Reading through the Year by Christine Duncan

I started reading holiday mysteries to my children when they were young. It helped little kids manage their anticipation about the upcoming holidays.
And then, when they were too old to read picture books anymore, I still searched the library index for holiday books. It helps I learned, to really take the time to appreciate the season. Otherwise, things seem to speed along just a little too fast without me taking the time to really think about what is going on.
And the books I've read along the way have been a lot of fun. I've discovered series books, like Joyce and Jim Lavene's Renaissance Faire series which just happens to have one book with a Halloween theme (Ghastly Glass) and I've found authors like Leslie Meier who writes all of her books around holiday themes throughout the year.
This year I've just started the search. Somehow, my head was stuck in Labor day and I have just realized that we are in the second week of October. But then, that's what reading a holiday mystery is good for. It gets me grounded in the season.
Anybody out there with a recommendation for a good Halloween mystery?

Seasonal Reading by Christine Duncan

Other than taking a trip down Target's seasonal aisle and pushing all the "try me" buttons on their plastic skeletons that scream or their cackling witches, (and then going over one more aisle and checking out the Christmas decorations) there is nothing I like better than to read a good book about Halloween--or Christmas--or Fourth of July for that matter.

I've liked to read seasonal mysteries ever since I was a kid. As a matter of fact, I like it so much, I set my latest mystery, Safe House, at Thanksgiving time. But while it may be easy finding Halloween books to read to your little ones this time of year, it can be more difficult finding an adult mystery novel set then. I rely on sites like Myshelf with their special holiday lists or review sites like the GenreReview to find the books I need to get me in the mood for the seasons.


So if you're having trouble getting in the Halloween spirit right now, I can recommend Lesley Meier's Trick or Treat Murders. It's a cozy and Lucy Stone and her family feel like friendly neighbors that I like to visit, every time I read one of the series. Or maybe try an oldie but goodie, Barbara Michael's Prince of Darkness. I'll be scanning the lists myself for something new. So by all means, if you have a favorite seasonal mystery, tell me about it. I need something to get me in the mood--besides all this chocolate I'm buying for the Trick or Treaters.

Oh, and just a reminder, October is Domestic Violence awareness month. Pass the word--and if you have a bit to spare, send some money to your local shelter.