A Halloween Homicide

Holiday Cozy Mystery #3

by Tonya Kappes

If y'all love holidays, small towns, undying relationships, southern food, animals, and a smidgen of homicide, THIS cozy mystery series is for you.

CELEBRATE GOOD CRIMES 

In book 2, Violet Rhinehammer is busy trying to keep the Junctional Journal afloat and that includes the participating in all the Halloween activities planned. One problem, Violet is not a fan of Halloween or anything that comes with it. Including a haunted ghost walk.

Town folks believe Violet has woken an angry spirit due to the nature of her snooping around into the past history of Holiday Junction.

Darren Strickland, a life long resident, thinks Violet is letting her imagination run away.

Violet begins to dig deeper when local law enforcement seems to be dragging their feet, after all, she's got a hot story to uncover, but really uncovers a buried secret along with some old skeletal bones that gives Violet the fright of her life.

Meanwhile, Mille Kay is adjusting to spending time with new friends and making sure she puts the southern in her new tradition even if it includes her coming face to face with the ghost!

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

170 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 6, 2022

About the author

Beloved cozy mystery author Tonya Kappes is bringing her charming world to the screen!

The Hallmark Channel is thrilled to announce a television series in development based on Tonya’s wildly popular 40-book series, A Camper & Criminals Mystery.

A celebrated Amazon All-Star and USA Today bestselling author, Tonya has written over 180 southern cozy mysteries filled with heart, humor, and unforgettable small-town characters. Her novels, known for their southern charm and rich emotional storytelling, have been praised by readers and critics alike, earning her a coveted spot as a Woman's World Book Club Pick six times.

Writing full-time from her camper, Tonya crafts worlds where mystery, friendship, and a little mischief collide — and now, her stories will come to life for cozy mystery lovers everywhere.

Visit Tonya:
Facebook at Author Tonya Kappes,
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Webpage
tonyakappes.com

Goodreads
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

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https://twitter.com/tonyakappes11

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https://www.pinterest.com/tonyakappes/

For weekly updates and contests, sign up for Tonya's newsletter Kappes Krew Weekly via her website or Facebook.For years,

Reviews

[Noi (in & out)]

Honestly, it didn't get a fair chance.
That's why I'm not even going to rate it or say anything else.

Did I just notice this is book 3 when I added it on Goodreads? Maybe
Am I going to stop and start at the beginning? No
Do I feel bad? ...

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining mystery listening 🎶🔰

Violet Rinnehammer, her mother, and Darren are walking the ghost 👻 walk when they came across friends with a coffin. Darren take the coffin and a dead body falls out. There are no leads to a suspect. They going to the Halloween 🎃 dance 💃 where a man 🚹 is stabbed and Violet's father is arrested. Violet continues to investigate and learns the truth leading to an arrest. I would highly recommend this series and author to 👍 readers of romantic relationships mystery novels 👍🔰. 2023 👒😀😡😮

[Regina the Constant Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️ -Audiobook

Violet Rhinehammer always figures out who the killer is when they’re standing in front of her with a weapon. 😂

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Violet Rhinehammer is not a fan of Halloween. She has to somehow put her feelings aside and write an article for the Junction Journal about the Halloween activities that are happening around town. When Violet stumbles over another dead body the townspeople believe she has awakened an evil spirit. Violet doesn’t believe it’s paranormal so she is determined to solve the murder.

This is a great cozy mystery to read, especially during the spooky season. The characters are fun and relatable. Violet momma is one of my favorite characters. She is full of personality and is a true southern momma. The setting of Holiday Junction is as much of a character as the people and fur babies. The town goes all out for every holiday. I recommend this to everyone who enjoys cozy mysteries and holiday themed cozies.

All thoughts and opinions are my own, and I have not been by anyone.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Halloween Homicide Earns 5/5 Coffin Conundrums…Entertaining Cozy Gem!

Holiday Junction is a mecca for those who love their holidays, and Halloween is set to be no exception, but Violet Rhinehammer, Holiday Junctions’s new editor and reporter for the Journal, is not a fan…shhh, don’t tell that to Hershal Hudson and his wife Hazelynn! As sponsors of the Ghost Walk, they and the Planning Committee expect Violet to provide a big write up in the paper to announce the return of the Ghost Walk after a ten year absence. Violet is not into all that manufactured fright, but manages to arrange a daytime tour instead. Despite the hour, the Ghost Walk just might be a hit with its spooky stories, creepy frights, and a headless horseman. She also becomes privy to gossip about the upcoming election and a fracas between Peter Hill, president of the town’s planning committee, and Nettie Banks of Bubbly Boutique. But, the biggest kerfuffle comes in the form of a body, bloodied from the knife in its back, toppling out of the vampires-style coffin. It looks like a new president will need to be elected!

