I’m always a bit sad to see summer disappear—and along with it the days of swimming outdoors—but I’m never too disappointed, because fall is my favorite season of the year. I enjoy so many things about autumn, but what I love most of all is Halloween.
All things spooky are right up my alley and one of my favorite things to do in late October is to carve pumpkins. I used to grow my own pumpkins—and sometimes I still do—but they rarely ended up big enough to suit my needs. So now I make an annual visit to the pumpkin patch. With hundreds—maybe even thousands—of pumpkins to choose from, I can find ones that are the perfect size and shape for my carving plans.
It’s not unusual for me to carve around half a dozen pumpkins each year. I typically carve two or three traditional jack-o-lanterns and sometimes I use pre-made patterns for fancier designs. For at least one pumpkin each Halloween, I like to make my own pattern. In the past I’ve carved pumpkins that featured a cover from one of my books and characters from one of my favorite television shows, like The X-Files. Last year I won a prize in an X-Files pumpkin carving contest, much to this long-time X-Phile’s delight.
This year I’m looking forward to pumpkin carving as much as ever. I’ve been working on some patterns and I’ve got all my tools ready to go. Let the carving commence!
In USA Today bestselling author Sarah Fox’s delicious new Pancake House Mystery, it’s up to Marley McKinney to discover the waffle truth behind a rival’s murder . . .
Winter has come to Wildwood Cove, and riding in on the chill is Wally Fowler. Although he’s been away for years, establishing his reputation as the self-proclaimed Waffle King, the wealthy blowhard has returned to the coastal community to make money, not friends—by pitting his hot and trendy Waffle Kingdom against Marley McKinney’s cozy pancake house, The Flip Side. Wally doesn’t see anything wrong in a little healthy competition, until he’s murdered in his own state-of-the art kitchen.
Marley isn’t surprised when the authorities sniff around The Flip Side for a motive, but it’s her best friend Lisa who gets grilled, given her sticky history with the victim. When a second murder rocks the town, it makes it harder than ever for Marley to clear Lisa’s name. Marley’s afraid that she’s next in line to die—and the way things are looking, the odds of surviving her investigation could be stacked against her.
Includes pancake recipes right from The Flip Side menu!
May New Reads