Review of Pumpkin Roll by Josi S Kilpack

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Pumpkin Roll by Josi S Kilpack

Paperback 361 Pages

Published September 7th 2011 by Deseret Book Company

* I received a copy of this book for review purposes. I received no compensation for my review. The opinions expressed are my honest feelings.*

Back Cover:

Halloween Sale At The Wick'd Witch

Experience paranormal activity in your home?

Worried about ghost, ghouls or goblins?

Hearing voices? Slamming doors? Feeling a cold mist?

Maybe it's time for a quarterly cleansing...Hurry in now!

   Sadie Hoffmiller believes in her abilities as a cook and as a detective. She believes in the beauty of a perfectly baked pumpkin roll. She does not, however, believe in ghosts.

   As Halloween approaches, Sadie is looking forward to spending her favorite baking season of the year making delicious New England recipes in Boston Massachusetts, with her favorite leading man, Pete Cunningham, as they babysit his three young grandsons.When the boys insist that Mrs. Wapple, the woman who lives across the street, is a witch, Sadie and Pete are anxious to distract the boys from such silly  ideas.

   Sadie tries to befriend Mrs. Wapple, but when her foolproof plate of cookies fails to work its magic, she is left with more questions than answers. And Sadie has never been one to leave a good question unanswered.

The more she investigates, however, the stranger the answers become. And when Sadie learns the eccentric Mrs. Wapple has been attacked in her home, she knows time is running out. As the unexplained occurrences escalate, Sadie finds herself embroiled in yet another mystery with life-or-death consequences. Can Sadie discover whoever-or whatever-is behind the mystery before anyone else gets hurt? Or will this be the last time Sadie takes the case?

The Review:

I love when a mystery book makes you go ,"what?!" This book had a few things I wish had been wrapped up better but overall, it made me go, "what?!" after I thought I had it figured out. At least partially figured out. *Rueful grin and a shrug* The author was excellent at keeping the mystery until she was ready for it to be discovered.  It has been awhile since I had that reaction with a mystery.

This book is part of a series and while I enjoyed as a stand alone, I do wish I had read the ones before it. There were references that made me wonder what happened. The author did recognize this and gave enough information so the story would flow without you having to stop and read the others. I appreciated that. Ms Kilpack kept the story rolling so that your interest is held, without going over into the ridiculous. Since this is a mystery based in the fall, close to Halloween and with paranormal elements, it would have been easy to cross over.  However the author managed the balancing act and provided us with a book worthy enough to be call an awesome Halloween Treat. 

Another aspect of it that I loved were the recipes. There are nine really yummy recipes included along with some character tips on ways she experimented with them. As the book is based in Boston, Ms. Kilpack chose recipes such as baked beans and N.E. clam chowder. I loved making the Whoopie Pies, (Junior loved eating them). I have plans to try the rest of the recipes given.

The parts that I felt needed a bit more attention deal with the wrap up and some things that were left undone. As I do not wish to spoil things for you, I will not say more about them. Just giving you notice that you may notice not everything is wrapped up. This could also be due to the fact that this is a series, (I know one unwrapped part is definitely due to this so I am excluding that one). 

My rating on this is 4 3/4 of stars. I enjoyed this so much that I am now going over to get the previous books in the series. I have added the covers in order. Ms Kilpack has a new book in the series due out in early 2012 and I am definitely going to watch for it, (titled Banana Split). If you are looking for a fast, enjoyable mystery to read for Halloween, I highly recommend this one. 

    

    

For more information on Josi S Kilpack you can check out her out on, (links),  Good Reads, FaceBook, Twitter, her blog, What is a Sundial in the Shade? and of course her website, Josi S Kilpack.

She is currently hosting a giveaway for an iPad2 on her website, Entry Details .  I think that is awesome. Aside from the giveaway, and information about her books, you will find the recipes included in all her books available for free. There are also some events going on in Utah which makes me sort of wish I was back in Provo so I could meet her. Lots of cool stuff on there and her blog so check her out. Don't forget to enter her giveaway. It is easy - just leaving comments on participating blogs. I will be entering them as you all know I have been praying for an iPad for Junior to help with his autism. A list of participating blogs is on her site. I will add the link here for your ease.  Participating blogs for iPad2.

Please leave a comment. I am interested in what you have to say.