A fantastic book my one of my favorite authors. This is one of the best comfort series that can transport me right to the New England coast. Loved this particular story featuring a Halloween theme. Highly recommend this book and series and cannot wait to read the next one!

It's Halloween on the Cape and a new store has opened with higher end costumes. Tim's sister has also arrived for a visit with her two children=Ella 6, and Luca, a few months old. As things do happen, an elderly gentleman is murdered and found who had ties to the costume store. Tim's sister disappears (substance abuse) and Tim and Mac are holding down the fort with her two small children, as well as Mac figuring out who could have killed the man. Family and friends pitch in throughout, the murderer is found, and tragedy strikes concerning Tim's sister. Well written, characters who feel "real", and the storyline flows well. Thanks to NetGalley, Ms Day, and Kensington Publishers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. I look forward to reading more of what happens next.

Murder at Cape Costumers is the 7th book in the Cozy Capers Book Group mystery. It takes place in the town of Westham, MA Cape Cod. Mackensie Almeida is the main character. She owns Mac's Bikes a retail, repair and rental shop. Tim is her husband and owns Greta Grains, named after his grandmother, bakery. Mac's father is a minister and her mother, Astra is an astrologer. Reba is her grandmother. Gin Malloy is her best friend and owner of Salty Taffy Candy shop. Derrick McKensie is her brother along with his wife Neli and daughter, Cokeiy. Orleans is Mac's main mechanic. Her members of the book club along with Mac and Gin are Norland Gifford, retired police chief; Tula, owner of the lobster shack; Flo Wolanski, library director at Westown Public Library; They called themselves the Cozy Capers. Lincoln Haskins is the state police detective.

A new shop has opened down the street from her shop, Cape Costumers is a costume shop specializing in costumes and custom made ones. Shelly Hitchcock and Harini Whitt are co-owners. It is halloween time and their window is decorated with skeletons for the annual Merchant's trick-or-treat event. Cokey saw a moving skeleton which scared her.

Enzo Lawrence is an elderly friend of Reba's. He came to Mac's shop to buy an adult tricycle and all the equiptment. He told her that he was going as a skeleton. He was the person Cokey saw in the window.. He was friends with both Harini, who he had dated and Shelly who is was now dating.

Tim's sister, Jamey Brunelle was coming for a week and bringing her two children from 2 different fathers. Ella, 6, and Luca, a few months old. She had been suffering from depression and had a drinking addiction. Although a very good mother, Tim was worried as she didn't want to do anything and complained of a headache and stayed in her room. For halloween Tim took Ella out to go trick or treating and Jamey stayed home with Lucas. Mac went to a book club meeting. As Mac was walking to the meeting she saw a car drive up to the drive-in at the bank with someone dressed like Mortica Addams driving with a skeleton in the passenger seat and a jester in the back.

The next day a man was found dead on his condo deck and was found by his neighbor, He was still in his costume. Because of his death his tricycle order was cancelled.. Lincoln came into the shop and told Mac that Enzo's death was murder. A man, named Herbert Lawrence came into the shop and rented a bike for the week. Mac wondered if Herbert and Enzo could be related.

Jamey told Tim that she was going out to meet a friend named Bob for dinner. She never came home. Mac found her cell phone in the couch. She had been out drinking at a bar called Jimmy's. He had stopped her drinks around 9 and she left. Tim went to the police to tell them she was missing. He was grilled by Nikki Kimuri and he felt that they thought he was responsible for her disappearance.

Reba and Mac went to the cemetary to celebrate All Soul's Day for Reba's husband, Alindo which was important to her grandfather. While there they ran into Peter Zelensky visiting his wife's grave. He was an investment advisor to all his clients from Westham.

Orleans told Mac and Flo that she knew Enzo from playing pickleball. She told them she would also keep an eye out for Jamey. Peter came into the bike shop with his wife's old bike. His daughter had moved back in with him and he thought she might like riding it. He told Mac that Enzo had been looking into everyone's business and taking up roles and expressing unpopular opinions. Mac got the opinion that Peter didn't like him. Harini came into the shop to speak to Mac but was nervous and left after she mentioned Enzo.

Delia worked as a bar tender at the Rusty Anchor Pub. She was Lincoln's ex-wife but they were dating again, She told Mac that she had something about Enzo's death. She also played pickleball. She told her that while waiting for a court Enzo and Peter were really going at each other.. While there Mac told her that she was short handed and Delia offered to help her out.

This is where the story takes off. There is so much going on that it was hard to put on paper. I will leave it to the reader to enjoy with all it's twists and turns to the exciting ending.

I really enjoyed this book. I look forward to the next adventure that the cape capers get into.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing Corp. for this ARC.

Married life is good, until Tim's sister comes to stay, leaving Tim and Mac to care for her children. With her missing and a death of an older man in town, Mac and her book friends have lots of stones to overturn to find the killer. This book provides some interesting twists into this ongoing series. I liked the new direction and look forward to the life changes ahead. A solid mystery and plot twists to keep you reading. Love these characters!

Mac’s bike shop is busy even around Halloween, but she still has time to welcome the new costume shop owners. Mac’s sister-in-law, Jamie, is coming for a visit, too, with her new baby and her three-year-old daughter. Jamie has a past history of addictions, but she is a loving mother to her children. When she goes out for an evening and doesn’t return, Mac and her husband are distraught and busy suddenly thrust into the role of surrogate parents to two young children.
The main mystery revolves around the death of a man found wearing a skeleton costume. The cozy mystery book club group digs right into the mystery, unearthing a tangle of motives.
Mac has a loving extended family and she and her husband support and love each other. The story of the missing mother, the young children and the family is what ties this story together.
Thanks to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.

This is a great addition to a good cozy series. Just before Halloween a new costume store shows up in Westham. Mac's neice shows upin a costume with Grandmother Reba before the merchants trick or treat. The had seen a scary skeleton in the window of the costume store. The next day a man named Enzo Lawrence comes to Mac's bike store and buys an adult tricicle from her. Meanwhile, Mac's husband Tim has gone to Logan to pick up his sister Jamie with her two youngest children, Ella 3 1/2 and baby boy Luca. His sister, Jamie, has had a lot of problems with drugs and alcohol, but is trying to be clean for her children. They have dinner with the grandparents and Mac's brother Derrick and family. Derrick's daughter, Cokie, immediately makes friends with Ella even though she quite a bit older than Ella. She finds one of her old costumes for Ella to use on Halloween.

Then things happen. The morning after Halloween, Enzo is found dead on his porch wearing a skeletin outfit. When Jamie goes out to meet an old friend for dinner, she doesn't come home. Tim and Mac take turns caring for the baby and Cokie with the help of the grandparents and Derrick and Cokie. And, of course, Mac and her Reading Group/amateur detective group is looking into the murder of Enzo. Naturally, the Police Dept is also working on it, (as well as trying to find Jamie), and Mac regularly talks with a retired detective.

I like the way all of the family work to take care of each other and the caring among the various friends. I thank Netgalley and Kensington books for the ARC so that I could read this book before publication.

Another awesome addition to this series. This book had two separate "mysteries", one really close to Tim and Mac's heart, Tims' sister. His sister arrives with her two little kids in tow and Tim and Mac could not be more thrilled for the visit, until she goes out and never comes back. In the meantime, the Cozy Capers are very busy trying to figure out who killed someone in the over 55 community. There are lots of suspects, some pretty good motives, but not a lot of evidence.
I love the characters, the setting, and the plot that always reads quickly and smoothly. A must read for cozy mystery lovers.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A good cozy mystery well plotted and surprising. I enjoyed it and appreciated the solution and the storytleling
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

To be honest, I think I was far more invested in the situation involving Tim's sister Jaime's disappearance than the murder. Her two children, baby Luca and the seems older than her years Ella, are adorable and became real in my eyes. While Jamie obviously gave her all to her children, she is still suffering from substance abuse and stress. Tim, main character Mackenzie/Mac's husband's love and concern for his sister is obvious. While not a blood relative and not knowing Jamie well, Mac is doubly concerned, once for Jamie and again for the burden of worry Tim is carrying. In the midst of all this worry there's a murder. Mac, being Mac, distracted as she is with worry, can't help looking into it. That translates to asking question after question of possible suspects, enough questions that a call goes in to the police about her questioning.

Fortunately, the Cozy Capers Book Club has her back, as does her family. Even her African Grey Parrot, Belle, seems to have something to say about, well, just about everything. Belle is an amazing mimic, too, though her impression of Jamie's voice only adds worry, unfortunately. The thing that always impresses me about this group, however, is not just their tightness and genuine caring for each other, but the organization and efficiency of their investigation tactics. As they've learned from past experiences, even the most minute clue might be important. Kudos to Mac and the rest for not hoarding information, too. They are quick to share info, either in person of via text, with the police. I always roll my eyes when an amateur sleuth finds a clue and decides it isn't important or to wait until they've looked into it further before sharing it with the authorities, often in some imaginary effort to prove their own value. It tends to backfire. Kudos for Mac, too, for not being TSTL (To Stupid To Live). I liked that she thought first rather than rushing into potentially dangerous situations, doing what she could to be sure someone had her back. And, of course, she does manage to find danger. That's just part of the fun. Seeing how our amateur sleuth manages to escape.

Bottom line, I like these characters. Mac's friends and family are realistic and could be our own friends and neighbors. Each is a unique character and they tend to show growth and change as the series has gone along. Heck, even in the midst of all the turmoil and a murder, romance is in the air. Thus, while weirdly unconcerned about whodunit, I enjoyed spending some time with everyone. I'm always drawn to character driven books and this series and this book in particular had that. Heck, Mac even manages to seemingly win over a not-usually-sympathetic police officer this go-round, so things are looking up. Change is in the air, that's for sure. Thanks #KensingtonPublishing for allowing me this early peek at life with Mac and her family and friends. I'm looking forward big time to the next book.

Halloween isn't a big celebration for bike shop owner, Mac Almeida, she doesn’t have children and absolutely doesn't wear dress up. A new costume store has opened at an opportune moment in Westham, Massachusetts and although she's keen to welcome the new owners, Mac has no plans to become a customer. When a body is found the day after the celebrations the Cozy Capers Book Group is soon on the case. Mac also has her new sister in law and two small children visiting for the first time so is already very busy. When a personal issue shakes her family to the core life becomes even more complicated, can she keep her business and family life running smoothly as well as investigating the latest murder or will everything happening at once lead her into more danger than usual?

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Kensington Publishing, Kensington Cozies, but the opinions expressed are my own. This was a great read, with some interesting new characters. No more details or spoilers will creep in, but it's very good.

I’ve read all of the books in this series. I like how well Mackenzie and Tim get along with her family. They all genuinely care for each other. Tim’s sister Jamie visits with her two young children. Jamie is still fighting her substance abuse demons. A few different characters wander into Mac’s Bike Shop. Some play a key role in the story. A man is murdered, a skeleton in the window of a costume shop appears too lifelike. I anticipated the ending about 1/3 of the way through the book. It didn’t ruin it for me. The only thing that annoyed me was the over use of the word “dude.”
I look forward to the next book.,

It begins with a costumed Beggars Night and the murder of a non-resident actor. Meanwhile there are lots of family issues to contend with and all sorts of snags. But don't forget the humor and the recipes!
If you are new to the series, “Mac” Almeida had a high-powered employment history but now owns a bicycle rent/repair shop, a father who is a minister, a mother who is an astrologer, has a verbose African Grey parrot, a baker for a husband, and is essential to the Cozy Capers Book Group who have been known to investigate a murder or five. Enough background is included that I think it works as a stand-alone, but I really enjoy this series!
I requested and received a free temporary uncorrected digital galley from Kensington Publishing | Kensington Cozies via NetGalley. ***** Pub Date Aug 26, 2025 #MurderatCape Costumers #CozyCapersBookGroupMysteriesBk7 by @maddiedayauthor @kensingtonbooks #netgalley #recipes #massachusetts #amateursleuths #localcops #cozycrime #murdermystery #familydynamics #smalltown #smallbusiness #friendship #missing #secrets #lies

It's Halloween and spooky things are happening on the Cape. Mac's niece is frightened by a display at the new costumer shop and this worries Mac. Also on the worry list is the appearance and disappearance of Tim's sister who has left behind her two young children. Mac's book club takes on the task of solving the mystery and possibly finding Jamie. This series gets better and better.

Murder at Cape Costumers by Maddie Day

A scary skeleton in the Costumers’ window, mysterious death, unpleasant visitors, and pickleball — so much going on in the latest in this Cape Cod series. Tim’s sister visits with her two adorable children, and then goes missing. Thank goodness for family stepping up to keep those tykes safe and happy. Mac’s Bikes is busier than normal and short-staffed, and the book club is too busy to discuss the book, as they try to unravel the real mysteries “as they do.” Contrasts abound, love/hate, joy/sorrow, honesty/lies, selfishness/family & friends, and for me . . . reading about delicious food while not wanting to take time from reading to cook. Now that I’ve reached the satisfying ending, time to look at those handy recipes, or Mac’s favorite “recipe” pick up something delicious.
Pub date 8/26. Time to read previous adventures if you haven’t yet.

Murder at Cape Costumers is a delightful Halloween treat filled with clever twists, charming characters, and just the right dash of theatrical flair. When a beloved Broadway star is found dead, Mac and the Cozy Capers Book Group jump into action, delivering a cozy mystery that's both heartwarming and satisfyingly suspenseful. A must-read for anyone who loves small-town secrets, crafty sleuths, and a dash of spooky season magic!

#MurderatCapeCostumers #NetGalley is a fantastic book by one of my favorite authors.
This story had me feeling so many emotions, from Mac's love for her husband Tim, to the worries surrounding his sister's disappearance.
When a local resident is found dead, in a Halloween costume, things look suspicious, and of course, Mac can't refuse the urge to investigate.
The suspects include the owners of the new costume shop, and Mac is determined to find the answers.
I really loved reading this book. I've grown fond of the unique characters, including the addition of Ella and Luca.
I'm looking forward to reading more in this series and I'm happy to recommend #MurderatCapeCostumers to other cozy mystery readers.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.

The Cape Cozy book club is back on the case in their small Massachusetts town during the Halloween season when a new creepy themed store causes murder and mayhem. Escapism at its finest