For Julia Snowden of the Snowden Family Clambake, Halloween takes on a whole new meaning in the coastal town of Busman’s Harbor, Maine, when a seasonal activity turns fatal . . .

The novella, Hallowed Out, is available as a standalone ebook. For print copies, see Haunted House Murder.

With its history of hauntings and ghost sightings, Busman’s Harbor is the perfect setting for Halloween festivities. But when a reenactment of a Prohibition-era gangster’s murder ends with a literal bang and a dead actor from New Jersey, Julia Snowden must identify a killer before she ends up sleeping with the fishes.

I loved every aspect of “Hallowed Out”, from the characters and their interactions, to the various suspects, and to the various ghost stories Busman’s Harbor has to share.

Fresh Fiction, August 2019

The plot is strong, and the characters we meet along the way are just as strong. I didn’t see the twists of the mystery coming, and the ending caught me by surprise.

Carstairs Considers, August 2019

Despite the short novella length, Ms. Ross manages to make the story feel full length with good character development, a crime, great settings and Halloween flavors, and a complete resolution.

Cinnamon, Sugar and a Little Bit of Murder, September 2019

More than just a whodunit, the story further explores Julia’s relationship with her mother and boyfriend/business partner Chris while also illuminating the concerns that plague tourist towns during their off-season.

New York Journal of Books, October 2019

It was really great to spend more time with Julia and her friends and family. The mystery was clever, as always, and the bit with the moving carpet added a spooky touch to the narrative.

Criminal Element, October 2019