Bedeviled Eggs

Two murders distract Suzanne Dietz and her best friends and business partners, Toni and Petra, just as they're gearing up for a big Halloween bash in Childs's diverting third Cackleberry Club cozy (after 2009's Eggs Benedict Arnold). First, someone shoots an arrow right between the eyes of mayoral candidate Chuck Peebler while he's talking to Suzanne in the backyard of the egg-themed Cackleberry Club cafe, which now includes a book nook and knitting nest. As if that isn't enough to get Sheriff Roy Doogie of the Midwestern town of Kindred scrambling for clues, Suzanne discovers Deputy Wilbur Halpern shot in the back of the head in the nearby woods. When the feisty widow, who cooks up a few leads for Doogie to follow, receives threats to back off her amateur sleuthing, Kindred's newest medico, Sam Hazelet, becomes her front-and-center protector. Along with toothsome recipes, Childs dishes up plenty of smalltown charm. (Dec.)