Midnight Spells Murder Read online

  “Shh!” Max sat up straighter. “Here he comes.”

  Justin appeared on the screen wearing a gray suit and navy tie. The studio lights beamed off his shiny, dark hair. He reminded Zo of a Ken doll, waxy and new. “Tonight’s special is one you’ve been waiting for, viewers, as have I. There has been a slight…change in programing, but the new topic is just as urgent and important. The killer in the case of Marianne Morgan has been apprehended, but another dangerous, predator is on the loose in Spirit Canyon. Tonight, I’m going behind the scenes to bring you all the information on Spirit Canyon’s unseen danger in the case of the Killer Rocky Mountain Goat.”

  Jules scrunched up her nose. “Did he just say mountain goat?”

  Justin’s professional voice droned on. “Stay tuned to find out how to protect yourself and your family from this beautiful but harmful animal.”

  Zo burst out laughing, and the others joined in. Justin wouldn’t be talking about her, the store, or anyone else. In the quiet town of Spirit Canyon, he was down to reporting on woodland animals, and it pleased her to no end.

  Duncan flicked off the television set, and Jules raised her wine glass. “To the mountain goat!”

  Max stood. “To Zo!”

  “Actually, to Marianne.” Zo clinked their glasses. “And to good witches everywhere.”

  Acknowledgments

  Thank you to my husband, Quintin, who not only makes me “cackle” but also came up with the name for Zo’s Cackle Cakes. To my daughter Maisie, who helped me perfect the recipe. To my daughter Maddie, who taste tested each and every batch. To my mom, who continues to inspire and encourage me. To my dad, for sharing his joy of reading with me. I miss him. To my extended Honerman family, for all their support. To my dear friend Amy Cecil Holm, for her keen ear and careful eye. To my agent, Amanda Jain, my editor, Norma Perez-Hernandez, production editor Rebecca Cremonese, and the staff at Kensington, thank you for making my work better. Your dedication is very appreciated.

  Zo Jones’s Cackle Cakes

  Ingredients for cupcakes:

  1 C. flour

  1/2 tsp. baking soda

  1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

  1/2 C. cocoa

  1/8 tsp. salt

  3 Tbsp. butter, softened

  1 C. sugar

  2 eggs

  1/2 tsp. vanilla

  3/4 C. buttermilk

  Oreo cookies, Hershey kisses, and orange and purple sprinkles for decoration

  Ingredients for vanilla frosting:

  1/2 C. unsalted butter, softened

  2 tsp. vanilla extract

  2 C. confectioners’ sugar

  2 Tbsp. of milk

  2-3 drops of green food coloring

  Directions:

  Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line muffin tin with liners.

  Mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, cocoa, and salt in one bowl.

  In a larger bowl, cream butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla.

  Alternating with buttermilk, slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients.

  Fill muffin cups about 2/3 full.

  Bake 17-18 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

  For frosting, cream together butter and vanilla. Mix in confectioners’ sugar and milk.

  Add two drops of green food coloring. (I use gel food coloring.)

  To assemble the Cackle Cakes, wait for the cupcakes to cool. Then frost.

  Take apart an Oreo cookie, using one chocolate wafer for the hat.

  Put a dab of frosting in the middle, and then press on the candy kiss.

  Decorate the hat with candy sprinkles and place it on the cupcake.