A Catered Halloween
by Isis Crawford
Published by Kensington Books
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Reviewed by Kathy Perschmann
A Catered Halloween is number five in this fun series featuring sisters Libby and Bernie Simmons, who run a shop and catering service, A Little Taste of Heaven. They are catering the Longely Volunteer Firemen’s Halloween Haunted House, run as a fundraiser by wealthy Mark Kane out of the mansion he had just purchased as a home for his Foundation. He has had experts put in all sorts of eerie holograms and special effects.
Before it is even open to the public, Mark, Libby and Bernie find the severed head of nasty Amethyst Applegate at the foot of some steps, her body on a platform with a pendulum swinging above it.
There is no end to the possible suspects for Amethyst’s murder because she ruined so many people’s lives. The two most likely are cleaning woman Inez and handyman Bob. Both were on site, and the police consider Bob Small the main suspect as he had knowledge of the wire that was used in the murder. But was he framed? Ex-policeman Sean Simmons helps to clear Bob. He is also Libby and Bernie’s father, and is aided by Marvin, Libby’s boyfriend. Complicating the investigation is the history of the mansion. It used to be The Peabody School, where young Bessie Osgood fell out a window and died. Was it an accident, or was Amethyst involved?
The intrepid investigators–Libby, Bernie, Marvin, Sean and friends–find Bessie’s diary buried under a tree on the grounds, and learn the truth behind her miserable life at the school, and about her death. While working at the mansion all alone, Libby feels that she is targeted by Bessie’s ghost, asking for help.
This pleasantly shivery culinary cozy mystery will keep you intrigued as the motives of various suspects are investigated and the sisters squabble. The book includes recipes as well.
Armchair Interviews says: Good characters and good mystery are combine for a very fun read.