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Halloween Bookshop Mystery #2
Mayhem at a Halloween Wedding
It’s Halloween year-round in Elyan Hollow, Oregon, where Bailey Briggs sells the latest tomes of frights and fears at the bustling Lazy Bones Books—when she’s not uncovering deadly secrets and mysteries that haunt the town . . .
There’s more to celebrate this Halloween when Bailey’s college friend Raven prepares to walk down the aisle in spooky seasonal style. As a bridesmaid, Bailey is overwhelmed helping with wedding preparations while the annual holiday festival scares up business for her bookstore. She also finds herself playing peacekeeper between fellow bridesmaids Colby and Ivy, whose arguments add even more conflict to the already simmering tensions within the wedding party between the groom’s traditional family and the bride’s bohemian parents.
Trying to ease stress and enjoy the spirit of the season, Bailey arranges the bachelorette party on the night of the Halloween parade. Everyone agrees to join in the festivities and dress up in costume. But running into several people dressed as the Grim Reaper turns out to be a bad omen. An explosion rocks the route, causing a panic. When the smoke clears, Ivy is found dead, believed to be murdered—and Colby is questioned by police after several witnesses report the very public clashes between the two bridesmaids. Narrowing down the list of suspects to prove Colby’s innocence means Bailey will have to find a motive that drove a killer—and keep her friend’s wedding bells from becoming funeral knells . . .
There’s more to celebrate this Halloween when Bailey’s college friend Raven prepares to walk down the aisle in spooky seasonal style. As a bridesmaid, Bailey is overwhelmed helping with wedding preparations while the annual holiday festival scares up business for her bookstore. She also finds herself playing peacekeeper between fellow bridesmaids Colby and Ivy, whose arguments add even more conflict to the already simmering tensions within the wedding party between the groom’s traditional family and the bride’s bohemian parents.
Trying to ease stress and enjoy the spirit of the season, Bailey arranges the bachelorette party on the night of the Halloween parade. Everyone agrees to join in the festivities and dress up in costume. But running into several people dressed as the Grim Reaper turns out to be a bad omen. An explosion rocks the route, causing a panic. When the smoke clears, Ivy is found dead, believed to be murdered—and Colby is questioned by police after several witnesses report the very public clashes between the two bridesmaids. Narrowing down the list of suspects to prove Colby’s innocence means Bailey will have to find a motive that drove a killer—and keep her friend’s wedding bells from becoming funeral knells . . .
225 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 29, 2025
27 people are currently reading
4187 people want to read
About the author
Emmeline Duncan
12 books343 followersEmmeline Duncan is a mystery writer based out of Portland, Oregon. Her novels include the Ground Rules series, including Fresh Brewed Murder, Double Shot Death, Flat White Fatality, and Death Unfiltered, which comes out in the spring of 2024. She's also the author of Chaos at the Lazy Bones Bookshop, a Halloween-themed mystery that will come out in August 2024.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
December 4, 2025
Mayhem at a Halloween Wedding is the 2nd-installment in Emmeline Duncan's Cozy Halloween Bookshop Mystery series.
These books are set in the quaint town of Elyan Hollow, Oregon, where it's Halloween 365-days a year. Our protagonist is Bailey Briggs, who has taken over her family's well-loved local bookstore, Lazy Bones Books.
In this 2nd-book, Bailey's college friend, Raven, has planned a Halloween-themed wedding for herself and her partner, and there's no better place to pull off her signature spooky style than Elyan Hollow.
Bailey is committed to the hilt, both with being a bridesmaid in Raven's wedding, and assisting with the prep for Elyan Hollow's annual Halloween festival. She needs everything to go smoothly if she wants to save her sanity.
Sadly, it does not.
Fellow bridesmaids, Ivy and Harmony, who also happens to be the sister of the bride, are both absolute nightmares. Demanding and rude, these girls are pushing Bailey and her best friend, Colby, to their limits.
When Ivy is found dead mid-bachelorette party, as the women are attending the Halloween parade, Colby is immediately considered a suspect. The two had been witnessed in a few heated arguments prior to the murder.
Bailey knows that there is no way Colby would actually kill someone, but now she needs to prove it.
I had a lot of fun with this latest installment to the Halloween Bookshop Series. I love the small town vibes of this series, and the MC, Bailey, as well as her canine companion, Jack, are really growing on me.
It would be hard to beat a setting of a town where it's always Halloween. That's like literally my aesthetic. I read this one so quickly, in under 24-hours, because I was hooked into the wedding party drama.
It was honestly the most judgmental and negativity-fueled wedding weekend I've ever experienced, and I've been to a lot. Even I was getting stressed. I'm not sure how any of these women survived.
Ivy and Harmony were the pits, but they weren't the only ones sus as heck. I loved trying to guess who had taken Ivy out, and whether or not it had been related to the wedding. I had no clue how anyone could have pulled it off.
The Halloween costumes everywhere added another layer to the confusion at the time the crime was committed, and I liked that unusual aspect.
Additionally, I do just want to note, IMHO, this 2nd-installment shows a lot of improvement over the 1st-book in writing and the mystery plotting itself. The 1st-book was good for me, but I did have some issues with it.
This one, I really didn't have any issues. I was completely invested in the mystery and also, am enjoying the trajectory of Bailey's character arc. I truly hope there's another book. I'd love to see more of these mysteries.
Thank you to the publisher, Kensington Cozies, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I would recommend this to any Cozy Mystery Reader who loves a small town atmosphere, as well Halloween!!
These books are set in the quaint town of Elyan Hollow, Oregon, where it's Halloween 365-days a year. Our protagonist is Bailey Briggs, who has taken over her family's well-loved local bookstore, Lazy Bones Books.
In this 2nd-book, Bailey's college friend, Raven, has planned a Halloween-themed wedding for herself and her partner, and there's no better place to pull off her signature spooky style than Elyan Hollow.
Bailey is committed to the hilt, both with being a bridesmaid in Raven's wedding, and assisting with the prep for Elyan Hollow's annual Halloween festival. She needs everything to go smoothly if she wants to save her sanity.
Sadly, it does not.
Fellow bridesmaids, Ivy and Harmony, who also happens to be the sister of the bride, are both absolute nightmares. Demanding and rude, these girls are pushing Bailey and her best friend, Colby, to their limits.
When Ivy is found dead mid-bachelorette party, as the women are attending the Halloween parade, Colby is immediately considered a suspect. The two had been witnessed in a few heated arguments prior to the murder.
Bailey knows that there is no way Colby would actually kill someone, but now she needs to prove it.
I had a lot of fun with this latest installment to the Halloween Bookshop Series. I love the small town vibes of this series, and the MC, Bailey, as well as her canine companion, Jack, are really growing on me.
It would be hard to beat a setting of a town where it's always Halloween. That's like literally my aesthetic. I read this one so quickly, in under 24-hours, because I was hooked into the wedding party drama.
It was honestly the most judgmental and negativity-fueled wedding weekend I've ever experienced, and I've been to a lot. Even I was getting stressed. I'm not sure how any of these women survived.
Ivy and Harmony were the pits, but they weren't the only ones sus as heck. I loved trying to guess who had taken Ivy out, and whether or not it had been related to the wedding. I had no clue how anyone could have pulled it off.
The Halloween costumes everywhere added another layer to the confusion at the time the crime was committed, and I liked that unusual aspect.
Additionally, I do just want to note, IMHO, this 2nd-installment shows a lot of improvement over the 1st-book in writing and the mystery plotting itself. The 1st-book was good for me, but I did have some issues with it.
This one, I really didn't have any issues. I was completely invested in the mystery and also, am enjoying the trajectory of Bailey's character arc. I truly hope there's another book. I'd love to see more of these mysteries.
Thank you to the publisher, Kensington Cozies, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I would recommend this to any Cozy Mystery Reader who loves a small town atmosphere, as well Halloween!!
October 29, 2025
Enjoyed this cozy mystery a lot but sadly no romance. Here’s hoping the next one finds Bailey someone. And I loved the dog adopting a kitten bit. Rex is becoming quite fatherly and I hope the uncle is the next dead body.
August 18, 2025
Mayhem at a Halloween Wedding is fairly forgettable entry in the world of cozy mysteries. This is the second book in the series set in a small Oregon town dedicated to celebrating Halloween year round, so prepare yourself for Halloween puns, references to The Nightmare Before Christmas, and more. The main character of this series is Bailey Briggs, a woman with a ridiculously complicated family life and terrible taste in friends. She has about a thousand interests and hobbies, including freelance illustration, writing a comic book, knitting, running, paddle boarding, woodworking/furniture restoration, volunteering for multiple organizations, running a bookshop, and, of course, amateur sleuthing.
The underlying mystery in this story was somewhat interesting, but I was constantly distracted in my reading by the major flaws in the writing.
1. There are way too many characters in this book. Despite reading this book over the course of only two days, I couldn’t remember characters as I read because from their first scene to their second I was introduced to about 20 additional characters that often had no bearing on the story itself. I definitely understand the need to populate the town with characters, but the author went way too far and should have focused on really fleshing out a few main characters.
2. The characters in this book are very shallow and unrealistic. Each character seems to be a combination of quirks and drama with so little page time that we never truly get to know them. The bride is artsy and loves dressing up for comic con. The bride’s sister is a wannabe influencer who loves fashion. The best friend always tells it like it is. And so on and so forth. The characters have no real depth and based on their descriptors and interactions with Bailey, I’m not sure why anyone would be friends with them and not really sure that Bailey even likes them.
3. The book has way too many extraneous details. The author often provides details about Oregon that are completely unnecessary to the story and pretty boring for the reader. I actually live in Portland and I can guarantee that no one cares what county it’s located within. If you want to know random facts about Oregon, you’ve come to the right place. Be prepared to learn about the tunnels under Portland, women’s voting rights, how Oregon was settled, and more. Additionally, the author often uses Bailey as a vehicle for rants, such as the fact that people are mean about readers of genre fiction.
4. Bailey’s family history is a mess and comes out of no where in the book. I won’t even get into it here, but this comes up a lot, has absolutely nothing to do with the mystery, and includes a long flashback to the prior Christmas that ends as abruptly as it began.
Ultimately, this is a completely forgettable mystery series with a cast of forgettable characters, and a bunch of random Oregon facts that, even as a resident, I can’t wait to forget. Thanks to NetGalley for the Arc.
The underlying mystery in this story was somewhat interesting, but I was constantly distracted in my reading by the major flaws in the writing.
1. There are way too many characters in this book. Despite reading this book over the course of only two days, I couldn’t remember characters as I read because from their first scene to their second I was introduced to about 20 additional characters that often had no bearing on the story itself. I definitely understand the need to populate the town with characters, but the author went way too far and should have focused on really fleshing out a few main characters.
2. The characters in this book are very shallow and unrealistic. Each character seems to be a combination of quirks and drama with so little page time that we never truly get to know them. The bride is artsy and loves dressing up for comic con. The bride’s sister is a wannabe influencer who loves fashion. The best friend always tells it like it is. And so on and so forth. The characters have no real depth and based on their descriptors and interactions with Bailey, I’m not sure why anyone would be friends with them and not really sure that Bailey even likes them.
3. The book has way too many extraneous details. The author often provides details about Oregon that are completely unnecessary to the story and pretty boring for the reader. I actually live in Portland and I can guarantee that no one cares what county it’s located within. If you want to know random facts about Oregon, you’ve come to the right place. Be prepared to learn about the tunnels under Portland, women’s voting rights, how Oregon was settled, and more. Additionally, the author often uses Bailey as a vehicle for rants, such as the fact that people are mean about readers of genre fiction.
