The Legend of Acorn Hollow, book six in the Rita Calabrese mystery series by Maureen Klovers was such a fun way to kick off my October reading. Here’s another title for those of us who love the autumn, slightly spooky feel, but don’t want to be so scared we have to sleep with the lights on. 

While this is book six in the series, this title holds up a standalone for new readers. Here we have Italian matriarch and reporter, Rita Calabrese. Her fall is busy! Her son is starring in the local community theater production of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. (Locals believe that Acorn Hollow was the real inspiration for “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.”) Unfortunately, a series of mysterious accidents keep happening during rehearsals and the police suspect Rita’s son, Vinnie. Rita’s mama bear comes out and she’s determined to find the true culprit.  

In addition, the notorious “black widow” of Acorn Hollow offers Rita new clues about a pair of cold-case Halloween disappearances–this would make a great story for the paper! In exchange, the widow asks Rita to cater her funeral—and she’s already set an exact date. But is the widow really just wanting to celebrate her life before she’s gone or is she out to trap to catch a killer?

This was such a fun cozy mystery with twists and turns around every corner. I would think I had it figured out, only to turn the page and see that I was wrong! Rita is a wonderful, strong character and I love her relationship with her husband and her twin sister. There’s great humor here. Do not, though, read this while hungry, because Rita is an amazing cook and the details of her cooking were delicious.