What do you think?
Rate this book
Celebration Bay #4
Trick or Deceit
The author of Independence Slay invites readers back to Celebration Bay for Halloween festivities with more tricks than treats…
This October in Celebration Bay, you can’t swing a black cat without hitting a haunted house. There are three finalists in the contest for the town’s official Haunted House, and ten thousand dollars will go to the winner, with the rest of the contributions and proceeds funding a new community center. Event coordinator Liv Montgomery has invited her friend Jonathan Preston, the debonair CEO of a philanthropic organization, hoping he will award a grant to the center.
But after the Museum of Yankee Horrors wins first place, the transformed Victorian boarding house is vandalized ... and among scattered mannequins of Hester Prynne, Lizzie Borden, and the Headless Horseman, a real dead body is found—one of the contest judges. Now in addition to playing host to Jon, Liv has to play detective and coordinate the clues to unmask a self-appointed judge, jury, and executioner.
This October in Celebration Bay, you can’t swing a black cat without hitting a haunted house. There are three finalists in the contest for the town’s official Haunted House, and ten thousand dollars will go to the winner, with the rest of the contributions and proceeds funding a new community center. Event coordinator Liv Montgomery has invited her friend Jonathan Preston, the debonair CEO of a philanthropic organization, hoping he will award a grant to the center.
But after the Museum of Yankee Horrors wins first place, the transformed Victorian boarding house is vandalized ... and among scattered mannequins of Hester Prynne, Lizzie Borden, and the Headless Horseman, a real dead body is found—one of the contest judges. Now in addition to playing host to Jon, Liv has to play detective and coordinate the clues to unmask a self-appointed judge, jury, and executioner.
306 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2015
22 people are currently reading
563 people want to read
About the author
Shelley Freydont
24 books276 followersaka Gemma Bruce
Shelley Freyont is the author of the Lindy Haggerty Sudoku mysteries. She attended the University of Utah majoring in philosophy and dance. Shelley Freydont has also toured as a professonal dance with Twyla Tharp Dance and Americal Ballroom theater. She has appeared and choreographed in television, film, and Brodway.
Series:
* Lindy Haggerty Mystery
* Kate McDonald Mystery
Shelley Freyont is the author of the Lindy Haggerty Sudoku mysteries. She attended the University of Utah majoring in philosophy and dance. Shelley Freydont has also toured as a professonal dance with Twyla Tharp Dance and Americal Ballroom theater. She has appeared and choreographed in television, film, and Brodway.
Series:
* Lindy Haggerty Mystery
* Kate McDonald Mystery
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
November 3, 2015
This is a cute series, but like the other I read which was a Christmas tale, it didn't hold my interest for very long at a time. I enjoyed the Halloween time frame, but the mystery seemed to drag for me. I figured it out well before the big reveal. I have another of these, but if it drags, too, I won't read beyond that.
September 21, 2015
In Celebration Bay, a family friendly destination town they take holidays very seriously. It's hard not to imagine the picturesque beauty with the small town setting. Halloween is one holiday that holds no exception. There's a haunted house competition in Celebration Bay, three finalists are vying for the winners prize of ten thousand dollars with the new community center receiving the rest of the proceeds.
Liv Montgomery is a event coordonator for Celebration Bay, may be in over her head when she invited her friend, Jon Preston who is a director of development for a company that provides funding for projects like the building of the community center. Liv is hoping to receive a grant from Jon's company for the funding of the new community center.
The first place winner is crowned. "The Museum of Yankee Horrors" but the owner, Barry's celebration is short lived when his haunted house is vandalized. When the body of Lucille, the contest judge is found with a bruise on her head and is found by the coroner to be strangled to death on the property of "The Museum of Yankee Horrors". Jon, surprizingly in a twisted turn of events becomes a suspect. Not far behind when the second runner up, Ernie Bolton and his "Monster Mansion" who may have it in for Barry and his "Museum of Yankee Horrors"
This time of year reading a Halloween themed cozy mystery is what I was in the mood for, to get myself in the Halloween spirit. Trick or Deceit has all the makings of a perfect Halloween mystery with haunted houses, cats, witches inhabiting and running a business in the town and a crime fighting dog named, Whiskey who happened to a favorite of mine.
