Dru’s Short Musing:
A note found in a dead person’s hair leads to a wild Halloween that no one saw coming.

This fast-paced and well written drama quickly became a page turner as I could not put this book down. The author did a terrific job in staging this mystery with a bountiful cast of characters, some of whom will become suspects and a multi-plot storyline in a puzzling case involving moving bodies, Halloween antics, bank robbery, and all-around mischief that meshed together to produce a masterfully creative tale that kept me in suspense and intrigue from the first page to its conclusion.

The mystery was nicely executed with flair, and the visually descriptive narrative made it all come alive with its engaging dialogue and small-town atmosphere. There were red herrings that kept me in the game and when I thought I had a handle of who was doing what to whom, the author changed directions that enhanced my reading pleasure. With one strategically placed twist I had a suspect in mind, and I enjoyed watching this play out, especially when said person was revealed to be involved.

Overall, this was an exciting and fun book to read and is one of the best books in this pleasantly appealing series.

Series: A Hometown Mystery, Book 7
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release: October 6, 2026
Format: Print, Digital
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | Gemma Halliday Publishing

Book Synopsis:
From author Rosalie Spielman comes hilarious haunt in a heartwarming hometown…

It’s the spookiest time of year in New Oslo, Idaho, and retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Tessa Treslow is looking forward to spending time with her aunt and their friends as they give away candy at the New Oslo community Trunk-or-Treat event. But first she agrees to accompany local salon owner, Becky Baker, to a funeral home to style the hair of a recently deceased woman—where they are both in for a surprise! There’s a note addressed to Tessa in the decedent’s bouffant do, asking Tessa to solve her murder. But was her death even a murder?

As odd as that is, things get weirder when the woman’s body disappears…and then another body disappears from the funeral home as well! Where did they go? Who would take them? Tessa has barely has time to wonder before she and boyfriend, Nick, stumble upon yet another body—only this one is fresh, wearing a creepy clown mask, and has clearly been murdered. As Tessa realizes she knows the victim, she also realizes Becky’s husband has a connection to all three of the recently deceased. Is it a coincidence or something more sinister? It’s up to Tessa to find out before more any more bodies pop up…or wander off.

Between a trio of “Grim Reapers” haunting the town, a glowing orb floating in the fields, a mysterious skeleton left on Tessa’s front porch, and a pup dressed like a hot dog, Tessa’s hometown Halloween could not be wackier. Will Tessa and her friends find the murderer…before the killer makes clowns out of them all?

FTC Full Disclosure – I received a digital ARC of this book from the author.