Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review Murder at the Pumpkin Pageant by Darci Hannah. I have given this book three out of five stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️

If you want cosy, autumnal, murder mystery and pumpkin goodness, then this book just might be for you. I felt like Winnie the Pooh when Autumn arrives in Winnie the Pooh’s Grand Adventure, if you’ve seen it you’ll understand that reference 😄

I’m a lover of murder mystery and this book had a fun story and kept you guessing with who the murderer might be. Following Lindsey Bakewell, the owner of the Beacon Lighthouse bakeshop, we learn that the lighthouse is haunted and becomes a huge hit with ghost hunters. When a live ghost hunting investigation video goes horribly wrong, there’s a lot of secrets to be revealed and a whodunnit scenario to figure out.

The side that let this book down for me were Rory and Kennedy. Rory is Lindsey’s boyfriend and Kennedy is her best friend; I found them really irritating and would like to read the first few books to this series to see whether my perception would be changed about them.

I love when a book can make you ridiculously hungry for all the yummy goods that are mentioned in detail, but even more so having recipes for drinks and baked goods at the end of a book for you to enjoy making is the cherry on top of the cake.

I’d really like to go through this series and read all of these books, so cosy and fun!

I really love this series. It's fun and unique and who wouldn't want to run a bakeshop and live in a lighthouse? I will definitely keep reading this series.

I have mixed feelings on this book. It was more cozy mystery than I typically look for. Overall, good plot and character development.

Okay, I loved this! This was one of the first cozy mysteries I ever read and I flew through it. It was indeed cozy and I loved all of the spooky aspects. I felt that it was well written and outlined. The ghosthunter aspect was fun!

Fantastic Halloween mystery! I loved the characters and the mystery was solid. Great addition to the series.
Many thanks to Kensington and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

WOW, this was a harrowing cozy with some nail biting, page turning, reading-with-the-lights-on parts. Oh and some really good recipes! This time the Beacon Bakeshop owned by Lindsey Bakewell plays host to ghost hunters, high school hijinks, and a macabre murder. On the plus side there are recipes for the wonderful sounding baked goods such as pumpkin scones with maple glaze (YUM). A live airing of a ghost hunter group goes terribly wrong and now the bakeshop crew must put away the treats and use all their best tricks to solve this latest mystery. There are plenty of suspects, a fellow teacher, the high school hooligans, oddly reclusive teenagers, the neighbor, and a treasure hunter. There are also plenty of tasty treats and recipes at the end of the story. This edition of the Beacon Bakeshop Mysteries comes with happy news and some not so happy news but I don’t want to spoil any of it.

Featuring a haunted lighthouse, a ghost hunting live stream that ends with the discovery of a very real body, and lots of pumpkin flavored baked goods, this cozy mystery should have been exactly what I was looking for, but I never got caught up in the fun. Clever plotting made the solution to the murder satisfying, but I'm not entirely sure if I want to read the rest of the series and spend more time with these characters.

Do you like pumpkin flavored food or drink items? What is your favorite? I love pumpkin flavored baked goods such as pumpkin bread.

Lindsey owns a bakeshop in an old lighthouse on the shores of Lake Michigan in the small town of Beacon Harbor, Michigan. The lighthouse is rumored to be haunted and local teens have tried to break in near Halloween to see it for themselves. Lindsey’s best friend Kennedy has arranged for the Ghost Guys to do a livestream podcast as they look for supernatural beings in the lighthouse. Unfortunately, they instead found a dead body on a tree outside still dressed in a costume from the local pumpkin pageant. Who murdered them and why?

I enjoyed this cozy mystery. It is the fourth book in the A Beacon Bakeshop Mystery Series, but the first book that I have read in the series. It worked well as a standalone novel. I enjoyed how the start of the novel set up the scene, introduced the characters, and then after the murder, Lindsey and her friends investigated and started to piece together what was happening. The ending was very good and I had not guessed the murderer. After the novel ended, there many tasty looking pumpkin recipes that I want to try out. I loved the autumnal setting of this book and I really liked it being set in a small town on Lake Michigan. I live in a small town on Lake Michigan, but on the Wisconsin side. I need to read the rest of the books in this series!

Book Source: Review copy from NetGalley and Kensington Books. Thank-you! Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I have loved all of the books I’ve read in the Beacon Bakeshop series. What a delightful setting of a bakery in a lighthouse in Beacon Harbor, Michigan. The characters are well developed and the mystery is always one to pull you in and keep you invested in the story. While you could read this book as a standalone, I would strongly encourage you to read the first three books to get a little background about the primary characters. Lindsey and her boyfriend, Rory, are a delightful couple. And Lindsey’s family add so much to the dynamics. With Halloween right around the corner, it was a perfect time for me to read this book. The delicious recipes at the end of the book has my mouth watering. I can’t wait to visit with the gang at the Beacon Bakeshop! Just make sure Wellington, Lindsey’s Newfoundland hound, is part of the adventures.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Cozies for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC. Full disclosure I have never read a “ cozy mystery” before, and after this not sure I would again. While I loved the setting , fall vibes, pumpkin recipes , and the dog, I couldn’t get though this one.

