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Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery #17
Death of a Gingerbread Man
It’s a killer Christmas in more ways than one in the latest Hayley Powell Food & Cocktails mystery set in Bar Harbor, Maine.
With the holiday season in full swing, food and cocktails columnist and restauranteur Hayley Powell has lots to check off her last-minute to-do list. Not included is the sudden arrival of her father, who hasn’t been in the picture since she believed in Santa Claus. Dwight Jordan’s presence in Bar Harbor might just be the unwanted gift that keeps on giving—especially after he becomes the top suspect in a case of yuletide murder . . .
As Hayley plans a New Year’s Eve bash while handling a hefty helping of family drama, she must lean into her closest friends to unravel a twisted mystery. Because the countdown is on to find out who killed the sore loser at the gingerbread house contest before Dwight disappears again—this time behind bars. And the more Hayley learns about the possible culprits, the more she knows it’s either crack the case ASAP or watch everything crumble like a stale cookie . . .
With the holiday season in full swing, food and cocktails columnist and restauranteur Hayley Powell has lots to check off her last-minute to-do list. Not included is the sudden arrival of her father, who hasn’t been in the picture since she believed in Santa Claus. Dwight Jordan’s presence in Bar Harbor might just be the unwanted gift that keeps on giving—especially after he becomes the top suspect in a case of yuletide murder . . .
As Hayley plans a New Year’s Eve bash while handling a hefty helping of family drama, she must lean into her closest friends to unravel a twisted mystery. Because the countdown is on to find out who killed the sore loser at the gingerbread house contest before Dwight disappears again—this time behind bars. And the more Hayley learns about the possible culprits, the more she knows it’s either crack the case ASAP or watch everything crumble like a stale cookie . . .
310 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 24, 2024
58 people are currently reading
314 people want to read
About the author
Lee Hollis
49 books817 followersLee Hollis is the pen name for Rick Copp and his sister Holly Simason.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
August 8, 2024
It's time to bake a gingerbread house, and the town's aflutter to make it happen. But Hayley's also busy keeping her father and mother away from each other, so she doesn't realize how much drama is lurking beneath the surface. Her father abandoned then when she was a child, so she hasn't seen him in over 40 years. Is he still a cad, or worse now, a murderer? Great scenes with Mona and her usual antics. No kids this time, but the grandparents more than make up for it. Lots of fun scenes and a good murder to solve.
July 14, 2024
#DeathofaGingerbreadMan #NetGalley is the 17th book in this series, and it was a definite page turner.
Hayley Powell is back for another holiday adventure in this great laugh out loud cozy mystery.
Hayley hasn't seen her biological father since she was a child. Her mother paints a very negative picture of him, so when Hayley comes face to face with him, she has no idea what to expect from the man standing in front of her.
I found the whole story to be exciting and interesting, I enjoyed reading this story and I know I will read it again as the holidays approach.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
Hayley Powell is back for another holiday adventure in this great laugh out loud cozy mystery.
Hayley hasn't seen her biological father since she was a child. Her mother paints a very negative picture of him, so when Hayley comes face to face with him, she has no idea what to expect from the man standing in front of her.
I found the whole story to be exciting and interesting, I enjoyed reading this story and I know I will read it again as the holidays approach.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
December 16, 2024
Ok. I really enjoyed the twist and turns of this mystery! I truly had no idea who did the killin'. What got on my nerves, though, was the obnoxious/annoying characters! And there was just a tad too much cussing for my taste.
December 12, 2024
I love cozy mysteries and especially like to read Christmas-themed versions around the holidays. While the murder mystery part of the book was ok, it was a long time coming. I rarely stop reading a book and yet considered MANY times putting this one down without picking it up again. It is well past a third of the book before a murder occurs, without all that background being necessary, in my opinion. The first few chapters were riddled with so many characters, that I almost needed a family tree of some sort to keep them all straight. This was my first read of this author and this series; I won't be looking for others. The writing didn't capture my attention, too many characters were introduced at one time and were not very interesting, the mystery was too late into the book, and the inserts of newspaper articles and recipes were confusing and superfluous. While I may have appreciated the "who-dun-it" scenario, too many other components of the book were hardly worth that very small payoff.
December 26, 2024
Death of a Gingerbread Man is the 17th book in the Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails mystery series. I've read some novellas and one previous book. This series has always been easy to jump into. There are a lot of recurring, charming characters that feel like real people, and you will want to read all of the series because it feels like there's so much history in this that has been created by Lee Hollis.
It's Christmas time in Bar Harbor, Maine. Hayley's mother is arriving from Florida with her boyfriend. Her husband Bruce wants a fancy snowmobile. And Hayley's long lost father, Dwight, has suddenly shown up. He has a long, checkered past and most people are not happy to see him. One thing leads to another and suddenly Dwight and longtime enemy are in a gingerbread house competition. Things go from sweet to deadly when his nemesis winds up dead. Dwight is now the prime suspect while at the same time becomes a target for danger.
This is a wonderful Christmas mystery. All of the events and activities make it feel like Christmas. There is also a lot of cold and snow which is well described.
The entire book is well written. I loved the scene on the ice! The story is also very good. Not only do we the mystery, which is intriguing, we get the family dynamics that are fun and sometimes sad to watch.
I loved the confrontation with the killer. It tied in very well with a theme going on. All the side storylines come together in a satisfying way and the ending leaves potential for future storylines.
I highly recommend this book and series to mystery lovers.
It's Christmas time in Bar Harbor, Maine. Hayley's mother is arriving from Florida with her boyfriend. Her husband Bruce wants a fancy snowmobile. And Hayley's long lost father, Dwight, has suddenly shown up. He has a long, checkered past and most people are not happy to see him. One thing leads to another and suddenly Dwight and longtime enemy are in a gingerbread house competition. Things go from sweet to deadly when his nemesis winds up dead. Dwight is now the prime suspect while at the same time becomes a target for danger.
This is a wonderful Christmas mystery. All of the events and activities make it feel like Christmas. There is also a lot of cold and snow which is well described.
The entire book is well written. I loved the scene on the ice! The story is also very good. Not only do we the mystery, which is intriguing, we get the family dynamics that are fun and sometimes sad to watch.
I loved the confrontation with the killer. It tied in very well with a theme going on. All the side storylines come together in a satisfying way and the ending leaves potential for future storylines.
I highly recommend this book and series to mystery lovers.
December 13, 2025
Best part of the book is the recipes.
October 6, 2024
"Death of a Gingerbread Man (Hayley Powell Food & Cocktail Mystery #17)" by Lee Hollis is set around the Christmas and New Year's season. Hayley's mom and mom's boyfriend are coming to stay the month-ish with her since her kids aren't going to be home. Then, Hayley's long-lost father is suddenly part of all the holiday events after she catches him in his annual visit to his friends/the dads of her friends. Gee, he could make time to see them but hasn't seen her in several decades/her early childhood.
This is part of the story that really kind of annoyed me. Hayley was pretty quick to accept her father into her life like she'd been talking to him off and on for years rather than this is the first time since before she was 10. She and her brother are also quick to defend him whenever he proves he really hasn't changed and only thinks of himself. I really don't get the impression he's there because he feels he should be there to make up with them, rather that he's there because he's lonely and wants to force his company on them.
The mystery took a long time to build up. Once it got there it ended up being less about the first victim and all about the second, attempted victim. We get some Hitchcock inspiration with the mystery as well.
This is one of those cozy mysteries that likes to put recipes in between chapters. There are also little editorial articles that the main character writes to put a story with the recipes. I personally would prefer the recipes tied into the mystery part of the books rather than be tied to side stories that don't feel completely connected to the particular part of the story they're inserted into. I tend to skip this part of these book. They'd be great as a separate, series-based cookbook though.
This is part of the story that really kind of annoyed me. Hayley was pretty quick to accept her father into her life like she'd been talking to him off and on for years rather than this is the first time since before she was 10. She and her brother are also quick to defend him whenever he proves he really hasn't changed and only thinks of himself. I really don't get the impression he's there because he feels he should be there to make up with them, rather that he's there because he's lonely and wants to force his company on them.
The mystery took a long time to build up. Once it got there it ended up being less about the first victim and all about the second, attempted victim. We get some Hitchcock inspiration with the mystery as well.
This is one of those cozy mysteries that likes to put recipes in between chapters. There are also little editorial articles that the main character writes to put a story with the recipes. I personally would prefer the recipes tied into the mystery part of the books rather than be tied to side stories that don't feel completely connected to the particular part of the story they're inserted into. I tend to skip this part of these book. They'd be great as a separate, series-based cookbook though.
September 15, 2024
I might’ve been hoping for too much humor this time around because even though I loved spending Christmas with Hayley and the gang, I was really disappointed there wasn’t much in the line of hilarious moments going on, especially my favorite Sergio-isms! I really missed those a lot and I hate to admit it but he was boring this time. Earl was the only person just slightly funny and Mona was kinda off her game too. We got a good dose of her usual craziness in the beginning but that was pretty much all. There was a humorous scene at a cooking lesson that Hayley gave but it didn’t involve any regulars.
I’m sure it had to do with the nature of this story though and wanting to make sure Hayley’s father, Dwight got a decent backstory and mystery which was the highlight of this book and of course a returning father would make for a more serious subject. I liked it as much as previous books, but I really didn’t have as much fun reading it.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Kensington Cozies via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.
I’m sure it had to do with the nature of this story though and wanting to make sure Hayley’s father, Dwight got a decent backstory and mystery which was the highlight of this book and of course a returning father would make for a more serious subject. I liked it as much as previous books, but I really didn’t have as much fun reading it.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Kensington Cozies via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.
July 29, 2024
“Death of a Gingerbread Man” by Lee Hollis the 17th instalment in the Haley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery series which releases on September 24, 2024. When Christmas comes to town in Bar Harbor, Maine, so does a killer with a real taste for revenge . . .
I love this series, the stories always catch my attention and pull me in right away. This instalment was no different I read over a few hours.
I found the mystery was well written and paced with lots of twists and turns. It kept me guessing to the end. I can’t wait till the next instalment comes out and finding out.
I highly recommend this series to all my cozy loving friends !
I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Kensington Books and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I love this series, the stories always catch my attention and pull me in right away. This instalment was no different I read over a few hours.
I found the mystery was well written and paced with lots of twists and turns. It kept me guessing to the end. I can’t wait till the next instalment comes out and finding out.
I highly recommend this series to all my cozy loving friends !
I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Kensington Books and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 26, 2024
I love Christmas themed cozies. And when its one of my favorite series, its even better. Its Christmas in Bar Harbor, Maine, and Hayley's mother and boyfriend are in town for the holidays. What she didn't plan on was her estranged father who she hasn't seen since she was a child showing up in Maine. What she expects even less is a murder being committed and the victim being an old rival of her fathers. Hayley wants to believe the best in him and sets out to prove he is no killer.
I love the characters in this series and the growth they have shown throughout the books. Hayley food and wine column is always a favorite of mine. I really enjoyed seeing Hayleys father in this book. It added something different to the story to see Hayley with both her parents.
I love the characters in this series and the growth they have shown throughout the books. Hayley food and wine column is always a favorite of mine. I really enjoyed seeing Hayleys father in this book. It added something different to the story to see Hayley with both her parents.
September 21, 2024
Hayley's long lost father returns in this book and when one of his rivals is killed at a bake-off, he becomes the prime suspect. Hayley finds herself trying to defend their Dad, as her Mom tries to get him convicted. It's a take on Strangers on a Train and it is well written and put together so that you don't figure it all out until the end. These characters are so real and funny, it's always a joy to read these books and the recipes and drinks are always worth checking out!
Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book in return for a review.
Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book in return for a review.
November 21, 2024
Too many characters not enough Christmas vibes
November 14, 2024
I have hit my limit with this series, and I think the author should give it up.
While this series has always been really silly and light-hearted, sometimes it verges on plain stupid. I am tired of the recurring characters changing so dramatically. For example, Haley's mother was originally a weird conspiracy theorist who stayed at a distance but was totally different in this book. I don't know why, but I also find it irritating that Haley, Mona, and Liddy's parents are all thicker than thieves. It's unrealistic and very cliché. You can tell that Lee Hollis is/was a writer for sitcoms with some of these elements.
The addition of Haley's dad was one of the few positive additions to a very forgettable book.
While this series has always been really silly and light-hearted, sometimes it verges on plain stupid. I am tired of the recurring characters changing so dramatically. For example, Haley's mother was originally a weird conspiracy theorist who stayed at a distance but was totally different in this book. I don't know why, but I also find it irritating that Haley, Mona, and Liddy's parents are all thicker than thieves. It's unrealistic and very cliché. You can tell that Lee Hollis is/was a writer for sitcoms with some of these elements.
The addition of Haley's dad was one of the few positive additions to a very forgettable book.
November 25, 2025
Hayley Powell's father reappears after nearly 40 years. He's awkwardly trying to reintegrate himself into the family during Christmas, but his past comes back to haunt him. When one of the many people Dwight Jordan swindled is murdered and Dwight looks like the most likely suspect, Hayley has to figure out who is framing her estranged father.
The other books in this series that I rated 1-star received their low-rating either because they were 1) offensive or 2) an insult to the intelligence of the audience. This book falls in the latter category.
Hayley Powell has rocks for brains and jelly for a spine. She is the most weak-willed in this book and this is saying something since the last book I read involved her forgiving and begging for Bruce's attention after he sexually assaulted her and gaslighted her over it. I know Hayley isn't supposed to make the same decisions that I would. We're not the same people. If she wants to forgive her father who abandoned her, then fine. What I don't understand is how she and every other character are so unsympathetic to Hayley's mother Sheila, who was abandoned by her husband and forced to raise two kids on her own, while forgiving Dwight over and over again despite being proven again and again that he's not to be trusted.
Dwight Jordan breaking his promise about visiting Bar Harbour for Christmas is understandable since there wouldn't be a book if he wasn't there. But then he broke his promises about staying away from places their mom would frequent and then breaks his promise to avoid their house while their mom Sheila is there. Randy begs Hayley to host their dad while her mom is staying at Hayley's house because, "I can't bear the thought of him being alone on Christmas Eve" (chapter 19). Well, whose fault is that, Randy? And why does your mom's Christmas has to be ruined because you're such a weakling?
On top of that, Sheila's partner, Carl, befriends Dwight and constantly complains that he doesn't understand why Sheila is so hard on Dwight. That man is not loyal! And then one of Sheila's best friends - from childhood! - started dating Dwight and didn't understand why Sheila was so upset. Another traitor! And Hayley and Randy discover they have a half-sibling. Dwight swears he didn't know he fathered another child, but then it's revealed that that's a lie and he knowingly abandoned that child too. If I was Sheila, I would have dumped Carl and went back to Florida if my own family prioritized their deadbeat biological father over me.
I swear this book is a psyop to convince people not to date straight men. On top of Dwight being a horrible person, every male partner in this book flirts with other women. Dwight does it and is consequently broken up due to it, Carl does it, Nurse Tilly's boyfriend does it, Carroll Flood the murdered victim gets in trouble for it, even some rando from one of Hayley's columns complains about her husband with a wandering eye. Either that, or Lee Hollis just really hates women so he makes the women in this series suffer by the hands of some shitty male partner.
The fact that Hayley gave her father a heads-up because the FBI were there to arrest him made me so angry. Especially after Hayley ratted out a character in a different book when that character was fully justified in murdering someone. Her father is involved in multiple scams and shady operations where the FBI is after him and she's okay with letting him go? As if he didn't ruin other people's lives, outside of their domestic situation, and it's fine for him to get away with it?
So what happened and how was a murder involved? The murder mystery wasn't even interesting because the murderer(s) wouldn't have been caught if they just didn't say anything.
And I found the columns even more useless than normal because I found two of them superfluous. One column was Hayley reminiscing about her kids playing in the snow as young children, which made her reminisce about the time she and her friends played in the snow. So a flashback in a flashback. Why not just mention the childhood memory of you and your friends to begin with? And then another column kept reiterating how Hayley's childhood friend Mona hates being gossiped about, and yet Hayley is writing about her new relationship with a younger man, Earl, who is a longstanding character in the series as one of the dumb police officers under Sergio's command. How does publishing this story for everyone to read keeping things hush-hush?
This book had zero redeeming qualities and just made my blood pressure rise.
The other books in this series that I rated 1-star received their low-rating either because they were 1) offensive or 2) an insult to the intelligence of the audience. This book falls in the latter category.
Hayley Powell has rocks for brains and jelly for a spine. She is the most weak-willed in this book and this is saying something since the last book I read involved her forgiving and begging for Bruce's attention after he sexually assaulted her and gaslighted her over it. I know Hayley isn't supposed to make the same decisions that I would. We're not the same people. If she wants to forgive her father who abandoned her, then fine. What I don't understand is how she and every other character are so unsympathetic to Hayley's mother Sheila, who was abandoned by her husband and forced to raise two kids on her own, while forgiving Dwight over and over again despite being proven again and again that he's not to be trusted.
Dwight Jordan breaking his promise about visiting Bar Harbour for Christmas is understandable since there wouldn't be a book if he wasn't there. But then he broke his promises about staying away from places their mom would frequent and then breaks his promise to avoid their house while their mom Sheila is there. Randy begs Hayley to host their dad while her mom is staying at Hayley's house because, "I can't bear the thought of him being alone on Christmas Eve" (chapter 19). Well, whose fault is that, Randy? And why does your mom's Christmas has to be ruined because you're such a weakling?
On top of that, Sheila's partner, Carl, befriends Dwight and constantly complains that he doesn't understand why Sheila is so hard on Dwight. That man is not loyal! And then one of Sheila's best friends - from childhood! - started dating Dwight and didn't understand why Sheila was so upset. Another traitor! And Hayley and Randy discover they have a half-sibling. Dwight swears he didn't know he fathered another child, but then it's revealed that that's a lie and he knowingly abandoned that child too. If I was Sheila, I would have dumped Carl and went back to Florida if my own family prioritized their deadbeat biological father over me.
I swear this book is a psyop to convince people not to date straight men. On top of Dwight being a horrible person, every male partner in this book flirts with other women. Dwight does it and is consequently broken up due to it, Carl does it, Nurse Tilly's boyfriend does it, Carroll Flood the murdered victim gets in trouble for it, even some rando from one of Hayley's columns complains about her husband with a wandering eye. Either that, or Lee Hollis just really hates women so he makes the women in this series suffer by the hands of some shitty male partner.
The fact that Hayley gave her father a heads-up because the FBI were there to arrest him made me so angry. Especially after Hayley ratted out a character in a different book when that character was fully justified in murdering someone. Her father is involved in multiple scams and shady operations where the FBI is after him and she's okay with letting him go? As if he didn't ruin other people's lives, outside of their domestic situation, and it's fine for him to get away with it?
So what happened and how was a murder involved? The murder mystery wasn't even interesting because the murderer(s) wouldn't have been caught if they just didn't say anything.
And I found the columns even more useless than normal because I found two of them superfluous. One column was Hayley reminiscing about her kids playing in the snow as young children, which made her reminisce about the time she and her friends played in the snow. So a flashback in a flashback. Why not just mention the childhood memory of you and your friends to begin with? And then another column kept reiterating how Hayley's childhood friend Mona hates being gossiped about, and yet Hayley is writing about her new relationship with a younger man, Earl, who is a longstanding character in the series as one of the dumb police officers under Sergio's command. How does publishing this story for everyone to read keeping things hush-hush?
This book had zero redeeming qualities and just made my blood pressure rise.
September 30, 2024
"Death Of A Gingerbread Man" is book #17 in the "Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery" series by Lee Hollis.
"With the holiday season in full swing, food and cocktails columnist and restauranteur Hayley Powell has lots to check off her last-minute to-do list. Not included is the sudden arrival of her father, who hasn’t been in the picture since she believed in Santa Claus. Dwight Jordan’s presence in Bar Harbor might just be the unwanted gift that keeps on giving—especially after he becomes the top suspect in a case of yuletide murder . . .
As Hayley plans a New Year’s Eve bash while handling a hefty helping of family drama, she must lean into her closest friends to unravel a twisted mystery. Because the countdown is on to find out who killed the sore loser at the gingerbread house contest before Dwight disappears again—this time behind bars. And the more Hayley learns about the possible culprits, the more she knows it’s either crack the case ASAP or watch everything crumble like a stale cookie . . ."
My thoughts:
It took quite awhile to lead up to the actual murder for this book. First, there was the arrival of Hayley's mother, Sheila - a rather self centered and very opinionated woman - and her adoring boyfriend Carl. They also brought along the feline from hell Blueberry who delights in torturing Hayley's dog Leroy. Sheila didn't see a problem even though both Carl and Bruce are allergic to cats. A little Sheila goes a long way!
Then, there was the surprise reappearance of Hayley's dad Dwight who ran out on the family when she was about 8. Hayley has a few memories as does her brother Randy. Sheila still hates him thirty plus years later and delights in harping on his misdeeds at every opportunity.
Add to all of that are some local folks who also have long memories of Dwight and his antics - which eventually leads to a murder and him being the chief suspect.
Though it all takes place over a couple of weeks at Christmas, there is a lot to digest as Hayley tries to clear her father and find a killer. Some very creative misdirection and interactions before the big reveal and takedown.
Throw in some holiday activities, a bit of romance, tasty cocktails, delicious food and a heaping helping of family drama with a somewhat predictable ending (depending on your point of view!) and you have an entertaining cozy mystery.
On the downside, there were at least two occasions where the wrong character was named and a couple of spots where an entirely wrong word was used in a sentence. Proofreading isn't easy but these should have been caught. JMO
"With the holiday season in full swing, food and cocktails columnist and restauranteur Hayley Powell has lots to check off her last-minute to-do list. Not included is the sudden arrival of her father, who hasn’t been in the picture since she believed in Santa Claus. Dwight Jordan’s presence in Bar Harbor might just be the unwanted gift that keeps on giving—especially after he becomes the top suspect in a case of yuletide murder . . .
As Hayley plans a New Year’s Eve bash while handling a hefty helping of family drama, she must lean into her closest friends to unravel a twisted mystery. Because the countdown is on to find out who killed the sore loser at the gingerbread house contest before Dwight disappears again—this time behind bars. And the more Hayley learns about the possible culprits, the more she knows it’s either crack the case ASAP or watch everything crumble like a stale cookie . . ."
My thoughts:
It took quite awhile to lead up to the actual murder for this book. First, there was the arrival of Hayley's mother, Sheila - a rather self centered and very opinionated woman - and her adoring boyfriend Carl. They also brought along the feline from hell Blueberry who delights in torturing Hayley's dog Leroy. Sheila didn't see a problem even though both Carl and Bruce are allergic to cats. A little Sheila goes a long way!
Then, there was the surprise reappearance of Hayley's dad Dwight who ran out on the family when she was about 8. Hayley has a few memories as does her brother Randy. Sheila still hates him thirty plus years later and delights in harping on his misdeeds at every opportunity.
Add to all of that are some local folks who also have long memories of Dwight and his antics - which eventually leads to a murder and him being the chief suspect.
Though it all takes place over a couple of weeks at Christmas, there is a lot to digest as Hayley tries to clear her father and find a killer. Some very creative misdirection and interactions before the big reveal and takedown.
Throw in some holiday activities, a bit of romance, tasty cocktails, delicious food and a heaping helping of family drama with a somewhat predictable ending (depending on your point of view!) and you have an entertaining cozy mystery.
On the downside, there were at least two occasions where the wrong character was named and a couple of spots where an entirely wrong word was used in a sentence. Proofreading isn't easy but these should have been caught. JMO
September 1, 2024
Ah, Christmas. A time when family and friends gather and a merry ol' time is had by all. Well, maybe in all the Hallmark movies we watch but that isn't the case for Hayley Powell. Not only is her mother from heck arriving from Florida but there's another surprise visitor, too. Her father, who disappeared out of their lives some forty years ago. And, oh, boy, is Dwight Jordan a piece of work. True, he's apparently a master chef, with the skill to bake a gingerbread replica of one of the most famous fairy tale castles ever, but he also seems to have a record as long as, possibly longer, than his recipe list. Both charmer and conman, his visit is just the beginning of a memorable Christmas for both Hayley and the town of Bar Harbor.
I won't detail the plot, the blurb is an excellent introduction to the book, but will say that it involves not just holiday high jinx but murder, jealous, volatile couples, past sins, family reunions, whether wanted or not, icy escapades, Christmas gift exchanges, pets that don't get along, and a seriously competitive gingerbread contest. Heck, even Hayley's mother manages to get involved in that (for reasons you'll learn) despite that baking isn't her strength, plus shootings, and more. Through it all, Hayley's column for the paper, full of anecdotes and recipes, is a fun extra as she struggles to keep her mother and father as far apart as possible.
That column has always been a way we've gotten a peek into Hayley's past but the appearance of her father definitely brings out old stories from, well, almost everyone. Not all are good. In fact, most are anything but good. Is the FBI really on his trail as one story has it? In any case, it was fun to see another side of Hayley as well as how she reacted to the sudden reappearance of a man she barely knew. Brother Randy barely remembers him, in fact, due to his age when Dwight went missing. Through it all, Lee Hollis' use of humor softens the edges and keeps us grinning. Mona's driving record even gets a mention, so she's in there, too, albeit the focus is on Hayley and her family this go-round. Everyone pulls together, even her mother, albeit grousing all the way. There are enough suspects and twists and turns to keep even the biggest bah-humbug of Christmas stories reading. Thanks #KensingtonPublishing - #KensingtonCozies for allowing me to pop in early to see what's going on in Bar Harbor with Hayley and the rest. It's always an adventure and, oh, boy, some of those recipes sound delicious.
I won't detail the plot, the blurb is an excellent introduction to the book, but will say that it involves not just holiday high jinx but murder, jealous, volatile couples, past sins, family reunions, whether wanted or not, icy escapades, Christmas gift exchanges, pets that don't get along, and a seriously competitive gingerbread contest. Heck, even Hayley's mother manages to get involved in that (for reasons you'll learn) despite that baking isn't her strength, plus shootings, and more. Through it all, Hayley's column for the paper, full of anecdotes and recipes, is a fun extra as she struggles to keep her mother and father as far apart as possible.
That column has always been a way we've gotten a peek into Hayley's past but the appearance of her father definitely brings out old stories from, well, almost everyone. Not all are good. In fact, most are anything but good. Is the FBI really on his trail as one story has it? In any case, it was fun to see another side of Hayley as well as how she reacted to the sudden reappearance of a man she barely knew. Brother Randy barely remembers him, in fact, due to his age when Dwight went missing. Through it all, Lee Hollis' use of humor softens the edges and keeps us grinning. Mona's driving record even gets a mention, so she's in there, too, albeit the focus is on Hayley and her family this go-round. Everyone pulls together, even her mother, albeit grousing all the way. There are enough suspects and twists and turns to keep even the biggest bah-humbug of Christmas stories reading. Thanks #KensingtonPublishing - #KensingtonCozies for allowing me to pop in early to see what's going on in Bar Harbor with Hayley and the rest. It's always an adventure and, oh, boy, some of those recipes sound delicious.
July 29, 2024
DEATH OF A GINGERBREAD MAN is the seventeenth book in the Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mysteries by Lee Hollis. Nothing is better than being surrounded by family while celebrating the Christmas season… unless your father, who abandoned you forty-odd years ago, shows up at the very same time your mother comes for an extended stay. Protagonist Hayley Powell’s quiet Christmas is filled with angst trying to juggle her parents and then turns into a nightmare when her father becomes a murder suspect. The author does a marvelous job setting the stage for not only family drama along with the sights, sounds, and tastes of the season, but interjects humor to keep the story lighthearted. I also appreciated getting to know Hayley’s backstory through the sudden appearance of her father. She has had quite the life, and while this can easily be read as a standalone, starting with the first book and witnessing her growth, the changes in her life and family, and her investigative prowess is highly satisfying. One of the key strengths in this series is the characters who easily become your close friends and trust me, you don’t want to miss out on any of their shenanigans.
With Hayley’s dad becoming a suspect in the murder of a gingerbread house contestant—and what could be more awkward than him being the father-in-law to the chief of police?!?—Hayley finds she must get involved and clear his name. Except, she knows next to nothing about him and his past is fraught with run-ins with the law. Could he be the killer, or is someone trying to frame him? I enjoy how Hayley’s best friends pitch in to find clues, along with Hayley’s mother and her close friends. It’s a team effort to track the culprit down. There are several twists I didn’t see coming and suspects galore that kept me guessing. The mystery was well-plotted and with everything going on, the book was fast-paced. I didn’t want to set it down until I’d read to the very end. If you enjoy holiday-themed cozy mysteries with memorable characters and a few chuckles, then I highly recommend this newest release!
Not only does Hayley own and run a restaurant, but she is also writes the Island Food & Spirits newspaper column. She always includes an anecdote plus recipes—for both food and drink—with her column and I greatly enjoy the addition of these every few chapters.
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
With Hayley’s dad becoming a suspect in the murder of a gingerbread house contestant—and what could be more awkward than him being the father-in-law to the chief of police?!?—Hayley finds she must get involved and clear his name. Except, she knows next to nothing about him and his past is fraught with run-ins with the law. Could he be the killer, or is someone trying to frame him? I enjoy how Hayley’s best friends pitch in to find clues, along with Hayley’s mother and her close friends. It’s a team effort to track the culprit down. There are several twists I didn’t see coming and suspects galore that kept me guessing. The mystery was well-plotted and with everything going on, the book was fast-paced. I didn’t want to set it down until I’d read to the very end. If you enjoy holiday-themed cozy mysteries with memorable characters and a few chuckles, then I highly recommend this newest release!
Not only does Hayley own and run a restaurant, but she is also writes the Island Food & Spirits newspaper column. She always includes an anecdote plus recipes—for both food and drink—with her column and I greatly enjoy the addition of these every few chapters.
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 24, 2024
Death of a Gingerbread Man by Lee Hollis is a return to Maine and the return of Hayley’s long lost father, Dwight. Not great timing as her mother, Sheila, and her boyfriend, Carl, were coming for Florida for the holidays. Keeping them apart was not going to be easy. To say Sheila held a grudge who be an understatement. But Dwight sailed in as if everyone should be happy to see him. A few were. Hayley arranged for him to stay with her brother, Randy, and his husband, Sergio, who was the police chief. Certainly the police chief could keep Dwight on the straight and narrow. Alas, that was not to be. There was even a murder and, of course, Dwight was the primary suspect. It turned out he was innocent, but still. Hayley nearly got herself killed cornering the real killer but that came after a lot of to and fro with Dwight and his cronies. It looked like someone wanted Dwight dead, and there was no shortage of suspects.
Hayley is married to Bruce, who is the perfect husband for her. He doesn’t get riled up easily. He is the crime reporter for the local paper, which is still managing to publish five days a week despite the internet. Hayley writes a couple of articles a week about food. They have a good life, Hayley’s children are grown and out of the house. Her restaurant is going well and she has good friends. As in any small town, there are plenty of characters and Hollis uses them in her book to good effect, sometime hilarious, always interesting. This is a decent murder mystery. One, not just anyone could solve. There are twists and turns aplenty, what with Dwight’s antics. She didn’t spend much time in the restaurant, but then again, it is Christmas. Sheila adjusted, not well, but Carl helped. Good story. Intriguing characters and situation; one with ramifications. I loved every minute of it.
I was invited to read Death of a Gingerbread Man by Kensington Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #KensingtonPublishing #LeeHollis #DeathOfAGingerbreadMan
Hayley is married to Bruce, who is the perfect husband for her. He doesn’t get riled up easily. He is the crime reporter for the local paper, which is still managing to publish five days a week despite the internet. Hayley writes a couple of articles a week about food. They have a good life, Hayley’s children are grown and out of the house. Her restaurant is going well and she has good friends. As in any small town, there are plenty of characters and Hollis uses them in her book to good effect, sometime hilarious, always interesting. This is a decent murder mystery. One, not just anyone could solve. There are twists and turns aplenty, what with Dwight’s antics. She didn’t spend much time in the restaurant, but then again, it is Christmas. Sheila adjusted, not well, but Carl helped. Good story. Intriguing characters and situation; one with ramifications. I loved every minute of it.
I was invited to read Death of a Gingerbread Man by Kensington Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #KensingtonPublishing #LeeHollis #DeathOfAGingerbreadMan
January 21, 2025
Imagine if your dad took off when you were eight years old and you hadn’t seen or heard from him for all those years. Now imagine that your best friends’ dads have been getting together with your dad for years to do some ice fishing, and you just walked in on them. There are no words for this, right! Talk about family drama for the holidays. The only person who is truly happy to see Dwight back is Hayley’s brother Randy, who was too young to really know what happened when their father left. Thank goodness Hailey knows how to make a great cocktail. Just check out her Island Food & Spirits newspaper column that often includes cocktail and food recipes. In addition to drinks and some comfort food, there are some great stories that provide excellent back stories that are highly entertaining.
As I said, no one is all that thrilled to see Dwight Jordan including Carroll Flood who claims that Dwight ruined his life and the opportunity to be a professional baker. Oddly enough, Dwight isn’t the victim, Carroll is. Since Dwight swears he didn’t do it, he begs Hayley to look into things. Christmas is a challenging time to be a sleuth and Hayley is balancing a business, her slightly difficult mom and boyfriend as houseguests, the usual holiday rush items, and saving Dwight’s life at least once. The list of suspects is longer than the guest list at King Charles’s coronation. So many suspects and so little time and this is a fast paced mystery with so many twists and turns that you have to keep turning pages to see how it all fits together. There are a good number of suspects and side characters that add different dimensions from serious to silly.
In addition to great characters and a great plot, there are so many great recipes to choose from between the chapters. I settled on Bruce’s Ginger Garlic Chicken Wings but since the store was out of wings we made full sized drumsticks, half the work, and all the flavor. There is an Index of Recipes at the back of the book so you can pick a good one to make before you sit down to devour both the food and mystery.
As I said, no one is all that thrilled to see Dwight Jordan including Carroll Flood who claims that Dwight ruined his life and the opportunity to be a professional baker. Oddly enough, Dwight isn’t the victim, Carroll is. Since Dwight swears he didn’t do it, he begs Hayley to look into things. Christmas is a challenging time to be a sleuth and Hayley is balancing a business, her slightly difficult mom and boyfriend as houseguests, the usual holiday rush items, and saving Dwight’s life at least once. The list of suspects is longer than the guest list at King Charles’s coronation. So many suspects and so little time and this is a fast paced mystery with so many twists and turns that you have to keep turning pages to see how it all fits together. There are a good number of suspects and side characters that add different dimensions from serious to silly.
