attending her first dance, Ellie and Levi are settling in with their 6-month-old son, Eli and Zoe stumbles over a dead body! In a superbly crafted, tightly woven plot, 4 murders emerge and Zoe knows they must be connected. The plot has a theoretical wild ride across the country as the sleuths seek to piece the twisted puzzle together. The characters are well developed. When blended with the plot there is a strong sense of family, friends, community, hope and just the right amount of sweet romance. Kathi Daley has delivered everything a cozy mystery reader hopes for in exceptional book including an unexpected ending and delicious recipes! This is one Halloween themed cozy you don’t want to miss! I’m excited to read what happens as Zak and Zoe prepare for Christmas and their baby’s arrival. Coming December 15th, Reindeer Roundup!!
Disclaimer: I received a Kindle copy for review. The opinions expressed here are strictly my own.