When the days grow shorter and the nights stretch long, there’s nothing better than curling up with a cozy mystery. Add in a jack-o-lantern glow, a cup of cider, and the sound of leaves scratching at the windows, and you’ve got the perfect October setting.
It’s no wonder Halloween feels like it was made for mystery lovers.
Think about it—so many of the tropes we love in cozy mysteries pair perfectly with this spooky season:
- The Small Town with Secrets: Everyone knows everyone… or so they think. (And in October, those secrets feel just a little darker.)
- The Amateur Sleuth: Armed with curiosity, a dash of courage, and maybe a costume party alibi, our sleuth always ends up in the wrong place at the right time.
- The Haunted House (or B&B): Drafty staircases, unexplained footsteps, and flickering candlelight—whether the ghosts are real or just rumors, the setting makes you shiver.
- The Unlikely Sidekick: From nosy neighbors to mischievous pets, someone always seems to dig up a clue right when it’s needed most.
And for those of us who love a paranormal twist? Talking pets, helpful spirits, and haunted heirlooms slip so naturally into the Halloween atmosphere that it feels like they were meant to be here all along. So this October, as you’re lighting pumpkins and dodging candy wrappers, don’t forget to also stock up on cozy mysteries—the kind that keep you turning pages while the wind rattles the windows. A special treat from my Haunted Kitchen:
Witch’s Brew Pumpkin Spice Cookies
Every Halloween needs a signature snack. These cookies are soft, spiced, and drizzled with a ghostly glaze—perfect for nibbling while you solve (or create) a little mischief.
Ingredients
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
1 ½ tsp cinnamon
½ tsp nutmeg
½ tsp ground cloves
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup brown sugar, packed
1 cup pumpkin purée
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
Ghostly Glaze
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tbsp milk (plus more if needed)
½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices.
- In another bowl, cream butter and sugars until fluffy. Add pumpkin, egg, and vanilla.
Mix well. - Slowly blend dry ingredients into wet until just combined.
- Drop by spoonfuls onto prepared sheets. Bake 12–14 minutes, until edges set.
- While cooling, whisk glaze ingredients. Drizzle over cookies like ghostly cobwebs.
Serve on a dark plate with a few candy eyeballs scattered around… and you’ve got a haunted
treat worthy of October.
Click here for a printable version of Witch’s Brew Pumpkin Spice Cookies Happy reading!
About the author
Emmie Lyn grew up in a small town in New England, much like the towns where her female characters live—scenic, quaint and filled with colorful characters. She loves to create mysteries with twists and unexpected turns that draw readers in and capture their imagination.
Emmie lives in rural Massachusetts with her husband, a rescue terrier, and a black cat with a bad attitude. She shares twelve acres with a wide variety of wildlife including deer, bunnies, turkeys, and many songbirds. When she’s not busy thinking of ways to kill off a character (for a book, of course!) she enjoys a cup of tea and chocolate in her flower garden, hiking, or spending time near the ocean.
