This post could be called, why I love October. It could be the fact it has the best weather. Cool enough to appreciate the warmth of the sun in the afternoon. But warm enough for short sleeves and sometimes, shorts. And it’s my birthday month. (I’ve taken over the entire month of October because it’s just not right to try to cram all of the fun into one day.)
But the true reason I love October is Halloween. What’s the best Halloween candy ever? Smarties. And they’re really fresh and wonderful in October. Bite in to one or a bunch, and the tartness will make your mouth pucker as you breath in the wonder that is the small, tart disc. Yes, there are a lot of amazing candies sitting around desks in plastic pumpkins, but Smarties are the real thing.
I fell in love with ghost stories early on. My brother had a fondness of teasing me with theatric renditions of Chicken Heart when he was babysitting. Especially since the ending always had me cowering in the corner with a quilt over my head. Big brothers are sadistic. That’s all.
Horror movies were shown on Saturday night, after the nightly news. I tried to stay awake to watch, but more times than not, I’d fall asleep during a build up scene and scare myself when I awoke to the carnage on the screen.
Twin Peaks had the same affect on adult me, except I fell asleep earlier. I think it’s the theme music that always woke me. Right at the scariest part. On my second date with the man who was to become my husband, we watched The Haunting, a remake of the Hill House story. When I started to fall asleep, he paused the movie and restarted it when I woke up. I think that’s when I fell in love with the guy.
Writing a good scary story with a touch of witchcraft was a fun project. And if you think the South Cove gang might just remind you of a famous group of mystery solving cartoon characters, remember, there’s no Mystery Machine and Emma didn’t get invited to the overnight at the haunted house.
Candy, sunny afternoons, and spooky stories, what more could you want of a season? You’ll find all of this and more in A DEADLY BREW.
Do you love autumn? Why?
Lynn
As Halloween approaches South Cove, California, four couples get into the spirit of the holiday by conjuring up spirits. . .
The house has sat empty for fifteen years, taking up prime real estate along the picturesque coastline. Built by one of the founders of South Cove, its last known owner, Maryanne Demerit, vanished without a trace. Now her home will be demolished for a condo development, but until then, it’s the perfect spot for a Halloween haunted house.
Jill Gardner, owner of Coffee, Books, and More, her boyfriend, and three other couples are spending the weekend in the Demerit home. But what begins as an all-in-good-fun fright fest turns into a mystery begging to be solved as Jill is contacted by the ghost of Maryanne . . .
Praise for The Tourist Trap Mysteries
“Murder, dirty politics, pirate lore, and a hot police detective: Guidebook to Murder has it all! A cozy lover’s dream come true.” —Susan McBride, author of The Debutante Dropout Mysteries
“Lynn Cahoon has created an absorbing, good fun mystery in Mission to Murder.” —Fresh Fiction