The one downfall I had was the very slow pace of the story. It was making me lose interest very quickly, it took me a few more days than normal to finish because the story was not as exciting. At first the characters seemed very one demintional to me but I loved the small town gossip and rumor mill and the extra marital affairs that made it more interesting and the characters seem more like real, flawed people.
FTC Disclosure Thank you to the publisher and/or author for providing us with a copy of this book for review.This did not influence our thoughts in any way. All the opinions of the book and review are our own and our reviews are honest.
Liv Montgomery is a event coordonator for Celebration Bay, may be in over her head when she invited her friend, Jon Preston who is a director of development for a company that provides funding for projects like the building of the community center. Liv is hoping to receive a grant from Jon's company for the funding of the new community center.
The first place winner is crowned. "The Museum of Yankee Horrors" but the owner, Barry's celebration is short lived when his haunted house is vandalized. When the body of Lucille, the contest judge is found with a bruise on her head and is found by the coroner to be strangled to death on the property of "The Museum of Yankee Horrors". Jon, surprizingly in a twisted turn of events becomes a suspect. Not far behind when the second runner up, Ernie Bolton and his "Monster Mansion" who may have it in for Barry and his "Museum of Yankee Horrors"
This time of year reading a Halloween themed cozy mystery is what I was in the mood for, to get myself in the Halloween spirit. Trick or Deceit has all the makings of a perfect Halloween mystery with haunted houses, cats, witches inhabiting and running a business in the town and a crime fighting dog named, Whiskey who happened to a favorite of mine.
The one downfall I had was the very slow pace of the story. It was making me lose interest very quickly, it took me a few more days than normal to finish because the story was not as exciting. At first the characters seemed very one demintional to me but I loved the small town gossip and rumor mill and the extra marital affairs that made it more interesting and the characters seem more like real, flawed people.
FTC Disclosure Thank you to the publisher and/or author for providing us with a copy of this book for review.This did not influence our thoughts in any way. All the opinions of the book and review are our own and our reviews are honest.
August 31, 2015
In more than plenty of time for Halloween, TRICK OR DECEIT is the perfect book to read for the season. But I bet you won’t last that long before you read this installment of the Celebration Bay Mystery series.
It’s October in Celebration Bay and murder and mischief was not supposed to be on the agenda for event coordinator Liv Montgomery. Well, not the real thing anyway. But that doesn’t stop it from happening.
Halloween is my favorite holiday setting for cozy mysteries. I mean, how perfect, right? And author Shelley Feydont takes full advantage of the holiday to write a delightful mystery that is tricky to figure out and a real treat to devour. TRICK OR DECEIT was a great whodunit with more surprises than candy in a trick or treat bag, and had me second guessing myself right up until the thrilling conclusion.
Don’t be afraid to pick up this Halloween cozy. You’re going to love it! And I look forward to what author Frydont has in store for us next.
It’s October in Celebration Bay and murder and mischief was not supposed to be on the agenda for event coordinator Liv Montgomery. Well, not the real thing anyway. But that doesn’t stop it from happening.
Halloween is my favorite holiday setting for cozy mysteries. I mean, how perfect, right? And author Shelley Feydont takes full advantage of the holiday to write a delightful mystery that is tricky to figure out and a real treat to devour. TRICK OR DECEIT was a great whodunit with more surprises than candy in a trick or treat bag, and had me second guessing myself right up until the thrilling conclusion.
Don’t be afraid to pick up this Halloween cozy. You’re going to love it! And I look forward to what author Frydont has in store for us next.
September 5, 2015
Trick or Deceit is the fourth book in the Celebration Bay Mystery series.
It's always delightful for me to visit with the folks who reside in Celebration Bay.
Liv and Ted are busy getting ready for the annual Halloween Festival.