Lindsey’s lighthouse home is haunted, and some neighbourhood teens have tried to wreak havoc in an effort to have an encounter with the resident ghost. Lindsey decides to allow her best friend to livestream a ghost-hunting investigation where a professional team is brought in.

It ends up not being a case of what is found in the lighthouse, but what is found outside. There looks to be a clown hanging from a tree, but upon closer inspection it’s not a decoration. Lindsey and her crowd will need to work together to find out who the murderer is before the Grim Reaper claims their lives too.

This was a great book to get in the spirit of Halloween. This is the second book I’ve read in the Beacon Bakeshop series, and I can’t wait to read more of them.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for allowing me to read an ARC of this novel. #NetGalley #Murderatthepumpkinpageant

Rory gave the table a coffee-mug salute as he added, “To livestream ghost hunts and unexpected dead bodies. May the two never cross our paths again.”

This is a fun Halloween read. The whole gang returns for Halloween hijinks including ghost hunting, pirate treasure, and of course, murder.

Murder at the Pumpkin Patch. Lindsey is trying to stay baking even though her place is haunted so they say everyone. It's a very Halloween mystery in a different way. Lindsey and Rory are trying their best. They are a bit fun, and the dogs add to the mixture trying to give their part in the story.

Book Review: Murder at the Pumpkin Pageant by Darci Hannah

Rating: 4.5 stars

First off, let me start by saying that I absolutely adored the cover of Murder at the Pumpkin Pageant by Darci Hannah. As a sucker for colorful, cute, and festive cozy mystery book covers, this one did not disappoint. It immediately drew me in and set the tone for an enjoyable reading experience. Now, let's dive into my review of the book itself.

Set in the charming small town of Beacon Harbor, Michigan, Murder at the Pumpkin Pageant is the latest installment in Darci Hannah's delightful Beacon Bakeshop Mystery series. The story revolves around Lindsey, a talented baker who lives in the local lighthouse with her beloved Newfoundland dog, Wellington. While Lindsey prefers to keep the Halloween decorations in her bakeshop light and autumnal, her lighthouse home is infamous for being haunted.

When her influencer and podcaster best friend, Kennedy, convinces her to host a live ghost hunting investigation in the lighthouse, Lindsey reluctantly agrees. Little does she know that this seemingly harmless event will take a terrifying turn. As the team conducts their investigation, they stumble upon a corpse disguised as a creepy clown costume. Now, Lindsey and her friends must keep their cool and solve the murder if they want a ghost of a chance to see another Halloween.

One the that stood out to me about this book was the fantastic writing. Darci Hannah has a way with words that draws you into the story from the first page. The narrative flows smoothly, and the pacing was just right, keeping me engaged and eager to uncover the truth alongside Lindsey.

What impressed me most was that Murder at the Pumpkin Pageant worked exceptionally well as a standalone novel. Although it is part of a series, I didn't feel lost or confused by not having read the previous books. The author ensured that new readers could easily follow along while still providing enough background information to satisfy longtime fans.

The setting of Beacon Harbor was incredibly charming and served as the perfect backdrop for this cozy mystery. The descriptions of the small town, its inhabitants, and the pumpkin pageant created a vivid and festive atmosphere that added to my overall enjoyment of the story. I could almost smell the delicious aromas wafting from Lindsey's bakeshop as I read.

The mystery itself was well plotted and kept me guessing until the very end. Darci Hannah skillfully planted clues and red herrings throughout the narrative, making it difficult to pinpoint the true identity of the killer. I love a good whodunit that keeps me on my toes, and this book certainly delivered in that aspect.

Furthermore, all the characters in Murder at the Pumpkin Pageant were incredibly likable and relatable. From Lindsey's determination to protect her ghostly companion to Kennedy's enthusiasm for solving mysteries, each character had their own unique charm. I found myself rooting for them and genuinely caring about their well-being throughout the story.

Lastly, I must mention the mouthwatering addition of delicious recipes featured throughout the book. Darci Hannah has thoughtfully included a plethora of treats that will leave your taste buds craving more. These recipes not only added an extra layer of enjoyment but also complemented the storytelling and enhanced the cozy atmosphere.

In conclusion, Murder at the Pumpkin Pageant by Darci Hannah is a delightful cozy mystery that will satisfy fans of the genre and captivate new readers alike. With its fantastic writing, well-paced plot, charming setting, likable characters, and delectable recipes, this book is a treat for both mystery enthusiasts and food lovers. Whether you're looking for an engaging standalone or an enticing addition to the Beacon Bakeshop Mystery series, this book has it all. Highly recommended!

Note: This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary.

Another winner by Darci Hannah! I'm a fan of her books, so I was really looking forward to this one. The Halloween/Autumn season was captured wonderfully by the author. All the characters I've grown to love, are back in this book with a new mystery to solve.

While this book can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend checking out the rest of the books in this series as well. Each book is fun and enjoyable to read.

My thanks to Kensington Publishing and NetGallery for a digital copy of this book for my review. I'm looking forward to more of this series!

