Pumpkin Picking with Murder

An Otter Lake Mystery #2

by Auralee Wallace

When murder strikes in the Tunnel of Love, Erica Bloom has to rock the boat to catch a killer…

For a small town like Otter Lake, New Hampshire, the annual Fall Festival is a big a Ferris wheel, corn maze, caramel apples and pumpkin pies—even a Tunnel of Love. Back in her hometown, Erica Bloom is trying to enjoy herself, which includes getting better acquainted with Sheriff Grady Forrester. But when a swan boat sails out of the heart-shaped exit of the tunnel with a dead man slumped over a wing, her own romance will have to take a backseat.

PUMPKIN PICKING WITH MURDER

Speaking of love affairs, the other passenger in the boat—and only witness to the elderly Mr. Masterson’s swan song—is not his wife. It’s Erica’s beloved and feisty “aunt,” Tweety, who quickly becomes the prime suspect. Vowing to clear Tweety, Erica teams up with her sassy BFF and self-appointed security expert Freddie Ng to solve the murder—despite the objections of Grady, who’s convinced the amateurs are going overboard in their investigation. And he just may be right. But as Erica and Freddie start to dredge up long-kept small-town secrets, will they heading straight into troubled waters?

Pumpkin Picking with Murder is the second book in Auralee Wallace's Otter Lake Mystery series!

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Halloween, Adult, Holiday, Fiction

336 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 30, 2016

About the author

After spending her formative years reading Grimms’ fairy tales and stirring up potions in the creek behind her house, Auralee Wallace knew she would grow up to be a witch. When that didn’t work out, she decided becoming a writer was the next best thing. Now, Auralee is the author of multiple novels, including the Otter Lake mystery series and The Evenfall Witches B&B mysteries. She lives in Ottawa with her husband, kids, dog, and cat.
She can be found on Twitter, Goodreads, Facebook, Instagram, and her website http://auraleewallace.com/.

Auralee is represented by Natalie Lakosil, Looking Glass Literary and Media.

Reviews

[Elle G. Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Release Date: August 30, 2016
Genre: Cozy Mysteries
Series: The Otter Lake Mystery series #2 -- Series Link

I really enjoy this series because the characters are quirky, hilarious, and completely relatable. I find this series also steers away from the typical cozy genre but still holds true to it. When I say this, I mean that while there is sleuthing going on and a murder that is being investigated by normal citizens, the characters have a certain flair for the dramatic. They don't take the sleuthing too seriously like characters from other series and they are downright funny! The added humor is truly what made me fall in love with this series and I am so glad I found it!

That being said, I am keeping this review short and sweet because it's a few years old and I honestly don't have too much to say other than it's an enjoyable read. I will obviously continue reading the entire series and am hoping the author adds more books!

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 out of 5 stars, it was just okay. This book took me a lot longer to get through than usual. I kept having to put it down because something in it just pulled me out of the story and it was frustrating.

Honestly, this book just wasn't my cup of tea. I expect cozy mysteries set in small towns to have some eccentric characters. that's how it is with small towns. What I don't expect is that they will ALL be that way. Every last character seemed to be "quirky," the main character, Erica, still rebelling against her childhood, she claims to care for Grady and then keeps information from him; her rich, immature and annoying best friend, Freddie, who jumps from plan to plan with no common sense and way too much money; Erica's mother, Summer Bloom, the stereotypical hippy-dippy flower child, who at this point and time is refusing to speak because she's running a silent retreat for more hippy-dippy wannabes.

And then there's Tweety and Kit Kat. They're people by the way, not dogs or cats. Tweety and Kit Kat nearly made me mark this book as DNF, just because the names made me say to myself, "Who's trying too hard to be cutesy, then?"

I finally managed to slog through it, to a decent resolution of the murder mystery. It did have some funny moments, but for the most part, it tries too hard to be funny. Sadly, I will not be looking forward to anymore books from this author.

*I was provided with an ARC of this book by the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review*

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I could give this book more stars! Sunday morning I was up before 5 am and finishing Pumpkin Picking with Murder. I have to tell you that this 2nd book in series is just as wonderful and funny as the first one. Otter Lake is a very exciting place well at least when main character Erica comes home for a visit. Erica and her best friend Freddie have one of the most fun cozy mystery friendships I have ever encountered. I laughed and enjoyed myself reading their antics and adventures. I loved learning more about Otter Lake and watching the characters grow and their relationships unfold in this fun and fast passed cozy mystery. I wish Otter Lake and its cast of undeniably colorful characters not only existed but that I could pick up and move into one of the cabins at Erica's Moms retreat! There are some very memorable lines in this cozy and the humor stays with you. This is not just a feel good cozy this is a fun cozy, completely relevant and top notch! I was sent this book to review and this is a book I have to own in paperback too. So I have ordered a paper back to keep as a reading trophy on my shelf and as a reminder of what a truly great cozy reads like.

[Sabine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series hosts quite interesting characters. Lots of laughs and some head shakes included. Not exactly your average mystery. :)

[Danielle The Book Huntress · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another fun outing with Erika and her buddy Freddie. Their murder-solving is putting some obstacles in her budding relationship with Grady, but this time its personal. This is a silly book, but endearing.

Overall rating: 3.5/5.0 stars.

Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur Magazine. http://affairedecoeur.com.

[Auralee Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was terrified to write this book!!!
Not only because I knew with certainty that this book would see the light of day, but also because the fall fair in my town in a really big deal :/
Anyway, as always, I had a blast being with Freddie and Erica.

[Stacie Amelotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is a hilarious, quirky diversion from the typical cozy mystery. Ms. Wallace does a wonderful job at creating unique, real characters, and her Otter Lake is extremely vivid and different from any other small town mystery setting I've ever read. In this adventure Erika and Freddie, BFF’s from high school, find themselves in the midst of one misadventure after another and soon discover there are things in the past that someone is trying hard to keep hidden. Plenty of suspects and hjinxs that involve a high speed boat and a cumbersome backhoe, guests at the Bloom retreat that are partaking in a vow of Silence and can offer no help other than via charades.

There was an interesting twist in this book, with the introduction of a second love interest for Erica. One that I think suits her better than Grady. But we will have to see how that plays out in future books. While the killer is uncovered at the end, there are still questions left unanswered that will keep readers tuned in for the next installment. I was also glad to see that Erica will be staying in Otter Lake instead of returning to Chicago. We knew it was only a matter of time and I was happy that it wasn't drug out. I recommend curling up with this book and let the laughter get you into the holiday spirit.

[Jeannette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Erica is visiting Otter Lake for a hot date with Grady when her aunt Tweety is accused of murdering Mr. Masterson in the Fall Festival's Tunnel of Love. Mr. Masterson who happened to be married. Despite Grady's insistence that Erica stay out of it, she feels compelled to defend her aunt and find the truth, along with her best friend Freddie. Just like the first, this was a hilarious cozy mystery with charming characters, perfect for the fall. I'm definitely picking up the next one for winter!

[Carla · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book I read in the Otter Lake Mystery Series and I really had mixed feelings about it. When I started the book, I almost put it back down. The author just seemed like she was trying too hard to be funny. The characters in Otter Lake all seem to be rather eccentric. Names like KitKat and Tweety, along with the retreat belonging to the mother of the main character holding a vow of silence retreat and the mom miming when she tries to communicate with her daughter just seemed to be a bit over the top. Having said all that, once I got into the story, I began to enjoy it.

Erica Bloom has come back for a visit to spend time with Grady, the sheriff of Otter Lake. Freddie, her long time friend has opened his own security company and has been hired by the town council to do security at the Fall Fair. When Mr Masterson dies in the tunnel of love with Tweety, Erica's aunt, she is arrested for murder. Erica and Freddie set out to find proof that she is innocent. This does not go over well with Grady. He feels like they are undermining him and this does not bode well for Erica's and Grady's relationship. As another murder takes place, Tweety's sister KitKat gets injured and Erica and Freddie get arrested, the story takes on a fun tone that I was able to enjoy.

Erica and Freddie have a wonderful relationship. The two of them seem to jump blindly into situations that are not safe and at different times, each one seems to be the leader in their enterprise. They are funny and act more like a sister and brother with their relationship. Grady and Erica do not seem to have any luck at all with trying to get together. They have all sorts of hurdles to get over, but we are left at the end of the book with hope that they may be able to have a relationship in upcoming stories.

I am not sure if I am going to read another one by this author or not. I may give it a whirl and if it works out, then this series may be a go for me. Cozy mystery readers that enjoy really quirky characters and a sense of humor in their books will probably enjoy this series. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to have fun with Pumpkin Picking with Murder since I love cozy mysteries but I just struggled throughout the entire story. The plot was all over the place with so many eccentric characters I could not keep them straight. The love triangle with the main character was boring and not entertaining at all I just wanted to smack her for supposedly having a boyfriend yet leading on two other guys at the same time.

[Bridgett · Rating 5 out of 5]

On the scale of one to Coco, I am proud to give this the highest rating possible: COCO! The first non-Parra book to get that distinction! This was a fantastic mystery and absolutely hilarious. Auralee Wallace is a great writer who gets the cozy genre and takes it to new heights. I can't wait to read the rest of her books. Do yourself a favor and purchase the best fall cozy out there!

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super cute mystery! I love Erica and Freddie teaming up to solve a murder. The book is very humorous. Freddie always has me laughing. I didn't know there was a first book, but I would like to read it along with future ones in this series. Definitely appealing for cozy mystery fans.

[Cecelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 cute easy to read cozy mystery

[Stephanie Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laugh out loud cozy mystery. Definitely going to read the rest of the series.

[Jill Tool · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 star review. This is the first book that I read in the series, I did like the characters as I found so many funny events, saying, the way they acted, to where my husband had to keep turning the t.v. up so he could hear it over me laughing.

Erica Bloom has returned to her hometown of Otter Lake in time for their fall festival, her best friend Freddy Ng has opened his own security firm and is the security guard for the festival it isn't long before Erica and Freddy hear screams coming from the tunnel of love. When they reach the ride they see that Mr Masterson has been killed, but that's not MRS. Masterson sitting next to him, no it is not, it is however Tweety, one of the twins who becomes the prime suspect for his murder. However, this little murder might interfer with Erica's plans to see if her and her love interest Sheriff Grady can really make a go of their relationship.

[Heather R · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you like so-called “cozy” mysteries and to you, “coziness” means annoying levels of improbable zaniness and stupid names, this book may be for you! It was definitely not for me. The premise is like any “Murder She Wrote” episode, but without the charm of Angela Lansbury and with horrible forced jokes at every turn, gross unfulfilled sexual longings of the pathetic and annoying protagonist, and clichéd “outrageous” sidekicks. Yuck. The plot was circuitous and pointless, and I don’t even care whodunnit. To hell with it. I stopped about 50 pages shy of the end because I just don’t care. Reading this makes me feel like I sprayed an autumn Glade plug-in directly into my brain, and finishing it won’t make it any better. I don’t know if this is all “cozies” (ewww) but I will try to avoid the entire genre just in case.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Erica Bloom goes back home for a vacation to try and figure out her relationship with sheriff Grady Forrester but a murder in the tunnel of love during the annual fall festival changes everything. Instead, Erica finds herself involved in a murder investigation trying to clear her "aunt" against Grady's wishes.

This cozy mystery mixes in some humor and romance and will keep you guessing about who really did it until the very end.

I received an ARC from net galley in return for an honest review

[Shelleen Toland · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cozy mystery and I received it from NetGalley for a review. Erica and her friend Freddie like to solve mysteries in their small town despite the sheriff's warnings as well as family and friends. Freddie was a character that kind of got on my nerves. Erica has a relationship with the sheriff but she keeps jeopardizing it. There is a murder at the fall festival and Erica and Freddie are out to solve it. They get in trouble and risk their lives. I did enjoy it and it was a quick read.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book in the otter lake series. It is the annual fall festival in Otter Lake and Erica who has recently returned home is trying to enjoy herself. But when a body is found in the tunnel of love and Erica's surrogate aunt is the prime suspect Erica makes it her mission to find the killer.
I really enjoyed the relationship between Erica and her friend Freddie. It was an enjoyable read.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this fun cozy mystery series. It is full of great quirky characters, humor, and mystery. I can not wait to read the next book in the series, keep them coming.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far so good.

[Dawn Frazier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, one of my favorite series. Looking forward to the next one.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read on vacation... A fun October read...

[Lindsay · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to read this because I thought it would be Halloween themed, but it’s not! There’s no pumpkin picking going on either. The title and cover are misleading. So far it’s my least favorite.

[Caitlyn Colon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thought this would be a good seasonal read but with the affair subplot and tunnel of love death it reads more as a Valentine’s Day murder mystery than the autumnal one that it’s supposed to be.

[Kirsten Flynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF - too many characters, almost all of them one-dimensional. The style of humor wasn't for me. Got halfway through and decided it wasn't worth it.

[Ashley Mariner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pumpkin Picking with Murder is the second book in Auralee Wallace's Otter Lake Mystery Series. Erica Bloom has returned home to Otter Lake for the annual Fall Festival but more importantly to spend time with hunky Sheriff Grady, her childhood crush. Unfortunately for them both, a man dies at the fair and Erica's "grandmother" is suspected of the crime, once again leading Erica and her BFF Freddie on a madcap search for a killer.

Wallace has created a unique town in Otter Lake where all the citizens are at least a little bit eccentric. She writes with a lot of humor and creates outlandish, wild situations. But Otter Lake is never dull and is very entertaining.

Erica has experienced much personal growth since her last visit home. She has accepted her mother - to an extent - and her place in the strange town. While she has been gone, Freddie has started the Otter Lake Security Company and established a new place of authority within the town. They are a little bit less the bumbling detectives in this book than the last, but they are still very much hilarious amateurs in their pursuit of justice.

I enjoy that these books are a little different than most cozies with the sense of humor and the main characters' lack of expertise and subtlety. I am also very glad that Erica has matured a bit and seems to be dealing with her childhood traumas better. There is foreshadowing in this book that readers will learn more about Erica's family in the future from an often-mentioned uncle who finally makes an appearance.

I look forward to my next visit to Otter Lake!

[Justyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a lot of fun with Auralee Wallace's Haunted Hayride With Murder, so I figured I'd backtrack and read her other Otter Lake Halloween mystery Pumpkin Picking With Murder. 

Erica Bloom is back in her hometown of Otter Lake for the annual Fall Festival. When Mr. Masterson is found dead on a boat in the Tunnel of Love and Erica's "aunt" Tweety becomes the prime suspect, Erica vows to clear her aunt's name. She teams up with her best friend Freddie Ng to solve the murder despite the objections of sheriff Grady Forrester. As Erica and Freddie investigate, they uncover secrets buried in Otter Lake.

As the second book in the series, it was cool to see how far Erica and Freddie have come and it was a treat to dive back into Otter Lake. It was refreshing to read about quirky characters who come off as real people. While hilarious and lighthearted, the mystery felt like it had higher stakes than Haunted Hayride which made it more emotionally engaging. However, it only peripherally touched upon Halloween with the Fall Festival. Otherwise, the focus was more on the characters, particularly Erica's family and relationship with her "aunts" Tweety and Kit Kat. While I enjoyed Haunted Hayride a little more, Pumpkin Picking with Murder was a delightful read and I'd be interested in checking out the other Otter Lake mysteries.

[Darlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

About a 3.5. This is the second book in the series, but the first I read -- grabbed it off a library "October" display. The main character is a woman in transition. Having moved away to the Big City in order to get away from her identity as either "the daughter of that weird woman" or "the one who accidentally flashed everybody when she was a teen", she returns to town in order to spend part of her vacation with the local sheriff -- who just so happens to be the person she's been chatting up online for the last several months. But of course, nothing goes as planned, and the efforts to see if the two of them can take an online relationship into real life are thwarted by murders. Good tension in the novel comes from her having to pick sides as to whether she goes along with her flamboyantly gay rich Asian best friend's dares to help investigate the murder, or if she adheres to the commandments of the sheriff and staying out of it. In addition to all this are a bunch of kooky characters that populate the small town where she grew up, some within her own home, who give a further dimension to the story (the saga of the Silence Sessions is funny).

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Erica envisions an idyllic, romantic vacation with her long-time crush, back home at Otter Lake. But, since her crush is Grady, the local sheriff, a sudden death disrupts their plans. When it turns out that the husband of the richest man in town may have been murdered, Grady must question the last person seen with him--Erica's close friend Tweety, whose identical twin Kit Kat warns Erica to stay out of the investigation. But Erica's BFF Henry Ng has different (and grandiose, as usual) ideas. All this drives a wedge between Erica and Grady, especially after she's arrested for a felony.