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smorrison4's review
4.0
This was a fun collection of short stories.
I loved Halloween Cupcake Murder by Carlene O'Connor and I am glad I read this story, I think I would have been really confused when the next book in the Home to Ireland series is released.
I have only read one other story in the Mrs. Claus series by Liz Ireland and this one was a short story about candy corn, blech, also known as the worst Halloween candy. The elves were very creative when trying to replace the stolen candy corn, I think I would have enjoyed some of their creations.
I like that A Triple Layer Halloween Murder by Carol J. Perry takes place in Salem, it was the perfect backdrop for a Halloween story.
katherinehiggins's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
hollyinthehumanities's review
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
colleend's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
shannonsreading's review
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
clubben's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
0.25
Not well written. Plot is nonsensical.
the_sassy_bookworm's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Book Review: Halloween Cupcake Murder by Carlene O'Connor (Author), Liz Ireland (Author), Carol J. Perry (Author) 📚🎃
HALLOWEEN CUPCAKE MURDER by CARLENE O'CONNOR – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Stars
🇮🇪 In Galway, Tara Meehan prepares for the Halloween Mystery Tour. But when a stranger brings a cryptic cupcake and ominous message to her shop, Tara is plunged into a deadly mystery with ancient Gaelic roots.
👻 Review: Halloween Cupcake Murder by Carlene O'Connor is an entertaining Halloween-themed cozy mystery that stands out as my favorite among the three stories in this book. The writing is engaging, the pacing is fast, and the characters are likable. The Halloween theme is all throughout the narrative, creating a spooky atmosphere that perfectly complements the well-crafted plot. The mystery keeps readers guessing until the end. With its likable characters and storyline, Halloween Cupcake Murder is a must-read for mystery enthusiasts craving a delightful and suspenseful Halloween mystery.
MRS. CLAUS AND THE CANDY CORN CAPER by LIZ IRELAND – ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Stars
✨🎅 Christmastown's Halloween carnival takes a bitter turn when rivalries among the elves escalate. Tragedy strikes at the new bakery, leaving only a cupcake and a puddle of water as a clue. Mrs. Claus takes on the task of unmasking the killer, leading readers on a suspenseful journey.
🎄 Review: Liz Ireland's "Mrs. Claus and the Candy Corn Caper'' is a super cute and well-written story that combines the magic of Christmas with a Halloween mystery. Set in Christmastown, this enchanting tale follows Mrs. Claus as she unravels a Halloween murderer's plot that threatens their celebrations. Despite its Halloween-themed setting, the Christmas spirit shines throughout, creating a delightful twist. Ireland's writing is engaging, with a well-paced mystery that kept me guessing. The festive setting of Christmastown, with Mr. & Mrs. Claus, elves, and talking snowmen, adds to the charm. "Mrs. Claus and the Candy Corn Caper" is a delightful and enjoyable read that will transport you to a world where holidays collide.
A TRIPLE LAYER HALLOWEEN MURDER by CAROL J. PERRY – ⭐⭐ Stars
🔮 A Triple Layer Halloween Murder by Carol J. Perry is the latest addition to the "Witch City Mysteries" series. Set in Salem, Massachusetts, the story follows Lee Barrett, a reporter for WICH-TV, as she investigates the mysterious disappearance of a bakery owner and his cat during the town's Halloween festivities.
🧙♀️ Review: As an avid fan of the "Witch City Mysteries" series, I had high expectations for A Triple Layer Halloween Murder. However, I found this particular installment to be somewhat underwhelming. One of my main disappointments was the lack of festivity throughout the story. Given that it is advertised as a holiday cozy mystery, I expected a more vibrant and Halloween-centric setting. Unfortunately, there is a noticeable absence of Halloween elements in the narrative, which left me longing for the atmospheric charm that usually characterizes this series.
Moreover, the mystery itself failed to captivate me as much as previous installments. While Carol J. Perry is known for crafting intricate and engaging mysteries, I found this particular plotline to be somewhat lackluster. That said, there is one aspect of A Triple Layer Halloween Murder that deserves brownie points. It is the only story in the book that includes a recipe at the end. This unexpected addition was a pleasant surprise and provided a delightful bonus to an otherwise lackluster reading experience.
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
HALLOWEEN CUPCAKE MURDER by CARLENE O'CONNOR – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Stars
🇮🇪 In Galway, Tara Meehan prepares for the Halloween Mystery Tour. But when a stranger brings a cryptic cupcake and ominous message to her shop, Tara is plunged into a deadly mystery with ancient Gaelic roots.
👻 Review: Halloween Cupcake Murder by Carlene O'Connor is an entertaining Halloween-themed cozy mystery that stands out as my favorite among the three stories in this book. The writing is engaging, the pacing is fast, and the characters are likable. The Halloween theme is all throughout the narrative, creating a spooky atmosphere that perfectly complements the well-crafted plot. The mystery keeps readers guessing until the end. With its likable characters and storyline, Halloween Cupcake Murder is a must-read for mystery enthusiasts craving a delightful and suspenseful Halloween mystery.
