In Reference to Murder: Mystery Melange - Thanksgiving Edition

In Reference to Murder: Mystery Melange - Thanksgiving Edition: Thriller author James Patterson and Bookshop.org are launching a literary award called the James Patterson and Bookshop.org Prize. The firs...

KRL Update 11/22/2025

Up on KRL this week a review and giveaway of a Thanksgiving mystery, "Death of a Tom Turkey" by Lee Hollis, along with a fun Thanksgiving recipe from Lee https://kingsriverlife.com/11/22/death-of-a-tom-turkey-by-lee-hollis/

And reviews and giveaways of 5 more wonderful cozy mysteries, including a couple of Christmas ones-"Five Golden Wings" by Donna Andrews, "Sugar and Spite" by M. C. Beaton with R. W. Green (an Agatha Raisin mystery), "Death by Java" by Alex Erickson, "A Perilous Plot" A Booktown Mystery by Lorna Barrett, and "Murder at Holly House" by Denzil Meyrick https://kingsriverlife.com/11/22/november-cozy-mystery-catchup-with-christmas/

 

And a review and giveaway of "The Secrets of Old Post Cemetery" by Patricia Crisafulli, along with an interesting interview with Patricia https://kingsriverlife.com/11/22/the-secrets-of-the-old-post-cemetery-by-patricia-crisafulli/

 

We also have the latest Queer Mystery Coming Attractions from Matt Lubbers-Moore https://kingsriverlife.com/11/22/queer-mystery-coming-attractions-november-december-2025/

 

For those who prefer to listen to Mysteryrat's Maze Podcast directly on KRL, here is the link for the player for our latest episode, which features a Thanksgiving mystery short story by Erica Obey, that is read by local actor Donna Beavers https://kingsriverlife.com/11/22/mysteryrats-maze-podcast-the-shocking-assault/

 

Up during the week we posted another special midweek guest post, this one by mystery author Suzanne Trauth where she talks about author's inspirations for their books, and the inspiration for her latest book "The First To Die" https://kingsriverlife.com/11/19/inspiration-2/

 

And another special midweek guest post, this one by mystery author Robbie Bach about how he goes about choosing the main characters for his books https://kingsriverlife.com/11/19/discovering-your-character-soulmate/

 

Up on KRL News and Reviews this week we have a review and ebook giveaway of "Killer Commission" by Catherine Bruns https://www.krlnews.com/2025/11/killer-commission-by-catherine-bruins.html

 

And a review and giveaway of "All Spooked Up" by E.j. Copperman https://www.krlnews.com/2025/11/all-spooked-up-by-ej-copperman.html

 

And a review and giveaway of "A Pantomime of Peril" by Victoria Tait https://www.krlnews.com/2025/11/a-pantomime-of-peril-by-victoria-tait.html

 

Happy reading, and for those who celebrate, Happy Thanksgiving!

Lorie 

_._,_._,_

Mystery Fanfare: THANKSGIVING MYSTERIES // Thanksgiving Crime Fiction

Mystery Fanfare: THANKSGIVING MYSTERIES // Thanksgiving Crime Fiction: Thanksgiving is next week, so you'll want to get reading these Thanksgiving crime novels and short stories. This is an updated   Tha...

Lesa's Book Critiques: The Perp Wore Pumpkin ed. by J. Alan Hartman

 Lesa's Book Critiques: The Perp Wore Pumpkin ed. by J. Alan Hartman

KRL Update 11/15/2025

Up on KRL this week a review of "Thanks for Muffin" by Victoria Hamilton, along with a fun guest post by Victoria about autumn, and a recipe perfect for your Thanksgiving day brunch! There is also a giveaway of a $25 Amazon gift card open to US and Canadian residents! https://kingsriverlife.com/11/15/thanks-for-muffin-by-victoria-hamilton/

And reviews and giveaways of a pair of mysteries with dogs-"Die Another Dane" By Laurien Berenson and "Dying Cry" By Margaret Mizushima https://kingsriverlife.com/11/15/a-pair-mysteries-with-dogs/

And a review and giveaway of "Murder Two Doors Down" by Chuck Storla along with a fun interview with Chuck https://kingsriverlife.com/11/15/murder-two-doors-down-by-chuck-storla/

We also have a review and giveaway of "Fallen Star" by Lee Goldberg, and there's a bonus mini review of the audiobook version https://kingsriverlife.com/11/15/fallen-star-by-lee-goldberg/

