Bailey Briggs lives in a Halloween-themed small town. She loves running her book shop and is running her first Spooky Season Literary Festival. When two men who went to high school with her mother show up, ghosts from the past abound, especially when one of them ends up dead.
Duncan does a wonderful job building the town and all the relationships. Each character is well-defined an interesting. I can’t want to read more about Bailey, her dog Jack and her friends!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this DRC.
#ChaosattheLazyBonesBookshop #NetGalley

I was really excited to read this book, but after only a handful of chapters in, it joined a short list of DNF. Usually I’m able to push through and finish the book anyways, which I thought I could do with this one, especially since it was so short. But the writing seemed very immature for me, extreme YA feel to it. I was having a really hard time making it through the chapters I did.
This may be some people’s cup of tea, I was enticed by the Autumn spooky vibe and murder mystery, but the writing style could definitely use some work. I won’t be reviewing on other platforms because I feel as though compared to other reviews, my opinion could be an isolated one. Other people did seem to enjoy this book, which is why I gave it 3 stars instead of 1. I like the idea of the story, others really like it, but it just wasn’t for me.

3.75
The main premise of this novel is that the main character Bailey Briggs is the owner of a very cozy bookstore called Lazy Bones Books (adorable name by the way), and is based in the town which is famous for its annual Halloween festival and celebrates it year-round. Gearing up for a big week ahead, her normal routine is disrupted when a filming crew decides to trash her place while filming a supposed paranormal show, following the events she comes across a dead body, and is blamed for it due to the very public scuffle she had in the days leading up to the event. The charges are later dropped as there wasn’t enough evidence linking her to it.
This is a very cozy and fast-paced book perfect for those cozy rainy weekends where you just a fast-paced cozy mystery read (to be honest it is more cozy than mystery and the murder mystery part does take a bit of a backburner).
I liked the little descriptions of Bailey's mundane work as a bookstore owner.
I am also really looking forward to the rest of the books in the series.

Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for providing me with this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Bailey Briggs has taken over her grandparents’ bookshop, Lazy Bones Books, in her hometown of Elyan Hollow, Oregon. Elyan Hollow takes spooky season seriously and keeps the seasonal vibes going all year long. But things get deadly in the quiet little town, when a ghost hunting film crew arrives, and a murder takes place at the beginning of the Literary Festival that Bailey is hosting. During the investigation, Bailey becomes a suspect and has to work to clear her name, while navigating her own past family secrets that come to light.

I really loved the atmosphere of Chaos at the Lazy Bones Bookshop. Anything Halloween themed is a hit with me. It was fun that all of the businesses in town had Halloween/spooky themed names. I also loved all of the bookish talk, and Bailey’s work on curating book/gift boxes for customers.

I thought the murder mystery fit perfectly in with the storyline. It added to the Halloween feel of the book. Although, I found the reveal of the murder to have sort of a Scooby Doo vibe.

The book fell flat for me, in the writing style. There were times that I felt like I was reading a manual. A lot of the scenes and characters felt like they were lacking an emotional pull. I never really found myself immersed in Bailey’s character. And, I also felt like I was getting mini commercials throughout the book for the businesses in town. There were a lot of descriptions and repetitive mentions of the businesses and I think some of that could have been left out to impart more of an emotional connection to the people in the book.

This is the first book in this series, so I definitely think there are some issues that could be worked out for the next book. I did enjoy the story and cozy, mystery feel of this first book.

This was a strong start to this spooky mystery series, it had everything that I wanted and enjoyed that this was based on a real Halloweentown. The characters were interesting and worked with the world being set up. I enjoyed the overall plot of the book and glad it was written well. I was engaged with the mystery and enjoyed getting to read this. I can’t wait for more in this series and from Emmeline Duncan.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Kensington Publishing, and most importantly the author - Emmeline Duncan. As it usually goes… I received a free ARC from NetGalley, and this review is voluntary

This story follows Bailey Briggs, who operates the Lazy Bones Bookshop, in Elyan Hollow, Oregon. What Elyan Hollow is famous for is its annual Halloween festival, and Bailey’s participation in this year’s festivities has her time stretched thin. From ensuring the bookstore’s stock is full and just right for the season, to wrangling authors to coordinate schedules for the book signings, and of course the rest of the festival, all items now within her purview. What she does not need is another distraction, and during the first night’s activities for the festival, a dead body is found. Enter the police with their investigation, and their operating theory: murder.

Based on evidence collected at the time, although Bailey does become a suspect and is questioned, but its not enough information to point one way or another. She’s allowed to continue with her overseeing of the festival, but now Bailey has it within her mindset to figure out exactly what happened, and to ensure her name is cleared of any wrongdoing. What transpires past this point in time is primarily focused on Bailey, and all the things she has to do in order to ensure the festival runs smoothly. However, she is also sleuthing around to gain more insight into the murder. As the story progresses, Bailey discovers that some secrets are a little too close to home in this small town, and some truths - if uncovered, produce more questions than answers.

I found this to be less murder mystery by way of a police procedural, but a comfy, cozy type of read that just so happens to have a murder investigation occuring. Besides what’s happening in the background with the investigation via the police, and Bailey doing her own thing, what the author did well was really set the tone for the atmosphere of not just the festival, but how important the Halloween season is to the town of Elyan Hollow, Oregon. When we think about a small town, it’s usually how connected it is, sometimes much to the dismay of those who wish not to participate in gossip, or indulge in drama. It’s still going to happen, because everyone knows everyone; word spreads quickly. Elyan Hollow is also a small town with its own connected elements, but it’s also a place with its own secrets, and ghosts that have yet to be revealed.

I was stumped until the end, is what I will say; and, the build up to this one was worth the wait.

This book was absolute perfection. It takes place in a town in Oregon made famous by a Halloween movie filmed there (hello Halloweentown)! The town has leaned into the Halloween theme and all the businesses have Halloween names (i.e. Boorito, Lazy Bones Bookstore). The main character is the owner of the Lazy Bones Bookstore, who has my dream job in my dream location. Things get a little crazy when she happens upon a dead body!

I read this book in a matter of hours and being someone who lives for Halloween, it was so soothing to my soul! This is what I would call a cozy murder and is exactly what you’ll need during the hot days of summer to get yourself in a spooky mindset

"I thought this was really well written and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future. I think it will find readers at our library, so we will definitely be purchasing for the collection.

As an older Gen Z I was super excited to read this book. I grew up watching Halloween town and I was not disappointed. I don't want to give too much away but I don't give out a lot of 5 stars and this definitely deserves it

This was such a cute book! I love all the fall and Halloween vibes so much. This was a fun cozy mystery with loveable characters and a wonderful setting.

Finding not one, but two dead bodies is not the best way to celebrate the Halloween holidays. Liked this one overall, but at times felt there were a few too many red herrings trying to find connects between the past and present. Still though, liked it enough to see how it ends and would recommend.

Chaos at the Lazy Bones Bookshop by Emmeline Duncan is set in an Oregonian town that celebrates Halloween themes year round. As Bailey, the owner of the bookshop runs the book festival, while searching for her birth father and incidentally finds a body or two, she also has to find the murderer to keep herself out of jail. With the funky town location and characters this is a fun addition to the cozy genre.

CHAOS AT THE LAZY BONES BOOKSHOP is the first book in the brand-new Halloween Bookshop Mystery series by Emmeline Duncan. With a super cute theme and pun-y shops and titles, this new book brings Halloween fun to the pages with a crafty murder to solve. Protagonist Bailey Briggs has taken over her grandfather’s bookshop, Lazy Bones Books. Besides gearing up for Halloween, Bailey is hosting a Spooky Season Literary Festival on top of a ghost-hunting reality TV show haunting the town. Ms. Duncan has created a strong cast of characters surrounding Bailey, and they’re people you’d enjoy hanging out with. And most adorable is Jack Skeleton, Bailey’s fashionista Great Pyrenees dog, who steals each scene he inhabits. The author has also taken great care to bring the Halloween-themed town setting to life with a strong descriptive voice. It’s too bad Elyan Hallow, Oregon is only a fictional town because it would be a great fall destination!

When the host of the ghost hunting show is murdered, Bailey becomes a person of interest. It’s no secret around town that she had strong words with the man, not long before his body was found. The clues are there for a reader to follow, and there are plenty of suspect to keep them guessing. In amongst the murder mystery, a thread of family issues surrounds Bailey and seems like they will be continued in the next book. The emotional family angle only adds to the appeal of the storyline and makes Bailey seem more relatable. I enjoyed this book and the introduction to the residents of Elyan Hallows and Lazy Bones Books and look forward to reading more in the series!

I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Chaos at the Lazy Bones Bookshop by Emmeline Duncan is the first book in a new cozy mystery series: A Halloween Bookshop Mystery. This was cute.

I love Halloween and Fall more than any other time of the year. I always have, and always will. My heart will always be attached to cozy mysteries as they are my favorite genre. Of course that means I had to read this new book.

It is an adorable start to a new series. It is unique, quirky, cute, and entertaining. Sure it needs ironing out, but it is just the first entry and sometimes the groundwork and foundation needs to be laid out before the characters can begin to grow.

It still kept me entertained, engaged, and coming back for more. I consider that a success and will definitely check out the next book. I like Bailey, the MC, and the Oregon location. A perfect place for the theme and vibe.

Good start.

4/5 stars

Thank you NG and Kensington Publishing 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 7/23/24.

Bailey Briggs is the manager of Lazy Bones Booke in Elyan Hollow, Oregon, a Halloween-themed town. She also runs the Spooky Season Literary Festival and it’s time for the Festival and Halloween, but this year’s festivities begin with a murder and Bailey discovers the body. The cast and crew of “Gone Ghouls,” a ghost-hunting reality TV show is also in town. Can Bailey (and her dog, Jack Skeleton) solve the murder?

The Halloween-themed town is a cute little conceit for this first in a planned series cozy mystery, and any book set in a bookstore is always welcome. The author includes nice descriptions of fun extras in the store and of the whimsical little stores that make up downtown Elyan Hollow. The whole package makes for a cute murder mystery….would like to see a bit more of Bailey’s dad.

#ChaosattheLazyBonesBookshop #NetGalley is the first in a new series that really grabbed my attention.
Bailey Briggs is an interesting character and I found myself immediately connected to her.
Bailey has an incredible background and despite everything, she seems very happy in her life.
This is her first time hosting a large literary event, and when someone ends up dead, Bailey becomes a suspect. Bailey is determined to find the truth and it was exciting to discover all the secrets the small Halloween town holds.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
I'm looking forward to reading more in this new series.