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Cozy Baked Mystery #2
Trick or Treat and Murder
It's Halloween in Sandy Harbor, Maine, and time for Tricks and Treats of the deadly kind. Blogger and foodie Allie McSwain finds the body of Sandy Harbor's event coordinator at the Halloween bazaar and sets out to find the murderer. Romance is blossoming between Allie and detective Alec Blanchard, who is determined to keep her out of harm's way, but Allie has other ideas.
176 pages, Paperback
Published May 5, 2018
149 people are currently reading
311 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
October 31, 2023
This is a second book in the serie. It is Halloween and Allie and detective Alec are to solve another murder which occurred at Halloween Bazaar. I enjoyed reading this book. It is one of my favourite series. It is easy and light read with nice atmosphere. We see also developping relationship between Allie and Alec. I will be reading the next book in the serie soon.
December 30, 2018
I just can't understand all these positive reviews. I slogged thru 144 measly pages to finish this, just to complete a challenge.
This is an inane "cozy" that has no mystery. MC is super annoying and just keeps accusing everyone. No one solves any murder, the murderer just shows up on the doorstep and confesses.
By the way, how old is this MC (or author for that matter)? ("I stuck my tongue out at him.") She is so juvenile, I thought she was in her twenties or so until we discover she has a kid in college.
Some ridiculous things that made me go, "WHAAAAA??"
I could go on, but I am just angering myself that I wasted this much time as it is.
Not a series I will return to.
This is an inane "cozy" that has no mystery. MC is super annoying and just keeps accusing everyone. No one solves any murder, the murderer just shows up on the doorstep and confesses.
By the way, how old is this MC (or author for that matter)? ("I stuck my tongue out at him.") She is so juvenile, I thought she was in her twenties or so until we discover she has a kid in college.
Some ridiculous things that made me go, "WHAAAAA??"
I could go on, but I am just angering myself that I wasted this much time as it is.
Not a series I will return to.
November 3, 2022
Storyline was good but the writing wasn't great it was too conversational.
The main character treats her college age daughter as if she is a toddler which is annoying and condescending. I had a hard time overlooking that
The main character treats her college age daughter as if she is a toddler which is annoying and condescending. I had a hard time overlooking that
September 25, 2025
Fast fun mystery
A fast read with lots of substance. Good main character and supporting characters. The mystery was interesting and fun to see the clues unravel.
A fast read with lots of substance. Good main character and supporting characters. The mystery was interesting and fun to see the clues unravel.
April 21, 2019
Catching up on reviews. Didn’t realize kindle wasn’t marking these completed.
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
May 5, 2018
Halloween trick or treat or murder
A solid cozy but I really just couldn't get to like the main character. She just seemed to think everyone was guilty and didn't actually try to think about the clues at all. Found her a bit overbearing and aggressive. A Halloween event is marred by the death of the main organiser. Was the death natural or murder? Quite a good plot but would a detective take a civilian to interview suspects? Probably not?
A solid cozy but I really just couldn't get to like the main character. She just seemed to think everyone was guilty and didn't actually try to think about the clues at all. Found her a bit overbearing and aggressive. A Halloween event is marred by the death of the main organiser. Was the death natural or murder? Quite a good plot but would a detective take a civilian to interview suspects? Probably not?
December 6, 2024
Second book in A Fresh Baked Cozy Mystery series. Another short murder mystery with the same infuriating FMC and the detective MMC. The FMC still doesn't understand she is not a detective too, but if it wasn't for her snooping around the mysteries wouldn't be solved faster. We see more development in the main character’s relationship, but the FMC is still not learning to be less entitled. I don’t think we will see a lot of evolution from that character, although I would still hope to.
February 25, 2019
A mother's love!!!!
10 stars!!!!
Wow, did Allie and Alec dodge a big mess.
There was a lot to go through to get a little of evidence to find out who and why committed the crime. In the end it was a gut feeling and luck to solve this MESS.
Alec is finally finding his place in the small town.
You will enjoy this book, I love this series, and I am going to read the next book.
10 stars!!!!
Wow, did Allie and Alec dodge a big mess.
There was a lot to go through to get a little of evidence to find out who and why committed the crime. In the end it was a gut feeling and luck to solve this MESS.
Alec is finally finding his place in the small town.
You will enjoy this book, I love this series, and I am going to read the next book.
August 19, 2019
Really enjoyed thisone
I like the holiday themed mysteries and especially fall which is my favorite season. This was an interesting cozy because of the characters including the "I won't take 'no' for an answer" main character as well as he new love interest Alec. Fast paced, no language, situations under control.I hope to read more of this series.
I like the holiday themed mysteries and especially fall which is my favorite season. This was an interesting cozy because of the characters including the "I won't take 'no' for an answer" main character as well as he new love interest Alec. Fast paced, no language, situations under control.I hope to read more of this series.
September 18, 2022
I loved this. I read these pretty out of order, so I went back to the beginning for this one. It was interesting to see how much the characters and their relationships have evolved. This series is such a cozy little treat!
June 26, 2023
fun mystery
Almost All of the characters are likable. The emotions going through Allie as she considers caring about Alec are spot-on honest. I suspected the killer, but I didn’t have a clue how they could prove it. There are plenty of truly funny parts. Well done
Almost All of the characters are likable. The emotions going through Allie as she considers caring about Alec are spot-on honest. I suspected the killer, but I didn’t have a clue how they could prove it. There are plenty of truly funny parts. Well done
March 2, 2025
CANDY APPLES FROM HEAVEN?? OR HELL??
Another great mystery in the series. Lovely writing and we begin to see a little more of the duo team up. Also all in to see what else goes on in future books between her and the detective.
Another great mystery in the series. Lovely writing and we begin to see a little more of the duo team up. Also all in to see what else goes on in future books between her and the detective.
September 29, 2025
Not the best writing and the main character is kinda frustrating because she just wants to be involved and keeps pushing after the detective says no. It is what I was looking for though for a cozy fall mystery. Super easy read and short!
April 17, 2018
Mystery & murder
Who could ask for a better combination? Add a little romance...stuff books are made of. Surprise twist to the end. ☺
Who could ask for a better combination? Add a little romance...stuff books are made of. Surprise twist to the end. ☺
July 18, 2018
Awesome story
Awesome series,each new book gets more exciting! I love the mystery and adore the budding romance between alec and a!lie! More please!
Awesome series,each new book gets more exciting! I love the mystery and adore the budding romance between alec and a!lie! More please!
August 27, 2018
Great read
Love this series and cant wait to read the next book I'm getting now if you love a great cozy you will love it too
Love this series and cant wait to read the next book I'm getting now if you love a great cozy you will love it too
January 26, 2019
Good story, though poorly edited in places.
September 24, 2023
Fun, clean cozy with several one liners that made me laugh.
October 31, 2023
Great read and wonderful characters
November 4, 2023
This was a cute, short, fun read for the Halloween season. Definitely was not expecting who the killer turned out to be.
October 20, 2024
A cute, easy, seasonal read. Halloween didn't play as big a part as I had hoped but it was still cute. The main character was sometimes extremely unlikeable though.
November 18, 2024
Loved it
August 11, 2025
Simple and clean!
November 30, 2025
Quick fun reads. I'm buzzing through to get to Christmas one for December.
September 24, 2025
The main character is even worse than in the first book. She gets in the way of the real detective far too much, who lets her interfere in interrogations without anyone being bothered or shocked by it.
October 3, 2017
Fun cozy mystery. I enjoyed it.
October 8, 2019
Allie McSwain is preparing for her booth at the Halloween bazaar, and when she arrives she begins decorating her booth. However, when she steps behind the booth, she finds the body of Diana Bowen underneath it. Now she's trying to find a killer while keeping herself alive...
I really wish I'd gotten a sample of this book before I purchased it. The writing is puerile. This is part of a sentence in the first paragraph: "...I thought the place would be bustling with people decorating the place and..." Wouldn't it have been more effective to use a different word instead of using 'place' twice in the same sentence?
The author(s) also proceed to tell us every single movement of the protagonist from that sentence on. Everything. I have to wonder why Allie would kick the door with her foot and expect that to open it? Most outside doors on buildings open out, not in, so what good would kicking it do? (Pull from the outside, push from the inside. Just sayin').
Then, she's not worried about the dead woman inside her booth, she's worried about the bazaar being cancelled. Yes, that's right. Heaven forbid they cancel a bazaar because a body was found. By all means, go ahead and use the booth where someone was lying dead underneath it a few hours ago. What the hey - it will be fun. And oh, let's make it even more fun! Let's wear costumes! Who are these people? Ghouls?
Everyone goes on as if nothing had happened just a few hours before. She continues selling her items like no one had died. Her friend just goes on selling stuff at the booth of the dead woman, and neither one seems broken up or upset - did I mention they were having fun wearing Halloween costumes?
Needless to say, I never read any more of this book since if it was this unbelievable in only a few chapters, the rest would have me rolling my eyes so hard I'd get a headache. Sorry, but I won't be reading any more by this author.
I really wish I'd gotten a sample of this book before I purchased it. The writing is puerile. This is part of a sentence in the first paragraph: "...I thought the place would be bustling with people decorating the place and..." Wouldn't it have been more effective to use a different word instead of using 'place' twice in the same sentence?
The author(s) also proceed to tell us every single movement of the protagonist from that sentence on. Everything. I have to wonder why Allie would kick the door with her foot and expect that to open it? Most outside doors on buildings open out, not in, so what good would kicking it do? (Pull from the outside, push from the inside. Just sayin').
Then, she's not worried about the dead woman inside her booth, she's worried about the bazaar being cancelled. Yes, that's right. Heaven forbid they cancel a bazaar because a body was found. By all means, go ahead and use the booth where someone was lying dead underneath it a few hours ago. What the hey - it will be fun. And oh, let's make it even more fun! Let's wear costumes! Who are these people? Ghouls?
Everyone goes on as if nothing had happened just a few hours before. She continues selling her items like no one had died. Her friend just goes on selling stuff at the booth of the dead woman, and neither one seems broken up or upset - did I mention they were having fun wearing Halloween costumes?
Needless to say, I never read any more of this book since if it was this unbelievable in only a few chapters, the rest would have me rolling my eyes so hard I'd get a headache. Sorry, but I won't be reading any more by this author.
June 15, 2022
I've been enjoying this cute little series on my phone and treating myself to it when there's just a few minutes here or there or while riding into town ( no worries, I'm riding not driving lol). The Halloween Bazaar at Sandy Harbor was usually a fun community event until the body of the coordinator ended up dead there.
Since the woman seemed to have no enemies, Allie was more than determined to find justice for her especially since she was her pal Lucy's boss at the flower shop. Allie and Alec crack me up with their fun banter and how she always managed to get in on a ride-along with him to talk to suspects. Reality suspended though, this series is all about good characters and it's fiction, so I just enjoy it for what it is...fun and funny sometimes with a mystery that's not totally obvious.
I do recommend reading the series in order because sometimes names are dropped from the previous book that may spoil something if the previous book wasn't read. And it's always enjoyable to watch the characters develop and relationships grow. On to the Christmas book!
Since the woman seemed to have no enemies, Allie was more than determined to find justice for her especially since she was her pal Lucy's boss at the flower shop. Allie and Alec crack me up with their fun banter and how she always managed to get in on a ride-along with him to talk to suspects. Reality suspended though, this series is all about good characters and it's fiction, so I just enjoy it for what it is...fun and funny sometimes with a mystery that's not totally obvious.
I do recommend reading the series in order because sometimes names are dropped from the previous book that may spoil something if the previous book wasn't read. And it's always enjoyable to watch the characters develop and relationships grow. On to the Christmas book!
August 31, 2021
Great Story! Allie is setting up a booth at the Halloween bazaar when she discovers a dead body. Who killed Diana and why? Allie and her best friend Lucy team up to do some detective work when the new detective, Alec, shows up in town and things don’t go so well. Join Allie, Lucy and Alec as they figure out this murder.
The characters are highly developed, descriptions of the town are fantastic, and a strong sense of community can be felt reading this story. The story contains fun and quirky characters and also filled with mystery. Look forward to reading the next book in the series.
The characters are highly developed, descriptions of the town are fantastic, and a strong sense of community can be felt reading this story. The story contains fun and quirky characters and also filled with mystery. Look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews