chez_jae

Murder Most Pumpkin by Stella Berry

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I read an Autumn-themed novella last night: Murder Most Pumpkin by Stella Berry. It's the prequel to the author's "Cornish Witch" series, featuring village witch Morgana Emrys.

Local legend has it that there was once a pumpkin scarecrow that would come to life each year on Halloween to snatch up and eat unwary children. The villagers create a pumpkin scarecrow every year and burn it in effigy. On her way home from the festivities, Morgana comes across an eerily similar pumpkin scarecrow, only to discover it's a dead body with a pumpkin jammed over his head. The victim was not well liked, which means many people had motive to murder him. The problem is, he was stabbed with Morgana's knife. She has been reluctant to use her magic because of the toll it exacts, but Morgana may just have to rely on it in order to find a killer.

This wasn't very long, but it was creepy and entertaining. I enjoyed meeting the characters, from Morgana and her niece and nephew to handsome Jamie and the nosy Matrons.

Favorite line: "When I want your help with matchmaking, I'll be sure to ask."

An entertaining story. I'd love to award it 3.5 stars. Since I can't, I'm rounding it down, due to how short it was. Three stars.