Lori C. (dollycas) reviewed A Corpse at the Witching Hour: A Food Blogger Mystery on + 704 more book reviews
Dollycas's Thoughts
Food blogger Hope Early's blog is growing by leaps and bounds and it is time to expand into a new space if she can get past the terrifying thoughts that keep her from committing to the project. She needs a little more time before taking that leap of faith. Her friend Drew has just taken a leap of his own in buying the family homestead, Fenn House. It needs work but he is willing to put in the time especially if Hope is willing to help.
Hope had been looking to spend Halloween with her boyfriend Ethan and his two daughters but the girls will be spending the day with their mom. and Ethan as the chief of police will be working. So when Drew tells her his Aunt Issy isn't feeling well and asks her if she wants to help him hand out candy at her house she really has no reason to say no, except that the house is rumored to be cursed. Legend has it there was a murder-suicide there a century ago and since then every 20 years a woman suspiciously dies there on Halloween. It has been 20 years so while Holly doesn't believe in curses she is a bit nervous about herself and Aunt Issy, the females on the premises for the ghostly event.
It isn't until after all the trick-or-treaters have gone home that Hope makes a shocking discovery. A dead woman on the front lawn. Who is she? Why was she here? Is the house truly cursed? Detective Reid is on the case but Hope believes his theory is flawed so she starts investigating putting both herself and Drew at risk. Will they be able to uncover the killer? Or will one or both be the killer's next victim/s?
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I am so happy that this series has found a new home. Hope is a wonderful protagonist and an admirable amateur sleuth. Her stories were nowhere near complete. Her relationship with Ethan and his girls is evolving now that their mother is out of rehab. Her Hope at Home blog is growing and her pets are adorable even though Princess is a little persnickety, Bigelow is a friendly ball of fur with floppy ears. Her BFF Drew is there for her no matter what and she for him but the friendship had a few bumps in this story. Ms. Sennefelder has created characters that are true to life with realistic ups and downs and a murderer thrown in to shake things up.
The author did a great job of world-building. Hope's home and barn, Fenn House, and Osbon House, as well as every place in between, are all described in detail making it easy to envision each place clearly.
Ms. Sennfelder has crafted a multifaceted mystery with twists, turns, and a big surprise for one of the characters. Hope is on a mission and not even Ethan can keep her from digging into everything past and present in her effort to find the truth. Clues do start to come together but Hope finds herself at the wrong place and the wrong time when she realizes she is in the room with the killer. I will say I had my A-Ha Moment right when she had hers. I really enjoyed the takedown and the moments after. Another mystery is solved as well and that one I had pegged.
The end of the story ties up the lingering loose ends and sets up for some big changes coming in Book 7 A Corpse Among the Carolers. It will be released on November 12, 2024.Â
A Corpse at the Witching Hour is a fast-paced twisty Halloween mystery with captivating characters. I am delighted that this series is continuing. I hope to read many more Food Blogger Mysteries!
Food blogger Hope Early's blog is growing by leaps and bounds and it is time to expand into a new space if she can get past the terrifying thoughts that keep her from committing to the project. She needs a little more time before taking that leap of faith. Her friend Drew has just taken a leap of his own in buying the family homestead, Fenn House. It needs work but he is willing to put in the time especially if Hope is willing to help.
Hope had been looking to spend Halloween with her boyfriend Ethan and his two daughters but the girls will be spending the day with their mom. and Ethan as the chief of police will be working. So when Drew tells her his Aunt Issy isn't feeling well and asks her if she wants to help him hand out candy at her house she really has no reason to say no, except that the house is rumored to be cursed. Legend has it there was a murder-suicide there a century ago and since then every 20 years a woman suspiciously dies there on Halloween. It has been 20 years so while Holly doesn't believe in curses she is a bit nervous about herself and Aunt Issy, the females on the premises for the ghostly event.
It isn't until after all the trick-or-treaters have gone home that Hope makes a shocking discovery. A dead woman on the front lawn. Who is she? Why was she here? Is the house truly cursed? Detective Reid is on the case but Hope believes his theory is flawed so she starts investigating putting both herself and Drew at risk. Will they be able to uncover the killer? Or will one or both be the killer's next victim/s?
______
I am so happy that this series has found a new home. Hope is a wonderful protagonist and an admirable amateur sleuth. Her stories were nowhere near complete. Her relationship with Ethan and his girls is evolving now that their mother is out of rehab. Her Hope at Home blog is growing and her pets are adorable even though Princess is a little persnickety, Bigelow is a friendly ball of fur with floppy ears. Her BFF Drew is there for her no matter what and she for him but the friendship had a few bumps in this story. Ms. Sennefelder has created characters that are true to life with realistic ups and downs and a murderer thrown in to shake things up.
The author did a great job of world-building. Hope's home and barn, Fenn House, and Osbon House, as well as every place in between, are all described in detail making it easy to envision each place clearly.
Ms. Sennfelder has crafted a multifaceted mystery with twists, turns, and a big surprise for one of the characters. Hope is on a mission and not even Ethan can keep her from digging into everything past and present in her effort to find the truth. Clues do start to come together but Hope finds herself at the wrong place and the wrong time when she realizes she is in the room with the killer. I will say I had my A-Ha Moment right when she had hers. I really enjoyed the takedown and the moments after. Another mystery is solved as well and that one I had pegged.
The end of the story ties up the lingering loose ends and sets up for some big changes coming in Book 7 A Corpse Among the Carolers. It will be released on November 12, 2024.Â
A Corpse at the Witching Hour is a fast-paced twisty Halloween mystery with captivating characters. I am delighted that this series is continuing. I hope to read many more Food Blogger Mysteries!