The stores have all been decorated and about the only thing yet be done is the selection of the first annual Haunted House contest. When the winners and runners-up are announced, the second place winner, Ernie Bolton, is livid. The prize is $10,000 and he desperately needs the money to pay his back real estate taxes. Before he leaves, he accuses the head of the judging committee, Lucille Foster, of having swayed the other judges into voting for the winner, Barry Lindquist. The next morning as Liv and Whiskey are out for their morning run, Liv notices that Lindquist's winning display has been damaged. Crossing the vacant lot next door to access the damage, she also calls the sheriff. As the police arrive, actors for the community theatre come to help with the clean-up. It is one that happens to discover the lifeless body of Lucille. Bolton, naturally, becomes a prime suspect, but Liv has her doubts. Where are her designer shoes, where is here car and did her husband really pick her up after award ceremony? So she enlists Ted, her assistant and Chaz, owner of the Celebration Bay Clarion and former investigative reporter to find out who sent Lucille to an early grave.
I really enjoy all the characters in this series. Even Janine Tudor, Liv's nemesis has mellowed on this book. Once again, Dolly Hunicutt, owner of the Apple of My Eye Bakery is back helping Liv and keeping Whiskey happy dog treats and BeBe Ford, owner of the Buttercup Coffee Exchange is back with her lattes and tea for Liv and Ted. The Zimmerman sisters are there to help and provide Liv with the lowdown on the local residents and also to provide Whiskey with love and treats while Liv is off sleuthing. Chaz, good ol' Chaz. Liv and Chaze still seem to be dancing about as to possibly starting to date. But with Jonathon Preston in town, and someone Liv knew from her days in New York City, Chaz might have some competition. And Ted, Liv's assistant, seems to know what is going on in town practically before anyone else does and is a very valuable assistant to Liv. In addition, I love the time he spends with Whiskey teaching him songs to “arrroo” to.
Definitely will be watching for the next book in the series.
It's always delightful for me to visit with the folks who reside in Celebration Bay.
Liv and Ted are busy getting ready for the annual Halloween Festival.
The stores have all been decorated and about the only thing yet be done is the selection of the first annual Haunted House contest. When the winners and runners-up are announced, the second place winner, Ernie Bolton, is livid. The prize is $10,000 and he desperately needs the money to pay his back real estate taxes. Before he leaves, he accuses the head of the judging committee, Lucille Foster, of having swayed the other judges into voting for the winner, Barry Lindquist. The next morning as Liv and Whiskey are out for their morning run, Liv notices that Lindquist's winning display has been damaged. Crossing the vacant lot next door to access the damage, she also calls the sheriff. As the police arrive, actors for the community theatre come to help with the clean-up. It is one that happens to discover the lifeless body of Lucille. Bolton, naturally, becomes a prime suspect, but Liv has her doubts. Where are her designer shoes, where is here car and did her husband really pick her up after award ceremony? So she enlists Ted, her assistant and Chaz, owner of the Celebration Bay Clarion and former investigative reporter to find out who sent Lucille to an early grave.
I really enjoy all the characters in this series. Even Janine Tudor, Liv's nemesis has mellowed on this book. Once again, Dolly Hunicutt, owner of the Apple of My Eye Bakery is back helping Liv and keeping Whiskey happy dog treats and BeBe Ford, owner of the Buttercup Coffee Exchange is back with her lattes and tea for Liv and Ted. The Zimmerman sisters are there to help and provide Liv with the lowdown on the local residents and also to provide Whiskey with love and treats while Liv is off sleuthing. Chaz, good ol' Chaz. Liv and Chaze still seem to be dancing about as to possibly starting to date. But with Jonathon Preston in town, and someone Liv knew from her days in New York City, Chaz might have some competition. And Ted, Liv's assistant, seems to know what is going on in town practically before anyone else does and is a very valuable assistant to Liv. In addition, I love the time he spends with Whiskey teaching him songs to “arrroo” to.
Definitely will be watching for the next book in the series.
September 7, 2015
I really love cozy mysteries and I love holiday stories and this is both. I am so glad I was introduced to this series with this book. Liv and Ted are great characters as is her dog, Whiskey.
Shelley creates the perfect small town that you wish you lived in. I felt right at home in Celebration Bay from the very start. Why can't more towns be like the ones in cozy mysteries and Debbie Macomber novels?
What I found really unique about this series, is that there's no love interest for Liv. There's some tension between her and Chaz, but nothing really going on.
