Easter Egg Murder by Leslie Meier, Lee Hollis, and Peggy Ehrhart

Easter Egg Murder

Book Summary

Light pink, robin’s egg blue, daffodil yellow, mint green—Easter eggs hiding sweet treats come in every pastel color. But in a few small towns this year, cracking them could be more fatal than fun…

EASTER EGG MURDER by LESLIE MEIER

In Provence to visit her daughter, part-time reporter Lucy Stone is soaking up the atmosphere, even if it includes one Carole Capobianco, the empty-nester she encountered on the flight over. Not exactly two peas in a pod, they’re both amused by the tale of a neighbor’s chickens refusing to lay eggs. The decoy eggs he’s set out to encourage the egg-centric hens are not only gorgeously Faberge-style, they’re being stolen! That’s confusing enough, but what’s happened to the cook is deadly serious.

DEATH BY ANOTHER EASTER EGG by LEE HOLLIS

When an ambitious young reporter dies mid-meal at Hayley Powell’s Bar Harbor restaurant, Hayley is horrified. Determined to save her eatery’s reputation, Hayley scrambles to crack the case wide open like an egg, discovering that the victim was about to break a juicy story—one that a number of people (er, suspects) did not order off the menu. Which makes finding the killer more than devilishly hard . . .

AN EGGY WAY TO DIE by PEGGY EHRHART

Cleaning up after the Easter egg hunt in the Arborville park, friends Pamela and Bettina are startled to find something else hidden—the dead body of a local cookbook author, surrounded by broken shells and slippery yolks. The pair are far from hard-boiled detectives, but as they search for clues, they find that the whole case smells distinctly like rotten eggs . .

My Thoughts

Easter Egg Murder contains three Easter themed novellas by Leslie Meier, Lee Hollis, and Peggy Ehrhart.  I was looking forward to reading Easter Egg Murder by Leslie Meier because I have been following Lucy Stone’s adventures since the beginning.  Unfortunately, the author included Carole Capobianco from her new series The Carole and Poopsie Mysteries.  Carole is brash, rude, and annoying (her family is just as bad). The narrative unfolds through alternating chapters from Lucy’s and Carole’s perspectives. Bill was irritable and not quite himself. While the mystery was fine, it felt somewhat implausible. I wish there had been more time devoted to Elizabeth who is expecting her first child. 

Death By Another Easter Egg by Lee Hollis felt rushed.  The killer was easy to spot, and, for some reason, Hayley had some blonde moments in this story. An Eggy Way to Die by Peggy Ehrhart has a cute title, but the writing is overly descriptive, especially  about food. The mystery was simple and I thought it unusual that it was resolved a couple of chapters before the end of the novella.  Easter Egg Murder was not the crackin’ good time that I was eggspecting.  

Easter Egg Murder will appeal to fans of the series.  Easter Egg Murder will be out on Tuesday, February 24 and it can be preordered on Amazon*.  The next A Lucy Stone Mystery is Countdown to Christmas Murder which comes out September 29.  Death of a Grill Master is the next A Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery and it will be out on September 29.  Lee Hollis has a new cozy mystery series publishing on May 26.  The debut book in A Downeast Maine Mysteries is The Chowder House Murder.  If you follow Peggy Ehrhart on Amazon, they will let you know when she has a new A Knit and Nibble Mystery releasing.  

Thank you for joining me today.  There are a number of new books coming out next week (they have kept me busy).  I will return on Tuesday, February 24 with Deadly Rodeo Threat by Sami A. Abrams.  It is the second book in the Stone Creek Ranch series.  We need to enjoy the warmer weather this weekend before the next cold front arrives.  I am hoping that this will be the last one before spring (a girl can hope).  I wish you an enjoyable and restful weekend.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

*This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.  Thank you for supporting The Avid Reader.

Christmas Card Murder by Leslie Meier, Lee Hollis, and Peggy Ehrhart

 Christmas Card Murder

Book Summary

Everyone dreams of a picture-perfect small-town Christmas, but when murder is in the cards, some holiday greetings are addressed to kill . . .

CHRISTMAS CARD MURDER by LESLIE MEIER

In the midst of holiday home renovations, Lucy Stone unwraps a murder mystery decades in the making when she discovers an old Christmas card with a nasty message inside. The case may be colder than a New England Christmas, but Lucy’s determined to sort it out before Santa comes to town.

DEATH OF A CHRISTMAS CAROL by LEE HOLLIS

The Island Times Christmas soiree gets off to a scroogey start when Hayley Powell, Mona Barnes, and Rosana Moretti receive a Christmas card from the town flirt, Carol Waterman, who threatens to run off with one of their husbands! The ladies chalk it up to an imprudent prank . . . until they find Carol mistletoe-up under her tree . . .

DEATH OF A CHRISTMAS CARD CRAFTER by PEGGY EHRHART

Slay bells ring when the body of Arborville High School’s beloved art teacher (and annual Christmas card designer), Karma Karling, is discovered on the first day of the Holiday Craft Fair. Now, Pamela Paterson and the Knit and Nibble crew must swap swatching for sleuthing in order to put a Christmas killer on ice.

My Thoughts

Christmas Card Murder contains three cozy mystery novellas by Leslie Meier, Lee Hollis, and Peggy Ehrhart.  I like to read holiday themed stories as it gets closer to the holiday.  Christmas Card Murder by Leslie Meier has Lucy Stone finally getting something she has dreamed of for years—a master bathroom.  It is about time.  While removing a wall, Bill finds a Christmas card with a nasty message.  Lucy begins digging into the past to learn who received the card and the reason for the message.  Also, a murderer is up for parole, and it has the community up in arms.  I love visiting Tinker’s Cove, Maine.  I like Lucy Stone who is a hardworking mother, wife, and reporter.  The mystery was different and there was suspense in the story as well.  There is also humor and warmth.  Death of a Christmas Carol by Lee Hollis has the newspapers Christmas party taking a downturn when they receive a nasty missive from Carol Waterman, the town flirt who later turns up dead.  Hayley sets out to bag the guilty party before Santa comes to town.  This was a humorous story that fans of the series will enjoy. The mystery was simple, but it suited the length of the novella.  Peggy Ehrhart gives us Death of a Christmas Card Crafter which has Pamela and her knitting group searching for the individual who killed the high school’s art teacher.  There are nice characters in this series.  I enjoy the descriptions of the yarn and their projects.  I did find the pacing to be on the sluggish side.  The mystery was different.   The whodunit took a backseat to eating, the detailed descriptions of the character’s clothing, knitting, and the endless conversations.  The resolution was drawn out and it felt like it came out of left field.  These novellas are best read by those who are familiar with the series.   I enjoyed learning more about Christmas cards and their history in Christmas Card Murder.  You can read one or all three of these holiday cozy mysteries. 

Christmas Card Murder is available from Amazon (on Kindle Unlimited)*.  Leslie Meier has Easter Bonnet Murder publishing January 25, 2022.  Lee Hollis has Death of an Ice Cream Scooper releasing on July 26, 2022.  It is the 15th A Hayley Powell Mystery.  Death of a Knit Wit by Peggy Ehrhart comes out February 22, 2022.  It is the 8th A Knit and Nibble Mystery.  Thank you for stopping by today.  I hope that you have a joyful weekend.   I will return on Monday.  I have plenty of Christmas decorating and wrapping to take care of this weekend.  The trees do not decorate themselves.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Halloween Party Murder by Leslie Meier, Barbara Ross, and Lee Hollis

 Halloween Party Murder

Book Summary

Small town traditions are celebrated throughout Maine during the holiday season. But when it comes to Halloween, some people are more than willing to reap a harvest of murder ...

HALLOWEEN PARTY MURDER by LESLIE MEIER

Tinker's Cove newest residents Ty and Heather Moon turn their Victorian home into a haunted house to raise funds for charity. But the Halloween fun turns to horrific fright when Heather overdoses on tainted drugs--and Ty finds himself accused of murder. Digging deep into the story, journalist Lucy Stone uncovers some sinister secrets in the Moons' past linked to a conspiracy in her hometown...