MRS. CLAUS AND THE CANDY CORN CAPER by LIZ IRELAND – ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Stars
✨🎅 Christmastown's Halloween carnival takes a bitter turn when rivalries among the elves escalate. Tragedy strikes at the new bakery, leaving only a cupcake and a puddle of water as a clue. Mrs. Claus takes on the task of unmasking the killer, leading readers on a suspenseful journey.
🎄 Review: Liz Ireland's "Mrs. Claus and the Candy Corn Caper'' is a super cute and well-written story that combines the magic of Christmas with a Halloween mystery. Set in Christmastown, this enchanting tale follows Mrs. Claus as she unravels a Halloween murderer's plot that threatens their celebrations. Despite its Halloween-themed setting, the Christmas spirit shines throughout, creating a delightful twist. Ireland's writing is engaging, with a well-paced mystery that kept me guessing. The festive setting of Christmastown, with Mr. & Mrs. Claus, elves, and talking snowmen, adds to the charm. "Mrs. Claus and the Candy Corn Caper" is a delightful and enjoyable read that will transport you to a world where holidays collide.
A TRIPLE LAYER HALLOWEEN MURDER by CAROL J. PERRY – ⭐⭐ Stars
🔮 A Triple Layer Halloween Murder by Carol J. Perry is the latest addition to the "Witch City Mysteries" series. Set in Salem, Massachusetts, the story follows Lee Barrett, a reporter for WICH-TV, as she investigates the mysterious disappearance of a bakery owner and his cat during the town's Halloween festivities.
🧙♀️ Review: As an avid fan of the "Witch City Mysteries" series, I had high expectations for A Triple Layer Halloween Murder. However, I found this particular installment to be somewhat underwhelming. One of my main disappointments was the lack of festivity throughout the story. Given that it is advertised as a holiday cozy mystery, I expected a more vibrant and Halloween-centric setting. Unfortunately, there is a noticeable absence of Halloween elements in the narrative, which left me longing for the atmospheric charm that usually characterizes this series.
Moreover, the mystery itself failed to captivate me as much as previous installments. While Carol J. Perry is known for crafting intricate and engaging mysteries, I found this particular plotline to be somewhat lackluster. That said, there is one aspect of A Triple Layer Halloween Murder that deserves brownie points. It is the only story in the book that includes a recipe at the end. This unexpected addition was a pleasant surprise and provided a delightful bonus to an otherwise lackluster reading experience.
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
candizluv4books's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
ziahalloween's review
3.0
Halloween Cupcake Murder compiles three separate stories by Carlene O’Connor, Liz Ireland, and Carol J. Perry. I have not read any of the previous books from these three series and was excited to be able to read the Halloween-focused stories in Halloween Cupcake Murder to see if I wanted to read more from these authors and their respective series.
HALLOWEEN CUPCAKE MURDER by CARLENE O'CONNOR- I thought that this story had the most “Halloween vibes” out of the three stories. I liked the MC, Tara, and thought that the short mystery was fun. I will most likely read more from this series. 4.0/5.0 stars.
MRS. CLAUS AND THE CANDY CORN CAPER by LIZ IRELAND- I wanted to like a story on a candy corn caper but this story just was not for me. I couldn’t get into it and I don’t plan to continue reading the books from this series. 1.5/5.0 stars.
A TRIPLE LAYER HALLOWEEN MURDER by CAROL J. PERRY- I really enjoyed the Salem, Massachusetts setting and how the cozy companion was helpful in solving the mystery. I know the format of these short stories differs from a full-length cozy mystery, but the ending still felt a bit rushed. I plan to read more from this series. 4.0/5.0 stars. Overall, I rate the entire compilation 3.0/5.0 stars. Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of Halloween Cupcake Murder by Carlene O’Connor, Liz Ireland, and Carol J. Perry. My comments are an independent, honest review.
HALLOWEEN CUPCAKE MURDER by CARLENE O'CONNOR- I thought that this story had the most “Halloween vibes” out of the three stories. I liked the MC, Tara, and thought that the short mystery was fun. I will most likely read more from this series. 4.0/5.0 stars.
MRS. CLAUS AND THE CANDY CORN CAPER by LIZ IRELAND- I wanted to like a story on a candy corn caper but this story just was not for me. I couldn’t get into it and I don’t plan to continue reading the books from this series. 1.5/5.0 stars.
A TRIPLE LAYER HALLOWEEN MURDER by CAROL J. PERRY- I really enjoyed the Salem, Massachusetts setting and how the cozy companion was helpful in solving the mystery. I know the format of these short stories differs from a full-length cozy mystery, but the ending still felt a bit rushed. I plan to read more from this series. 4.0/5.0 stars. Overall, I rate the entire compilation 3.0/5.0 stars. Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of Halloween Cupcake Murder by Carlene O’Connor, Liz Ireland, and Carol J. Perry. My comments are an independent, honest review.