An entertaining story with almost constant action. The protagonist’s best friend, Kennedy, gets on my nerves sometimes, and I didn’t care for her decision at the end. The protagonist and her boyfriend, Rory, are an interesting couple. I enjoy the lighthouse itself, and the ghostly happenings there. Hidden treasure is always a great addition to a story. I enjoy the pet characters, also. I highly recommend this book, and series to cozy readers!

4th book in the series. 2nd book I've read in the series. Thank you #NetGalley and #Kensington for another opportunity to read the Beacon Bakeshop story.

Disclosure. I did not give a good rating to the 3rd book in the series-Murder at the Blueberry Festival. I did not find it engaging. But, I'm a sucker for a holiday themed story and I like to give a series a second chance.

Like "Murder at the Blueberry Festival", the story starts out with pranks, but this time it's at the lighthouse bakery. Things take a sinister turn when what looks like another prank, turns out to be a dead body.

I like the writing. I like the story line. I love halloween themed books. I found the story very interesting and engaging and it kept me reading........But I hate the main character's best friend Kennedy. Yep. How that character is written and portrayed absolutely annoys me. And that's what has knocked down the number of stars I'm giving. It took me more than a couple of chapters to get into the rhythm of the story and convince myself to ignore Kennedy and focus on the rest And that's what I did and I'm glad I plowed through and read it. (I"m also glad Kennedy stopped saying "darling" at the end of each sentence.) I can see why Kennedy is in the story and I can also see what Darci Hannah is doing with her character. Doesn't help. She needs to be toned down. Which I think is coming. I hope.

3 solid stars for this story. More if could rewrite Kennedy.

After "Murder at the Blueberry Festival", I didn't think I would read any more of the series. But "Murder at the Pumpkin Pageant" has changed my mind. I would like to continue with the series. Maybe with some Kennedy blinders on.

I love fall and I love my visits to Beacon Harbor! Lindsey, Rory, Kennedy, and friends are back to solving murders when a popular teacher is killed Halloween night. Throw in a ghost hunt, a ship wreck, a treasure hunt, a lost dog, and awesome pumpkin recipes….a winner of a book.

Murder at the Pumpkin Pageant
By Darci Hannah
Kensington
October 2023

Review by Cynthia Chow

As much as Beacon Bakeshop owner Lindsey Bakewell appreciates the Halloween season and the town’s Halloween Bash celebrations, she’s at her limit with the pranks and trick-before-treats shenanigans. Waking up every day to find a different horror movie icon hanging outside of lighthouse home has gotten old, especially since she already has the in-house ghost of Captain Willy Riggs haunting the tower. Not sharing Lindsey’s sentiment is her best friend Kennedy Kapoor, who is doing everything she can to promote the Beacon Harbor Halloween Bash’s Pumpkin Pageant. She’s why she is thrilled with the publicity-attracting appearance by The Ghost Guys, who plan to investigate the lighthouse ghost for their Travel Channel show. Lindsey didn’t even know that her new assistant baker Teddy Pratt had the reality television experience that initially led to their interest, as she was far more concerned with his stellar baking skills.

Before their arrival and the planned pet costume pageants that will take over their town, Lindsey hopes to put an end to the continued immature pranks plaguing her lighthouse bakery. Connecting with frequent Teacher-of-the-Year Leslie Adams was a part of her plan, at least until a livestreamed Ghost Guys investigation manages to capture their discovery of her body hanging in the lighthouse. Kennedy was also live-podcasting the event at the time, which ensures that she will be demanding to be a part of the investigation and enlisting Lindsey’s very reluctant help. The arrivals of a bestselling author and TikTok wiccans who have their own Witchtok platform only add to the confusion, especially when Leslie’s pampered poodle Trixie also goes missing. Now that Lindsey has Halloween treats to bake, a murder to solve, a dog to find, a break-in, and rumors of a shipwreck treasure floating around the small Michigan town, it is sure to be the scariest season of all time.

In this fourth Beacon Bakeshop mystery series, readers are taken through a very fun Halloween adventure that immerses readers into the world of paranormal investigators, social media witches, and lighthouse ghosts. Kennedy Kapoor is definitely a LOT in this novel, with her obsession to become a social media sensation taking center stage in both the plot and her life. There’s a surprisingly emotional resolution for her character, and it will be fascinating to see if and how she grows as a result. It feels only natural that modern day witches have evolved to become influencers, as the effect social media has on the young does seem magical. As much as this is very much a Halloween-centric mystery, it also charms with the continued presence of Lindsey’s oversized pooch and pumpkin-spiced recipes. This is the perfect spooky-lite novel for readers looking for a funny and clever mystery to cozy up with during the Fall season.

I had mixed feelings while reading this book. I saw it was #4 in the series, which worried me, but I went for it anyway even though I didn't read any of the other books in the series. I will say the first few chapters I was kind of lost when it came to who each character was and throughout the book, there were a lot of references to the other books (I think). It didn't affect the story much but it felt similar to missing out on an inside joke. I also felt like some of the characters were one-dimensional.

With this being said, this book did keep me guessing who the murderer was. Every few chapters had me thinking it was someone else. So, I was able to get into the storyline itself. It is also very festive and was my first read of October, so it really got me into a cozy Halloween/Fall mood.