Halloween Party Murder Released–and a #giveaway

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by Barb–how is tomorrow September 1st?

It’s release day for Halloween Party Murder–the latest holiday novella collection with stories by Leslie Meier, Lee Hollis and me!

(If you follow along on these things and are wondering why Edith/Maddie’s Kensington book, No Grater Crime, was released last Tuesday and Halloween Party Murder was released this Tuesday– I have no idea.)

Here’s the description:

Small town traditions are celebrated throughout Maine during the holiday season. But when it comes to Halloween, some people are more than willing to reap a harvest of murder . . .

HALLOWEEN PARTY MURDER by LESLIE MEIER
Tinker’s Cove newest residents Ty and Heather Moon turn their Victorian home into a haunted house to raise funds for charity. But the Halloween fun turns to horrific fright when Heather overdoses on tainted drugs—and Ty finds himself accused of murder. Digging deep into the story, journalist Lucy Stone uncovers some sinister secrets in the Moons’ past linked to a conspiracy in her hometown . . .
 
DEATH OF A HALLOWEEN PARTY MONSTER by LEE HOLLIS
Everyone attending Island Times Food and Cocktail columnist Hayley Powell’s Halloween bash is dressed as their favorite movie monster from the Bride of Frankenstein and Jaws to Chucky and Pennywise the clown. But when partygoers stumble upon Boris Candy’s bludgeoned costumed corpse, it falls to Hayley to discover who among her guests wanted to stop the man from clowning around permanently . . .
 
SCARED OFF by BARBARA ROSS
Three teenage girls having a sleepover on Halloween night get spooked when high schoolers crash the house for a party. But no one expected to find a crasher like Mrs. Zelisko, the elderly third floor tenant, dead in the backyard—dressed in a sheet like a ghost. With her niece traumatized, Julia Snowden must uncover who among the uninvited guests was responsible for devising such a murderous trick . . .

Giveaway

To celebrate the release, I’m giving one lucky commenter below a complete set of the collections Maine Clambake novellas have appeared in to date.

And, if you want to join the Kensington Mystery and Thriller Launch Party on Facebook at 7:00 PM EDT tonight, August 31, there will be even more chances to win. Thirteen Kensington crime writers will be celebrating, including Maddie Day and Lee Hollis. There will be LOTS of giveaways and some great conversation.

The photo below is my granddaughter, Viola, and me making the pumpkin cookies using the recipe that is included in “Scared Off.” Viola did most of the mixing and all of the decorating. If you’re looking for the recipe, it will appear on the terrific blog Cinnamon and Sugar and a Little Bit of Murder on September 3rd.

I really enjoyed writing “Scared Off” for Halloween Party Murder and I truly hope you enjoy it.

Readers: Have you read any of the Kensington holiday novella collections? Would you like to? Comment below for a chance to win all four holiday novella collections that include a Maine Clambake Mystery story. Yule Log Murder, Haunted House Murder, and Halloween Party Murder will be hardcovers. Eggnog Murder is a trade paperback. Because the box will be heavy and therefore the postage expensive, this giveaway is restricted to U.S. residents only.

Published by Barbara Ross

Barbara Ross is the author of twelve Maine Clambake Mystery novels and six novellas. Her books have been nominated for multiple Agatha Awards for Best Contemporary Novel and have won the Maine Literary Award for Crime Fiction. She lives in Portland, Maine. Readers can visit her website at www.maineclambakemysteries.com

96 Thoughts

  2. I have read 2 of the 4 already and loved them. What’s not to love when 3 of your favorites are in one book!!!! I remember as a girl making pumpkin cookies with my mom. They were so yummy! Thank you for this chance at your giveaway. pgenest57 at aol dot com

  3. So many congratulations, Barb! I have read them all except the new one (which is on order), and your contribution is always the best in the bunch.

    By the way, when I asked, Kensington said they decided to release all the paperbacks a week early this round. The why remains a mystery!

  4. Congratulations on the new novella collection’s release Barbara!

    I haven’t read the Halloween collections, but I have read the Christmas Cocoa Murder collection that featured a Maddie Day story. I have my copy and I gave one as a Christmas present the year it came out as well.

    I’m definitely interested in reading the Halloween collections but I just simply haven’t been able to get around to it thus far.

  5. It is always fun to read books centered around holidays. They help get me in the mood. My fingers are crossed.

  6. Three of my favorite authors in one book! Love it!! I love reading these combo books. I like the short story aspect to them and it ties me over until the new books come out. I also love the purple cover; very eye catching. Congratulations on the new book!

  7. Oh, love love love this announcement!! I have been waiting for some great new Halloween books, and you deliver! I have read Yule Log Murder online (through my library) but a paperback copy would be most lovely 😍! Hooray for Halloween!

  8. I enjoy reading stories set around whatever holiday is being celebrated; consuming stories is so much healthier (and satisfying!) than consuming sweets at Halloween, though a good cookie is never a bad idea!

  9. Love the photo of the both of you. I’ve read a few of Kensington holiday novella collections. I tend to read the stories of the authors I know.

  10. Hi
    I have only read 1 novella and thoroughly enjoyed it. As for the title, unless I keep it written in a book, I will forget.
    Thank you for this opportunity.
    The cookies look fantastic Viola!

  12. I think I have read them all. I’m not normally a shorter-story fan, but the themed ones are always a joy. Looking forward to adding this one to HBR (have been read) list.

  14. I haven’t read them but love cozies that are written around the holidays.

  18. Congratulations, Barbara. I have not read any of the Novellas and yes, I would like to very much. I love reading and reviewing cozy mysteries as well as some other genres. I have always loved reading. I looked forward to the bookmobile coming to my elementary school almost as much as my birthday parties with my friends. Books are magical.

  19. Another Halloween themed mystery by Leslie Meier got me through a particularly cranky part of one of my pregnancies—It may have be the height of a particularly steamy summer, but Barnes and noble was already rushing the season with a display of fall novels . I grabbed a mystery ( Trick or Treat Murder) and for the next couple of days I was able to forget the heat and the fact that I had 800 pounds of baby weight. Instead, I got to follow Lucy Stone as she nimbly jumped around in the cool autumn air while solving murders and making cupcakes. It was perfect reading.
    I haven’t read any of the novellas, but they also sound like a lot of fun!

  20. I have read and enjoyed a couple of the collections. I was reading one at the vet’s office waiting for my cat when another pet parent saw the book & said it was one of her favorites!

  21. CONGRATULATIONS dear Barbara on your latest novella about Julia Snowden and her gang! I have been counting the days, and that day is finally here! Oh joy! Nobody talk to me for the next day or so…until I finish reading! I will certainly be partying online with you tonight! What a treat…life is indeed good! Thank you for sharing your passion for writing such complex and delightfully mysterious stories. Congratulations to Leslie and Lee for their novellas. Have enjoyed every one of them. Happy Halloween in advance!!!

  22. I have read and thoroughly enjoyed Yule Log Murder. Have to admit novellas are a great relaxing interlude! I need them for sure. Love your style!
    Your granddaughter is cute as a button and looks like you!

  23. Those cookies look so yummy! And yeah, how did it get to be September already? Congrats to all of the Wickeds on your recent releases!

  24. No, I have not read any of these books yet. If I am the winner, (and I sincerely want to be!), I promise to faithfully review all of the books on the Goodreads website.

  25. Scared Off was wonderful. Don’t miss this collection!

    (And I’m glad you explained the release day issue. I was wondering about that myself.)

      1. I was trying to be funny, but that doesn’t always come across on the internet.

        (And, obviously, don’t enter me in the giveaway since I’ve already read all four books.)

  28. I am so excited to read the new. I would love the chance to win the set. I would love to add them to my bookshelves. Thank you sk much for your wonderful stories and this chance to win.

  30. I’ve read some Christmas novellas, but not Halloween novellas. I like reading anthologies and getting in the holiday mood.

  31. Congratulations on your new release! Your book sounds like a great read and I love the book cover! I have not read any of them yet. What delicious looking cookies you all baked. Thank you for the chance. Have a great week and stay safe.

  34. Love the clambake ones, would like to read these! Thanks for the opportunity

  35. Congratulations Barbara on the new release. I’m a big fan of these novellas. They are a great way to stay connected to the characters in the stories until a new full-length book is released. I have read two of the books shown and would love to win the set. I’ve been doing so much more reading since the beginning of 2020. After all, it’s safer to stay home with your book friends then to go out.

  36. Super congratulations on your latest release! I am always so amazed by your ability to write both full length novels and novellas! And I love the photos you shared of your family!

  38. Love the Clambake and Jane Darrowfield series. Looking forward to what’s next.
    Your granddaughter is growing so fast, I remember her baby pictures.

  41. Congrats on the new release! No, I have not read any but would love to. Thanks for the chance!

  47. Congratulations on the release of Halloween Party Murder! I’m excited about this book because the earlier I can start Halloween the better! The stories sound wonderful and those cookies look yummy!

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