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Pumpkin Hollow Mystery #3
Chocolate Covered Murder
I love living in a town that celebrates Halloween all year long. And I would do anything to keep my small town from being destroyed by a rumor of an old curse that haunts the place. Rumors fly about an old witch placing a curse on the town of Pumpkin Hollow when a dead man is found in the haunted house. But Mia knows the rumors of a curse are untrue. She needs to find out who killed local businessman Greg Richardson and why he was left in the haunted house before the Halloween season is ruined.Mia and Officer Ethan Banks are on the case to solve the murder, and they’ll do everything they can to find the killer. Mia befriends a stray black cat, and the romance between Mia and Ethan is heating up.Welcome to the warmth and charm of Pumpkin Hollow, where you'll find a family-owned candy store, loveable characters, and a dead body or two. Pumpkin Hollow Mysteries are clean cozy mysteries without paranormal elements.
164 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 8, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
September 22, 2022
There’s been another murder in Pumpkin Hollow, the town that celebrates Halloween all year. Mia, whose mother runs the candy shop, is worried it’s going to start driving tourists away. This third book in the series was cute and had lots of scenes in a haunted house. I like this Halloween themed cozy series because the mysteries are short and sweet! And the candy store always has delicious fudge descriptions!
September 29, 2019
3 stars for a cute and cozy Halloween mystery that was a buddy read with Sarah, which we picked to ring in the fall season. Within the first few pages of CHOCOLATE COVERED MURDER, a body is found stabbed in the local haunted house attraction and Mia and Ethan--our main sleuths and heroes-- work as a team to find the culprit. Meanwhile, readers watch Mia and Ethan's romance flourish and spend some fun time in the candy shop owned by Mia's mother (and might find that they have a hankering for some pumpkin fudge before its all said and done).
If there was anything lacking for me, it was in the characterization of Mia and Ethan. Neither of them had any traits that created particularly memorable characters, and in turn, I'm not necessarily compelled to spend more time with them in the series. But, really, I don't have too much to complain about--I was entertained and allowed a few moments of escapism while being handed a neatly-packaged resolution, and that's all I really ask of a cozy.
If there was anything lacking for me, it was in the characterization of Mia and Ethan. Neither of them had any traits that created particularly memorable characters, and in turn, I'm not necessarily compelled to spend more time with them in the series. But, really, I don't have too much to complain about--I was entertained and allowed a few moments of escapism while being handed a neatly-packaged resolution, and that's all I really ask of a cozy.
September 22, 2018
Didn’t quite make the three star status with me.
“Do you see that Mia? We won! There’s no curse on Pumpkin Hollow.” said THE POLICE DETECTIVE.
“We did!” I said “We really did it, didn’t we?
Brilliant deduction.
“Do you see that Mia? We won! There’s no curse on Pumpkin Hollow.” said THE POLICE DETECTIVE.
“We did!” I said “We really did it, didn’t we?
Brilliant deduction.
September 27, 2024
I'm starting to think Mia is brain-dead. Why would she go to the house of the murderer and confront them? After almost being killed by the last two murderers, you would think she would start learning her lesson. Right?
August 21, 2018
Boo!
A year in actual time for less than a few weeks in book time is a bit confusing. This is the third book, and it's been less than two months total. Not a bad read though nothing special either.
A year in actual time for less than a few weeks in book time is a bit confusing. This is the third book, and it's been less than two months total. Not a bad read though nothing special either.
September 29, 2021
I enjoy reading this series, fun quick read. A treat!
October 24, 2021
Mia Jordan returned home after college when she couldn't settle on what she wanted to do with her life. Now she's living at home and once again working in her family's candy shop. But since she's been back, there have been a couple of murders which she helped solve, and she's just starting a romance with Officer Ethan Banks, so she has that to look forward to.
She lives in Pumpkin Hollow, California, which celebrates Halloween all year round. While there are some citizens who want it to end, the majority of those living there are happy with it, since they get a lot of business from tourists who travel there.
But once again murder rears its ugly head when local businessman Greg Richardson is found dead in the haunted house, stabbed with a spear from one of the exhibits. With no actual suspects but plenty of rumors as to might have wanted him out of the way, Mia and Ethan set forth to find another killer -- and hope this won't hurt the town's tourism, or the killer won't strike again...
This is the third book in the series and I am reading them because I am "reading the season" as it were. So far, this is the weakest link. The murders are occurring a couple of weeks from each other, so it seems that every citizen in the town is either going to become a victim or a killer. Space them out! It will make the series more interesting.
Also, I get that Mia and Ethan are becoming close, but in this book she's one step away from being a stalker. You will have to read the book to understand what I am talking about, but if I were Ethan, I'd be worrying about it.
Also, police officers DO NOT allow citizens to "tag along" when they're interviewing suspects or witnesses, or investigating murder scenes. This should have been stopped in the first book, but it wasn't. Now she goes everywhere with him, and it's beginning to look like she's an officer, too. Mia needs to go to the academy if she keeps this up. Just sayin'
At any rate, this was an easy read and I liked the addition of the cat, but to keep it safe it should be made an indoor cat only. The story line was interesting and the writing was fine, and I am glad that another issue was finally resolved. When the killer was discovered it wasn't that much of a surprise to me, but I do read a lot of these, so there's that. All in all, it was a quick read that can be read in a couple of hours, and I will probably read the next in the series.
She lives in Pumpkin Hollow, California, which celebrates Halloween all year round. While there are some citizens who want it to end, the majority of those living there are happy with it, since they get a lot of business from tourists who travel there.
But once again murder rears its ugly head when local businessman Greg Richardson is found dead in the haunted house, stabbed with a spear from one of the exhibits. With no actual suspects but plenty of rumors as to might have wanted him out of the way, Mia and Ethan set forth to find another killer -- and hope this won't hurt the town's tourism, or the killer won't strike again...
This is the third book in the series and I am reading them because I am "reading the season" as it were. So far, this is the weakest link. The murders are occurring a couple of weeks from each other, so it seems that every citizen in the town is either going to become a victim or a killer. Space them out! It will make the series more interesting.
Also, I get that Mia and Ethan are becoming close, but in this book she's one step away from being a stalker. You will have to read the book to understand what I am talking about, but if I were Ethan, I'd be worrying about it.
Also, police officers DO NOT allow citizens to "tag along" when they're interviewing suspects or witnesses, or investigating murder scenes. This should have been stopped in the first book, but it wasn't. Now she goes everywhere with him, and it's beginning to look like she's an officer, too. Mia needs to go to the academy if she keeps this up. Just sayin'
At any rate, this was an easy read and I liked the addition of the cat, but to keep it safe it should be made an indoor cat only. The story line was interesting and the writing was fine, and I am glad that another issue was finally resolved. When the killer was discovered it wasn't that much of a surprise to me, but I do read a lot of these, so there's that. All in all, it was a quick read that can be read in a couple of hours, and I will probably read the next in the series.
October 19, 2020
Chocolate Covered Murder is sure to get you in the Halloween/Fall spirit! It was cute, cozy, and mysterious - packed with all the things I love about Fall. The story, setting, and characters just work together to put you in a cozy Autumn mood! Set in the charming town of Pumpkin Hollow where Halloween is celebrated from Labor Day through November. This book picks up a few weeks after the murder of the town mayor. Mia and Ethan show up to the town’s Haunted House, an old Victorian home converted into a haunted attraction, on the morning that a local businessman is discovered murdered there. In between making Halloween candy at Pumpkin Hollow Candy Shop (which makes me want to try some pumpkin fudge by the way) owned by her parents, Mia is also searching for clues once again in hopes of helping her boyfriend, a town cop, catch the killer and save the Halloween season. There are a few Pumpkin Hollow residents whose behavior is suspect, creating that edge of your seat feeling in this cozy mystery! I did not expect the killer when it was revealed until maybe a few sentences just before it was confirmed. I loved revisiting Mia's family and friends, great characters, including the eccentric townspeople. Mia gets her own place across from Ethan and a stray black cat becomes her new pet and she names him Boo. I am looking forward to reading more!
October 31, 2022
When a murder at the haunted house closed it, Mia was worried the town had nothing else as an attraction while it was closed, so she sleuthed with Ethan to try and get it open again faster. Any number of people could've wanted the guy dead, but eventually I picked up on a good clue and figured out whodunit.
Mia had a tense showdown with the killer but used her head as always and got the upper hand on them. The town got an unexpected good surprise in news about some old bylaws governing the Halloween season, basically no one could touch it without bunches of red tape. Hopefully the Halloween grinches would just slink away this time. This book saw a new shop employee Mia's mom hired and Mia got herself a rental house--across from her favorite policeman! Yep, she's come a long way since the first book! I'm eager to borrow the 4th book now from KU.
Mia had a tense showdown with the killer but used her head as always and got the upper hand on them. The town got an unexpected good surprise in news about some old bylaws governing the Halloween season, basically no one could touch it without bunches of red tape. Hopefully the Halloween grinches would just slink away this time. This book saw a new shop employee Mia's mom hired and Mia got herself a rental house--across from her favorite policeman! Yep, she's come a long way since the first book! I'm eager to borrow the 4th book now from KU.
August 10, 2018
The secrets held by the haunted house
A solid read. Not terrific, a bit lacklustre. She is still adapting to life back home. However her crush on one of the police officiers/detectives is reciprocated. So when he gets a call to any incident at the local haunted house, she asks to tag along. Only to fins one of the owners dead. In the caveman scene and by a spear to the heart. Who wanted the man dead? Okay he wasn't the best businessman but killing someone? The more the couple find out the wider the field seems to get. Also with the pressure to end the Halloween festivities they want to wrap up the case quickly. Can they do so? A decent plot but just seemed lacking a spark.
A solid read. Not terrific, a bit lacklustre. She is still adapting to life back home. However her crush on one of the police officiers/detectives is reciprocated. So when he gets a call to any incident at the local haunted house, she asks to tag along. Only to fins one of the owners dead. In the caveman scene and by a spear to the heart. Who wanted the man dead? Okay he wasn't the best businessman but killing someone? The more the couple find out the wider the field seems to get. Also with the pressure to end the Halloween festivities they want to wrap up the case quickly. Can they do so? A decent plot but just seemed lacking a spark.
April 21, 2019
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
October 9, 2020
Crazy good!!!!
I couldn't put this book down.
Whodunit, and why?
Mia and Ethan had a puzzle on their hands, when a not well liked guy got killed by a caveman.
Parts are not true because now you have to read the book to get the story and the details of how many people they had to look at. The Haunted Mansion had alot of problems, and some of the employees.
Mia had some good things happen.
Ethan got an extended job also.
You will like this book.
I really enjoyed reading this book, now on to the next one.
I couldn't put this book down.
Whodunit, and why?
Mia and Ethan had a puzzle on their hands, when a not well liked guy got killed by a caveman.
Parts are not true because now you have to read the book to get the story and the details of how many people they had to look at. The Haunted Mansion had alot of problems, and some of the employees.
Mia had some good things happen.
Ethan got an extended job also.
You will like this book.
I really enjoyed reading this book, now on to the next one.
July 14, 2019
So the first 3 books occur in the same season. In this one season we have 3 separate murders by 3 separate killers who all end up threatening Mia the protagonist with a gun. A little much for one Halloween season. I still love the characters but the believability was waning in book 2 so by now. Yikes. I am going to continue the series but it would be nice if the timelines could extend between trying to kill the main character. Otherwise she should probably move...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 1, 2022
Disappointingly banal
Mia is still bland, but likable enough in spite of a noticeable lack of maturity. The only drive she displays concerns wrangling herself a boyfriend; even her sleuthing efforts are half-hearted. The mystery is sparse on clues that encourage reader participation in finding a solution, and the means and motive are ridiculous. It's a pity that this series' potential is still unmet; I'll try Book 4 before I give up on this series.
Mia is still bland, but likable enough in spite of a noticeable lack of maturity. The only drive she displays concerns wrangling herself a boyfriend; even her sleuthing efforts are half-hearted. The mystery is sparse on clues that encourage reader participation in finding a solution, and the means and motive are ridiculous. It's a pity that this series' potential is still unmet; I'll try Book 4 before I give up on this series.
September 29, 2024
This was a nice quick and easy read. Even though the mystery took place at a haunted house, this felt less Halloween than the other two books in the series, not that it was a bad thing, but I just wanted a little more. Nonetheless it was still good. The mystery was solid. I’m getting more invested into the town and characters. I loved the fact that there’s finally a black cat on the scene named Boo. He’s so cute.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 1, 2019
I love reading about this holiday and Mia is a likeable person. The series is very enjoyable. But in this book I found myself hoping Ethan would tell her to get lost. She was just a tad bit of a stalker asking to ride with him all the time when she knew she shouldn't! And the last straw was moving in across the street... Run, Ethan, run! I plan to continue reading all of the books in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 12, 2018
Chocolate Covered Murder
You never know what will happen to Mia at the end of the book. However, one thing is for sure, she always gets herself out of a sticky situation. I cannot wait to see what will happen between her and Ethan.
You never know what will happen to Mia at the end of the book. However, one thing is for sure, she always gets herself out of a sticky situation. I cannot wait to see what will happen between her and Ethan.
August 30, 2021
Fun Mystery!
If you have a sweet tooth, thank s might not be the series for you. Thus book has familiar friends and brand new ones, too. The mystery is an ingenious one that kept me guessing. Satisfying conclusion. BRAVO!
If you have a sweet tooth, thank s might not be the series for you. Thus book has familiar friends and brand new ones, too. The mystery is an ingenious one that kept me guessing. Satisfying conclusion. BRAVO!
September 1, 2022
I am never disappointed by these light little cozy mysteries. In fact, I'm often far more disappointed when I read other "themed" cozies and realize that I would have rather just continued with the series offered by this author.
September 5, 2020
Loved it!
October 9, 2020
Halloween mystery
It's a perfect time to read these cozies! They take place in a town that celebrates all that is Halloween. Unfortunately, people keep turning up dead.
It's a perfect time to read these cozies! They take place in a town that celebrates all that is Halloween. Unfortunately, people keep turning up dead.
October 17, 2020
IT WAS AWSOME.....THANK YOU
November 1, 2020
Great book
I never guessed the killer. Pumpkin hollow has had another murder and Mia gets involved and some how figures out who the murderer is. Can’t wait for the next book
I never guessed the killer. Pumpkin hollow has had another murder and Mia gets involved and some how figures out who the murderer is. Can’t wait for the next book
October 2, 2021
I liked this but it is so Nice it is boring!!
March 27, 2022
I like this series as they are quick reads and I love the Halloween feel to them.
October 24, 2022
Good little autumn Halloween mystery.
November 6, 2023
The slow burn romance is quite awkward. The conversations involve nothing other than the case at hand and the mc's website. And it is weird that the mc inserts herself in the investigations.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews