I saw this cover and immediatley put this at the top of my Halloweenie reading list. What can I say? I’m a sucker for jack-o-lanters and costumed puppy doggies! I wanted to like this, but dang it was boring. I’m sorry y’all. I know this series is a fan favorite, but this is the thrd Bakeshop Mystery book I’ve read and so far they’ve all been very ho-hum, which is surprising because Ellie Alexander’s microwbrewery mystery series is top notch.

Here’re my thoughts:

The Halloweenie vibe: Despite the promising cover, this story didn’t have much to do with Halloween. I mean, yeah there was a dog costume parade and some sort of dog theatrical program going on, but this really could’ve been set at any time of year. I just didn’t get the fun, spooky feels whatsoever.

The dog mom drama: I just can’t with the women in this book. They take stage moms to a whole new, horrific level that I cannot even comprehend–and this is coming from someone who has a huge closet of dog costumes! The main suspect, Jax and her breeder dog, Pippa, are the worst part of the story. If this was a Hannah Barbara cartoon, I’d find her character to be more believable, but her stage-mom antics are way too over the top. I know our world has gone mad, but it’s a stretch to believe that a woman would kill and maim people to give her dog the lead role in some sort of theater pagent.

The long baking interludes: I’m not a baker, but I love eating baked goods…maybe a little too much. So, I could really do without the sporadic long cookbook descriptions of baking…snoooore.

The big reveal letdown: I’m wondering if the author meant for the big reveal to be a suprise. Seriously, it was such a no-brainer. Middle grade mysteries are more puzzing that this. I’m just puzzled about this not being puzzling…if that makes sense.

Overall thoughts: I’m kicking myself for buying a few of these mysteries for dirt cheap on Chirp. I dont’ think I can suffer through any more of this drivel.