A Catered Costume Party

Isis Crawford

Aug 2017 · A Mystery With Recipes Book 13 · Kensington Cozies

About this ebook

A man is found hanging at a Halloween party, and two sleuthing sisters must unmask a killer: “Charming.”—Publishers Weekly
 
When sisters Bernie and Libby Simmons agree to cater an extravagant Halloween party in their little town of Longely, New York, they figured a ghost or two and a bloodcurdling scream might be part of the menu, but they never expected to be haunted by the specter of murder.
 
Darius Witherspoon isn’t giving up on his plan for a catered costume party—despite the recent disappearance of his wife, Penelope. He may be heartbroken, but perhaps throwing a big shindig in her honor will boost his spirits. He hires Bernie and Libby to provide the treats. They’d prefer to avoid the festivities altogether, but as always, there are bills to be paid. And in the midst of the celebration, Darius is discovered hanging from a noose outside one of the ballroom’s French doors—with a note left behind that suggests this was not suicide. It’s up to Bernie and Libby to find out whodunit…
  
Includes original recipes for you to try!
 
“Recurring characters, especially the sisters’ widowed father, retired police chief Sean, add depth and humor.”—Publishers Weekly
 
Includes Original Recipes for You to Try!

Ratings and reviews

A Catered Costume Party by Isis Crawford is the thirteenth A Mystery with Recipes novel. Bernie and Libby Simmons have agreed to cater Darius Witherspoon’s Halloween party at the Berkshire Arms (the old Peabody School). They do not wish to return to the building, but bills must be paid. They are surprised Darius was still going through with the party since he wife, Penelope went missing three weeks prior (methinks something hinky is going on). The celebration is in full swing, but the guest of honor has yet to make an appearance. Suddenly a scream rings out and the guests can see the Darius’ body hanging outside the French doors. The police rule it a Halloween prank gone wrong, but the Simmons sisters have other ideas. They waste no time in diving into their investigation to prove that Darius was murdered and identify the culprit. A Catered Costume Party is the thirteenth book in the series, but it can be read alone (easily). While the book is easy to read (for the most part), it has a slow pace (the roof scene went on forever). The sisters’ constant speculation and questions bog down the story along with the repetition of details (the crime scene, Darius’ life, their business, Michelle and their father, Sean). I did like how the author started the novel with Darius offing his wife (this is not a spoiler). It sets the stage for the rest of the story. The killer’s identity is easy to discern. I knew how the story would play out after I read the beginning (do you think I have read too many mysteries?). While I identified the culprit early in the story, many readers will be surprised when the perpetrator is revealed. My rating for A Catered Costume Party is 3 out of 5 stars (it is okay). I am shocked that the sisters are still in business with the small amount of time they spend at A Little Taste of Heaven (no wonder they are having trouble paying their bills). Sean Simmons girlfriend, Michelle is irritating and dislikable. I wish the author had not written her into the series. The sisters’ childishness regarding Michelle has gone on far too long. I can certainly understand their disdain but does it have to be brought up so often in the story. Libby and Bernie’s squabbling got on my nerves (I read to be relaxed, not irritated). I ended up skimming through the last half of this book just to reach the end and verify the killer’s identity. I do want to mention that there is mild foul language in A Catered Costume Party. I read A Catered Murder (first book in series) when it first came out and after reading A Catered Costume Party, I notice a lack of growth/development Libby and Bernie Simmons. One thing I enjoy about cozies is how the characters develop of the course of the series. We get to know and love the characters. In this case, the Simmons’ sisters seem to be going backward with regard to their behavior. I have come to the conclusion that I am not the right audience for this series.

About the author

ISIS CRAWFORD was born in Egypt to parents who were in the diplomatic corps. When she was five, her family returned to the States, where her mother opened a restaurant in Upper Westchester County and her father became a university professor. Since then Isis has combined her parents’ love of food and travel by running a catering service as well as penning numerous travel-related articles about places ranging from Omsk to Paraguay. Married, with twin boys, she presently resides in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, where she is working on the next Bernie and Libby culinary mystery. Readers can visit her website at www.isiscrawford.com.