4. Bailey’s family history is a mess and comes out of no where in the book. I won’t even get into it here, but this comes up a lot, has absolutely nothing to do with the mystery, and includes a long flashback to the prior Christmas that ends as abruptly as it began.
Ultimately, this is a completely forgettable mystery series with a cast of forgettable characters, and a bunch of random Oregon facts that, even as a resident, I can’t wait to forget. Thanks to NetGalley for the Arc.
July 28, 2025
"Mayhem at a Halloween Wedding (Halloween Bookshop Mystery #2)" by Emmeline Duncan has Halloween, A wedding/most of the things done that lead up to a wedding, and death. Bailey Briggs has her college friend, Raven, having her Halloween themed wedding in town. Bailey is doing quite a bit to help with the wedding and isn't even the maid of honor, yet. When the maid of honor is found dead after a explosion during the annual Halloween parade wedding plans are still on but a little shifted around.
The victim wasn't well liked by most people. However, there was a big clue that dropped that I almost missed as a clue. Honestly, I didn't really suspect the culprit mostly because they seemed to fade a bit into the background.
I have to add. I'm glad the whole Bailey actually being majority owner of the bookstore was cleared up with the obnoxious uncle in this one. He was just way too annoying and her grandpa needed to shit that down, and he does. It was a pretty entertaining little side story in this one.
The victim wasn't well liked by most people. However, there was a big clue that dropped that I almost missed as a clue. Honestly, I didn't really suspect the culprit mostly because they seemed to fade a bit into the background.
I have to add. I'm glad the whole Bailey actually being majority owner of the bookstore was cleared up with the obnoxious uncle in this one. He was just way too annoying and her grandpa needed to shit that down, and he does. It was a pretty entertaining little side story in this one.
July 22, 2025
This book is a delight. For anyone who loves a cute small town with a theme this will be perfect. I love Halloween, but don't consider myself Halloween obsessed, but I would live here or visit in a heartbeat. I loved seeing more of the small businesses that make up the town and how they all contributed to the parade or were visited by the bridal party. I love how this series is more on the grittier side of cozy; still with all the elements we love, but also with some darker themes. The characters are also great, and it was fun to learn more about some of the recurring ones and also more about Bailey's past and her family drama. I am so happy she has found a home here and passion in the family bookstore. She is smart and stubborn and loyal, my favorite traits in a sleuth. She is no-nonsense when it comes to defending her friends and sticking up for others, but also full of whimsy and creative ideas and knows how to have fun. And of course I loved her big canine sidekick. I was shocked by the twists and the ending, and I am hopefully to see more of a certain someone in the future.
Thanks to the publisher for an ARC; my thoughts and review are my own.
Thanks to the publisher for an ARC; my thoughts and review are my own.
July 16, 2025
cute cozy with a halloween theme.
Trigger alert.... codependency on drug use and dealing
It does not detract from the story, and it's a fun cozy with characters you love to hate and others that you just gush over.
Trigger alert.... codependency on drug use and dealing
It does not detract from the story, and it's a fun cozy with characters you love to hate and others that you just gush over.
July 26, 2025
I want to thank Kensington Cozies and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Mayhem at a Halloween Wedding. All opinions presented here are my own.
Mayhem at a Halloween Wedding is the perfect addition to the Halloween Bookshop mysteries. It’s a fantastic blend of cozy mystery and Halloween!
Elyan Hollow is a town that was used as the filming location for an iconic Halloween movie. The movie has such a huge fan base that people come from all over to see the filming sites. What’s a town to do when that happens? They lean into it and celebrate what has made them famous. Several businesses in town have Halloween-themed names, and a month-long Halloween festival is held.
Elyan Hollow is a small town where everyone seems to know everyone else. Bailey lives in the house her mom grew up in and runs the bookshop that her grandfather first opened. Several of her friends are either people she attended school with or individuals who watched her grow up. It’s that kind of small town!
The new additions to the cast are welcome. As is the developing relationship between Bailey and Rex. Some of the family drama from the first book has carried over to this book. And it leaves me wondering if there’s a larger, overarching mystery at play.
If you are a fan of movies like Hocus Pocus and Halloweentown, you probably would love to visit the towns where they were filmed—a town much like Elyan Hollow. While waiting to take that trip, why not give Mayhem at a Halloween Wedding a read?
Mayhem at a Halloween Wedding is the perfect addition to the Halloween Bookshop mysteries. It’s a fantastic blend of cozy mystery and Halloween!
Elyan Hollow is a town that was used as the filming location for an iconic Halloween movie. The movie has such a huge fan base that people come from all over to see the filming sites. What’s a town to do when that happens? They lean into it and celebrate what has made them famous. Several businesses in town have Halloween-themed names, and a month-long Halloween festival is held.
Elyan Hollow is a small town where everyone seems to know everyone else. Bailey lives in the house her mom grew up in and runs the bookshop that her grandfather first opened. Several of her friends are either people she attended school with or individuals who watched her grow up. It’s that kind of small town!
The new additions to the cast are welcome. As is the developing relationship between Bailey and Rex. Some of the family drama from the first book has carried over to this book. And it leaves me wondering if there’s a larger, overarching mystery at play.
If you are a fan of movies like Hocus Pocus and Halloweentown, you probably would love to visit the towns where they were filmed—a town much like Elyan Hollow. While waiting to take that trip, why not give Mayhem at a Halloween Wedding a read?
September 20, 2025
Bookstore owner Bailey Briggs is delighted when her college roommate chooses Bailey's town of Elyan Hollow for a Halloween wedding. She's looking forward to being a bridesmaid and enjoying all the pre-wedding events. What she doesn't plan on is two feuding bridesmaid-zillas, disapproving future in-laws, and, of course, a suspicious death.
I liked all the unique characters and the mystery was full of twists and interesting side tracks.
It's another fun romp in a place that is remarkably similar to St. Helens, OR where the Halloweentown movies were filmed. Hmm, maybe I'll have to investigate that.
I liked all the unique characters and the mystery was full of twists and interesting side tracks.
It's another fun romp in a place that is remarkably similar to St. Helens, OR where the Halloweentown movies were filmed. Hmm, maybe I'll have to investigate that.
October 23, 2025
Bailey is a book shop owner with a penchant for solving murder mysteries. When a fellow bridesmaid in an old friend's Halloween wedding turns up dead, Bailey dives into the investigation. She tries to juggle running her shop, being a good bridesmaid, and solving the murder.
I'm a sucker for a cozy mystery. This isn't news. But this one wasn't great. And it's more the writing than the story. When you repeat the same descriptor from multiple characters ("oh, you're the bridesmaid that's doing all the grunt work.") or the same way of explaining certain bits of backstory, it's not helpful. it's boring. And when you take almost 10 full minutes straight of audiobook time to detail each characters' individual physical descriptions (so-and-so was a short five-foot-two, her blond hair and green eyes were blah blah, etc.), the reader might get bored.
I grabbed this from Hoopla because I was hoping it would be fun. I'm just... unimpressed. At least I didn't have to pay for it to be bored...
I'm a sucker for a cozy mystery. This isn't news. But this one wasn't great. And it's more the writing than the story. When you repeat the same descriptor from multiple characters ("oh, you're the bridesmaid that's doing all the grunt work.") or the same way of explaining certain bits of backstory, it's not helpful. it's boring. And when you take almost 10 full minutes straight of audiobook time to detail each characters' individual physical descriptions (so-and-so was a short five-foot-two, her blond hair and green eyes were blah blah, etc.), the reader might get bored.
I grabbed this from Hoopla because I was hoping it would be fun. I'm just... unimpressed. At least I didn't have to pay for it to be bored...
October 28, 2025
The concept was interesting, but there were way too many characters that were left underdeveloped. Half the main characters didn’t like each other and it was difficult to get attached to any of them. There were a lot of extraneous details that had nothing to do with the story, not even as red herrings. Much of the book read like a diary - a narrative without a destination. The conclusion was abrupt and had very little build up to the climax, which took half the time to unfold than an impromptu Christmas backstory seven chapters earlier.
July 26, 2025
ARC via NetGalley.
I haven't read the first book in the series so there were some gaps in my knowledge, but I didn't feel like I couldn't follow the thread.
Bailey and is helping her friend host her wedding in the Halloween obsessed town of Elyan Hollow, but the arrival of the parents and the rest of the wedding party brings a lot of chaos, tension, hurt feelings, and questioning why we're friends with people in the first place, and how much we let them hold over us even years later.
When one of the bridesmaid's is murdered and one of Bailey's true friends is suspected, she decides to put her sleuthing skills to good use, and all her connections to people in her small town. Bailey is a very straightforward character (there are some on the spectrum vibes and I appreciate that it's not pointed out, she just is who she is and people love her) and doesn't utilize deception often to get what she wants. She communicates clearly without being angry or aggressive, and it makes it hard for other characters to stay mad at her even when she's pressing them about sensitive things. I'd probably be disarmed enough to tell her things too.
There's also some promising developments with her life, family, and social life that make me want to read the third book and see where Bailey's life and happiness go.
I haven't read the first book in the series so there were some gaps in my knowledge, but I didn't feel like I couldn't follow the thread.
Bailey and is helping her friend host her wedding in the Halloween obsessed town of Elyan Hollow, but the arrival of the parents and the rest of the wedding party brings a lot of chaos, tension, hurt feelings, and questioning why we're friends with people in the first place, and how much we let them hold over us even years later.
When one of the bridesmaid's is murdered and one of Bailey's true friends is suspected, she decides to put her sleuthing skills to good use, and all her connections to people in her small town. Bailey is a very straightforward character (there are some on the spectrum vibes and I appreciate that it's not pointed out, she just is who she is and people love her) and doesn't utilize deception often to get what she wants. She communicates clearly without being angry or aggressive, and it makes it hard for other characters to stay mad at her even when she's pressing them about sensitive things. I'd probably be disarmed enough to tell her things too.
There's also some promising developments with her life, family, and social life that make me want to read the third book and see where Bailey's life and happiness go.
September 9, 2025
This was a quick fun mystery. The second book in The Halloween Booshop Mystery series. While the first book is my favorite, this one was still a good quick read for fall and Halloween lovers. The setting in a Halloween-themed town is one of my favorite aspects of the series, along with the main character.
Thank you to Kensington Publishing and Netgalley for this ARC.
Thank you to Kensington Publishing and Netgalley for this ARC.
September 11, 2025
Wanted to love it more than I did. I was so excited for this one since it has all my favorite vibes but I felt like it was trying too hard. I’m not a fan of name dropping - the time the author spent name dropping every single popular book, movie, or thing the author could think of they could have spent time putting some details in to describe their own story’s world. The story felt like a snippet of a bigger story - like there was a lot missing or wierd stuff that didn’t pertain to this particular book but would probably make sense if you read the series but seemed like filler if you didn’t read the 1st book in the series.
August 20, 2025
This book was really good! This is the second book in the Halloween Bookshop Mystery series by Emmeline Duncan. It was well written and well paced, very entertaining and incredibly hard to put down. Much better than expected, and very well worth the time to read.
August 29, 2025
Have been loving these books! Cozy murder mysteries perfect for going into spooky season!
September 23, 2025
Fluffy and to my taste. The bookstore owner with a cute dog lives her small town life and solves murders. I did notice a bunch of typos this time.
August 21, 2025
I absolutely loved the follow up book to Chaos at the Lazy Bones Bookshop. A solid 5 star read, or listen in my case. Hoping that the series will continue.
September 3, 2025
Super cute idea, but I can’t handle the clumsy execution here. There is no explanation or excuse for why this town puts up with a cop believing anyone who finds the body is a murderer, leaving it all up to random private citizen to save them from all from being falsely imprisoned at any moment. These poor town folk need some SERIOUS criminal justice reform ! 🤪
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 24, 2025
I should have learned my lesson last year, but I am just as prone to judging by covers as anyone else. So, so bad. All the stereotypical cozy mystery (unnecessary) details don’t usually bother me, but this one is more cutesy babble about friends’ stores than actual plot. Weird sidetracking also, especially for such a short book. I’m just going to ignore that no one seemed particularly sad about the deaths, since cozies do run very white-hat versus black-hat. And pie-in-the-sky library expectations are a definite no-go for me.
October 17, 2025
I love a good ole cozy murder mystery and this series fits that for me. I loved this one and I am getting very attached to Bailey and all the people in Elyan Hollow. This is a very quick, easy read and I love these books especially after a very deep thinking or emotional book.
I am ready for the 3rd in the series!!!
I am ready for the 3rd in the series!!!
August 5, 2025
I really loved the first book in the series. It literally has everything I love: a cozy town, Halloween year round and bookstore setting. Unfortunately this one wasn’t quite as good as the first. Although the Halloween theme was present, it didn’t feel as magical when centered on someone else’s wedding rather than Baileys bookstore. I also thought the character relationships was lacking in this one.
Had the mystery been top-notch this book might have been saved, but there really wasn’t a lot that would let the reader play along and led to a confusing wrap up at the end. If there is a third book, I hope we go back to the bookstore with more character growth because Halloween all the time is the dream for a cozy.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc! All opinions are my own.
Had the mystery been top-notch this book might have been saved, but there really wasn’t a lot that would let the reader play along and led to a confusing wrap up at the end. If there is a third book, I hope we go back to the bookstore with more character growth because Halloween all the time is the dream for a cozy.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc! All opinions are my own.
July 7, 2025
As if she’s not busy enough with it being Halloween, bookstore owner Bailey Briggs is preoccupied with helping her college friend with the final preparations leading up to her wedding. Bailey is serving as a bridesmaid, but her main job is acting as the peacekeeper as personalities clash between other members of the bridal party. After the maid of honor is murdered and another bridesmaid is accused of killing her, Bailey adds investigating to her already packed schedule.
Every day is Halloween in Elyan Hollow, Oregon, and, as someone who keeps her Halloween decorations out all year, I can appreciate that. That being said, I struggled to get into MAYHEM AT A HALLOWEEN WEDDING—mainly because I didn’t really care for any of the characters aside from the dog. The murder victim was extremely unlikeable. The only character more unlikeable was the bride’s sister. I sent most of the book wishing the killer would strike again. I did enjoy the Halloween scenes and events.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Every day is Halloween in Elyan Hollow, Oregon, and, as someone who keeps her Halloween decorations out all year, I can appreciate that. That being said, I struggled to get into MAYHEM AT A HALLOWEEN WEDDING—mainly because I didn’t really care for any of the characters aside from the dog. The murder victim was extremely unlikeable. The only character more unlikeable was the bride’s sister. I sent most of the book wishing the killer would strike again. I did enjoy the Halloween scenes and events.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
July 9, 2025
Thanks to the publisher, via Netgalley, for an advance e-galley for honest review.
Back in this charming village that embraces its Halloween side year round, this is a good mystery- but I did find the plot a little messy with a little too much happening, and also relying a lot on readers having a very clear memory of the characters and events of the one previous book. I typically really enjoy this author and I think this series still has promise but this one isn't a new favorite.
Back in this charming village that embraces its Halloween side year round, this is a good mystery- but I did find the plot a little messy with a little too much happening, and also relying a lot on readers having a very clear memory of the characters and events of the one previous book. I typically really enjoy this author and I think this series still has promise but this one isn't a new favorite.
August 3, 2025
If you’re craving a cozy mystery with a wicked seasonal twist, Emmeline Duncan’s Mayhem at a Halloween Wedding delivers all the eerie charm, small-town drama, and cleverly plotted suspense you could want in a Halloween whodunit.
Set in the eternally spooky town of Elyan Hollow, Oregon—where every day feels like October 31st—this mystery surrounds Bailey Briggs, a clever, grounded bookstore owner with a knack for uncovering local secrets. Between managing Lazy Bones Books during the town’s bustling Halloween festival and wrangling bridal chaos for her college friend Raven’s themed wedding, Bailey already has more on her plate than pumpkin spice lattes.
But things go from festive to fatal fast. During a bachelorette party coinciding with the town’s famous Halloween parade, a sudden explosion throws the celebration into chaos—and when the smoke clears, bridesmaid Ivy is found dead under suspicious circumstances. With fellow bridesmaid Colby—already at odds with Ivy—under police scrutiny, Bailey takes it upon herself to clear her friend’s name. What follows is a smartly paced mystery full of secrets, simmering tensions, and cleverly planted clues.
Duncan excels at blending cozy tropes (quirky townsfolk, bookstore setting, seasonal festivities) with a darker edge. The book’s strength lies in its atmosphere—imagine jack-o’-lanterns, creepy costumes, and secret grudges lurking beneath the surface of a tightly knit wedding party. The Grim Reaper costumes spotted throughout the parade add an eerie note that becomes increasingly relevant as Bailey digs deeper into the mystery.
Bailey is an endearing amateur sleuth—sharp, resourceful, and refreshingly down-to-earth. Her dynamic with the town, as well as her empathy for the bride and the conflicted bridal party, adds emotional resonance to the mystery. The book also balances multiple subplots well: family tensions, business responsibilities, and the demands of being a bridesmaid all intertwine with the central murder plot in satisfying ways.
Pros:
• Delightful Halloween-themed setting and cozy atmosphere
• Smart, capable female protagonist
• Twisty mystery with a satisfying reveal
• Great balance of humor, suspense, and small-town drama
Cons:
• Some secondary characters could use more depth
• Pacing dips slightly mid-way through as the bridal party drama takes center stage
Mayhem at a Halloween Wedding is the perfect seasonal read for fans of holiday cozies with a touch of real danger. Full of fall flair, bridal bedlam, and a dash of murder, it’s a treat—not a trick—for mystery lovers.
Set in the eternally spooky town of Elyan Hollow, Oregon—where every day feels like October 31st—this mystery surrounds Bailey Briggs, a clever, grounded bookstore owner with a knack for uncovering local secrets. Between managing Lazy Bones Books during the town’s bustling Halloween festival and wrangling bridal chaos for her college friend Raven’s themed wedding, Bailey already has more on her plate than pumpkin spice lattes.
But things go from festive to fatal fast. During a bachelorette party coinciding with the town’s famous Halloween parade, a sudden explosion throws the celebration into chaos—and when the smoke clears, bridesmaid Ivy is found dead under suspicious circumstances. With fellow bridesmaid Colby—already at odds with Ivy—under police scrutiny, Bailey takes it upon herself to clear her friend’s name. What follows is a smartly paced mystery full of secrets, simmering tensions, and cleverly planted clues.
Duncan excels at blending cozy tropes (quirky townsfolk, bookstore setting, seasonal festivities) with a darker edge. The book’s strength lies in its atmosphere—imagine jack-o’-lanterns, creepy costumes, and secret grudges lurking beneath the surface of a tightly knit wedding party. The Grim Reaper costumes spotted throughout the parade add an eerie note that becomes increasingly relevant as Bailey digs deeper into the mystery.
Bailey is an endearing amateur sleuth—sharp, resourceful, and refreshingly down-to-earth. Her dynamic with the town, as well as her empathy for the bride and the conflicted bridal party, adds emotional resonance to the mystery. The book also balances multiple subplots well: family tensions, business responsibilities, and the demands of being a bridesmaid all intertwine with the central murder plot in satisfying ways.
Pros:
• Delightful Halloween-themed setting and cozy atmosphere
• Smart, capable female protagonist
• Twisty mystery with a satisfying reveal
• Great balance of humor, suspense, and small-town drama
Cons:
• Some secondary characters could use more depth
• Pacing dips slightly mid-way through as the bridal party drama takes center stage
Mayhem at a Halloween Wedding is the perfect seasonal read for fans of holiday cozies with a touch of real danger. Full of fall flair, bridal bedlam, and a dash of murder, it’s a treat—not a trick—for mystery lovers.
July 25, 2025
The Halloween wedding sounded like fun as the author described the wedding prep from crazy gowns to special cakes. While there are other stories with full time Halloween, this author did a nice job of setting this town apart and making the story unique. The cast of characters each bring something a little different to the story especially Jack, the ring bear. Jack reminded me a bit of my dog as he traveled along with Bailey and made sure that he got attention. My dog may not be as large as Jack but she knows how to get pets and attention and travels right along with us.
Books with a dog star always resonate with me especially those that share traits with my dog. Another thing that resonated being a woman of a certain age is I remember those gowns and the tall hair and the side ponies. Having those memories, along with the author's descriptions made it easy to picture the setup for the wedding and to see the gowns.
The rest of the cast of characters was an eclectic mix that somehow fit the town (also eclectic.) It was neat the see the groom's parents finally embrace the spirit of the town. Speaking of parents, Bailey got the opportunity to continue building her relationship with her father. His gesture with the haunted dollhouse which inspired Bailey felt like a fun addition to the story. We got a little more backstory on that as we flashed back to a holiday scene from the previous year. The scene laid a lot more groundwork for the family dynamic and I enjoyed reading it. However, the scene felt out of place and sort of broke the flow of the wedding story. Th mystery was a good one and Bailey was right in the center of the investigation. as the wrong person was accused and that person was Bailey's BFF. Our "victim" made a lot of enemies through her own doing and did reprehensible things with no understanding of the damage she was causing. That is why I have victim in quotes, she may have been murdered in in the book but she was no victim. The author did a really nice job of demonstrating that and to a small degree you could feel for the killer.
The book was an enjoyable read with just a few minor issues.including the scene I mentioned above and sometimes the author got a little too got up in telling us about Oregon. Those scenes kind of also took away from the story. This two flaws may have cost the book one star but I am still going back for book 1.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing | Kensington Coziesand the author for the opportunity to read this ARC..
Books with a dog star always resonate with me especially those that share traits with my dog. Another thing that resonated being a woman of a certain age is I remember those gowns and the tall hair and the side ponies. Having those memories, along with the author's descriptions made it easy to picture the setup for the wedding and to see the gowns.
The rest of the cast of characters was an eclectic mix that somehow fit the town (also eclectic.) It was neat the see the groom's parents finally embrace the spirit of the town. Speaking of parents, Bailey got the opportunity to continue building her relationship with her father. His gesture with the haunted dollhouse which inspired Bailey felt like a fun addition to the story. We got a little more backstory on that as we flashed back to a holiday scene from the previous year. The scene laid a lot more groundwork for the family dynamic and I enjoyed reading it. However, the scene felt out of place and sort of broke the flow of the wedding story. Th mystery was a good one and Bailey was right in the center of the investigation. as the wrong person was accused and that person was Bailey's BFF. Our "victim" made a lot of enemies through her own doing and did reprehensible things with no understanding of the damage she was causing. That is why I have victim in quotes, she may have been murdered in in the book but she was no victim. The author did a really nice job of demonstrating that and to a small degree you could feel for the killer.
The book was an enjoyable read with just a few minor issues.including the scene I mentioned above and sometimes the author got a little too got up in telling us about Oregon. Those scenes kind of also took away from the story. This two flaws may have cost the book one star but I am still going back for book 1.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing | Kensington Coziesand the author for the opportunity to read this ARC..
August 25, 2025
A Spooky Wedding complete with murder.
It’s Halloween, in the most Halloween friendly town of Elyan Hollow, Oregon where the season of Halloween lasts all year. Protagonist Bailey Briggs is helping her college roommate Raven plan her perfect, Halloween themed wedding. Because she’s a Elyan Hollow native, Bailey’s been doing more than a typical bridesmaid job of helping planning the wedding. And now that the big day is getting close, she finds that she’s also having to run interface between Ivy and pretty much everyone else, especially Raven’s sister Harmony and Bailey’s friend and fellow bridesmaid Colby.
Things go from bad to worse, however, when, during the annual Halloween parade a bomb goes off and then Ivy is found dead. And from worse to worser (worst?) when the police suspect Colby as the killer. Naturally, it’s up to Bailey to clear Colby’s name and save the wedding.
I have mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, it was entertaining, which, at least for this genre, is probably the most important factor for a book. But on the other head, it felt a bit of mess. Frequently, in cozy mysteries like this one, the goings-on of the side characters are as (if not more) important as the whodunnit piece. And while this book tried to do that, there were too many characters, meaning most didn’t have enough time on screen. I think it would have been stronger book if several of the side characters were removed - the dog groomer, for example. Rather than have every character in every book, have few characters that can grow a bit and become memorable over 3 - 4 books, and then have them stop in for a couple of pages. But, as I said above, the book was entertaining. I plan on picking up the next one in the series!
Recommended. I received a copy of this from NetGalley.com that I voluntarily chose to review.
It’s Halloween, in the most Halloween friendly town of Elyan Hollow, Oregon where the season of Halloween lasts all year. Protagonist Bailey Briggs is helping her college roommate Raven plan her perfect, Halloween themed wedding. Because she’s a Elyan Hollow native, Bailey’s been doing more than a typical bridesmaid job of helping planning the wedding. And now that the big day is getting close, she finds that she’s also having to run interface between Ivy and pretty much everyone else, especially Raven’s sister Harmony and Bailey’s friend and fellow bridesmaid Colby.
Things go from bad to worse, however, when, during the annual Halloween parade a bomb goes off and then Ivy is found dead. And from worse to worser (worst?) when the police suspect Colby as the killer. Naturally, it’s up to Bailey to clear Colby’s name and save the wedding.
I have mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, it was entertaining, which, at least for this genre, is probably the most important factor for a book. But on the other head, it felt a bit of mess. Frequently, in cozy mysteries like this one, the goings-on of the side characters are as (if not more) important as the whodunnit piece. And while this book tried to do that, there were too many characters, meaning most didn’t have enough time on screen. I think it would have been stronger book if several of the side characters were removed - the dog groomer, for example. Rather than have every character in every book, have few characters that can grow a bit and become memorable over 3 - 4 books, and then have them stop in for a couple of pages. But, as I said above, the book was entertaining. I plan on picking up the next one in the series!
Recommended. I received a copy of this from NetGalley.com that I voluntarily chose to review.
June 18, 2025
For anyone into Halloween, you are in for a treat! Elysn Hallow is a Halloween town year round after some fame in a Halloween movie, but come October and add a Halloween themed wedding, and you can't escape the vibe. Bailey is excited that the second Spooky Season Lit Festival put on by her bookstore, Lazy Bones Bookshop, was a success and, this year, without a murder. Now Bailey can relax and enjoy her time as a bridesmaid in her college friend, Raven's Halloween day wedding, and the festivities during the week leading up. While Bailey and Colby are local, most of the bridal party and guests are visitors. While helping Raven with favors and other projects, she notices that there is a lot of tension between the bride's sister Harmony and everyone. Also, another bridesmaid is not very popular with the rest of the group, Ivy is a manipulator and seems to rub anyone expert Raven the wrong way. When Ivy turns up dead during a disturbance at the town's Halloween parade, can Bailey figure out what happened? Was this a freak accident or deliberate murder? Was she killed by a local or one of the wedding guests? Will the wedding go on? Why was Ivy a target? Was this a current gripe or something leftover from college days? This is a good mystery with lots of potential suspects. You will enjoy your time with Bailey, Jack, the Lazy Bones crew, and all Bailey's family, friends, and fellow business owners! Thanks to #Netgally, #Kensingtonbooks, and the author for an opportunity to read. #MayhemataHalloweenWedding #AHalloweenBookshopMystery #EmmelineDuncan #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader
July 26, 2025
“Mayhem at a Halloween Wedding,” the second in Emmeline Duncan’s Halloween Bookshop Mysteries, finds the quirky cast from the first book (“Chaos at the Lazy Bone Bookshop”) return for more fun, mayhem, and mystery.
Making preparations for her college friend Raven’s wedding and other seasonal, holiday events in the cozy town of Elyan Hollow, Oregon, Bailey Briggs finds herself adding murder to her long to-do list.
Amid the festival events, an altercation between friends and bridesmaids Colby and Ivy ensues, heightening tensions within the small circle of friends. Bailey, up to her neck with deadlines and responsibilities, interjects into the mounting conflict of problems, adding to the dilemmas with friends, family members, and the insurmountable wedding plans.
Bailey wants nothing more than peace and pleasure for everyone, and for the event to run smoothly without a hitch. As she arranges the bachelorette party on the night of the Halloween parade, her best friend Ivy dies during an explosion. Later, when law enforcement examines the crime scene, it is believed that murder was the modus operandi.
The latest entry in this atmospheric and charming mystery series ups the ante from the previous installment and proves that this train has no plans of slowing down. Filled with dark, deadly secrets and a haunting small town, “Mayhem at a Halloween Wedding” will please familiar readers and create new ones.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book from Kensington Publishing.
Making preparations for her college friend Raven’s wedding and other seasonal, holiday events in the cozy town of Elyan Hollow, Oregon, Bailey Briggs finds herself adding murder to her long to-do list.
Amid the festival events, an altercation between friends and bridesmaids Colby and Ivy ensues, heightening tensions within the small circle of friends. Bailey, up to her neck with deadlines and responsibilities, interjects into the mounting conflict of problems, adding to the dilemmas with friends, family members, and the insurmountable wedding plans.
Bailey wants nothing more than peace and pleasure for everyone, and for the event to run smoothly without a hitch. As she arranges the bachelorette party on the night of the Halloween parade, her best friend Ivy dies during an explosion. Later, when law enforcement examines the crime scene, it is believed that murder was the modus operandi.
The latest entry in this atmospheric and charming mystery series ups the ante from the previous installment and proves that this train has no plans of slowing down. Filled with dark, deadly secrets and a haunting small town, “Mayhem at a Halloween Wedding” will please familiar readers and create new ones.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book from Kensington Publishing.
November 8, 2025
This cozy mystery was pure fall fun from start to finish. Elyan Hollow feels like a pumpkin-scented dream, if your dream includes small-town gossip, old friends with complicated pasts, and year-round jack-o’-lanterns. Bailey is the kind of protagonist I root for: grounded, loyal, and capable, even when juggling murder investigations between bridesmaid duties.
What I loved most is how the story keeps romance in the background. Sometimes it’s refreshing to just enjoy a good old-fashioned whodunit without the will-they-won’t-they distraction. The mystery itself was straightforward but satisfying, with enough twists to keep the pages turning (or in my case, earbuds in).
Beyond the murder, the family dynamics really stood out. Rex’s quiet efforts to rebuild his relationship with Bailey were genuinely touching, and her step-siblings’ warmth adds a nice emotional layer to the story. It’s those moments of care and connection that make Duncan’s world feel cozy rather than clichéd.
Would I Recommend It?
Absolutely. Mayhem at a Halloween Wedding delivers everything you’d want in a seasonal cozy: festive flair, small-town secrets, and a heroine with both heart and hustle. A solid listen for crisp autumn evenings or year-round mystery moods.
🎭 Trick or Treat Talk
Would you want to live in a town where it’s Halloween every day, or would that send you running for the nearest Christmas market? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!
🎧 Listened in Audio
📢 Narrated by: Emily Durante
⏱ Duration: 8 hours
🏷️ Publisher: Tantor Media
📚 Genre: Cozy Mystery
What I loved most is how the story keeps romance in the background. Sometimes it’s refreshing to just enjoy a good old-fashioned whodunit without the will-they-won’t-they distraction. The mystery itself was straightforward but satisfying, with enough twists to keep the pages turning (or in my case, earbuds in).
Beyond the murder, the family dynamics really stood out. Rex’s quiet efforts to rebuild his relationship with Bailey were genuinely touching, and her step-siblings’ warmth adds a nice emotional layer to the story. It’s those moments of care and connection that make Duncan’s world feel cozy rather than clichéd.
Would I Recommend It?
Absolutely. Mayhem at a Halloween Wedding delivers everything you’d want in a seasonal cozy: festive flair, small-town secrets, and a heroine with both heart and hustle. A solid listen for crisp autumn evenings or year-round mystery moods.
🎭 Trick or Treat Talk
Would you want to live in a town where it’s Halloween every day, or would that send you running for the nearest Christmas market? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!
🎧 Listened in Audio
📢 Narrated by: Emily Durante
⏱ Duration: 8 hours
🏷️ Publisher: Tantor Media
📚 Genre: Cozy Mystery
July 18, 2025
*I received a free ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest response*
I love a good cozy mystery and I love Halloween, so this series has been perfect for me! Add in a Beetlejuice-inspired wedding and this is pretty much the perfect book. It was nice getting to know more about Bailey and find out more about her family dynamic, especially as her relationship with her father continues to develop. We also got to learn more about some of the backstory for supporting characters which is always interesting. I also love this little town and getting to see more of it and how the characters interact with it. I wish this were a real town (but maybe without the murders). As for the mystery, it was a good one. The victim was a pretty awful human being and there were plenty of people who hated her but the big reveal of the killer's identity came as a surprise to me. I felt a little bad for the person when it was first revealed but then they opened their mouth and most of that sympathy went right out the window. It was a bit frustrating when Raven continued to defend Ivy even after knowing how poorly she treated others. Speaking of Raven, I was not always a fan of the way she treated Bailey and how she allowed Ivy to treat her - but she on occasion would show why Bailey kept her as a friend.
I love a good cozy mystery and I love Halloween, so this series has been perfect for me! Add in a Beetlejuice-inspired wedding and this is pretty much the perfect book. It was nice getting to know more about Bailey and find out more about her family dynamic, especially as her relationship with her father continues to develop. We also got to learn more about some of the backstory for supporting characters which is always interesting. I also love this little town and getting to see more of it and how the characters interact with it. I wish this were a real town (but maybe without the murders). As for the mystery, it was a good one. The victim was a pretty awful human being and there were plenty of people who hated her but the big reveal of the killer's identity came as a surprise to me. I felt a little bad for the person when it was first revealed but then they opened their mouth and most of that sympathy went right out the window. It was a bit frustrating when Raven continued to defend Ivy even after knowing how poorly she treated others. Speaking of Raven, I was not always a fan of the way she treated Bailey and how she allowed Ivy to treat her - but she on occasion would show why Bailey kept her as a friend.
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