Come in, my pretties...

If you'd like the directions for making this wreath, please click here.

Happy Halloween, all! Thanks to the lovely A Fanciful Twist, we're starting the Halloween fun just a tad early to get everyone in the mood. Halloween is such a wonderful and unique holiday - it's the only day of the year anyone and everyone can dress however they like and not get arrested. :) Mystery, fun and sweets are musts. All in all, my kind of holiday.
This year, I'm taking inspiration from the Queen of Mystery herself - Agatha Christie. Let's wander through her classic book "Hallowe'en Party"...

A teenager tells everyone at a Halloween party that she saw a murder once, years ago. The girl is known for lying, however, and no one believes her... until she is found later that evening, drowned in a bucket of bobbing apples. One of the detectives in the book, Ariadne Oliver - a mystery writer and a character inspired by Dame Agatha herself - loves apples and eats them all the time. Since apples abound in the book, how about we try some of these this Halloween...

Candy Apples
(Photo and recipe from www.about-recipes.com)

2 cups sugar
2/3 cups white corn syrup
1 cup water
3 oz. red cinnamon candies
pinch of salt
apples

Combine first five ingredients and cook without stirring over low heat. Remove from heat and place pan in a pan of hot water. Dip apples to coat. Set on waxed paper to dry. Insert sticks before or after coating - whichever is easier.

Photo credit: Rick Gayle/Corbis

If caramel apples like the ones above are more to your liking, click here for the recipe.

Once Ariadne realizes the teenager must have been telling the truth and did see a murder all those years ago, she calls on her old friend, Hercule Poirot, detective extraordinaire (and a great idea for a Halloween costume, incidentally.) Ariadne and Poirot, of course, solve the intriguing murders - both the old and new. It should be noted that the home in which the murder takes place is named Apple Trees. I always imagine it as looking something like this...

If you would like this pumpkin carving pattern, click here.

I hope you have enjoyed this little excursion through our Halloween mystery. Be sure to grab some candy before you go...


Comments

  1. How wonderful! I'm left in a perfectly halloween mood :)

    That Agatha Christie Novel sounds great! I love her.

    Stop by my blog for some more Halloween treats!

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  2. Love this post! Now I am hungry for a caramel apple while reading this book! :-)

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  3. Don't you just love the scary but beautiful halloween season. You have captured it just right. BOO to you!

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  4. Greetings Deary from Ireland and what a great party that is being conjured by all!
    Thankyou for your scrummy recipes& delicious pictures..I want to lick the screen!

    Wugs (witchy Hugs)
    And may Magic Always Soar in your Heart

    Rainey

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  5. Muwahahahahahaha!

    What an intriguing mystery and I love the carved pumpkin! Your candy apples were delicious! Thank you for a hauntingly good party!

    I'm visiting from Beyond to celebrate the spookiest Halloween blog party ever! I hope you are having a fang-tastic time today! You are cordially invited to share in the celebration at my party HERE. I do hope you'll stop by!

    Have a spook-tacular day!

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  6. Thanks for the visual goodies feast, they look super yummy! And are giving me caramel cravings.

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  7. Well done and what a beatuiful blog you have.

    Renee xoxo

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  8. I love Agatha Christie. Somehow, even with all the murders going on, her books feel comforting. Weird.. :-)

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  9. Mmmmmm......
    unfortunately I'm allergic to EVERYTHING so I can't try the recipe :-/ but lucky for me I'm not allergic to CHOCOLATE! And I have some right here... *comforts self*
    ♥ Maria-Thérèse parties at www.afiori.com

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  10. Thank you for such a lovely party! Those apples look divine indeed...don't mind if I grab one before leaving! Happy Halloween...

    http://foolsewoode.blogspot.com/2009/10/historically-halloween-has-been-time.html

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  11. Devilishly Delicious! Those caramel apples really set the mood for Fall, even though our weather here is in the 80's!
    Thank for your booooootiful inspirations!

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  12. Hi doing the Halloween party round, I loved your pictures and such yummy things to make :-)

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  13. Happy Halloween to you. I love those candy apples! I love your blog as well. I'll be back! I'm off to haunt more blogs!

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  14. Happy Party! :)
    http://carolinescrafts-carolinejones.blogspot.com/

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  15. OOoooooo I am loving your blog!!! Thanks for all the tip...just printed out the wreath. The recipe I used for my carmel apples had heavy whipping cream added, and it said to stir briskly...well, what they meant was FRANTICALLY!!! Imagine the sound a tornado makes upon it approach! Do stop by my party and join Alice and Dead Bob. If you dare! **kisskiss** Deborah

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  16. I am visiting with friends and enjoying your beautiful apples! Your party is fabulous! Thank you for including me. :)mendy

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  17. Yummy, yummy food! Very tasty...great Party!

    http://juliesopenwindow.blogspot.com

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  18. Ooh, I love candy apples and I enjoyed your party. Thanks for inviting me. Have a magical weekend! Twyla

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  19. I enjoyed your party! Candy apples were always a favorite Halloween treat when I was a child.

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  20. What yummy apples! pure sticky goodness!
    Agatha is the best! I spent hours as a child with my nose stuck between those pages!

    Happy Hauntings!
    Tracey

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  21. Oh!! Candy corn, caramel apples, a decorated pumpkin...what more can one ask for! Great post, thank you for sharing with us.

    When you get a chance hop over to my blog to continue celebrating :)

    Vania

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  22. Happy Halloween awesome post and those apples!

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  23. What is a Halloween party without Caramel Apples! Yummily sticky! Love Agatha Christie books!

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  24. Oh, now this is a party. Look at this spread and thanks so much for including the recipes. Happy Halloween!
    Karen

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  25. Greetings & Salutations, just flying by to see all your pretties & say hello.

    Thought I'd leave my Halloween Party Extravaganza & Giveaway Link:
    http://todaysgold.blogspot.com/2009/10/lady-lyndy-sorceress-of-light-halloween.html

    HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYBODY...

    Cosmic Blessings With Love & Joy, Lyndy

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  26. I'm intrigued...now I'll have to go get that book!

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  27. That wreath is both adorable and amazing! Love Agatha Christie, and that is one of my favorites of hers.

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  28. I loved how your combined Agatha Christie and Halloween. I remember how i use to love reading her books.

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  29. I'm a fan of caramel apples! Mmmmmm! Thanks for the candy- I just ran out of candy corn and wanted some more (been nibbling on them all day *winks*)
    I flew in from Vanessa's Magical Party!
    I enjoyed my visit! <{:O)
    Be Enchanted!

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  30. Very cool party...mmmm those apples look so good!!!!!!!

    I hope you have a frightfully good Halloween...hApPY hAunTinG!
    http://www.chicscraps.blogspot.com/

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  31. Ahhh Yes Agatha... ;)

    What a great celebration! Please stop by and while they might be a bit on the slacking side, come see some of the cutest Witches on the planet! Would love for you to stop by if you have a moment.

    http://www.dipityroad.com

    TTFN~~ Claudia ♥ ♥

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  32. I had a fang-tastic time at your party and I think I will munch on the caramel apple if you please! Yummy! Thanks ever so much for the recipe!! Come by my party!! We are still going on
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  33. Thanks for inviting me, sorry I'm late!

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  34. Happy Halloween! Come on to my party!The tradution of My blog's name is "The beauty of everithing"...
    Xoxo

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  35. Thanks for the party, and the book sounds great. Pop on over to my party and see if you can solve the mystery! Happy Halloween! Take care, Martha

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  36. Your images are hauntingly bootiful. Have a spooktacular day!

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  37. yummy yummy halloween apples, Hope you stop by my party as well.!

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  38. Agatha Christie, a fun wreath and sweet treats! What more can a girl ask for?

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  39. Hi, Wonderful Halloween post! Great Halloween decorations! Happy Halloween to you!

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  40. I love Agatha, and I love reading and mysteries and caramel apples and candy corn! So this was a fabulous time for me. Thank you!

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  41. Those candy apples make me insane!! I LOVE THEM!! Oh wonderful treats you share!!

    Bwuahahahaaaa, thank you for being a delightful part of the festivites!

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  42. Girl, you are making me some hungry right about now when I should be in bed. Scrumptious pictures!

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  43. Your photos are divine, especially the caramel apples, my favorite! I think this is my first time to visit your blog, I think I will take a few minutes and look around.

    Happy Haunting!

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  44. OH! I love Dame Agatha too! Great goodies ;) If you haven't stopped for a visit, hop on your broom and come to my party!

    Cheers!
    Kristen

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  45. Thank you for the caramel apple, it was delicious!
    Come over to my party and giveaway at
    http://stelladorasdiary.blogspot.com/2009/10/halloween-bash-and-giveaway.html

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  46. Yummy goodies! Thanks for the party!
    http://autumnsantics.blogspot.com/2009/10/frightful-soiree.html
    ~ Autumn Clark

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  47. Oh man, that's an Agatha Christie I haven't read yet!

    I'll have to see if I can find it!

    Thanks for the great party!

    Please stop by my party for fun and a giveaway!

    http://littlebearries.blogspot.com/2009/10/come-in-come-in.html

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  48. What yummy apples!
    Happy Halloween !
    Boooooooooooooo

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  49. Luv those candy apples!

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  50. Yummy. This is the type party I do so love. Food and books. LOL.
    Have a great great Halloween!

    Candace in Athens (EyeCandy)

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  51. Fab party. Happy Hauntings. I love candy corn, so Ill defintely be taking some as I go

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