Wicked Witch Murder (Lucy Stone Mysteries)

As the air turns crisp and the trees blaze red and gold in the tiny town of Tinker-s Cove, Maine, a newcomer arrives who seems to suit the Halloween season. Diana Ravenscroft has just opened Solstice, a charming little shop featuring candles, crystals, jewelry, and psychic readings. But after an unnervingly accurate reading by Diana, Lucy starts to get more than a little spooked-

Then there-s the dead body Lucy finds, way up on one of the old logging roads behind her house. The deceased is identified as Malcolm Malebranche, a seemingly harmless magician who worked at children-s birthday parties.

When it turns out that Diana knew the murder victim, Ike Stoughton, a prominent local businessman, starts a campaign against Diana, blaming -the witch- for everything from the unseasonal dry spell to his wife-s illness and his pumpkins- lack of plumpness. But Lucy-s not so sure that Ike himself is innocent. Still, as the town Halloween party approaches, Lucy-s more concerned about the costume competition, pin-the-nose-on-the-pumpkin, and baking three dozen orange cupcakes and Beastly Bug cookies. But as the October moon rises, a killer plans a lethal celebration of his own-and Lucy-s the guest of honor-