Up on KRL during the week we posted another special midweek guest post, this one by mystery author Barry Maher where he shares how a brain tumor inspired his book https://kingsriverlife.com/11/12/brain-cancer-for-fun-and-profit/

And another special midweek guest post, this one by mystery author KJ Charles where she talks about her new gothic mystery romance novel "All of Us are Murders" and books she thinks her main character might be reading https://kingsriverlife.com/11/12/all-of-us-murderers/

Up on KRL News and Reviews this week we have a review and giveaway of "The Corpse With The Amber Neck" by Cathy Ace - https://www.krlnews.com/2025/11/the-corpse-with-amber-neck-by-cathy-ace.html

And a review of "In the Algorithm We Trust" by local author Ryan David Ginsberg https://www.krlnews.com/2025/11/in-algorithm-we-trust-by-ryan-david.html

And a review of "Elbows Up!" a very different sort of anthology https://www.krlnews.com/2025/11/elbows-up-canadian-voices-of-resilience.html

Happy reading,

Lorie

Short Story Wednesday Review: The Perp Wore Pumpkin: A Humorous Crime Anthology to Benefit Second Harvest Food Bank

  

With Jay Hartman’s post below on Facebook last week, I thought I would run again my review of this volume. By the way, my short story, Chocked on Love, appears in the new volume coming soon.

 

“With so many federal employees going without paychecks and the number of people losing SNAP benefits, I thought it would be a good time to remind people about our anthology THE PERP WORE PUMPKIN, where 100% of the net proceeds from both the ebook and paperback go to Second Harvest Food Bank and Feeding America. Buying from our website or DriveThruFiction allows us to donate those funds immediately. Any other reseller we have to wait three months until the funds are paid to us. The second volume is arriving shortly!”

 

Edited by J. Alan Hartman, the recently released Misti Media anthology, The Perp Wore Pumpkin: A Humorous Crime Anthology to Benefit Second Harvest Food Bank, is a highly entertaining read. This is especially true if you like puns and slap stick humor. The book also includes four Thanksgiving related recipes offered by Jay’s sister, Lisa Lynn.

After a short introduction by Jay explaining why he did a charity anthology, and how it will help give back in many locations, it is on to the stories.

“The Thanksgiving Parade” by Sandra Murphy begins where two people are working undercover in a holiday parade. Both are very much undercover as one is costumed as a baked potato with fixings and the other as jellied cranberry sauce. They are not the only ones dressed as food items. They also may not be the only ones Arlo in a certain bank, the First Federal Bank of Orlo.

The Finley Family Thanksgivings are a notorious deal going back many years. It is happening again in “The Vic Wore Yams” by Heidi Hunter. The kitchen fire had caused a delay in meal prep. Then the narrator’s dad lacerated the heck out of a finger as he tried to carve the turkey. The dog got the meat the blood hit. But, the death at the table, and the resulting family commotion really brought things to a halt.

Janet saw the stumbling man from her third-floor window as “A Regular Harvest Moon Blowout” by Daniel Sohn begins. It is only as he gets closer to her apartment building in Columbia, Missouri, she realizes he is bleeding. She goes to help and he has been stabbed. Stanley Tiller appreciates the help. He also just wants to get back to his hotel room where he is supposed to be hosting the annual holiday dinner. She agrees to give him a ride and things get even more interesting.

“A Diverse Thanksgiving” by Debra H. Goldstein comes next where Warden Oscar P. Weiner is just trying to make it through his final two weeks to retirement without any problems. That includes never having to deal with inmate Joshua Randall ever again. While on paper he is an absolute model prisoner, Randall is always stealing from his office as he negotiates on behalf of his fellow inmates. This year, the annual thanksgiving dinner is not enough as he wants more than the usual fare. The latest round of negotiations is soon underway with Warden Weiner doing his best to control the damage and the outcome.

The rich tradition of hobos riding the rails is the background of “Hobo Hannah and the Great Pumpkin Heist” by Lesley A. Diehl. Hanna, her friend, Lily, and their Maine coon cat, T-rex, gave up the hobo life to go to home to where Hannah came from all those years ago. They did. Soon after, Hannah was elected sheriff and replaced the high school bully and sheriff, Hiram Noggins. The guy is still a bully and did not take losing well. He has made threats to expose her for being incompetent. Now pumpkins are vanishing from fields right before harvest and pumpkin products are being stolen from stores. The loss of everything pumpkin related could ruin Thanksgiving for everyone miles around.