In addition to great characters and a great plot, there are so many great recipes to choose from between the chapters. I settled on Bruce’s Ginger Garlic Chicken Wings but since the store was out of wings we made full sized drumsticks, half the work, and all the flavor. There is an Index of Recipes at the back of the book so you can pick a good one to make before you sit down to devour both the food and mystery.
September 14, 2024
I have read all the books in the Hayley Powell series and this one was good but just didn't match some of the others.
Hayley is going to have a full house for Christmas with her mother and her boyfriend coming to visit from Florida. Hayley has closed her restaurant for the season and is looking forward to time with family (mostly, since she has a strained relationship with mom). When she agrees to go with her friend Mona to drop off her father's left behind blood pressure medication, Hayley gets the surprise of the season to find her long-lost father, Dwight, at the fishing cabin with Mona's and their other BFF's dad. Needless to say, Hayley is stunned since she has not seen this man since she was in elementary school when he up and abandoned their family.
When said father says he wants to spend the holidays in Bar Harbor, Hayley knows the town isn't big enough to contain him and her mother's anger. What sets off the tumultuous holiday season is Dwight's reappearance in town causing a lot of hurt feelings to resurface and the amount of enemies he faces. When Dwight is challenged by a former rival to bake in the gingerbread contest, he thinks it's a good-natured competition, until the rival appears to suffer a heart attack during the judging.
The reason I enjoy cozies is because of the small-town, tight knit friend groups in the stories. While this one was set at Christmas, it felt like the holiday was the enemy rather than a backdrop and it made everything that followed seem less than cozy. I missed a lot of character rapport since Hayley's ne'er-do-well father and her relationship with her mother overshadowed the usual banter and fun I enjoy in these books.
I will eagerly await the next in the series but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed with this one just a little bit.
My thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Cozies for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Hayley is going to have a full house for Christmas with her mother and her boyfriend coming to visit from Florida. Hayley has closed her restaurant for the season and is looking forward to time with family (mostly, since she has a strained relationship with mom). When she agrees to go with her friend Mona to drop off her father's left behind blood pressure medication, Hayley gets the surprise of the season to find her long-lost father, Dwight, at the fishing cabin with Mona's and their other BFF's dad. Needless to say, Hayley is stunned since she has not seen this man since she was in elementary school when he up and abandoned their family.
When said father says he wants to spend the holidays in Bar Harbor, Hayley knows the town isn't big enough to contain him and her mother's anger. What sets off the tumultuous holiday season is Dwight's reappearance in town causing a lot of hurt feelings to resurface and the amount of enemies he faces. When Dwight is challenged by a former rival to bake in the gingerbread contest, he thinks it's a good-natured competition, until the rival appears to suffer a heart attack during the judging.
The reason I enjoy cozies is because of the small-town, tight knit friend groups in the stories. While this one was set at Christmas, it felt like the holiday was the enemy rather than a backdrop and it made everything that followed seem less than cozy. I missed a lot of character rapport since Hayley's ne'er-do-well father and her relationship with her mother overshadowed the usual banter and fun I enjoy in these books.
I will eagerly await the next in the series but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed with this one just a little bit.
My thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Cozies for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 26, 2025
Walking into Death of a Gingerbread Man feels a little like stepping into a holiday party that’s already in full swing—there’s drama, a little chaos, and someone might not make it to midnight. Hayley Powell’s plans for a festive New Year’s Eve hit a major roadblock when her estranged father, Dwight, reappears out of the blue, bringing a lifetime of baggage with him. But before she can fully process that emotional rollercoaster, the annual gingerbread house contest turns deadly. The town’s reigning gingerbread champion is found dead, and all signs (and a fair amount of town gossip) point to Dwight as the prime suspect. With her father’s freedom—and possibly her own sanity—on the line, Hayley dives headfirst into the investigation to clear his name.
The mystery itself has all the elements of a great cozy—deceptively charming suspects, family feuds, and small-town secrets that rise to the surface like a perfectly baked soufflé. Hollis keeps things lively with plenty of red herrings, but the tension builds steadily as Hayley starts peeling back the layers of the crime. The victim had no shortage of enemies, from rival bakers to bitter business associates, making the suspect pool as packed as a New Year’s Eve champagne bar. While some twists land better than others, the final reveal is satisfying, even if the pacing in the last act feels a little rushed. The emotional stakes—particularly Hayley’s complicated relationship with her father—add depth to the sleuthing, making this more than just a standard holiday whodunit.
A solid four out of five stars! While this is the seventeenth book in the Hayley Powell series, it’s surprisingly easy to follow without prior knowledge of past books—though returning fans will get more out of the ongoing character dynamics. If you love a cozy mystery that balances humor, heartfelt moments, and small-town holiday charm with an engaging murder case, Death of a Gingerbread Man delivers.
The mystery itself has all the elements of a great cozy—deceptively charming suspects, family feuds, and small-town secrets that rise to the surface like a perfectly baked soufflé. Hollis keeps things lively with plenty of red herrings, but the tension builds steadily as Hayley starts peeling back the layers of the crime. The victim had no shortage of enemies, from rival bakers to bitter business associates, making the suspect pool as packed as a New Year’s Eve champagne bar. While some twists land better than others, the final reveal is satisfying, even if the pacing in the last act feels a little rushed. The emotional stakes—particularly Hayley’s complicated relationship with her father—add depth to the sleuthing, making this more than just a standard holiday whodunit.
A solid four out of five stars! While this is the seventeenth book in the Hayley Powell series, it’s surprisingly easy to follow without prior knowledge of past books—though returning fans will get more out of the ongoing character dynamics. If you love a cozy mystery that balances humor, heartfelt moments, and small-town holiday charm with an engaging murder case, Death of a Gingerbread Man delivers.
November 25, 2024
Although Death of a Gingerbread Man is the 17th full length novel in the Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery series, it can be read as a standalone. I know I still have several to read in this series. Hayley is a local food and drink columnist for the local paper as well as running her own restaurant. Her mom is in town for the holidays, and when her father shows up, she's not sure what will happen. Her father disappeared when she and her brother were very young, never to be heard from again. When his reappearance coincides with the murder of a local man, Dwight becomes the main suspect. Lee Hollis does a good job of presenting a back story for him, but I wasn't convinced that he had changed at all. Why was he there? Who is the murderer?
I enjoy this series and especially look forward to the humour, i.e. the Sergioisms. Unfortunately they weren't there this time. I did enjoy the story, but missed that part of it. Having Dwight show up, let us see another side of Hayley and her brother, which was nice, as well as giving us some background on what had happened in their family. The mystery was interesting and kept me guessing. There is a second attempted murder, and the story quickly became a strangers on the train story. Every few chapters that is a column from Hayley, and although I don't usually mind those interruptions, this time around I skipped them and went back and read them all at the end. Although there were parts of this book I really enjoyed, overall, this one was a bit of a disappointment to me. Hopefully, we will see the humour return in future books. I have listened to most of the books in this series and Randye Kaye narrated this one. (She picked up at #8). I enjoy her performance and I have gotten used to her voices for the characters. One that was fun to listen to.
I enjoy this series and especially look forward to the humour, i.e. the Sergioisms. Unfortunately they weren't there this time. I did enjoy the story, but missed that part of it. Having Dwight show up, let us see another side of Hayley and her brother, which was nice, as well as giving us some background on what had happened in their family. The mystery was interesting and kept me guessing. There is a second attempted murder, and the story quickly became a strangers on the train story. Every few chapters that is a column from Hayley, and although I don't usually mind those interruptions, this time around I skipped them and went back and read them all at the end. Although there were parts of this book I really enjoyed, overall, this one was a bit of a disappointment to me. Hopefully, we will see the humour return in future books. I have listened to most of the books in this series and Randye Kaye narrated this one. (She picked up at #8). I enjoy her performance and I have gotten used to her voices for the characters. One that was fun to listen to.
September 6, 2024
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Lee Hollis for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Death of a Gingerbread Man coming out September 24, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.
With the holiday season in full swing, food and cocktails columnist and restauranteur Hayley Powell has lots to check off her last-minute to-do list. Not included is the sudden arrival of her father, who hasn’t been in the picture since she believed in Santa Claus. Dwight Jordan’s presence in Bar Harbor might just be the unwanted gift that keeps on giving—especially after he becomes the top suspect in a case of yuletide murder . . .
As Hayley plans a New Year’s Eve bash while handling a hefty helping of family drama, she must lean into her closest friends to unravel a twisted mystery. Because the countdown is on to find out who killed the sore loser at the gingerbread house contest before Dwight disappears again—this time behind bars. And the more Hayley learns about the possible culprits, the more she knows it’s either crack the case ASAP or watch everything crumble like a stale cookie.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I didn’t realize there were so many books in the series. I love Christmastime murder mysteries. I thought the recipes throughout the book was interesting. I think I was slightly lost in the mystery. I loved the Christmas activities, but it felt like the mystery took a backseat to other things. But I love cozy mysteries. I would definitely check out more books by this author.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christmastime cozy mysteries!
With the holiday season in full swing, food and cocktails columnist and restauranteur Hayley Powell has lots to check off her last-minute to-do list. Not included is the sudden arrival of her father, who hasn’t been in the picture since she believed in Santa Claus. Dwight Jordan’s presence in Bar Harbor might just be the unwanted gift that keeps on giving—especially after he becomes the top suspect in a case of yuletide murder . . .
As Hayley plans a New Year’s Eve bash while handling a hefty helping of family drama, she must lean into her closest friends to unravel a twisted mystery. Because the countdown is on to find out who killed the sore loser at the gingerbread house contest before Dwight disappears again—this time behind bars. And the more Hayley learns about the possible culprits, the more she knows it’s either crack the case ASAP or watch everything crumble like a stale cookie.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I didn’t realize there were so many books in the series. I love Christmastime murder mysteries. I thought the recipes throughout the book was interesting. I think I was slightly lost in the mystery. I loved the Christmas activities, but it felt like the mystery took a backseat to other things. But I love cozy mysteries. I would definitely check out more books by this author.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christmastime cozy mysteries!
September 5, 2024
It's Christmas time in Bar Harbor! The snow is falling and the air is filled with the warm scents of woodsmoke and fresh-baked gingerbread. Hayley has her hands full as always, running Hayley's Kitchen, writing her weekly column for the newspaper, and trying not to lose her temper with her mother, who's visiting for the holidays with her boyfriend Carl. Just when you think things can't get much crazier when Hayley's long-lost father returns to town, immediately dredging up old grudges.
This is one of my favorite series. I love Hayley and her fun stories and delicious recipes. Though I do miss the days when she was working at the newspaper, sparring with Bruce, and wrangling teenagers, it's been fun to see the kids grow up and to see Hayley find love and follow her passion. One thing that never came up much was the fact that Hayley's father abandoned her family when she was about seven years old. It's been interesting to have him return and I admire Hayley's willingness to open her life to him despite his long absence.
The mystery in this book was very interesting! There are so many little clues dropped here and there but it's not until near the very end that the one clue sends Hayley down the right path, where all the pieces fall together. I love how it all came together and everyone got their bit of satisfaction at the end.
Lots of bombs dropped in this book and hopefully there will be many more to come!
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
This is one of my favorite series. I love Hayley and her fun stories and delicious recipes. Though I do miss the days when she was working at the newspaper, sparring with Bruce, and wrangling teenagers, it's been fun to see the kids grow up and to see Hayley find love and follow her passion. One thing that never came up much was the fact that Hayley's father abandoned her family when she was about seven years old. It's been interesting to have him return and I admire Hayley's willingness to open her life to him despite his long absence.
The mystery in this book was very interesting! There are so many little clues dropped here and there but it's not until near the very end that the one clue sends Hayley down the right path, where all the pieces fall together. I love how it all came together and everyone got their bit of satisfaction at the end.
Lots of bombs dropped in this book and hopefully there will be many more to come!
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
October 2, 2024
Death of a Gingerbread Man is the perfect Christmas cozy mystery for the upcoming holiday season! For once, Hayley is preparing for a stress-free holiday season; she even has closed her restaurant until the start of the new year. When she accompanies Mona on an emergency trip to the cottage to ensure Mona's dad has his medication, the last thing she expects is to come face-to-face with her estranged father. Now, with her mother visiting from Florida and her father insisting he wants to make amends, Hayley's drama-free Christmas is turning out to be anything but. THEN, when tensions can't be higher, one of her father's former enemies is murdered at the gingerbread house competition. Of course, Dwight is the main suspect, and Hayley feels that she must find the real killer before her father is put in jail.
I absolutely love this series, and Death of a Gingerbread Man is a great next installment. Hayley, Mona, and Liddy are such a fun group of characters. I also love reading about their local businesses (Hayley's Kitchen, Drink Like A Fish, Mona's store, etc). I am always craving seafood, especially a lobster roll, after reading one of these books. Death of a Gingerbread Man has a ton of great recipes - all focused on ginger. I can't wait to try the pancake recipe, the meat recipes, and all of the cocktail mixtures. I can't wait for the next book!
I absolutely love this series, and Death of a Gingerbread Man is a great next installment. Hayley, Mona, and Liddy are such a fun group of characters. I also love reading about their local businesses (Hayley's Kitchen, Drink Like A Fish, Mona's store, etc). I am always craving seafood, especially a lobster roll, after reading one of these books. Death of a Gingerbread Man has a ton of great recipes - all focused on ginger. I can't wait to try the pancake recipe, the meat recipes, and all of the cocktail mixtures. I can't wait for the next book!
November 20, 2024
I LOVE THIS SERIES! SADLY THIS BOOK WAS AN AVERAGE READ FOR ME.
PLOT: It’s a killer Christmas in more ways than one in the latest Hayley Powell Food & Cocktails mystery set in Bar Harbor, Maine. With the holiday season in full swing, food and cocktails columnist and restauranteur Hayley Powell has lots to check off her last-minute to-do list. Not included is the sudden arrival of her father, who hasn’t been in the picture since she believed in Santa Claus. Dwight Jordan’s presence in Bar Harbor might just be the unwanted gift that keeps on giving—especially after he becomes the top suspect in a case of yuletide murder.
THOUGHTS: I was so very excited to get to this book for 2 reasons: 1) It's the next Hayley Powell book and I love this series and 2) It clearly is Christmas themed and I'm all about everything Christmas in books. Sadly despite both these things this book left me disappointed. Yes there were some Christmas things but it was very minimal. Also Hayley seeing her father was fine - good event, but then the rest of the book became all about geneology which was not interesting. The mystery did not intrigue me, the reveal however was a good one. All in all a let down as it was a very average read.
3 Stars!
xoox.
PLOT: It’s a killer Christmas in more ways than one in the latest Hayley Powell Food & Cocktails mystery set in Bar Harbor, Maine. With the holiday season in full swing, food and cocktails columnist and restauranteur Hayley Powell has lots to check off her last-minute to-do list. Not included is the sudden arrival of her father, who hasn’t been in the picture since she believed in Santa Claus. Dwight Jordan’s presence in Bar Harbor might just be the unwanted gift that keeps on giving—especially after he becomes the top suspect in a case of yuletide murder.
THOUGHTS: I was so very excited to get to this book for 2 reasons: 1) It's the next Hayley Powell book and I love this series and 2) It clearly is Christmas themed and I'm all about everything Christmas in books. Sadly despite both these things this book left me disappointed. Yes there were some Christmas things but it was very minimal. Also Hayley seeing her father was fine - good event, but then the rest of the book became all about geneology which was not interesting. The mystery did not intrigue me, the reveal however was a good one. All in all a let down as it was a very average read.
3 Stars!
xoox.
December 10, 2024
Hayley has girded for a two week visit from her mother over the holidays. Sheila is the Typhoid Mary of stress. But things go into overdrive when Hayley’s father who simply disappeared when she and her brother were children has also blown back into Bar Harbour. Despite Hayley’s best attempts Dwight and Sheila are doomed to meet up and none of the anger she felt at his desertion has lessened. The man is a con artist who has managed to build a prodigious enemies list. Other than Sheila, for whom it might have been justifiable homicide, who else has the lust for revenge. Someone does. Dwight has a bullseye on his chest and someone is determined to see him in a coffin.
The person who seems to have the deepest motive is exonerated because he is the first murder victim. What is going on? What has the return of Dwight prompted and can Hayley or anyone else believe a word the man says. It turns out to be quite a clever plot that has everyone baffled until Hayley twigs to the final clue that opens it all up. It was an enjoyable tale. Too bad I dislike ginger because there were a whole bunch of recipes that will tickle the fancy of many. Four purrs and two paws up.
The person who seems to have the deepest motive is exonerated because he is the first murder victim. What is going on? What has the return of Dwight prompted and can Hayley or anyone else believe a word the man says. It turns out to be quite a clever plot that has everyone baffled until Hayley twigs to the final clue that opens it all up. It was an enjoyable tale. Too bad I dislike ginger because there were a whole bunch of recipes that will tickle the fancy of many. Four purrs and two paws up.
July 19, 2024
Death of a Gingerbread Man by Lee Hollis is a wonderful culinary cozy mystery that is part of one of my truly favorite series: A Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery.
I have loved, and read, every book in this series this far…and it has not lost its spark. This is the 17th book, there have also been 8 novellas, in this series. This is an awesome gingerbread and holiday themed installment, and even though I figured out part of the murder/mystery, the other aspects eluded me. I also really, really liked the bittersweet and positive ending.
As always, Hayley, Bruce, Mona, Liddy, and gang made me feel back at home, and I chuckled at the whip-smart dialogue. I will continue to read and suggest this series.
5/5 stars
Thank you NG and Kensington Publishing | Kensington Cozies for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 9/12/24.
I have loved, and read, every book in this series this far…and it has not lost its spark. This is the 17th book, there have also been 8 novellas, in this series. This is an awesome gingerbread and holiday themed installment, and even though I figured out part of the murder/mystery, the other aspects eluded me. I also really, really liked the bittersweet and positive ending.
As always, Hayley, Bruce, Mona, Liddy, and gang made me feel back at home, and I chuckled at the whip-smart dialogue. I will continue to read and suggest this series.
5/5 stars
Thank you NG and Kensington Publishing | Kensington Cozies for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 9/12/24.
September 23, 2024
This is the 17th release in this loved cozy foodie series by cozy author Lee Hollis. I have been devoted to this series since book one. Haley is a smart savvy protagnist and adds humor as well as fine tuned investigation skills to each book. The supporting characters are richly drawn to each book and delightful. I highly recommend this series to all cozy readers.
Thank you to the publisher, the author and Net Galley for the opportunity. In this Christmas theme release Haley is busy planning for a bake off when her long lost Father shows up just in time for her Mother and her boyfriend to arrive. After not having her Father in her life Haley is very forgiving and welcomes him into her life. Antics arise with problems when his rival is murdered and he is suspect number one. Between the bake off, parents not getting along and Haley stuck in the middle trying to develop her receipes while she investigates its a suspense building hilarious story. The Christmas theme receipes are wonderful.
A enjoyable fun read that I highly recommend.
Thank you to the publisher, the author and Net Galley for the opportunity. In this Christmas theme release Haley is busy planning for a bake off when her long lost Father shows up just in time for her Mother and her boyfriend to arrive. After not having her Father in her life Haley is very forgiving and welcomes him into her life. Antics arise with problems when his rival is murdered and he is suspect number one. Between the bake off, parents not getting along and Haley stuck in the middle trying to develop her receipes while she investigates its a suspense building hilarious story. The Christmas theme receipes are wonderful.
A enjoyable fun read that I highly recommend.
November 17, 2024
It's been a long time since I read a book in this series. It is hilarious. Hayley Powell has invited her mother to join her in Bar Harbor, Maine for the Christmas Holiday. Her mother brings a mischievous cat that terrorizes Hayley's dog. Another unexpected "guest" is Hayley's long-lost father. He left Hayley and her mother when Hayley was a little girl. Her mother will have a melt-down if she knows Dwight is in town after all these years. He promises to leave and doesn't. He shows up at a party and all you know-what breaks loose when her mother sees him. Add to that, her father wins a gingerbread house contest. One of his competitors is an old friend who makes a stink about the outcome. When he is found dead, Dwight becomes the main suspect.
This really made me giggle. Many of the characters have exaggerated personalities and the situations that crop up are funny. I enjoyed this cozy. It was easy-to-read and a nice release from everyday work. Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to read this story and offer my honest opinion.
This really made me giggle. Many of the characters have exaggerated personalities and the situations that crop up are funny. I enjoyed this cozy. It was easy-to-read and a nice release from everyday work. Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to read this story and offer my honest opinion.
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