BOO-rrific! Tonya Kappes is the best for holiday fun, and this third book in her Holiday Cozy Mystery series puts Halloween ghosts and goblins and a murder on delightful display. Motives range from small town politics, back room deals, and long-ago secrets as well as good ol’ greed, jealousy, and revenge. From the town’s archives to asking questions, from facts to gossip, from eavesdropping to evading a few dark shadows, Violet’s investigation discovers more than she bargained. The crime was revealed early putting the investigation and run-ins with the police, suspects, and a killer center stage along with the town’s uber fascination with all things holidays and Violet’s uber busybody Mama. Darren Strickland, the hunky bar owner and son of the by-the-book sheriff, is an entertaining sidekick giving good what he gets as he and Violet trade friendly barbs and kisses. Engaging Fun!

Tonya Kappes’ writing style is always entertaining with descriptive images and dialog that does well to illustrate multi-generational personalities. Violet was always a go-getter in the Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery series, and in her own spin-off, she makes for an engaging lead: clever, resilient, insightful with some realistic shortcomings. Dealing with her mama is tricky with plenty of conflicting emotions from love and admiration for her mama’s openness and fearlessness to frustration and thoughts of how to ship her back to Normal, Kentucky, hogtied and gagged. Violet’s romantic side is challenged by young Darren who is just as determined, but, as the town seems already aware, they are an item. With lots of holiday haunts, some romantic surprises, and a complex murder mystery, this book is just what the change of seasons requires. Always a fan!

Disclosure: I received an ARC from the author. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.

[Velvet Wrapped Smut · Rating 1 out of 5]

Spelling mistakes, grammar mistakes and continuity errors.

The writing and dialogue felt childish and the FMC was horrifically irritating.

Definitely not one I'll be picking up again any time soon

[☆☆Hannah☆☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good read. Violet is not a fan of Halloween but the town is. While at the ghost walk a body is found. Now she spends her time trying to figure out who is behind it. Of course she solves it and all is well for now.

[Jessica Lewis ☔️ · Rating 2 out of 5]

i was looking for a spooky cozy read and was sorely disappointed. popped up on kindle unlimited. it was cheesy, poorly written and childish. oh well. on to the next.

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome to Holiday Junction, where every holiday has a special festival! It is October, and the Halloweenie festival is beginning. This delightful little town has four terrains: the beach, mountains, country, and village. And the mayor is a dog! Having a canine mayor is a long-standing tradition here.

Violet and her mama, Millie Kay, formerly of Normal, Kentucky, will finally move out of Violet’s room at the inn they’ve been sharing since Mama left Daddy. Millie Kay bought a house that is finally move-in ready. Even though she is no longer in the South, Mama is determined to gently teach Southern manners to everyone. And Mama is always ready to stir the pot with her own brand of drama.

Violet will live in the little cottage apartment on Mama’s property while she builds up the Junction Journal, the newspaper of which she is the editor and reporter. She loves it, even when the holidays keep her hopping. She keeps a calendar of events current online and covers all the regular news and festival events. She has even helped solve a couple murders since moving here; she does take her role as an investigative reporter seriously! Violet is also the Merry Maker, the identity of whom, by tradition, should be the biggest secret in the village. The Merry Maker brings holiday cheer to the village, chooses the location of festival closing parties, and now has a regular column in the Journal. Mama, a champion snoop, figured out it is Violet, and Darren, sone of the police chief, found out by accident. She nominated Darren as co-merry maker.

Violet is covering Halloweenie events for the Journal even though she doesn’t like Halloween. At all. She only takes a special tour of the Ghost Walk to write about it. Hershal and Hazelynn, whose coffee shop sponsors the walk, didn’t want to take her during the day, but she refuses to go in the dark. Her mother insists on going with her, as does Darren.

This is the first time the Ghost Walk has been held for ten years, since it was once the murder scene of a prominent local man. When Violet actually begins to enjoy the family friendly Walk, Hershal knocked on the top of a “coffin” In the “graveyard”. Instead of the jack-in-the-box that should have been popping open, the dead body of Peter, the planning commission president, rolled out.

Mama wants Peter’s murder solved quickly so Halloweenie doesn’t canceled. Violet learns from several people that it won’t be that simple. Nobody liked Peter; Mayor Paisley had even bitten him! The committee decided to continue with the festivities, including the costume party where another man is stabbed and whodunit was outed. Violet must find the real guilty person or lose one of her loved ones to prison, or worse.

Finding whodunit kept me guessing! This author is excellent at crafting a mystery where the identity of the killer truly remains a mystery until the very end. In the meantime, I am getting to like Violet so much better than when she was back in Normal trying to keep up with Mae West and the Laundry Club ladies! The resolution to this Halloween Homicide was very satisfying, and I am looking forward to the next holiday adventure! I highly recommend this cozy mystery and series to fans of holidays, strong Southern women, and journalism!

From a thankful heart: I received a complimentary ARC of this novel; a positive review was not required.

[Jane Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wasn't the best murder mystery I've read, but it wasn't the worst. I enjoyed it a little more than I thought I would.

[Trisha · Rating 2 out of 5]

With a name like Holiday Junction, every holiday is a big deal - but especially Halloween.
But this town is cursed, because every holiday seems to come with a murder.

This one was quick but I was definitely not as charmed by the town this time. There was a lot of drama and it seemed to slow the story down.

[Helen🦋 · Rating 2 out of 5]

2/5⭐️

I liked the murder mystery component of the book, it was intriguing at first and kept me engaged with the story. However, the plot was really dragging on about halfway into the book, but the big reveal made up for it though! Overall this definitely wasn’t for me, but it was okay :)

[Kami · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun little cozy mystery for the holiday.

[Karen Stallman · Rating 5 out of 5]

“A Halloween Homicide” by Tonya Kappes the 3rd book in her new series starring Violet Rhinehammer and her mom. This is now my favourite out of Tonya’s series.

It's spooky season in Holiday Junction and Halloweenie Festival is a hauntingly great time. Treats aren’t just sweet and delicious, sometimes they’re also deadly.

It’s the week before Halloween in Holiday Junction where Violet finds herself investigating another murder! While gather information on the Ghost Walk, she finds a body …

There were lots of suspects as well as twists to keep us entertained and guessing. I had no idea who the killer was until Violet did! Also there were a couple of surprises and I can’t wait for the next instalment!

I highly recommend this book and new series to all my cozy loving friends especially if you like stories set around the holidays.

I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Sophie Leigh · Rating 2 out of 5]

A cosy halloween mystery ✨️
There's nothing crazy about this.
Plot kind of fell flat

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

October

This story has a ghost walk, murders, an unusual backstory, family drama, and holiday mischief. The mystery was interesting. I thought the ending would be different. The way the new and old murders came together was unexpected. I thought that would also be different.

[Allyson Abu-Hajar · Rating 5 out of 5]

The town of Holiday Junction is getting ready for a month long celebration of Halloweenie. The problem, Violet Rhinehammer, is not a fan of Halloween and is invited to take the Ghost Walk, so she can promote it in the Junction Journal. Who does a ghost walk in the afternoon? Violet, that's who!

The Ghost Walk isn't so scary during the day, and Millie Kay and Darren accompany Violet. They reach a point where a body instead of the jack-in-the-box clown falls out and the afternoon does become spooky.

As Violet starts to look into the victim's death, she finds that there are quite a few potential suspects that have had a bad experience with the victim. Including Mayor Paisley, who used the victim as a squeaky toy, and Violet's bosses who made a deal that benefited a relative. Violet learns there was another murder on a previous Ghost Walk that sheds new light.

To Violet's dismay, after Millie Kay bursts into the office with the intention of sharing gossip, she is met with some sweet talking and gets drawn even more deeply into Violet's life. Millie Kay is definitely full of surprises after dropping a revelation about who pays Violet's salary.

Violet reminds Darren that he's her co-conspirator and he's not getting out of it. A remark has Violet rethinking Darren's intentions, informing him that her mama was right! He has the new car-smell! Violet didn't count on Darren's response!

When Violet finds a missing piece of evidence, which leads to an arrest, Holiday Junction gets back into the full swing of Halloweenie. Millie Kay and Violet pick out outfits to attend the costume party hoping to win, only to find themselves at the ire of the townspeople.

I'm really enjoying this new series! I think Violet, a journalist, and Darren, the Jiggle Joint owner, make an interesting couple. I look forward to reading more about them. I was as surprised as Millie Kay and Violet at the outcome while at the costume party and who the killer turned out to be at the end. This is a fun read for Halloween!

I received a complimentary copy and I voluntarily reviewed this book.

[Helen Drake · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third installment in the Holiday Cozy Series. This time it takes place at Halloweenie as the Merry Maker calls it. The Merry Maker is a mysterious person in Holiday Junction who is responsible for determining where each festival will end by placing a wooden cutout at the site.

Violet Rhinehammer has been in Holliday Junction since the St Patrick’s Day Celebration. Since then she has taken over the job of running the town’s newspaper by fully developing the daily online paper as well putting out a weekly regular newspaper. Much of the reported news revolves around the Holiday Celebrations and the occasional murder.

Violet does not like Halloween or much of anything to do with it. When she finally agrees to go on the local Ghost Walk before the festivities start, she insists that it be during the day. Her mama, Millie Kay Rhinehammer, and friend Darren Strickland agree to accompany her. Unfortunately on the walk, they inadvertently discover the murdered body of the President of the Holiday Junction Planning Committee which determines almost everything to do with holiday activities.

It’s up to Violet, Millie Kay and Darren to help Police Chief Matthew Strickland, Darren’s father, to unearth the killer around the regular festival activities. The town is full of secrets. As they discover each one, it helps in eliminating suspects. This time I actually figured out the killer about two thirds in, although I didn’t know the motive until the end. There are so many twists and surprises and an ending that left me wanting to see what happens next.

In this story, Violet and Millie Kay are getting along better and are becoming more likable characters. There were a number of times I laughed at Millie Kay’s antics. As I’m getting to know her better, I appreciate her more. I’m also getting to know the other town characters better which is making this series more fun to read.

I was fortunate to receive an advanced copy of this entertaining story.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holiday Junction is gearing up for their Halloween Event, a holiday that Violet dislikes. Yet, as a journalist for the Junction Journal, Violet has the responsibility to cover the events happening in the town. Gritting her teeth and heading out to the town's “Ghost Walk” with her mother, Millie Kay, and her friend, Darren, her Halloween fears get a bit worse when the dead body of the Chamber President is found in a coffin, rather than a jack-in-the-box. Violet, her mother, and Darren, team up to search for clues and bring justice to the victim.

Halloween Homicide is a cute and entertaining fall read. Violet hates Halloween, while Millie Kay embraces it just like the town of Holiday Junction. I appreciate Millie Kay, she brings humor to the story and although frustrating to Violet, she is beginning to have a positive effect on her. Violet uses her investigative skills while Millie Kay taps into her gossipy, snooping skills to gather the clues. Then there’s Darren, Violet’s friend or is he something more? I’m looking forward to seeing where this relationship goes, as well as Millie Kay and Violet’s father! Holiday Junction is always a fun place to come back to and see which holiday is being celebrated. Each holiday brings out more information about the residents as we follow along and get to know them. This is a quick read with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. I recommend picking up this series. It can be read as a stand-alone, but I encourage you to start with the first book in the series. Tonya throws in plenty of humor to keep you laughing while weaving in the clues.

I requested and received an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Aimee Stark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Violet Rhinehammer is back again, this time on a ghost walk, from an invitation to a private walk with hosts Hershel and Hazelynn Hudson, the owners of brewing beans.

While on the walk, there’s talk of a town spat that led to the Bubbly Boutique losing its vendor license for her tent. Apparently names flew back and forth, but then a threat of Peter Hill not being re-elected was the last straw.

On the ghost walk, they encounter a Headless horseman on horseback going through town with a bloody head. On the third knock of a coffin, the Halloween future was to reveal itself, however, a body falls out with a knife in its back. It was supposed to be a dummy, so who is this?

With a few fun twists, and always at least a bless your heart, Tonya has done it again and I can’t wait for the next Halloween Junction book! I was given an ARC of this book, but all comments and opinions are mine.

[Carol Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the latest book in the Holiday Cozy Mystery series,Holiday Junction is getting ready for Halloween. The season is just right for the town, but unfortunately someone is not playing nice. The town has everything you want for a good time and Violet is there to report on it all. She realizes that something is amiss on the ghost walk and soon finds herself with another murder to solve before the wrong person takes the blame.

[Jenny Zimmerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Halloween with a twisted mystery.

The characters were amazing and I so enjoyed reading and getting to know them some more.

The storyline was incredible and it is quite the page turner. I was so enchanted by this book that I had a hard time putting it down. Sleuthing mysteries are my favorite books to read and this book does not disappoint. I highly recommend this read.

[amelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

violet is not a fan of halloween but is persuaded to go on a ghost work so that she can write about it in the local newspaper. whilst on the ghost work, they find a dead body in a coffin that was meant to be used as a prop so, like the other books in the series, violet takes it upon herself to investigate the murder.

a quick and easy read and the first book finished in 2025!

[Jennifer Holguin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Halloween one of my favorite holidays but it’s not violet’s she hates it but when she and her friends find a dead body on a ghost walk won’t help her with this holiday, this is a fun read I laughed so much with this book

[Heaven Higgins · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly almost DNF. it picked up in some parts but the whole thing seemed unfinished and rushed.. maybe the rest of the series ties it all together? But I’m not sure if they’re all supposed to be stand alone a or not.

[Sheila Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable cozy mystery by Tonya Kappes. Well-written, well-paced, and entertaining. I'm hoping my library obtains the other books from this series. Very well worth the time to read.

[Kaitlyn Marie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Only read this for the Fall Vibes badge tbh

[Laura Gjermo · Rating 2 out of 5]

yay fall vibes badge, boo this book!

[Erin Farmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 5 for 2025! 3/5 stars for this cozy mystery read. Sometimes you just need an escape to Holiday Junction for a bit. A great, easy read.

[Nina Brown · Rating 1 out of 5]

As short as this book was, I just couldn't get through it.