Finishing up a FrightFall of reading

 With all that's going on right now, it was such a relief to be able to focus on finishing up my reads for FrightFall this past weekend. It was a good idea for Seasons of Reading to extend this particular readathon(thank you, Michelle!) to a two month period.

While I didn't get to all of the books on my initial TBR, at least my goal to read two Leslie Meier cozy holiday mystery titles was completed. Trick or Treat Murder is an early entry in her Lucy Stone series, with our leading lady deciding to investigate a growing number of arson fires in her small Maine town of Tinker's Cove.

The most recent blaze took the life of Monica Mayes, a client of Lucy's husband Bill(who restores old houses for a living) who was not expected to be at her summer home. Was her death an unfortunate yet unintentional result or a planned execution? With Monica's spouse Roland having a wandering eye for other women-including the new aerobics instructor in town!-the latter possibility is appearing to be the answer.

Of course, Lucy has to juggle her other responsibilities including taking care of her baby daughter Zoe, dealing with her other kids and making numerous cupcakes for a local haunted house event in time for Halloween. Nevertheless, she persists in keeping a sharp eye and ear out for trouble.

 I do like the small town sitcom vibe of this series, especially during portions of the story where Bill has been drafted for the town historical buildings committee(who frowns upon any changes to local property) and the contentious meetings that lead Lucy to another possible suspect in the arson situation. It's such a great Murder She Wrote meets Stars Hollow feeling that makes these stories such fun to tune into:

The other Lucy Stone title I read was my first ebook library loan,Wicked Witch Murder, set in more recent times where she's a reporter for the local Pennysaver and happens to find a strangely burned body in the woods.

Much of the ruckus in Tinker's Cove lately is due to the arrival of Diana Ravenscroft, who runs an occult shop and claims to be the high priestess of a Wiccan coven. While her presence is exciting to Lucy's teen daughters Sara and Zoe, it enrages another new resident,Ike Stoughton, whose strict religious beliefs drive him to an open campaign against Diana that gathers a few followers.

Lucy is trying to stay neutral but when the burnt body she found is revealed to be Malcolm, the high priest of the coven who was thought to be in England, concerns about Diana's influence grow strong. However, she's fully against the targeted harassment and acts of vandalism that threaten Diana's store and life.

What I really liked about this book was a side character that appears to be a more authentic witch than Diana and yet she's not in direct opposition to her at all. Rebecca Wardell and her humble vegetable garden/produce stand not only keeps her abilities low key but at times, shows up to help Lucy out in unexpected ways such as during a violent rain storm or when her small owl Oz flies by just as Lucy is in search of a clue.

Granted, the main mystery has a more reality based cause yet those subtle hints at magical assistance from a "good witch" are a sweet spice to this plate of seasonal story line cookies:

 The final book for FrightFall was partly due to a library loan-after staying up all night to finish The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires(which will be on my best of the year list), I decided to buy the ebook version of Grady Hendrix's My Best Friend's Exorcism and that was money well spent indeed.

Set during the 1980's, this novel tells the terrifying tale of Abby and Gretchen, best friends since they were ten whose bond is severely tested by a demonic force targeting Gretchen and everything she holds dear in the world.

During a sleepover with gal pals Margaret and Glee, a chance encounter with what seems to be inactive LSD changes Gretchen into a snarling and sickly version of herself, driving nearly everyone but Abby away.

Abby is determined to help her best friend in any way that she can but when Gretchen seems to have gotten "better", that's when the real horrors begin. With only a body building novice as the exorcist, Abby risks all to save her friend's soul and their relationship but is it too late for any of that?

Drenched in eighties nostalgia and old school gore, this story is a loving tribute to the power of friendship that makes Stranger Things look tame in comparison. There are plans to turn this book into a film and in the right hands, My Best Friend's Exorcism could make heads and hearts spin with terror and joy:

Once again, thanks to Michelle Miller at Seasons of Reading for hosting another wonderful readathon and best wishes to all for a happy holiday season to come.

Hopefully, we'll soon know the direction that things will be heading in and fingers crossed for a sign of better days ahead of us(it does help if you vote!). Meanwhile, I'm just planning to get to Thanksgiving without too much stress and maybe a lot more to be thankful for: