Halloween in Paradise by Kathi Daley

October 18th, 2017 Kimberly Guest Post, Review 39 Comments

18th Oct
Halloween in Paradise by Kathi Daley
Halloween in Paradise
by Kathi Daley
Series: Tj Jensen Paradise Lake Mystery #6
Narrator: Coleen Mario
Length: 4 hours 27 minutes
Genres: Cozy Mystery
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne Star
Narration: 3.5 cups

In the midst of the annual Halloween frenzy, Tj finds herself pulled into a series of events at the high school where she works. Not only must she help one of the girls on her team deal with a case of cyberbullying, but she must help a student who has recently suffered a personal tragedy. And as if Tj wasn't busy enough, in walks Samantha Colton, a reporter for Second Look, a television series that takes a look back at unsolved murders. This time the case is the death of a popular student after the homecoming dance ten years before. To make matters even worse-or maybe more convenient-the graduating class of the victim is in town for their ten-year reunion and all the suspects just happen to have converged on Serenity for the weekend. When Samantha turns up dead, Tj must track down someone who seems willing to kill again to keep their secret.

mystery Halloween Audiobook Speedy Read

Please welcome Sophia Rose as she shares a cozy audio, Halloween in Paradise written by Kathi Daley and narrated byΒ Coleen Mario. Grab a cup of witches brew and check out this mystery.

Sophia Rose’s Review

A Halloween-themed mystery set in a small town seemed just the thing to suit my mood, but it was a bonus to score one by a new to me, author and narrator. As some might know, I’ve successfully added cozy mysteries into my reading repertoire this year and so I’m on the hunt for more to love.

Halloween in Paradise is the sixth book in the Tj Jensen Paradise Lake Mystery series. I took a chance on snagging it out of order and I did alright, but I could also see where there was quite a bit of background series plotting that I missed as a result.

The series is set in the small Nevada mountain resort town of Paradise. The amateur detective heroine is Tj. Tj is a teacher and coach at the local high school and lives out at the lake resort with her grandpa, dad, and is the guardian of her younger half-sisters. She’s got a steady boyfriend in high school sweetheart and her best friend since grade school. Tackling the issue of being both older sister and mom to her newly acquired little sisters and helping with her student’s troubles all keep her busy. Six mysteries in, Tj is established with a reputation for tackling and solving tough local murders.

The set up for this latest mystery is the big ten-year class reunion involving Tj’s class. Things get uncomfortable because her senior year, a classmate was killed after the homecoming dance and a party. A nosey TV investigative reporter is killed when she stirs up the old cold case.

Halloween in Paradise is a quick and light read. It was equal parts small-town happenings, seasonal flavor, and mystery. I liked how the author combined the two. I did have the cold case murderer figured out quickly, but there was the ‘why’ and also several good distractions to make me hesitate if I was right. Tj is a likable heroine. She’s vulnerable about being a guardian but quite confident with her work and her amateur detecting. I appreciated that she wanted to rush into danger, but she was smart enough to listen to her friends’ advice, too.

The narration was done by Coleen Mario who was new to me. I thought she did a good job with Tj and the many other voices. She struggled a bit with the male voices, but not so that it distracted me. She handled the overall storyline well, too.

All in all, I had a good time with Halloween in Paradise, and will happily go back for the first books in the series and try other books by the prolific writing of Kathi Daley. I think this one and the others in the series will be a good fit for those who are looking for an easy-read, light and quick small town mystery series.

Halloween-themed mystery set in a small town; Halloween in Paradise by Kathy Daley #audio Share on X

 

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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

39 Responses to “Halloween in Paradise by Kathi Daley”

  1. Jo

    Oh, I wish I have discovered this book before Halloween! I still want to read it though πŸ™‚

  2. Lorna

    I have read the occasional cozy especially when I reviewed for Pure Textuality. I am so into contemporary romances and historical romances in addition to paranormal, that all my mystery and suspense reads have just been pretty much eliminated. But I am glad you enjoyed and found a new author and narrator too. The high school reunion murder mystery is pretty popular, especially on tv shows so I am sure lots of people will like it!

    • Sophia Rose

      It was a blast. One of the reasons I love guest reviewing here for Kim is that I get to reach for the mysteries again. I’ve enjoyed sampling and seeing what’s out there.

      Yes, the class reunion is an appealing set up.

  3. MarthaE

    I like the cover and this sounds like a good one for Halloween season. I’m glad you liked it.
    I have to look through my extensive TBR to see if I have any Halloween stories for this/next week.
    Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

  4. Lily

    oh man how did I miss this? I love halloween cozies πŸ˜€ On that note I am glad you enjoyed it.
    I like Heather Blake, she writes some really good cozies also

    • Sophia Rose

      There are so many out there. I caught two Halloween ones- this one and Death Overdue by Allison Brook.
      Oh, I’ll have to try a Heather Blake. Thanks, Lily!

    • Sophia Rose

      Exactly, Melanie! I scarfed this one up when I saw the cover and didn’t worry a jot if it was from an existing series. πŸ™‚ It was fun!

  5. Jenea's Book Obsession

    I haven’t seen this series before but I do think it would be something I would enjoy. Book 6 already though, ugh. I will check out of library. Great review Sophia.

    • Sophia Rose

      Yeah, the dreaded book six. But at least they seem shorter in length so catching up wouldn’t be too much of a bear, Jenea! πŸ™‚

    • Sophia Rose

      Oh yes, it might be set around Halloween, but it can be appreciated whenever the reader wants. πŸ™‚ Maybe a sweltering summer day when the reader wants a bit of cool fall crispness in the air…

  6. Tyler H. Jolley

    This sounds like a fun read for sure. Great review, Sophia!

  7. Melissa (Books and Things)

    I hate when they rush into danger without thinking. So glad this one isn’t like that at all. Oh I do think this one sounds like a book I would enjoy. Perhaps on audio as well!

    • Sophia Rose

      Me, too. I held my breath when she was debating about going after the suspect alone, but then she made a safe, smart decision.
      Hope you like it, Melissa.

    • Sophia Rose

      For sure! Everyone’s breaking out the fall decorations around town and it seems the thing to do to read a matching mystery story. πŸ™‚

    • Sophia Rose

      Oh, that is too funny, Ailyn. Nope, its non-princess Sophia here. πŸ™‚

      I agree! Cute and well-matched cover to the story.

      Thanks!

  8. Wattle

    I haven’t heard of this series before, but I do love a good cozy. I might have to add this one to my list. Thank you for sharing, Sophia! πŸ™‚

  9. Bookworm Brandee

    I’ll make a note to read the series in order but I’m happy that 6 books in, you weren’t too lost. I like series set in small towns and Tj sounds like my kind of heroine. I haven’t read many cozies but I keep wanting to add them into my reading diet. Glad you enjoyed a new to you author and narrator, Sophia!

    • Sophia Rose

      There were some tricksy parts from starting six books in, but luckily, it was not bad out of order for me. Small town and the theme really grabbed me for this one and I do love trying new authors and narrators. πŸ™‚
      Hope you get the chance, Brandee!

  10. Nick

    A Halloween themed mystery! How fun! I haven’t heard of this series before, but I might look into them.

    • Sophia Rose

      Yes, I think that though I’ve enjoyed the cozies I’ve tried, that I might have to be picky about them, too, Christy, as many don’t interest me. I found this one a fun Halloween mystery.