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Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery #19
Death of a Grill Master
Not yet published
Expected 29 Sep 26
After a record-breaking tourist season, Bar Harbor is ready for the less eventful off-season. But the murder of a barbecue baron will keep restaurateur Hayley Powell busy well after Labor Day . . .
Hayley and her husband are snuggled into a secluded spot on Maine’s rocky shoreline to take in the big fireworks display on Frenchman’s Bay. But when they find Hank Desmond’s body floating in the darkness, it looks like summer is ending with a bang—from a gun registered to a rival BBQ chef.
Despite the evidence, Hayley thinks there’s more to the story than a gunshot from a disgruntled pit master. Unfortunately, the new police chief, just arrived from Boston, is more interested in layoffs than in listening to Hayley’s theories. So she starts grilling anyone she can to find out what happened on the party boat that Hank was aboard earlier in the evening—accompanied by his much-younger wife and a sleazy seasonal resident. There are also some competitors who’ve been skewering Hank, owner of the BBQ joint The Smokehouse, for his business practices, including the owners of a diner and a food cart.
Hayley just hopes that when the smoke clears, she’ll be able to serve up the real culprit to the cops—and bring the temperature down in this picturesque town . . .
Includes delectable recipes from Hayley’s kitchen!
Hayley and her husband are snuggled into a secluded spot on Maine’s rocky shoreline to take in the big fireworks display on Frenchman’s Bay. But when they find Hank Desmond’s body floating in the darkness, it looks like summer is ending with a bang—from a gun registered to a rival BBQ chef.
Despite the evidence, Hayley thinks there’s more to the story than a gunshot from a disgruntled pit master. Unfortunately, the new police chief, just arrived from Boston, is more interested in layoffs than in listening to Hayley’s theories. So she starts grilling anyone she can to find out what happened on the party boat that Hank was aboard earlier in the evening—accompanied by his much-younger wife and a sleazy seasonal resident. There are also some competitors who’ve been skewering Hank, owner of the BBQ joint The Smokehouse, for his business practices, including the owners of a diner and a food cart.
Hayley just hopes that when the smoke clears, she’ll be able to serve up the real culprit to the cops—and bring the temperature down in this picturesque town . . .
Includes delectable recipes from Hayley’s kitchen!
- GenresMysteryCozy Mystery
Kindle Edition
Expected publication September 29, 2026
About the author
Lee Hollis
52 books855 followersLee Hollis is the pen name for Rick Copp and his sister Holly Simason.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 15, 2026
A wonderful installment in the series, and I found myself seeing so many plot points coming together, I had to give it five stars. Set in the beautiful coastal cliffs of Maine, a few deaths come barreling forward as Hayley figures out what to do with her life. She's had a few career changes, but another is on the horizon, and something with the way the story unfolded this time kept calling me back. That said, don't read further if you prefer not to read a spoiler... warned ya, okay here it goes. I had to give the book 5 stars because it's the final one in the series, which was a surprise. I had no idea it was coming to a conclusion, and honestly it saddened me. Even though we didn't get enough time with her children, and I think marrying Bruce was the wrong choice, I still love her relationship with Mona and Liddy. But there's good news, beyond how well written all the final connections are. Hayley may continue doing some investigating in a new series or standalone book with her daughter, Gemma!
May 2, 2026
Death of a Grill Master by Lee Hollis is a fabulous culinary cozy mystery that is the 19th book in the Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery series. This is my favorite series!
I am a long time fan and reader of this amazing series. I have read all 19 books and the additional novellas since the very beginning. It is my favorite series, thus this book is hard to finish.
Hayley and Bruce (by association) are wrapped into another murder mystery when a famous BBQ baron is found murdered right as the busy tourist season is wrapping up shop. Despite past experiences, or because of them, Hayley knows there is more to it than what the new police chief’s concerns seem to be. There are plenty of suspects and Hayley has her work cut out for her with finding the culprit of this latest murder.
As always, I love the characters, the dynamics, the sarcasm, the banter…I just love it all, and always will. I cannot recommend this book and series enough.
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 9/29/26.
I am a long time fan and reader of this amazing series. I have read all 19 books and the additional novellas since the very beginning. It is my favorite series, thus this book is hard to finish.
Hayley and Bruce (by association) are wrapped into another murder mystery when a famous BBQ baron is found murdered right as the busy tourist season is wrapping up shop. Despite past experiences, or because of them, Hayley knows there is more to it than what the new police chief’s concerns seem to be. There are plenty of suspects and Hayley has her work cut out for her with finding the culprit of this latest murder.
As always, I love the characters, the dynamics, the sarcasm, the banter…I just love it all, and always will. I cannot recommend this book and series enough.
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 9/29/26.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Haley Powell is back again in the final book of this much loved series.
The death of a local BBQ master has shocked the local residents, however, not everyone is going to miss him.
The suspect list is long, and everyone had a motive, but it's up to Haley to figure things out.
I've enjoyed the series very much and I'm going to miss all the characters, but I'm looking forward to reading the new series by this author.
The death of a local BBQ master has shocked the local residents, however, not everyone is going to miss him.
The suspect list is long, and everyone had a motive, but it's up to Haley to figure things out.
I've enjoyed the series very much and I'm going to miss all the characters, but I'm looking forward to reading the new series by this author.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews