All Hallows' Evil (A Susan Henshaw Mystery #4)

The Hancock library is usually a place where people can kick back and relax with one of their favorite mysteries. But when it involves Susan Henshaw, it doesn't involve relaxing. It involves detective work. When Susan finds a dead body in the library, she thinks that the body is fake, until the man starts gasping for help. Soon Jason Armstrong, the celebrity host of a morning talk-show appears dead, and a homeless man takes the credit for both murders. Susan knows that he's lying, and insists on finding out who the true murderer is. On top of detective work, she has trick or treaters, camera people, and demanding guests in her home. Could life get any more complicated? When it involves Susan Henshaw, it can.This was an exciting new mystery by Valerie Wolzien. The characters were enjoyable, and the mystery, while somewhat cliched, was exciting. A must-read novel for all fans of Susan Henshaw.

Susan thought that the body on the floor of the library was a Halloween joke, but it turned out to be real. Later that day, well known anchorman Jason Armstrong is found dead on his front porch by trick or treaters. Susan ends up with his partner/wife and her entourage trashing her house and turning her life upside down, while she, Kathleen and new police chief and old friend Brett Fortesque investigate the murder.This is a pretty good cosy with well developed characters, both new and old. It is however improbable that anyone would put up with Rebecca West and Company or the horrible Amy Ellsworth. I am surprised that the author didn't take the opportunity to kill her off and be done with her.

This is certainly not heavyweight reading. But especially in the fall of the year, it's very fun to read. In the tradition of amateur sleuths, Susan Henshaw balances home, family, holiday preparations with a little detective work. It's fun to escape into a suburban world where several murders don't upset plans for holiday celebrations. Granted, the plot isn't exactly complicated but the characters are vividly drawn and they're fun to spend an autumn afternoon with.

The handsome Brett Fortesque returns to Hancock as police chief here! Susan finds herself involved in yet another murder investigation--only this time, the prime suspect and her entourage move into the Henshaw home, meaning Susan has to juggle her sleuthing activities with keeping these interlopers fed and in clean linens. She also has her hands full keeping her pesky, nosy neighbor Amy out of the investigation. Oh, yeah--she has two teenagers and a husband, too. And her friend Kathleen has a little boy. How do these ladies do it???? The result is Wolzien's best since "We Wish You a Merry Murder." Enjoy. .

I HAVE READ ALL OF VALERIE WOLZIEN'S BOOKS AND LOVE THEM ALL I CAN HARDLY WAIT FOR THE NEXT IN A SERIES TO COME OUT. SHE JUST BEGAN A NEW SERIES WITH A NEW LEAD CHARACTER THAT IS JUST AS GOOD AS HER FIRST SERIES. ALL OF HER CHARACTERS ARE ENGAGING AND FEEL LIKE YOU KNOW THEM PERSONALLY. THEY ARE A JOY TO READ.