DEATH OF A HALLOWEEN PARTY MONSTER by LEE HOLLIS

Everyone attending Island Times Food and Cocktail columnist Hayley Powell's Halloween bash is dressed as their favorite movie monster from the Bride of Frankenstein and Jaws to Chucky and Pennywise the clown. But when partygoers stumble upon Boris Candy's bludgeoned costumed corpse, it falls to Hayley to discover who among her guests wanted to stop the man from clowning around permanently...

SCARED OFF by BARBARA ROSS

Three teenage girls having a sleepover on Halloween night get spooked when high schoolers crash the house for a party. But no one expected to find a crasher like Mrs. Zelisko, the elderly third floor tenant, dead in the backyard--dressed in a sheet like a ghost. With her niece traumatized, Julia Snowden must uncover who among the uninvited guests was responsible for devising such a murderous trick..

My Thoughts

Halloween Party Murder by Leslie Meier, Barbara Ross, and Lee Hollis contains three fun Halloween themed novellas.  Halloween Party Murder by Leslie Meier, Death of a Halloween Party Monster by Lee Hollis, and Scared Off by Barbara Ross are the three novellas.  Each novella relates back to a series written by that author (A Lucy Stone Mystery, A Hayley Powell Food & Cocktails Mystery, and A Maine Clambake Mystery).  The three stories go well together with all of them set in Maine and involving a Halloween Party.  I enjoyed reading all three Halloween-themed stories.  Lee Hollis’ was intriguing as it was a closed room mystery.  It has Hayley Powell trying to figure out which of her guests could have committed murder.  Halloween Party Murder by Leslie Meier picks up where Haunted House Murder ended.  A haunted house turns deadly.  Scared Off has Julia’s niece calling for help when a sleepover ends up with an out-of-control party.  The police arrive to find the homeowner’s renter dead in the backyard.  All three books are well-written with great characters and steady pacing.  It is fun catching up with the characters from these entertaining cozy mysteries. These are three fun Halloween treats. Halloween Party Murder contains three spooktacular tales that have Halloween hijinks, mysterious murders, a creepy clown, startling screams, troubled teens, problematic party, and three stellar sleuths. 

Halloween Party Murder is available from Amazon*.    A Hayley Powell Food & Cocktails Mysteries here.  Lee Hollis' novels here on Amazon. Lee Hollis has Murder at the Bake Sale publishing November 30.  It is the 2nd A Maya and Sandra Mystery.  You can find the other A Maine Clambake Mysteries here.  Barbara Ross has Jane Darrowfield and the Madwoman Next Door releasing December 28.  It is the 2nd A Jane Darrowfield Mystery.    You can find all of Barbara Ross' novels here.  You can find Leslie Meier's A Lucy Stone Mysteries here.  Easter Bonnet Murder is the next A Lucy Stone Mystery and it will be out on January 25, 2022.  You can find all of Leslie Meier's books here.  Thank you for visiting me today.  I am taking Sunday off and will return on Monday with Deadly Summer Nights by Vicki Delany.  It is the first novel in A Catskill Summer Resort Mystery series.  I am a stop on the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour for this novel.  There will be an excerpt, recipe, and a giveaway.  Please find a moment to stop by.  I hope that you have a fun weekend.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Murder at the PTA by Lee Hollis

 

Book Summary

Murder at the PTA by Lee Hollis has Sandra Wallage giving her opening address as the new PTA president of the South Portland High School.  She is almost finished when cell phones begin ringing around the auditorium.  It seems that the gossip site Dirty Laundry has targeted Sandra and her senator husband with their latest salacious headline.  Maya Kendrick, private investigator, is hired by her daughter to find out who is behind the site that is causing discord at the high school.  Maya goes to confront the site’s owner and finds her dead in her office along with a confession.  The police rule the death a suicide, but Maya has her doubts.  Maya obtains a client who wishes to learn the truth.  With her partner eight months pregnant, Maya has been handling the business on her own.  Sandra has information she believes can help the case, but no one wants to take her seriously.  She decides to do a little investigating on her own.  It turns out that Sandra has a nose for sniffing out lies and being the wife of a senator, she gets access to people who Maya cannot.  Maya and Sandra end up working together to solve the crime.  Unfortunately, the killer has plans to put the kibosh on their collaboration.  

PTA Meetings

My Thoughts

Murder at the PTA by Lee Hollis is the debut of A Maya and Sandra Mystery series.  This book takes the time to establish the main characters and their families.  We get to know Sandra Wallage, the wife of United States Senator Stephen Wallage.  She has two teenage sons, Jack and Ryan.  Sandra was just elected the PTA president at South Portland High School in Maine.  She is used to being in the spotlight, but it is not something that she enjoys.  Maya Kendrick is a former police officer turned private investigator after her husband was convicted in a corruption scandal.  Maya has a sixteen year old daughter, Vanessa who still believes her father is innocent.  Maya has a PI business with friend, Frances Turner who is currently eight months pregnant.  This leaves Maya carrying the load at the office.  It turns out that Maya and Sandra went to high school together.  The story deals with scandals, teenage drama, money problems, a boy with a drug problem, and a death.  The mystery is not complex.  There are a couple of suspects and good clues.  I found it a cinch to solve this whodunit.  I would have liked a more challenging mystery.  I found the story easy to read, but I wish the pacing had been peppier.  I liked seeing the changes in the two women as the story progressed.  The ending was humorous.  I am curious to see what happens next. Murder at the PTA is a cute cozy with thrilling tittle-tattle, a sexy senator, a pregnant partner, chatting at cooking class, private eye practice, and forming friendships.

Female Private Investigator

Murder at the PTA is available from Amazon* along with other major booksellers.  You can find Lee Hollis' other novels here.  Thank you for reading my review today.  I am off to take my mother for her annual physical.  Wish me luck in getting her to leave the house on time.  She likes to stall in the hopes we can cancel.  No way is that happening.  I will return tomorrow with Amish Christmas Twins by Shelley Shepard Gray, Loree Lough, and Rachel Good. I hope you have a calming day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.

Haunted House Murder by Leslie Meier, Lee Hollis, and Barbara Ross

Hello!  Read and Buried by Eva Gates, Christmas Angels by Nancy Naigle, and The Painted Castle by Kristy Cambron are out today.  Christmas Sweets by Joanne Fluke, Laura Levine and Leslie Meier releases October 29 along with Apple Cider Slaying by Julie Anne Lindsey.  Pretty Little Fliers by Erin Johnson premieres on October 25.  It is the first tale in Magic Market Mysteries.  A witchy story is perfect to read at this time of year.

Haunted House Murder by Leslie Meier, Lee Hollis and Barbara Ross contains three haunted house themed cozy mystery novellas.  Haunted House Murder by Leslie Meier returns readers to Tinker’s Cove, Maine where Lucy Stone is watching her grandson, Patrick for a couple of months.  Ty & Heather Moon have bought a dilapidated home near the elementary school and residents are looking forward to them restoring the old home.  People are disappointed with the Moo’s unfriendliness and lack of fixing up.  Instead, there are screams, flickering lights and other odd noises coming from the home at all hours.  It is unusual but it is not criminal.  But then a dare escalates the problem and sends Lucy into a panic.  What is happening at the haunted house?

Death by Haunted House by Lee Hollis gives Hayley Powell new neighbors.  Damien Salinger and his family move into the home next to Hayley after it has sat empty for years.  There are numerous rumors surrounding the mysterious home which Hayley’s husband is happy to share with his kids.  Hayley sees Damien arguing with his realtor and then she goes missing.  Danny points the finger at Damien and enlists the kids in his investigation.  When Hayley stumbles upon the body, she soon finds herself doing a little digging into her new neighbors.

Hallowed Out by Barbara Ross welcomes us back to Busman’s Harbor, Maine.  Harley Prendergast has started a Halloween Haunted House Tours to go along with the towns weeklong Halloween celebration.  A reenactment of a Prohibition-era shootout at Gus’s restaurant leads to the death of the actor playing rumrunner, Ned Calhoun.  Julia Snowden dives into the case to find the man’s killer while dealing with ghostly problem at her mother’s home.

Haunted House Murder contains three entertaining Halloween themed cozy mysteries that are all set in Maine.  They are well-written and engaging with developed characters.  You can read one or all three.  They can be read as standalone for those unfamiliar with the series.  Death by Haunted House takes readers back to October 29, 2009 with Hayley Powell and her family.  I do not know how Hayley put up with her husband, Danny.  He is more of a child than her kids, but Danny was certainly entertaining.  Lucy Stone is busy with work plus taking care of her house, hubby and daughter who is still at home.  Then she agrees to watch Patrick.  Lucy finds it challenging to keep up with a child under ten who goes to soccer and has homework.  I could relate when she was trying to teach Patrick fractions (my father sat with me for hours trying to teach me).  Julia gets roped into helping with a reenactment and finds herself in the middle of a real gunfire.  When not looking for the killer, she is curious about the unusual problem at her mother’s house.  She refuses to believe a ghost has suddenly appeared.  I enjoyed all three cozy mysteries with the haunted house theme.  They put me in the mood for Halloween which is such a fun time of year with the decorations and costumes.  There are recipes included as well.  Be prepared for a hauntingly good time with our three female sleuths in Haunted House Murder.  

Haunted House Murder is available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes and other major booksellers.  Barbara Ross writes A Maine Clambake Mystery series and you can find a list of the books in the series here.  Nogged Off will be out on October 29.   Lee Hollis is the author of A Hayley Powell Mystery series which you can find here.  Death of a Blueberry Tart comes out March 31. Leslie Meier is the creator of of A Lucy Stone Mystery series.  You can find a complete list of A Lucy Stone Mysteries here.  Invitation Only Murder will be out on November 26 and it is the 26th A Lucy Stone Mystery.  Thank you for visiting today.  Tomorrow I am participating in the Celebrate Lit Tour for The Painted Castle by Kristy Cambron.  It is the third A Lost Castle Novel.  I hope that you have a spooktacular day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

  

Yule Log Murder by Leslie Meier, Barbara Ross and Lee Hollis

Happy Friday!  I hope you have had a lovely week.  Death and Daisies by Amanda Flower will be out on November 13 along with A Seat by the Hearth by Amy Clipston and Murder at Harbor Village by G.P. Gardner.  So many delightful books have been published recently and there are not enough hours to read them (or bookshelves to hold them).

Yule Log Murder contains three short cozy mysteries by Lucy Stone, Barbara Ross and Lee Hollis.  Yule Log Murder by Leslie Meier takes us to Tinker’s Cove, Maine.  Lucy is playing an extra in the period film, Guinevere being filmed at Pine Point.  Lucy finds it tedious until the cook’s assistant is found dead smothered in pink icing from a yule log and a knife to the stomach.  When Phyllis Lundquist’s relative is arrested for the crime, Lucy is tasked with finding the culprit.  She must work in her sleuthing in between working at the paper, her role in the film and the final preparations for Christmas.  Lucy gets an early Christmas present when her son, Patrick and his family arrive to celebrate the holidays.  Surprise turns to shock when she encounters their new pit bull, Skittles and hears their unexpected news.  Spending time on the set tracking down a killer sounds like a welcome escape to Lucy.

Lee Hollis entertains readers with Death by Yule in Bar Harbor, Maine.  Hayley Powell’s holidays are not starting off as planned when her son, Dustin becomes snowed in with his father.  Her daughter, Gemma arrives with her new actor boyfriend, Conner who seems too perfect.  They attend Liddy’s annual Christmas party which has a significant number of party crashers including local bad boy, Ryan Toledo.  After an altercation between Ryan and Conner over Gemma, Ryan is escorted out of the party.  A few hours later, Ryan is found in the woods near Liddy’s house with remnants of one of Hayley’s Yule logs on his body.  Connor is at the top of the suspect list and a distressed Gemma asks Hayley to clear his name.  Which resident of Bar Harbor is getting an orange jumpsuit for Christmas?

Logged On by Barbara Ross is set in Busman’s Harbor, Maine.  Julia Snowden wants to start her own Christmas tradition and she has decided it will be a Buche de Noel (oh dear).  Julia is not going to let the fact she cannot make a decent one stop her.  Julia’s mother suggests she consult their crusty neighbor, Mrs. Odile St. Onge.  The baking lessons begin, and they give Julia a chance to learn more about the reclusive woman.  Julia has noticed that Mrs. St. Onge’s caregiver quit showing up recently along with her grand-nephew which leaves the older woman without assistance.  She decides to investigate the matter, and Julia is dismayed when she learns that Mrs. St. Onge has had a few relatives pass away during the holidays after eating her Buche de Noel.  The more Julia learns the more alarmed she becomes.  Julia is determined to get answers, but she is wary of becoming the next victim. 

Yule Log Murder contains three entertaining cozy mysteries.  While the three tales are part of existing series, you can read them as standalones.  I enjoyed visiting some of my favorite characters during the holiday season.  Yule logs are woven into each story.  While these delectable cakes are beautiful, they are not easy to make.  There are friendly characters, charming small towns, holiday cheer and mysteries in each novella.  All three are well-written with steady pacing and good flow.  I was a little surprised by what is happening with Patrick Stone’s family in Yule Log Murder.  They are not as I remember them, and I hope we see significant changes before they appear in the series again (I know I am being vague, but I do not want to spoil it for you).  All three mysteries have humor, but I found myself laughing more at Julia’s antics in Logged On.  All three crimes can easily be solved, but they are still pleasing to read (I stayed up very late finishing this collection).  I am giving Yule Log Murder 4 out of 5 stars.  Find yourself a comfy chair to relax in while reading the diverting and merry novellas in Yule Log Murder.

Thank you so much for visiting today.  What are you currently reading?  I am always looking for new books and authors (and so is my mother).  I will be sharing my review of High Crimes by Libby Fischer Hellmann tomorrow.  It is the fifth novel in The Georgia Davis PI series. I hope you have a fulfilling day.  I will return tomorrow.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

Poppy Harmon Investigates: A Desert Flowers Mystery

August is here!  The Hope Jar by Wanda Brunstetter comes out on August 7.  You can pick up a free preview of the book on Amazon (it is such a heartwarming Amish novel).  Death on the Menu by Lucy Burdette also comes out on August 7 along with To Catch a Witch by Heather Blake (I cannot wait for this one).

Poppy Harmon Investigates by Lee Hollis is the first novel in A Desert Flowers Mystery series.  Poppy Harmon is shocked when she learns that her recently deceased husband, Chester gambled away all their money and left her deeply in debt.  Poppy with the aid of her two friends, Iris Becker and Violet Hogan open The Desert Flowers Detective Agency.  Unfortunately, people do not want to hire three mature women to solve their cases.  That is when Poppy recruits her daughter’s actor boyfriend, Matt Cameron to be the face of the agency.  Matt, though, prefers a more hands on approach.  Their first client is entertainer, Shirley Fox who lost uninsured jewelry in a recent break in at her home in the Palm Leaf Retirement Village.  It turns out that there have been a rash of burglaries in the complex.  Shirley wants the agency to retrieve her cache of jewels.  While investigating the thefts, Poppy finds actress, Olivia Hammersmith dead in her home.  Are the thefts and the murder connected?  Poppy, Iris, and Violet along with Matt are determined to get answers and make a success of their fledgling business. 

Poppy Harmon Investigates has an adorable cover and it is what drew me to the book.  I thought the book was easy to read.  It is a little bit of a slow starter, but the pace picks up as you get further into the story.  The author took the time to set up Poppy’s character along with Iris, Violet, Heather and Matt.  Poppy, Rose and Violet are lively ladies in their 60s who are ready to take on a new challenge.  How Poppy obtained her private investigators license was a little farfetched.  Her “experience” does not qualify her for the work.  The mystery did not begin until I was 40% into the story when the agency is hired to investigate Shirley’s jewelry theft.  The murder does not occur until later in the book and I wish it had been more of a feature.  It is an interesting mystery.  The two mysteries are not difficult to solve especially for those readers who devour cozy mysteries.  There is humor sprinkled throughout the story (my mother laughed her way through the book).  She thought the ladies and Matt’s antics were quite entertaining.  I was not fond of Heather and her treatment of her mother.  She feels that it is silly for her mother to embark on this venture at her age and does not hesitate to let Poppy know what she thinks repeatedly (it was inappropriate and uncomfortable).  Heather does not appreciate Matt getting involved in her mother’s shenanigans (Heather’s words). Iris has her grandson, Wyatt set up their website and utilizes him for his other handy computer skills (hacking).   I did not like how they encouraged his hacking (and hope that they do not get caught).  The interactions between Poppy, Iris and Violet are delightful and their hijinks will have you giggling.  My rating for Poppy Harmon Investigates is 3 out of 5 stars.  A Desert Flowers Mystery series has potential.  I hope the author will add a more compelling mystery in the next book that is the focus of the story and develop the characters further.  Poppy Harmon Investigates is a light, amusing cozy mystery that will appeal to fans of Lee Hollis.

Lee Hollis also writes A Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery series.  I will return tomorrow with my review of Midnight Snacks are Murder by Libby Klein.  It is the second novel in A Poppy McAllister Mystery series.  I hope that you have a sunshiny day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader

Death of a Cookbook Author: A Hayley Powell Food & Cocktails Mystery

Good Day!  Silver Anniversary Murder by Leslie Meier comes out on September 25.  It is the latest A Lucy Stone Mystery.  Christmas Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke also releases on September 25.  It is the newest A Hannah Swensen Mystery.  It takes readers back to before the Cookie Jar opened in Lake Eden.  

Death of a Cookbook Author by Lee Hollis is the tenth book in A Hayley Powell Food & Cocktails Mystery series (that’s a mouthful).  Hayley Powell is shocked when Penelope Janice, cookbook author and television personality, is a fan of her column.  Penelope invites Hayley to participate in her Third Annual Fourth of July Celebrity Potluck Celebration at her estate in Seal Harbor, Maine.  The competition along with the other festivities for the weekend will be filmed for Penelope’s show.  Hayley is thrilled to be invited and hopes that her cooking will measure up.  The first night they have steamed mussels for dinner which Hayley devours.  She soon regrets her over indulgence when she wakes up with food poisoning in the middle of the night and is unable to find a bathroom.  She overhears two people plotting a murder, but Penelope just laughs off Hayley’s concerns.  The following day Hayley is awakened to screams.  Conrad Janice has been found at the bottom of the cliff.  The victim had been extremely drunk the night before and Chief of Police Sergio Alvares rules it an accident.  Hayley believes foul play is involved, but she will need to find hard evidence to prove it.  Penelope is not about to let the death of her husband stop the weekend, so the festivities proceed (gives Hayley time to snoop).  Hayley is unprepared for an unexpected dip into the ocean, a boyfriend for the weekend, or a second body.  It is going to be a wild Fourth of July weekend in Death of a Cookbook Author.

Death of a Cookbook Author is nicely written and has a steady pace.  While this is the tenth installment in the series, it can be read alone.  The necessary background details are provided for new readers. I thought the mystery was well-crafted and clever (I never thought to use an automated cat feeder in that way).  There are several suspects and good misdirection.  I have to admit that I enjoyed the dig at a certain politician who loves Twitter.  All the loose ends are wrapped up at the end of the book.  There are some great laugh out loud moments and Hayley’s columns were entertaining.    It will be interesting to see how Hayley’s new romance progresses in future books.  I did not think Hayley would ever admit her feeling for this man.  I would like to see Hayley mature in future books as she does not always act her age (she comes across as immature at times).  There are recipes included in the book.  Death of a Cookbook Author is my favorite book so far in this series. 

Lee Hollis has a new series starting this summer with A Desert Flowers Mystery series.  The first book is Poppy Harmon Investigates and it will be out on July 31.  Thank you so much for visiting.  I am featuring The Wedding Quilt Bride by Marta Perry tomorrow (May 1).  I hope you have a beautiful day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader