Podcasts, Pretenders & Pumpkins

They wore masks long before Halloween.

The pumpkins are carved. The town is decorated. The annual Jack-o’-Lantern Walk is set to begin in Willowcroft—but Halloween this year comes with more than just candy and costumes.

When true crime podcaster Rowe Harvey rolls in for the Tunnel Museum opening, she’s not just chasing a story—she’s digging up a legacy of lies. But before she can hit publish, Rowe is found dead the morning after the town’s Halloween festivities, and the small town’s secrets start unraveling faster than a cheap costume.

Tammy Rumbelow never planned to become a sleuth. But with her cat Lockie at her heels and a group of amateur sleuths by her side, she’s drawn into a web of old grudges, hidden identities, and whispers that echo through the town’s Prohibition tunnels.

Everyone has something to hide. The question is—who was pretending to be a friend… and who was pretending not to be a killer?

Warm, witty, and full of twists, Podcasts, Pretenders & Pumpkins is a cozy mystery that proves in a town full of secrets, the truth wears many faces.

Want a sneak peek inside the book?

Click on the buttons below to read the first two chapters on Podcasts, Pretenders & Pumpkins.

Chapter One is finished early as spoilers are given for Books One and Two.

Chapter Two does not contain spoilers for any other book in the series.

Learn more about Willowcroft below.

Frequently Asked Questions

A: Yes! It’s the third full-length novel in the A Willowcroft Cozy Mystery Series set in small-town Michigan. Each book follows mystery writer-turned-sleuth Tammy Rumbelow, recently relocated from Los Angeles, and a lovable ragtag cast of locals—Olivia Huddlestone, local bookstore owner with a genealogy side gig originally from New York; Hazel Temperance, a 75-year-old retired high school teacher and host of the local knitting circle called the Willow-Crafters; Wally, ex-sheriff and a retired Boston homicide detective; Xander, a teenage tech whiz; and Pawlock Holmes, or Lockie, the stray cat adopted by Tammy on her arrival in town.

A: Not at all! Some of the characterization and small side characters might be missed, but the mystery stands on its own with enough of what happened in Book One and Two summarized as required. 

It does however have spoilers for if you want to read Book One or Two.

It is best if possible to read in order but not essential if this story interests you.

A: Yes! You can read the eBook for free with a Kindle Unlimited subscription, or purchase it on Amazon in Kindle and paperback formats.

A: It’s a cozy mystery with a strong sense of community, formation of a found family, and plenty of twists. Perfect for fans of Only Murders in the Building, Castle, or Agatha Christie-style puzzles—just with more scones.

A: Cozy mystery readers who enjoy multi-generational sleuthing, small-town charm, light suspense, and stories where cats and knitting circle gossip help solve crimes.

Book Details

Title: Podcasts, Pretenders & Pumpkins
Series: A Willowcroft Cozy Mystery (Book 3)
Author: Fran Heap
Publisher: Frances Heap (Independent)
Published: July 31, 2025
Formats: eBook (Kindle), Paperback
eBook Price: US$4.99 AU$7.99
Length: Approx. 218 pages
ASIN: B0FDFLM9BQ
ISBN: 978-1-923537-01-9 (Paperback)
Available on: Amazon · Read free in Kindle Unlimited
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Tropes: Small-Town Setting, Found Family, Female Sleuth, Amateur Detective, Animal Companion, Senior Sleuth, Quirky Sidekicks, Cold Case,  Teenage Sleuth, Charming Setting, Bookstore, Knitting Circle

BISAC Codes:
FIC022070 FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Cozy / General
FIC022110 FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Cozy / Animals
FIC022170 FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Cozy / Books, Bookstores & Libraries
FIC022120 FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Cozy / Crafts
FIC022100 FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Amateur Sleuth
FIC022040 FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Women Sleuth

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