Pumpkin Roll
Author: Josi Kilpack
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Published: September 7, 2011
Softcover: 374 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1-60908-745-6
FTC FYI: Purchased my own copy
Reviewed by Mindy
Sadie and Pete are in Jamaica Plain, a quant little suburb of Boston. Pete’s son Jared and wife Heather are out of state looking for new housing, while Sadie and Pete babysit their three boys. While in the kitchen discussing the difference between a sociopath and a psychopath, the boys are noticeably quiet. As they hustle to the living room, they see the boys looking out the window at the woman across the street. The oldest Kalan, tells Sadie that he has heard his mother call Mrs. Wapple a witch. She even has the wild hair and pointed hat. Sadie and Pete quickly dismiss the idea that she is witch, but agree to keep their eyes on her. Sadie and her curiosity lead to some ginger cookie deliveries around the neighborhood, of course one of the stops is to Mrs. Wapple’s. Knocking on the front door gets her no where, so Sadie goes to side of house, pokes around, and is startled by a pair of tennis shoes. The owner of the shoes is younger looking then the woman she saw last night, but she introduces herself as Delores Wapple. Sadie notices many differences between the women, but takes her at her word. Sadie also asks if she lives alone and she quietly answers that she does. After some more light conversation, Sadie takes her cue and leaves. More curious then ever.
When it comes to Sadie’s investigating, Pete has given some advice.
- Advice One is about misleading him
- Advice Two is about breaking the law
- Advice Three is about sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong, isn’t needed, or will create more problems then relief
Sadie really takes the advice to heart. Sadie’s son Shawn has been helping her keep up on her investigative work so she is able to come to Boston. He mentions that Jane Seeley could help with some of the load. Sadie dismisses the idea, she is still leery of Jane because of the article she wrote. (see BlackBerry Crumble) Jane calls Sadie a few times, which she ignores, but the calls keep coming, so she picks up. Jane is in New Haven working on a story and offers to help Sadie any way she can.
Sadie’s mind is still on Mrs. Wapple, and some strange occurrences start happening around the house at night. Maybe Delores really is a witch…
I loved this book. Every book in this series gets better and better. Pumpkin Roll is different, while the others have their tense moments, this had me downright nervous and spooked. Lots of creepy stuff happens to Sadie, and I could not stop reading.
5 stars out of 5. During the climax, I kept shaking my head saying, “No way this is happening.” I took the book to pick up my girls at school, and stayed in the car when we got home so I could finish.
Josi is a very talented writer. Along with the Sadie Hoffmiller series, she has written other books. Read more about Josi here. Purchase her books here and here.
Here is what you’ve been scrolling down to find. Leave a comment and enter to win an iPad 2!
In conjunction with the release of Pumpkin Roll the author, Josi S. Kilpack, and the publisher, Shadow Mountain, are sponsoring a contest for a new iPad. To enter, leave a comment in the comment section of this blog before November 1, 2011. Winners will be announced and notified November 3rd 2011.
For additional ways to enter, go to www.josiskilpack.com