 

The first two stories that specifically reference Texas author Earl Staggs come next with and begin with Barry’s Ergang’s groaner filled tale, “Buffet, the Umpire Slayer.” Normally, Hardy Boyle stays home on Thanksgiving eating tacos, drinking beer, and watching football. But, he was recently involved in the hunt for and rescue of the daughters of the managing partners of the talent agency, Binthair-Dunthat. Second rate actor, Macdonald Adamia, took them in misguided attempt to get acting jobs. Hardy Boyle solved the case and got the daughters rescued and back home. Now, one of the partners, Lucas Binthair, is having a holiday meal and celebration at a closed public restaurant and Hardy Boyle is in attendance. Good thing as when death strikes, Boyle’s friend, Detective Lieutenant Paul Ohnius handles the case at the Belladonna. An entertaining mystery that is packed full of groaners which is why Earl frequently referred to the author as the “Guru of Groaners.”

Bennet is less than thrilled to be in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He isn’t surprised his new son-in-law has screwed up and there is no turkey in “The Last Turkey in Tulsa” by Jim Fusilli. His daughter, Cammy, is quite upset. With her being married to a man that never even asked for her hand in marriage, Bennet thinks her new husband, Owen, should deal with it. Bennet’s wife, Charlene, thinks Daddy (Bennet) should help. So, like many a smarty married man before him, after some grumbling, Bennett sets out trying to help by trying to find a turkey for the holiday dinner. Far easier said than done at this late hour.

Dinner at Ann Marie’s is clearly going to be problematic and not just because the sister-in-law is not at all hygienic in “The Chile Pumpkin Pie Rebellion” by Linda Kay Hardie. Though that is now going to help our narrator deal with her verbally abusive husband, Jamie. How she goes about it, and all that she has to deal with to make things happen, is the crux of this short story that also references the late Texas author, Earl Staggs.

Every year Aunt Sadie makes pumpkin whoopie pies. The things are horrible because she substitutes ingredients at random giving them a horrible taste. In “Making Woopie” by Shari Held, it is that time of year again. The newest member of the family, Trevor, is about to experience the annual nightmare Hopefully this year great-great Aunt Sadie has not decided to substitute pickle chunks for pecans again or use salt instead of sugar. Something is coming and once again everybody assembled will just have to deal with it.

The final story is “Pie à la Poison: A Vermont Radio Mystery” by Nikki Knight and one with a far more serious tone and subtle humor. Jaye Jordan is divorced, a single mom, and back home in Vermont at the radio station, WSV. She first started out there just after college, and when everything went so wrong in NYC, she came back home and bought the station. With her daughter with her dad and his family on this Thanksgiving night, she is alone in the station and handling everything including the request line. The same phone line where an elderly woman has confessed to setting up a double murder. The question is whether Jaye Jordan can get authorities involved in enough time to stop it in this very good mystery tale.

One final recipe and the often extensively detailed bios of the authors brings this entertaining holiday anthology to a close. If you read the previous holiday anthologies edited by Jay Hartman and you liked them, you will definitely like this one. Many of the same authors are involved as are the usual elements of puns and slapstick humor. As always, the recipes are a nice touch for those cooking at home.

The Perp Wore Pumpkin: A Humorous Crime Anthology to Benefit Second Harvest Food Bank is a fun and entertaining quick read. It features plenty of humor, action, and mystery, and thus leaves the reader well fed at the end.

Amazon Associates Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/48eP4Gq

 

My review copy came from the publisher, Misti Media, with no expectation of a review.

 

Kevin R. Tipple ©2023, 2024, 2025

Jerry's House of Everything: LAST WEEK'S SHORT STORY WEDNESDAY: PILGRIM FATHER McGEE

Jerry's House of Everything: LAST WEEK'S SHORT STORY WEDNESDAY: PILGRIM FATHER...:  "Pilgrim Father McGee" by Frank Richardson Pierce (from Short Stories . December 10, 1946) I was out of town and away from my com...

Happy Avian Slaughter Day

Happy Thanksgiving from Scott and I.  Hope yours was a good one. 

