Hayride and Homicide
(2025)(The fifth book in the October Oven Mystery series)
A Story by Maisy Marple
Molly Whitaker runs The Bramble Basket Bakery in the cozy town of Millwood Hollow, Massachusetts, where her cranberry orange scones and apple cider donuts are as much a part of October as the falling leaves. When wealthy developer Craig Bellamy takes over the beloved Hollow Creek Farm and transforms its traditional family hayride into an expensive haunted attraction, he makes enemies faster than Molly can frost pumpkin cookies. But when Craig is found dead in the historic barn—killed by a rigged hay bale during opening night—Molly discovers that protecting the past can drive someone to murder.
With her best friend Beth and hardware store owner Travis by her side, and her mischievous Maine Coon cat Maple occasionally "helping" by knocking evidence onto the floor, Molly finds herself caught between longtime friends who all had reasons to want Craig gone. The elderly farmer who sold his family's legacy under desperate circumstances. The fired events coordinator whose grandfather's journals were about to be destroyed. The struggling hay supplier facing financial ruin. And the determined daughter fighting to preserve her family's history. As planted evidence begins pointing toward an innocent woman, Molly realizes the killer isn't just covering their tracks—they're deliberately framing someone else.
In this delightful fifth installment of the October Oven Mystery Series, baker Molly Whitaker must sift through layers of motive, opportunity, and carefully planted clues to find the truth before an arrest destroys an innocent life. Full of autumn atmosphere, small-town charm, and the mouthwatering scent of fresh-baked cranberry treats, Hayride and Homicide proves that some traditions are worth fighting for—but murder is never the answer. Perfect for fans of cozy mysteries who love their sleuths kindhearted, their cats unhelpful, and their October settings absolutely perfect.
Genre: Cozy Mystery
With her best friend Beth and hardware store owner Travis by her side, and her mischievous Maine Coon cat Maple occasionally "helping" by knocking evidence onto the floor, Molly finds herself caught between longtime friends who all had reasons to want Craig gone. The elderly farmer who sold his family's legacy under desperate circumstances. The fired events coordinator whose grandfather's journals were about to be destroyed. The struggling hay supplier facing financial ruin. And the determined daughter fighting to preserve her family's history. As planted evidence begins pointing toward an innocent woman, Molly realizes the killer isn't just covering their tracks—they're deliberately framing someone else.
In this delightful fifth installment of the October Oven Mystery Series, baker Molly Whitaker must sift through layers of motive, opportunity, and carefully planted clues to find the truth before an arrest destroys an innocent life. Full of autumn atmosphere, small-town charm, and the mouthwatering scent of fresh-baked cranberry treats, Hayride and Homicide proves that some traditions are worth fighting for—but murder is never the answer. Perfect for fans of cozy mysteries who love their sleuths kindhearted, their cats unhelpful, and their October settings absolutely perfect.
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Used availability for Maisy Marple's Hayride and Homicide