The murder was one that really got you thinking. From the start there are a few suspects and there are enough twists and turns that you are kept guessing until the very end. There were a few times when I was sure it was someone and then...boom! It wasn't.
What I really liked about Liv, was that even though she was in the thick of the investigation, but she didn't really do the stupid things that a lot of cozy mystery sleuths do. She worried about the case, but she was really focused on her job.
I also hope we get to see more of Yolanda in the upcoming series. I'm all for a real quirky characters, and if that character might be witch. Her and her coven really made this story more interesting, and when you added the Doomsday guy, there were a lot of interesting side stories going on.
Loved this book!
Shelley creates the perfect small town that you wish you lived in. I felt right at home in Celebration Bay from the very start. Why can't more towns be like the ones in cozy mysteries and Debbie Macomber novels?
What I found really unique about this series, is that there's no love interest for Liv. There's some tension between her and Chaz, but nothing really going on.
The murder was one that really got you thinking. From the start there are a few suspects and there are enough twists and turns that you are kept guessing until the very end. There were a few times when I was sure it was someone and then...boom! It wasn't.
What I really liked about Liv, was that even though she was in the thick of the investigation, but she didn't really do the stupid things that a lot of cozy mystery sleuths do. She worried about the case, but she was really focused on her job.
I also hope we get to see more of Yolanda in the upcoming series. I'm all for a real quirky characters, and if that character might be witch. Her and her coven really made this story more interesting, and when you added the Doomsday guy, there were a lot of interesting side stories going on.
Loved this book!
September 3, 2015
Trick or Deceit by Shelley Freydont (Celebration Bay #4) – 5
The first annual haunted house contest in Celebration Bay ends in tragedy when the winning house is vandalized and a dead body is found in with the fake body parts. Is the jealous runner up to blame? Who else might have wanted to kill the victim?
This is my fourth trip to Celebration Bay in the last year, and I’ve enjoyed each of them. Once again, the book provides some unique clues and red herrings that I found lots of fun. It was great to visit the core characters again, although I wish we would see a bit more character growth in a few of them. The new characters are just as charming. This is a great stop for your Halloween (or any time of the year) reading list.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
The first annual haunted house contest in Celebration Bay ends in tragedy when the winning house is vandalized and a dead body is found in with the fake body parts. Is the jealous runner up to blame? Who else might have wanted to kill the victim?
This is my fourth trip to Celebration Bay in the last year, and I’ve enjoyed each of them. Once again, the book provides some unique clues and red herrings that I found lots of fun. It was great to visit the core characters again, although I wish we would see a bit more character growth in a few of them. The new characters are just as charming. This is a great stop for your Halloween (or any time of the year) reading list.
NOTE: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
September 26, 2015
It's Halloween time in Celebration Bay and with the Fall Festival and now the Celebration Bay Official Halloween House contest, Liv and Ted have their hands full. Everything seems to go well with the contest till the winners are announced and there are hurt feelings and accusations. Just when Liv thinks everything is in hand, the winning house is vandalized. Luckily it seems all of the mannequin pieces are right in the field next door. Unluckily, is the dead body that's there with them.
I really enjoyed this book, as I have the others in the Celebration Bay series. I would love an assistant like Ted and I really enjoying reading about Liv and Whiskey. I was pretty surprised by the killer, which is always fun since I was guessing along the way trying to figure out who did it :)
I really enjoyed this book, as I have the others in the Celebration Bay series. I would love an assistant like Ted and I really enjoying reading about Liv and Whiskey. I was pretty surprised by the killer, which is always fun since I was guessing along the way trying to figure out who did it :)
December 26, 2015
3.5 stars
The mystery in this one was pretty easy; I spotted the killer fairly early on and the motivation was somewhat obvious. Still, it kept my attention and it was a fun read themed for Halloween.
Wordier review: http://jenn.booklikes.com/post/127930...
The mystery in this one was pretty easy; I spotted the killer fairly early on and the motivation was somewhat obvious. Still, it kept my attention and it was a fun read themed for Halloween.
Wordier review: http://jenn.booklikes.com/post/127930...
October 26, 2025
This is one of the absolute worst books I have ever read. While I didn’t expect this to be the most sophisticated, realistic book, the plot was incredibly juvenile and unrealistic (what detective would allow crime scene evidence to not be collected because it had been compromised before realizing it was evidence?). Most of the book was spent discussing how they had no new evidence/ leads. Also, no one who has ever lived in NYC refers to it as Manhattan, it’s the city.
There were also numerous spelling, grammatical and word choice errors (i.e. it’s throwing suspicion off yourself not throwing suspension off yourself).
There were also numerous spelling, grammatical and word choice errors (i.e. it’s throwing suspicion off yourself not throwing suspension off yourself).
April 6, 2019
This mystery doesn't start with a bang like most mysteries. Dream Dancing is like that also so I'm willing to give this time to find its way. The beginning is set up and dialogue. The story dragged in the middle, but when it came to the shoes, it got good again. The trap at the end was well done. The overall story was good.
November 4, 2024
3.5 stars. Good mystery that kept me guessing. I was happy with the resolution. I enjoy the characters and all the holiday events in town, even if that much sounds exhausting.
September 5, 2015
Big city girl Liv Montgomery has now been the event coordinator for the small southern town and tourist location Celebration Bay for a year. She feels fairly comfortable with the folks who keep coming to her to solve their problems, including the local sheriff. She even is beginning to appreciate the less formal attire required, although there will always be people who want to feel superior by the way they dress. Halloween is approaching and the whole town has gotten into the spirit full force. A former colleague of Liv's from New York City will be arriving soon to evaluate the town for grant money for a new community center. What could possible go wrong?
The town sponsored a Haunted House competition with a hefty financial prize.
It was understandable someone would feel bad about losing, but angry enough for vandalism? How about murder? In this installment to the series we learn a few well hidden secrets about Celebration Bay's year round population.
Add to that a new "witch" arrives in town to open a store and invites her "sisters" for a Samhaim celebration at the fishing camp. This encourages a screaming street preacher to harrass anyone within earshot.
The gossip line is active and secrets and details the sheriff would prefer to keep quiet make the rounds with lightening speed. How can Liv solve the murder before her N.Y. colleague arrives? Will murder squash the grant money application?
I am a Halloween addict, even better with a cozy mystery to solve.
I enjoy Shelly Freydont's writing. Her books never disappoint. I get lost in them for hours at a time. The characters are wonderful and the mystery was not easy to solve. Besides, I like looking "behind the scenes" and getting to know those small town secrets.
I did receive this book in exchange for an honest review.
I can't wait to return to Celebration Bay.
The town sponsored a Haunted House competition with a hefty financial prize.
It was understandable someone would feel bad about losing, but angry enough for vandalism? How about murder? In this installment to the series we learn a few well hidden secrets about Celebration Bay's year round population.
Add to that a new "witch" arrives in town to open a store and invites her "sisters" for a Samhaim celebration at the fishing camp. This encourages a screaming street preacher to harrass anyone within earshot.
The gossip line is active and secrets and details the sheriff would prefer to keep quiet make the rounds with lightening speed. How can Liv solve the murder before her N.Y. colleague arrives? Will murder squash the grant money application?
I am a Halloween addict, even better with a cozy mystery to solve.
I enjoy Shelly Freydont's writing. Her books never disappoint. I get lost in them for hours at a time. The characters are wonderful and the mystery was not easy to solve. Besides, I like looking "behind the scenes" and getting to know those small town secrets.
I did receive this book in exchange for an honest review.
I can't wait to return to Celebration Bay.
May 7, 2024
Liv is back as Celebration Bay's event planner, where every season is another way to bring in guests. This time it's Halloween, and the winner has just been picked when a judge turns up dead inside the ransacked winner's house. Meanwhile, a former acquaintance from the city is coming in to hopefully fall in love with the town and hopefully be willing to put in a good word for a new community center. But how can the town put its best foot forward with this nefarious action going around?
I read the first three books in this series a few years ago and remember really enjoying them, so I'm not sure if this book was just difference or if I've just been feeling more picky this week. Liv is a little more grating than I remember, there is a little less about the town fun, and more about personal drama. The characters otherwise have potential to be really entertaining, but nothing really interesting happened with any of the side characters in this story. Liv just kind of floats through her "I'm better than everyone else cause I used to be from the city" - which is not how I remember her - and does her own thing and she doesn't interact with the other characters as much as I wish.
I can't really put my finger on why, but I had a lot of trouble staying focused on this book. From my memory, the first three were a lot better, so I'd recommend those. But skip this latest installment.
I read the first three books in this series a few years ago and remember really enjoying them, so I'm not sure if this book was just difference or if I've just been feeling more picky this week. Liv is a little more grating than I remember, there is a little less about the town fun, and more about personal drama. The characters otherwise have potential to be really entertaining, but nothing really interesting happened with any of the side characters in this story. Liv just kind of floats through her "I'm better than everyone else cause I used to be from the city" - which is not how I remember her - and does her own thing and she doesn't interact with the other characters as much as I wish.
I can't really put my finger on why, but I had a lot of trouble staying focused on this book. From my memory, the first three were a lot better, so I'd recommend those. But skip this latest installment.
June 11, 2022
In Celebration Bay, the holidays and the tourists they attract for the town celebrations have put the town on the map and revived a town that was slipping away. It’s time for Halloween and contest for the best “haunted house” is held with a 10 grand purse. One of the contestants is quite unhappy when he doesn’t win and blows up at one of the judges. Tha next morning the winning haunted house is found vandalised and all the mannequins tossed outside in a field. Unfortunately the body of one of the judges is also found. She is missing her LaBoutain shoes and an expensive scarf. Our heroine must solve this before the representative of a charitable foundation arrives or they may not get their requested grant for a new community center. A twisty plot but the killer was obvious.
August 30, 2015
I loved the Halloween theme of this book and what better time of year to start reading books like this. I hated that the Museum of Yankee Horror was vandalized and then a dead body was found in there as well how creepy. It is fun to go along with Liv as she is trying to find out who would kill one of the contest judges. It was enjoyable to visit this quaint little town again and hear what is going on with the characters. In my opinion the author did a good job of keeping you guessing on who was the person who did the killing. The author did a good job with descriptions and I felt as if I was visiting this town while walking along with Liv. Another good addition to a fun series.
September 4, 2015
It's just about time for Halloween and Shelley Freydont's newest book Trick or Deceit will put you in the festive mood. With parties, decorations, fun food and murder you will be trapped in this book from the first page. Who doesn't love a good treat on Halloween. Get this book today and you will enjoy it from the start. Find out who the killer is before time is up. Happy Halloween
October 29, 2015
This was between three and four stars but I will round up to four. It was a good mystery, I was never sure who did it until the end. I also like the holiday setting. I did find myself getting distracted though and putting the book down several times.
October 25, 2015
I can not wait for the next book in this series to come out!! :)
November 18, 2018
This was just ok. The mystery was pretty mediocre, the villain was pretty obvious, none of the red herrings were very tricky. It's a serviceable cozy mystery and if you like the main character and the town, it's probably more like a 3 star. BUT. While I like the amateur detective just fine, I could not stand the people in the town she lived in. Somehow the same tropes and stereotypes that are totally fine in Murder She Wrote are completely unacceptable in this book. Part of that I think is due to the age of the sleuth; Liv (the event planner and amateur sleuth) is much younger than Jessica Fletcher and doesn't get the respect that comes with age. Also, the men in this book basically treat her like a teenager; they either want to hook up with her or they want to control her dating life. It's so infuriating. And the constant refrain from other women of "they're just like that because they care about you" is even more infuriating. I just wanted to be like NO, the reason they're like that is because they have a misplaced sense of superiority and lack of respect for her autonomy. Yes, these guys do care about her but they would never behave that way if she was a man. This book made me hate small towns in New England.
All patriarchal problems and boring plot aside, I just don't think I could read more from this series because I still can't get over the idea of an entire town banking its entire culture and economy on the idea of going in hard on every single holiday. Just too weird.
PS: What the hell was up with all the pearl clutching over the witches?? This was from 2015, not 1955. Good lord.
