I have enjoyed every book in this series and it was perfect for this time of year.
Candy Corn Murder is the 22nd installment of the Lucy Stone Mystery series. Halloween is right around the corner and the Giant Pumpkin Festival is coming to Tinker's Cove. Lucy Stone's husband Bill is entering two events: growing the largest pumpkin, one that he has lovingly named Priscilla and constructing a catapult for the Pumpkin Hurl.
Bill has enlisted the help of Evan "Ev" Wickes to construct the catapult and Lucy isn't too happy to have the man hanging around her house. Ev may be a mechanical genius but his daily hygiene needs some work, not too mention the constant presence of a beer in his hand. When Ev goes missing the morning of the Pumpkin Hurl and turns up dead in the trunk of the target car, Bill becomes the prime suspect.
Country Cousins owner Tom Miller is acting very suspicious. The general store owner appears to be doing everything he can to stop various activities from being included in the Pumpkin Fest. He seems to be behind the cancellation of the Underwater Pumpkin Carving event taking place in Jonah's Pond. The Pond is located next to the main headquarters of Country Cousins and had been gifted to the town by Tom in exchange for a tax credit. Lucy's journalistic nosiness kicks in and she sets out to uncover the truth about the Country Cousins owner and his nephew Buck, and the secrets lurking under the surface of the pond.
Domestic abuse does play a big part in this book. Although none of the current characters are directly involved in any violence, a past history provides the motive for murder.
Having not read a Lucy Stone mystery in quite a while, I was a little nervous that I might be missing a large piece of background. The author does a terrific job providing character synopsis so there was no problem recognizing and relating to the various Stone family members. I enjoyed catching up with the Stone's and will be going back to read some of the earlier installments that I've missed.
I received an Advanced copy of this book through NetGalley via Kensington Publishing. While I was not required to write a review, I am more than happy to provide my honest opinion.
Bill has enlisted the help of Evan "Ev" Wickes to construct the catapult and Lucy isn't too happy to have the man hanging around her house. Ev may be a mechanical genius but his daily hygiene needs some work, not too mention the constant presence of a beer in his hand. When Ev goes missing the morning of the Pumpkin Hurl and turns up dead in the trunk of the target car, Bill becomes the prime suspect.
Country Cousins owner Tom Miller is acting very suspicious. The general store owner appears to be doing everything he can to stop various activities from being included in the Pumpkin Fest. He seems to be behind the cancellation of the Underwater Pumpkin Carving event taking place in Jonah's Pond. The Pond is located next to the main headquarters of Country Cousins and had been gifted to the town by Tom in exchange for a tax credit. Lucy's journalistic nosiness kicks in and she sets out to uncover the truth about the Country Cousins owner and his nephew Buck, and the secrets lurking under the surface of the pond.
Domestic abuse does play a big part in this book. Although none of the current characters are directly involved in any violence, a past history provides the motive for murder.
Having not read a Lucy Stone mystery in quite a while, I was a little nervous that I might be missing a large piece of background. The author does a terrific job providing character synopsis so there was no problem recognizing and relating to the various Stone family members. I enjoyed catching up with the Stone's and will be going back to read some of the earlier installments that I've missed.
I received an Advanced copy of this book through NetGalley via Kensington Publishing. While I was not required to write a review, I am more than happy to provide my honest opinion.
