All Hallows' Evil (A Susan Henshaw Mystery #4) [Mass Market Paperback]

Valerie Wolzien (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 23, 1992

At first Susan Henshaw thought the body in the library was a Halloween trick -- but then she saw the blood and heard the man's dying gasp. Then a second body -- celebrity morning talk-show host Jason Armstrong -- was found stabbed on his front porch. Now, as Susan begins to investigate the deaths, she uncovers secrets that a killer would go to any lengths to keep hidden . . .

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The two Halloween murders in Wolzien's ( An Old Faithful Murder ) pedestrian mystery are far from gory or even startling, and the novel's central characters remain inconceivably fearless after the killings in their midst. The first indication that something is amiss in Hancock, Conn., comes when housewife Susan Henshaw happens upon a dying man with a knife stuck in his chest at the town library; a second corpse, that of a TV anchorman who worked with the first victim, is found in his yard shortly afterward. Amateur sleuth Susan, who's buddy-buddy with local cops, interrogates librarians who might provide clues, noses around crime scenes and plays host to the anchor's gorgeous, bereaved wife, an anchor herself. Early on, it seems that the widow is after Susan's husband; he dotes on her, and Susan pines for a handsome bachelor detective, but these tasty possibilities inexplicably evaporate, as if Wolzien changed her mind about her characters without bothering to revise her story accordingly. Any suspense generated by the murders dissolves in holiday gaiety; overall, unbelievable elements outweigh credible ones here.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Publisher

Although I now live in New York City, there's a lot I can identify with in Valerie Wolzien's mysteries. Valerie's portraits of small towns and suburban communities remind me of my youth -- and I suspect they strike a similar chord with all those readers who live (or used to) far from urban centers. Also, Valerie's novels are like comfort food in a way -- because they are, in part, celebrations of holidays and happy social occasions (weddings, birthday parties, family vacation trips) . . . plus the mandatory addition of homicidal doings. Valerie is now writing two series with two different amateur sleuths -- suburban housewife Susan Henshaw (MURDER AT THE PTA LUNCHEON is her first appearance) and businesswoman Josie Pigeon (who started solving murders in SHORE TO DIE). I heartily recommend anything Valerie Wolzien writes.

--Joe Blades, Associate Publisher

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Fawcett; First Edition edition (August 23, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0449147452
• ISBN-13: 978-0449147450
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,547,866 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Easy, fun read., October 19, 2000

By 

William Felty - See all my reviews

This review is from: All Hallows' Evil (A Susan Henshaw Mystery #4) (Mass Market Paperback)

This is certainly not heavyweight reading. But especially in the fall of the year, it's very fun to read. In the tradition of amateur sleuths, Susan Henshaw balances home, family, holiday preparations with a little detective work. It's fun to escape into a suburban world where several murders don't upset plans for holiday celebrations. Granted, the plot isn't exactly complicated but the characters are vividly drawn and they're fun to spend an autumn afternoon with.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not The Best of the Lot, October 8, 2004

By 

Martie_Kr (Cleveland, OH USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: All Hallows' Evil (A Susan Henshaw Mystery #4) (Mass Market Paperback)

Although I enjoyed reading this cozy little mystery in a few hours, it certainly wasn't one of Valerie Wolzien's best. I found a lot of redunancy, loose ends, and out-and-out glaring errors. Still, I did enjoy the book.

When Susan finds a body at the library, you know it won't be long before she's involved in the murder investigation. Then when a talk show host is also found murdered on his doorstep, Susan just allows herself to be bambozzled into having his widow and her TV group stay at her house. Why? She doesn't even know her. The obnoxious, nosy neighbor is bothersome in more ways than one.

Despite all this, it was an enjoyable read for an evening if you just forget about nitpicking.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Halloween in Hancock--Very Scary, August 23, 2001

By 

Moe811 (New York USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: All Hallows' Evil (A Susan Henshaw Mystery #4) (Mass Market Paperback)

Susan thought that the body on the floor of the library was a Halloween joke, but it turned out to be real. Later that day, well known anchorman Jason Armstrong is found dead on his front porch by trick or treaters. Susan ends up with his partner/wife and her entourage trashing her house and turning her life upside down, while she, Kathleen and new police chief and old friend Brett Fortesque investigate the murder.

This is a pretty good cosy with well developed characters, both new and old. It is however improbable that anyone would put up with Rebecca West and Company or the horrible Amy Ellsworth. I am surprised that the author didn't take the opportunity to kill her off and be done with her.