All patriarchal problems and boring plot aside, I just don't think I could read more from this series because I still can't get over the idea of an entire town banking its entire culture and economy on the idea of going in hard on every single holiday. Just too weird.
PS: What the hell was up with all the pearl clutching over the witches?? This was from 2015, not 1955. Good lord.
October 15, 2019
this had a bunch of Halloween details, including haunted houses and a zombie parade, which is a lot better than many cozy mysteries with a holiday theme. I vaguely remembered the characters, I think I've read one other book from this series. the mystery is about a woman whose body is found near a vandalized haunted house. I would have given this a higher rating, except: 1. the weirdness about witches - witches are just people? and 2. all of the guys following Liv around, and her thoughts about how she can't date because of gossip... it didn't come across as cute and funny to me, I thought she actually wasn't angry enough. plus, everyone dismissing it as a way to show that they "care" was irritating, too, because if people "care" in a way that's disrespectful or controlling, I wouldn't just write it off like that. plus, part of the story is that Liv is considering whether she made the right choice to move to Celebration Bay, and I found her longing for Manhattan life more convincing than her decision to stay.
October 24, 2018
This was a comfy book (or should I say cozy?) And I enjoyed it for what it was.
BUT.... It ended so damn abruptly. There's this big reveal, oh no they've caught the killer, plot twist!.... and then it's over? Nothing afterwards? Not even a little "and they all lived happily ever after, well minus the dead person".
Also it felt a bit thin, I don't even see the connection or any foreshadowing.
Overall, enjoyable, but a bit meh. At least the characters were fun! (Livs little group of guys was my favourite.
BUT.... It ended so damn abruptly. There's this big reveal, oh no they've caught the killer, plot twist!.... and then it's over? Nothing afterwards? Not even a little "and they all lived happily ever after, well minus the dead person".
Also it felt a bit thin, I don't even see the connection or any foreshadowing.
Overall, enjoyable, but a bit meh. At least the characters were fun! (Livs little group of guys was my favourite.
July 1, 2017
I had not read any of this series prior and picked this up as a blind buy because I love good cozy mystery at times, when I just want a fast read. This is a good story and it really was well developed. I liked the characters and of course, the Halloween theme was a plus!
Like most cozy mysteries, it reads fast but the characters are well developed and they work well with the story. No two dimensional, flat characters in this book, which added depth to the story. This was a fun read!
Like most cozy mysteries, it reads fast but the characters are well developed and they work well with the story. No two dimensional, flat characters in this book, which added depth to the story. This was a fun read!
September 25, 2021
I'd give it a 3.5 star rating if Goodreads allowed for half stars. Overall, I really enjoyed this novel! I thought the reveal was suspenseful and the characters were pretty well done. I haven't read the other Celebration Bay novels so I was a little lost with some of Liv's relationships. I am planning on reading the first in the series because I did enjoy it!
July 31, 2017
Entertaining enough. Getting a little tired of the oblivious-to-the-fact-that-there's-a-romance-about-t0-happen pretense that the main character maintains throughout the series, but the stories keep my interest.
August 19, 2018
I really enjoyed this series and I am so sad it is finished. I really enjoy Liv, Celebration Bay and the crazy cast of characters. Another good mystery, I will miss celebrating holidays in Celebration Bay!!!!
October 17, 2017
A good Cozy for the Holiday
Travel multiple paths to find the answers as the town gets ready for the Halloween festivals and strange things keep happening.
Travel multiple paths to find the answers as the town gets ready for the Halloween festivals and strange things keep happening.
September 3, 2018
Pretty standard cozy entry. If cozies are your thing, it's fine. The interactions of Ted and Whiskey are the most entertaining part. The rather overblown self-importance of Liv the least.
October 8, 2019
Read for Book Club, fun Halloween mystery
August 5, 2020
Liv and her 'peeps as she calls Chaz, Ted A.J. and Bill. work together to solve a murder and put on a Halloween Parade of Zombies is fun and another great adventure for Liv.
May 30, 2023
Really more like 3.7⭐️ only because, like in the previous book, the ending felt a little rushed to me
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews