Lindsey and her friends are ready to celebrate Halloween. The bakeshop is decorated, pumpkin spice is the flavor of the month and the entire crew will be costumed as pirates. Unfortunately, someone keeps hanging dummies behind the lighthouse but Lindsey has a solution. Then a ghost hunting team arrive in town along with a famous author and murder ensues. Delightful!

A top notch Halloween themed cozy. It was well paced and kept my interest.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

Lindsay's character grows more interesting with each book. This is the fourth in the series and can be read as a standalone but there are references to previous occurrences. Halloween is coming and the teenagers are up to their pranks. They have been leaving dummies but when a body of a local is mistaken for the newest dummy the pranks turn into murder. Love the location and the characters are fun and interesting. Thanks #netgalley and #Kensington for the eARC in exchange for an honest w. All opinions are mine.

Thank you to NetGalley for an arc of this book.

DNF at 55%

You do not need to read the other books in this series to read this one, though references are made to the other books. This is a cute cozy murder mystery in a small town. A good light read.

However, the repetitive stereotyping of the group of teens Lindsey refers to constantly as “witchtok” teens is extremely uncomfortable. She blatantly states she suspects them because they’re different. She does feel guilty later for realizing they had nothing to do with the murder, but what purpose does the stereotyping serve to the plot? How does it move the story forward? It doesn’t. The teens did nothing suspicious to warrant being the first suspects, yet because they were different she immediately looks into them first.

While uncomfortable it was something I could look past. But when Lindsey decides to sage her home with her friend Kennedy, there is constant teasing about what they’re doing. They make light of something many communities, specifically Native communities, use sage in ceremonial and cleansing rituals. Her mom even goes up to her and says “I thought I raised you normal.” Even though Lindsey very casually reprimands her mom, what purpose does this conversation have to the overall plot? How does this conversation push the plot forward? It doesn’t. It serves no reason but to be hurtful, even if the mother is corrected.

This authors writing style is very nice and the story was light, however I don’t see myself finishing this book at this time. In the future, I do hope the author finds a better sensitivity editor and continues to write cozy mysteries.

Review in progress and to come.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

This series is fast moving up my favorites list! Halloween is the best season for cozy mysteries and this one lived up to my expectations. Great mystery and wonderful characters. You can just picture yourself in this setting. Who wouldn't go to a bakery in a lighthouse! I also love that Lindsey's significant other is developing a very interesting business of his own which I can definitely see playing a major part of the series. And it's just my personal opinion but cozies which include a large breed dog are the best. I will admit this installment had a twist at the end that had me a little concerned but I am very anxiously awaiting the next book. Excellent read!

Lindsey Bakewell gave up her job in finance to move to Michigan and open a bakeshop -- right in the old lighthouse that even has a resident ghost, Captain Willy. She's been happy and successful, and has made many new friends. Among them first and foremost is Rory Campbell, with whom she's started a romance. Also along is her best friend Kennedy, who's a successful podcaster and influencer herself, who stays in the lighthouse with Lindsey when she's in town.

It's closing in on Halloween, and Lindsey loves the pumpkin season. What she doesn't love is the pranks that local teens have been playing on her: at night they've been hanging scary dummies in one of her trees (think along the lines of Freddy Kreuger). She's determined to get to the bottom of who exactly has been doing it, and has asked for help from a local teacher that the students love. During a pumpkin carving contest for the teens, she has her suspicions, but keeps them to herself.

On top of that, a television ghost hunting team has descended upon the town, trying to find out if Lindsey's ghost is real or not. Intrigued, Kennedy and Lindsey's friends convince her it can't be harmful. But while on air, something spooks the team and they come running from the lighthouse. Unfortunately, Kennedy bumps into what appears to be another dummy. But it's not. It's the body of a local. Now there's a murder investigation, Lindsey's lighthouse is temporarily off limits, Kennedy is traumatized, and a visiting author is interested. Where does Lindsey go from here? And who killed the person? She's determined to find out, even if it kills her...

This is the fourth book in the series and I have read them all. I love this series. Probably because I like the idea that she has a resident ghost that looks out for her (and vice versa), but I also love all the characters, her parents included. They have depth, they have believability, and they act like real people act, which is a feat to truly achieve.

Lindsey has her ups and downs, just like us. She cares for those who are close to her, and even those who are not. She has a strong sense of integrity, and is smart. putting that knowledge to use when she's on a mission. Her mission right now is to avoid the annoying author and find out who murdered someone on her grounds. It's a task she doesn't take lightly, and her friends have her back.

When she starts looking, the suspect list grows longer. But with each interview, the list dwindles until there are only two names on it, and she's not sure which one is the killer. Once she has the information she needs from the coroner, this seems to begin to put things in focus, but is it the right path?

In the end, we have a climax that is extremely tense, and worth reading the entire book for. While I was both a bit sad and happy, I do want to see all of the characters back in the next book. Without saying any more, or ruining the book for others, I will say that this can be read as a standalone, but you will enjoy the rest of the series as well. Highly recommended.

I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.

This was a very good cozy mystery that I didn't want to put down for bed, so I kept reading until early morning when I finished. This was so good. I had not any of the previous books in the series, but I have gone and bought them all now!! I have to read them. They are that good!
I just reviewed Murder at the Pumpkin Pageant by Darci Hannah. #MurderatthePumpkinPageant #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

What could be better that a haunted lighthouse on Halloween? A mystery prankster! It is all fun and games until a real body shows up. Lyndsey's best friend Kennedy decided it would be great to host a ghost hunt at the lighthouse on Halloween but got a lot more than she bargained for. As they are doing a live podcast the resident lighthouse ghost makes his presence known. When Kennedy and the ghost hunters all run out Kennedy runs into a real body. As Lyndsey, Roy, Kennedy and other friends investigate, the murderer comes back to the lighthouse seemingly in search of something.
This is the fourth book in the Beacon Bakeshop series. Like the others this book was full of mystery, interesting characters and plenty of suspects. The only thing I didn't like was Kennedy, she was even more immature, selfish, and annoying than in previous books. I would not mind not seeing her in future books unless she has a serious change in attitude. JMHO. Otherwise a great book.

Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Murder at the Pumpkin Pageant was the perfect blend of murder mystery, baking, and small town charm. Lindsey is a well written main character and really feels like someone you could know in real life. Her bakery sounds like someplace that I really wish existed in real life. The mystery itself keeps you guessing until the very end!

3.5 ⭐️

I love a good cozy murder mystery with a amateur sleuth.

Lindsey is a New York banker turned baker in a small Michigan town. Halloween is fast approaching and the bakery is buzzing until one night someone hangs a dead body for a tree in Lindsey’s yard.

This was a fun book to read and really makes me want Halloween to come back and obsess over everything pumpkin spice!

This is a medium paced book with some good character interaction. We get a lot of personality through the main character and her friends. I was really into this case and wanted to find out who was the killer was.

I will definitely be reading the bad books in the series.

Murder at the Pumpkin Pageant by Darci Hannah is a great culinary cozy mystery that is the fourth book in the Beacon Bakeshop Mystery series. It was wonderful.

I love cozy mysteries. Check.
I love fall and Halloween. Check.
I love adorable dogs. Check. (Hello Wellington!)
I love pumpkins. Double Check.

This cozy mystery had everything that I could want for all wrapped up into one spooky and fun narrative. Lindsey is thrust into a murder-mystery again in Beacon Harbor, Michigan all the while trying to balance her new life, her Bakeshop, the locals driving her batty with their obsessions involving her haunted lighthouse, and trying to stay sane with all the festivities and a particular ghost hunting documentary arriving on the premises.

I enjoyed this new installment. It was fun, engaging, entertaining, and kept me interested as I sleuthed my way through the plot with Lindsey and the cast of characters in this charming town. The Halloween themes, vibes, and flavors really enhanced my reading experience. I loved it.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Kensington Books for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 7/25/23.

This was another great book in the Beacon Bakery series. This was fast paced and kept my attention. There was a lot of different avenues within the book, with some twists and red herrings. It is not obvious where it is going so there will be some surprises. There are of course lots of mentions of pumpkin recipes and Halloween festivities. It was an enjoyable book to read.

place to be as Ghost Hunters come to town to spend Halloween night in the light house. With the ghost lights on, the ghost hunters run out of the lighthouse and Kennedy runs out as well, smack dab into the body of a beloved local teacher. Who killed the woman and why? That’s exactly what Lindsey and the gang plan to find out! Trick or Treat takes on a whole new meaning as they dig in and try to uncover a killer!

This is one of my favorite series! I love the setting, the characters and especially the whodunit and animals that are always included in this series! It doesn’t get much cozier than this!

Comes with recipes
I love this series.
Lindsey runs a bakery in a haunted lighthouse with her boyfriend Rory. Her lighthouse ghost often warns her of danger, but this time her friend Kennedy found the body.
Ms. Hannah writes an intriguing tale, with well thought out plots and well developed characters.
Lindsey along with her friends and family snoop and pass along information to the police, but she and Kennedy are saved in this instance by her dog, and the fact Rory was smart enough to follow him.
It’s set at Halloween in a small coastal town in Michigan. Tales of shipping from times past is part of the set of clues and suspects with viable motives are singled out and investigated by Lindsey, friends and family. It draws you deeply into the story as you try to figure out who-dun-it.
I requested and received a NetGalley ARC gratis, offer my opinion freely, and highly recommend it.

What a great mystery! I really enjoyed Murder at the Pumpkin Pageant. It takes place at Halloween where lots of activities are taking place. Including a live ghost hunt by a television team of ghost hunters. A murder takes place and the main character, Lindsey, and her friends decide they need to help solve the crime.

The book is well written and fast-paced. Lindsey is smart and nice, and her BFF Kennedy is really funny. There is lots of talk of food, with detailed descriptions throughout the book (and lots of pumpkin recipes at the end). The series takes place around Lindsey’s bakery. It’s a really good book, and series. Fast-paced, well thought out, and great characters.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books/Cozies for this terrific ARC. I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion. I will post this review to my blog, Goodreads, Bookbub, & Amazon accounts on the publication date, 7/25/23.

This is the 4th installment in Darci Hannah’s Lighthouse Bakery cozy series. While it could be read as a standalone, I think any reader would benefit from starting with the earlier books in the series. There’s so much going on with this mystery that there’s almost no space for further character development. If you enjoy getting invested in the characters personalities, you’ll definitely enjoy this book more if you start at the beginning.

That being said, Darci Hannah is a fun writer who threw so many red herrings into this mystery. I had no idea who the murderer was until the reveal. Though clever, I also felt that the most engaging part of this series (the personalities and relationships) was lost. There just wasn’t any room for the characters to grow here. If you prefer mysteries over characters, this won’t be a problem for you. I personally really enjoy feeling like the characters from cozy mysteries are my friends, and historically that warmth is a specialty of this author.

I still loved the book, and recommend it if you already love the series. Otherwise, start at book 1, and fall in love with this gang!

My thanks to NetGalley, Kensington Books, and Darci Hannah for sharing a digital ARC in exchange for my opinion.

Cozy mysteries are becoming my favorite. Even though a character dies and the main character usually finds themselves in danger, the stories are lighter and even fun to read. Darci Hannah’s ‘Murder at the Pumpkin Pageant’ is another gem in the series.

Lindsey Bakewell, a bakery owner who lives and works in a old, haunted lighthouse, is at the center of the Halloween festivities. When a ghost hunting podcast on Halloween night ends with finding a dead body, Lindsey, her man friend Rory, and her friend Kennedy find themselves is a murder investigation. With no suspects at first, their ‘snooping’ turns up several possibilities. When they get too close, however, they must also fight for survival.

This is a fun series to read. It has the usual cast of interesting characters and subplots, along with descriptions of several tasty treats. The lighthouse ghost adds some ‘spooky’ flavor to the story.

I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Kensington Cozies, for letting me read and review this book.

I loved #MurderatthePumpkinPageant #NetGalley.
Lindsey is a great character and her family and friends add a delightful bit of color to this series.
As Halloween approaches, strange events begin taking place at the bakeshop, but Lindsey just thinks it's all Halloween pranks.
When a traumatic discovery takes place, Lindsey is determined to find the answers, refusing to let the culprit get away with murder.
If you haven't read this series by Darci Hannah, you're really missing out on a terrific series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.

Through NetGalley, I received a free copy of MURDER AT THE PUMPKIN PAGEANT (Book 4 of the Beacon Bakeshop Mysteries) by Darci Hannah in exchange for an honest review. Lindsey Bakewell is happy. Her parents and her best friends have settled into the Beacon Harbor, Michigan community. However, all is not perfect. As Halloween and the Pumpkin Pageant approach, the Beacon Bakeshop has been plagued with practical jokes perpetrated by local teens. Additionally, Lindsey has reluctantly agreed to allow her best friend to host a ghost hunting podcast featuring the lighthouse ghost. When the ghost hunt leads to the discovery of a fresh corpse, it looks like Lindsey's holiday baking will have to be postponed for another murder investigation.

I liked this book and enjoy the series. I recommend this series to fans of cozy murder mysteries featuring bakeries, family, and doggy sidekicks.

#MurderatthePumpkinPageant #NetGalley