Lesa's Book Critiques: Happy Thanksgiving

 Lesa's Book Critiques: Happy Thanksgiving

KRL Update 11/23/2024

Up on KRL this week reviews and giveaways of 3 more food mysteries for your Thanksgiving reading-"Guilt and Ginataan" A Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mystery Book Five by Mia P. Manansala, "Fondue or Die" by Korina Moss, and "Pumpkin Spice Puppy" by Laurien Berenson https://kingsriverlife.com/11/23/food-mysteries-for-your-2024-thanksgiving-feast/ 

And a review and giveaway of "In the Blink of a Pie" by Catherine Bruns along with a recipe from Catherine perfect for your Thanksgiving Dinner! https://kingsriverlife.com/11/23/in-the-blink-of-a-pie-by-catherine-bruns/

 

And a review and giveaway of "A Killer Clue" by Victoria Gilbert https://kingsriverlife.com/11/23/a-killer-clue-by-victoria-gilbert/

 

We also have the latest Queer Mystery Coming Attractions from Matt Lubbers-Moore https://kingsriverlife.com/11/23/queer-mystery-coming-attractions-december-2024/

 

For those who prefer to listen to Mysteryrat's Maze Podcast directly on KRL, you can find the player here for the latest episode which features the first of our Christmas mystery short stories this year, "The Jumper" by John Floyd, read by local actor Larry Mattox https://kingsriverlife.com/11/23/new-mysteryrats-maze-podcast-featuring-the-jumper/

 

Up on KRL News and Reviews this week we have a review and giveaway of "A Holiday for Homicide" by Devon Delaney https://www.krlnews.com/2024/11/a-holiday-for-homicide-by-devon-delaney.html

 

And a review and ebook giveaway of "Death by Jelly Beans" by Susie Black https://www.krlnews.com/2024/11/death-by-jelly-beans-by-susie-black.html

 

And a review and giveaway of "Sgt. Ford's Widow" by Paul A. Barra https://www.krlnews.com/2024/11/sgt-fords-widow-by-paul-barra.html

 

Happy reading,

Lorie

Mystery Fanfare: THANKSGIVING MYSTERIES // THANKSGIVING CRIME FICTION

Mystery Fanfare: THANKSGIVING MYSTERIES // THANKSGIVING CRIME FICTION: Thanksgiving is next week, so you'll want to get reading these Thanksgiving crime novel and short stories. This is an updated   Thank...

Short Story Wednesday Review: The Perp Wore Pumpkin: A Humorous Crime Anthology to Benefit Second Harvest Food Bank

With Jay Hartman’s recent Facebook announcement and I quote, “From now through November 30th, 100% of the net royalties of paperback and ebook sales through our store will be donated to Second Harvest Food Banks located in NW North Carolina where some of the worst damage was done from Hurricane Helene. Folks there still need your help!,” it seemed a good time to remind folks of this enjoyable read. Besides, we are about a month out from Thanksgiving, so there is that too. If you pick it up at the publisher, the Misti Media Bookstore, you can save a little bit and make your purchase dollars go further.

 

Edited by J. Alan Hartman, the recently released Misti Media anthology, The Perp Wore Pumpkin: A Humorous Crime Anthology to Benefit Second Harvest Food Bank, is a highly entertaining read. This is especially true if you like puns and slap stick humor. The book also includes four Thanksgiving related recipes offered by Jay’s sister, Lisa Lynn.

After a short introduction by Jay explaining why he did a charity anthology and how it will help give back in many locations, it is on to the stories.

“The Thanksgiving Parade” by Sandra Murphy begins where two people are working undercover in a holiday parade. Both are very much undercover as one is costumed as a baked potato with fixings and the other as jellied cranberry sauce. They are not the only ones dressed as food items. They also may not be the only ones Arlo in a certain bank, the First Federal Bank of Orlo.

The Finley Family Thanksgivings are a notorious deal going back many years. It is happening again in “The Vic Wore Yams” by Heidi Hunter. The kitchen fire had caused a delay in meal prep. Then the narrator’s dad lacerated the heck out of a finger as he tried to carve the turkey. The dog got the meat the blood hit. But, the death at the table, and the resulting family commotion really brought things to a halt.

Janet saw the stumbling man from her third-floor window as “A Regular Harvest Moon Blowout” by Daniel Sohn begins. It is only as he gets closer to her apartment building in Columbia, Missouri, she realizes he is bleeding. She goes to help and he has been stabbed. Stanley Tiller appreciates the help. He also just wants to get back to his hotel room where he is supposed to be hosting the annual holiday dinner. She agrees to give him a ride and things get even more interesting.

“A Diverse Thanksgiving” by Debra H. Goldstein comes next where Warden Oscar P. Weiner is just trying to make it through his final two weeks to retirement without any problems. That includes never having to deal with inmate Joshua Randall ever again. While on paper he is an absolute model prisoner, Randall is always stealing from his office as he negotiates on behalf of his fellow inmates. This year, the annual thanksgiving dinner is not enough as he wants more than the usual fare. The latest round of negotiations is soon underway with Warden Weiner doing his best to control the damage and the outcome.

The rich tradition of hobos riding the rails is the background of “Hobo Hannah and the Great Pumpkin Heist” by Lesley A. Diehl. Hanna, her friend, Lily, and their Maine coon cat, T-rex, gave up the hobo life to go to home to where Hannah came from all those years ago. They did. Soon after, Hannah was elected sheriff and replaced the high school bully and sheriff, Hiram Noggins. The guy is still a bully and did not take losing well. He has made threats to expose her for being incompetent. Now pumpkins are vanishing from fields right before harvest and pumpkin products are being stolen from stores. The loss of everything pumpkin related could ruin Thanksgiving for everyone miles around.

The first two stories that specifically reference Texas author Earl Staggs come next with and begin with Barry’s Ergang’s groaner filled tale, “Buffet, the Umpire Slayer.” Normally, Hardy Boyle stays home on Thanksgiving eating tacos, drinking beer, and watching football. But, he was recently involved in the hunt for and rescue of the daughters of the managing partners of the talent agency, Binthair-Dunthat. Second rate actor, Macdonald Adamia, took them in misguided attempt to get acting jobs. Hardy Boyle solved the case and got the daughters rescued and back home. Now, one of the partners, Lucas Binthair, is having a holiday meal and celebration at a closed public restaurant and Hardy Boyle is in attendance. Good thing as when death strikes, Boyle’s friend, Detective Lieutenant Paul Ohnius handles the case at the Belladonna. An entertaining mystery that is packed full of groaners which is why Earl frequently referred to the author as the “Guru of Groaners.”

Bennet is less than thrilled to be in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He isn’t surprised his new son-in-law has screwed up and there is no turkey in “The Last Turkey in Tulsa” by Jim Fusilli. His daughter, Cammy, is quite upset. With her being married to a man that never even asked for her hand in marriage, Bennet thinks her new husband, Owen, should deal with it. Bennet’s wife, Charlene, thinks Daddy (Bennet) should help. So, like many a smarty married man before him, after some grumbling, Bennett sets out trying to help by trying to find a turkey for the holiday dinner. Far easier said than done at this late hour.

Dinner at Ann Marie’s is clearly going to be problematic and not just because the sister-in-law is not at all hygienic in “The Chile Pumpkin Pie Rebellion” by Linda Kay Hardie. Though that is now going to help our narrator deal with her verbally abusive husband, Jamie. How she goes about it, and all that she has to deal with to make things happen, is the crux of this short story that also references the late Texas author, Earl Staggs.

Every year Aunt Sadie makes pumpkin whoopie pies. The things are horrible because she substitutes ingredients at random giving them a horrible taste. In “Making Woopie” by Shari Held, it is that time of year again. The newest member of the family, Trevor, is about to experience the annual nightmare Hopefully this year great-great Aunt Sadie has not decided to substitute pickle chunks for pecans again or use salt instead of sugar. Something is coming and once again everybody assembled will just have to deal with it.

The final story is “Pie à la Poison: A Vermont Radio Mystery” by Nikki Knight and one with a far more serious tone and subtle humor. Jaye Jordan is divorced, a single mom, and back home in Vermont at the radio station, WSV. She first started out there just after college, and when everything went so wrong in NYC, she came back home and bought the station. With her daughter with her dad and his family on this Thanksgiving night, she is alone in the station and handling everything including the request line. The same phone line where an elderly woman has confessed to setting up a double murder. The question is whether Jaye Jordan can get authorities involved in enough time to stop it in this very good mystery tale.

One final recipe and the often extensively detailed bios of the authors brings this entertaining holiday anthology to a close. If you read the previous holiday anthologies edited by Jay Hartman and you liked them, you will definitely like this one. Many of the same authors are involved as are the usual elements of puns and slapstick humor. As always, the recipes are a nice touch for those cooking at home.

The Perp Wore Pumpkin: A Humorous Crime Anthology to Benefit Second Harvest Food Bank is a fun and entertaining quick read. It features plenty of humor, action, and mystery, and thus leaves the reader well fed at the end.

 

Amazon Associates Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/48eP4Gq

 

My review copy came from the publisher, Misti Media, with no expectation of a review.

 

Kevin R. Tipple ©2023, 2024

Sort of a Mini Break

With today being Thanksgiving, Scott and I are taking a bit of a break the next couple of days. This means no FFB Review tomorrow, repeat or otherwise, and  no new review by Scott Saturday.

 

I will be linking to interesting things like I always do and I will be taking care of whatever I need to do for SMFS. But, otherwise, I plan to watch football and work on some things around here such as some reviews I need to do.  

This time of year is always very tough. This year has been really hard, so trying this seems like the best option. 

Lesa's Book Critiques: HAPPY THANKSGIVING

 Lesa's Book Critiques: HAPPY THANKSGIVING

In Reference To Murder: Mystery Melange - Thanksgiving Edition

 In Reference To Murder: Mystery Melange - Thanksgiving Edition

Happy Thanksgiving 2023

 

Hope your day is grand. 

Six Years Later

This has been a very tough day...... six years ago today Sandi came home her final time just after six in the evening. It was the beginning of hospice ... and the beginning of the end. I did not want her here as I was very afraid of what was coming and not being able to care for her as she needed and deserved. That turned out to be the reality as after about a week they lost pain control and she suffered horribly before lapsing into unconsciousness those last few days. It was hell for her and for us too.

Sandi, on the other hand, did not want to die in the hospital. She desperately wanted to be at home here with us. I agreed as that was what she wanted and there was no way I could tell her no. In a sense she is still here as her urn sits here in the den.

I wish for so much that can't be......and I miss her so much. Every day is hard....some are worse than others....and then there are days like today. I turn 62 Monday and she is not here to tell me not to be grumpy about another birthday and to have fun.

Then we have Thanksgiving, Christmas, and her birthday in January. What should be a great time of year is instead a hard, painful slog. Six years later, nothing has changed. At least she is not here to watch me slowly get sicker as what little I inherited vanishes like sand through the hourglass.

Short Story Wednesday Review: The Perp Wore Pumpkin: A Humorous Crime Anthology to Benefit Second Harvest Food Bank

 

Edited by J. Alan Hartman, the recently released Misti Media anthology, The Perp Wore Pumpkin: A Humorous Crime Anthology to Benefit Second Harvest Food Bank, is a highly entertaining read. This is especially true if you like puns and slap stick humor. The book also includes four Thanksgiving related recipes offered by Jay’s sister, Lisa Lynn.

After a short introduction by Jay explaining why he did a charity anthology and how it will help give back in many locations, it is on to the stories.

“The Thanksgiving Parade” by Sandra Murphy begins where two people are working undercover in a holiday parade. Both are very much undercover as one is costumed as a baked potato with fixings and the other as jellied cranberry sauce. They are not the only ones dressed as food items. They also may not be the only ones Arlo in a certain bank, the First Federal Bank of Orlo.

The Finley Family Thanksgivings are a notorious deal going back many years. It is happening again in “The Vic Wore Yams” by Heidi Hunter. The kitchen fire had caused a delay in meal prep. Then the narrator’s dad lacerated the heck out of a finger as he tried to carve the turkey. The dog got the meat the blood hit. But, the death at the table, and the resulting family commotion really brought things to a halt.

Janet saw the stumbling man from her third-floor window as “A Regular Harvest Moon Blowout” by Daniel Sohn begins. It is only as he gets closer to her apartment building in Columbia, Missouri, she realizes he is bleeding. She goes to help and he has been stabbed. Stanley Tiller appreciates the help. He also just wants to get back to his hotel room where he is supposed to be hosting the annual holiday dinner. She agrees to give him a ride and things get even more interesting.

“A Diverse Thanksgiving” by Debra H. Goldstein comes next where Warden Oscar P. Weiner is just trying to make it through his final two weeks to retirement without any problems. That includes never having to deal with inmate Joshua Randall ever again. While on paper he is an absolute model prisoner, Randall is always stealing from his office as he negotiates on behalf of his fellow inmates. This year, the annual thanksgiving dinner is not enough as he wants more than the usual fare. The latest round of negotiations is soon underway with Warden Weiner doing his best to control the damage and the outcome.

The rich tradition of hobos riding the rails is the background of “Hobo Hannah and the Great Pumpkin Heist” by Lesley A. Diehl. Hanna, her friend, Lily, and their Maine coon cat, T-rex, gave up the hobo life to go to home to where Hannah came from all those years ago. They did. Soon after, Hannah was elected sheriff and replaced the high school bully and sheriff, Hiram Noggins. The guy is still a bully and did not take losing well. He has made threats to expose her for being incompetent. Now pumpkins are vanishing from fields right before harvest and pumpkin products are being stolen from stores. The loss of everything pumpkin related could ruin Thanksgiving for everyone miles around.

The first two stories that specifically reference Texas author Earl Staggs come next with and begin with Barry’s Ergang’s groaner filled tale, “Buffet, the Umpire Slayer.” Normally, Hardy Boyle stays home on Thanksgiving eating tacos, drinking beer, and watching football. But, he was recently involved in the hunt for and rescue of the daughters of the managing partners of the talent agency, Binthair-Dunthat. Second rate actor, Macdonald Adamia, took them in misguided attempt to get acting jobs. Hardy Boyle solved the case and got the daughters rescued and back home. Now, one of the partners, Lucas Binthair, is having a holiday meal and celebration at a closed public restaurant and Hardy Boyle is in attendance. Good thing as when death strikes, Boyle’s friend, Detective Lieutenant Paul Ohnius handles the case at the Belladonna. An entertaining mystery that is packed full of groaners which is why Earl frequently referred to the author as the “Guru of Groaners.”

Bennet is less than thrilled to be in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He isn’t surprised his new son-in-law has screwed up and there is no turkey in “The Last Turkey in Tulsa” by Jim Fusilli. His daughter, Cammy, is quite upset. With her being married to a man that never even asked for her hand in marriage, Bennet thinks her new husband, Owen, should deal with it. Bennet’s wife, Charlene, thinks Daddy (Bennet) should help. So, like many a smarty married man before him, after some grumbling, Bennett sets out trying to help by trying to find a turkey for the holiday dinner. Far easier said than done at this late hour.

Dinner at Ann Marie’s is clearly going to be problematic and not just because the sister-in-law is not at all hygienic in “The Chile Pumpkin Pie Rebellion” by Linda Kay Hardie. Though that is now going to help our narrator deal with her verbally abusive husband, Jamie. How she goes about it, and all that she has to deal with to make things happen, is the crux of this short story that also references the late Texas author, Earl Staggs.

Every year Aunt Sadie makes pumpkin whoopie pies. The things are horrible because she substitutes ingredients at random giving them a horrible taste. In “Making Woopie” by Shari Held, it is that time of year again. The newest member of the family, Trevor, is about to experience the annual nightmare Hopefully this year great-great Aunt Sadie has not decided to substitute pickle chunks for pecans again or use salt instead of sugar. Something is coming and once again everybody assembled will just have to deal with it.

The final story is “Pie à la Poison: A Vermont Radio Mystery” by Nikki Knight and one with a far more serious tone and subtle humor. Jaye Jordan is divorced, a single mom, and back home in Vermont at the radio station, WSV. She first started out there just after college, and when everything went so wrong in NYC, she came back home and bought the station. With her daughter with her dad and his family on this Thanksgiving night, she is alone in the station and handling everything including the request line. The same phone line where an elderly woman has confessed to setting up a double murder. The question is whether Jaye Jordan can get authorities involved in enough time to stop it in this very good mystery tale.

One final recipe and the often extensively detailed bios of the authors brings this entertaining holiday anthology to a close. If you read the previous holiday anthologies edited by Jay Hartman and you liked them, you will definitely like this one. Many of the same authors are involved as are the usual elements of puns and slapstick humor. As always, the recipes are a nice touch for those cooking at home.

The Perp Wore Pumpkin: A Humorous Crime Anthology to Benefit Second Harvest Food Bank is a fun and entertaining quick read. It features plenty of humor, action, and mystery, and thus leaves the reader well fed at the end.

Pick it up at Amazon, at other vendors, or at the publisher where the price is a little lower. Also check out Jay's short video regarding the book here on the Misti Media YouTube page. 

 

My review copy came from the publisher, MistiMedia, with no expectation of a review.

 

Kevin R. Tipple ©2023

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