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Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery #10
Death of a Cookbook Author
At a celebrity cook-off in Maine, murder is spoiling everyone’s appetite . . . “This funny and quick-paced series keeps getting better.” —RT Book Reviews Food and cocktails columnist Hayley Powell will be cooking alongside top chefs at a cookbook author's party. But a killer plans to ruin her appetite . . . When Hayley Powell’s idol, cookbook author and TV personality Penelope Janice, invites her to participate in a Fourth of July celebrity cook-off at her seaside estate in Seal Harbor, Maine, Hayley couldn’t be more flattered. She just hopes she can measure up. With a who’s who of famous chefs whipping up their signature dishes, this holiday weekend has all the ingredients for a once-in-a-lifetime culinary experience. Instead, Hayley gets food poisoning her first night and thinks she overhears two people cooking up a murder plot. The next morning, a body is found at the bottom of a cliff. Tragic accident or foul play? To solve a real cliffhanger, Hayley will need to uncover some simmering secrets—before a killer boils over again . . . Includes seven delectable recipes from Hayley’s kitchen! Praise for Death of a Pumpkin Carver “Well-written . . . the story will keep any reader’s attention. After reading just one and meeting these hysterical characters there is no doubt that you’ll go back.” —Suspense Magazine
266 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 24, 2018
212 people are currently reading
691 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 100 reviews
January 26, 2025
Death of a Cookbook Author, the 10th book in the Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mysteries written by Lee Hollis, delivered on plot complexity, character surprises, and witty dialog. I always laugh with these stories, and this was no exception. Hayley stumbles into some amazing luck, and she always finds a way to dodge multiple death threats. This series has been a great find, and I'm excited to keep reading the remainder of the books, so I can catch up to the most recent 2022 release this summer. Actors. Cookbooks. Drama in Hollywood at a TV network. What's not to love!?!?
July 9, 2018
This was a fun cozy novel and was a sure Sunday afternoon delight! I love reading books that involve books in some way or fashion. I loved the characters and the plot. I love pretty much all the Cozies Kensington Books publishes and they picked another fantastic one with this one! Highly recommended novel. I can't wait to see what the author comes out with next!
May 2, 2018
When I hear there is a new Hayley Powell Mystery available, my hands start to itch from wanting to hold it, and my toes start to wiggle at the thought of reading it. DEATH OF A COOKBOOK AUTHOR was totally worth the wait!
Having been invited to participate in a celebrity cook-off, protagonist Halley Powell spend most of her time in this book out of her normal environment. The only down part of this was a 99% lack of Hayley’s best friends Libby and Mona. If you’re reading this Lee Hollis, please don’t do that to me again!
An absolutely excellent mystery, DEATH OF A COOKBOOK AUTHOR was a fast moving, I-don’t-want-to-put-this-book-down story. Twists, turns, and surprises were on just about every other page of this book. There were times when I found myself holding my breath for what felt like chapters. The only reason I didn’t pass out from a lack of air was because I was laughing out loud during the other parts! So very well done!
As always, you’ll find seven wonderful recipes from Hayley. Fourteen if you count the cocktails that go with each dish!
Hayley Powell diehards, you don’t want to miss DEATH IF A COOKBOOK AUTHOR. If you haven’t read this series, it really is time you started. You’re totally missing out on so many good reads!
Having been invited to participate in a celebrity cook-off, protagonist Halley Powell spend most of her time in this book out of her normal environment. The only down part of this was a 99% lack of Hayley’s best friends Libby and Mona. If you’re reading this Lee Hollis, please don’t do that to me again!
An absolutely excellent mystery, DEATH OF A COOKBOOK AUTHOR was a fast moving, I-don’t-want-to-put-this-book-down story. Twists, turns, and surprises were on just about every other page of this book. There were times when I found myself holding my breath for what felt like chapters. The only reason I didn’t pass out from a lack of air was because I was laughing out loud during the other parts! So very well done!
As always, you’ll find seven wonderful recipes from Hayley. Fourteen if you count the cocktails that go with each dish!
Hayley Powell diehards, you don’t want to miss DEATH IF A COOKBOOK AUTHOR. If you haven’t read this series, it really is time you started. You’re totally missing out on so many good reads!
June 11, 2018
Having read several Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mysteries, I have to say I was looking forward to the latest addition to the series. Hayley is invited to participate in a Fourth of July cook-off at the summer home of Penelope Janice, cookbook author and television personality. Hayley is excited and looks forward to a great time filled with wonderful food and chefs that she has only seen on television. During her stay at the mansion she overhears conversations involving murder, gets food poisoning, meets an old boyfriend, evacuates the mansion due to a fire and puts herself in danger, all while investigating the death of Penelope's husband. Was he murdered? Did Penelope do it?
This was a fun whodunit that had me looking at more than one suspect. At one point I was even thinking that her assistant was her secret daughter. The characters were not very likeable, but that did not stop me from wanting to find out who was the culprit and would there be another murder? I was disappointed that Liddy and Mona, Hayley's BFFs, were not in this book until the very end and really just a short appearance not as characters integral to the story. The humor that I have grown to enjoy was lacking in this book. Sergio, with his funny misuses of English words, was the comic relief in this story. The mystery was well plotted and had quite a few twists, but I did figure some of it out about 2/3 of the way through. The ending however, was a bit of a surprise. I am looking forward to the next book, hoping that the humor brought by Mona and Liddy returns. Those who enjoy cozy mysteries will also enjoy this book. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.
This was a fun whodunit that had me looking at more than one suspect. At one point I was even thinking that her assistant was her secret daughter. The characters were not very likeable, but that did not stop me from wanting to find out who was the culprit and would there be another murder? I was disappointed that Liddy and Mona, Hayley's BFFs, were not in this book until the very end and really just a short appearance not as characters integral to the story. The humor that I have grown to enjoy was lacking in this book. Sergio, with his funny misuses of English words, was the comic relief in this story. The mystery was well plotted and had quite a few twists, but I did figure some of it out about 2/3 of the way through. The ending however, was a bit of a surprise. I am looking forward to the next book, hoping that the humor brought by Mona and Liddy returns. Those who enjoy cozy mysteries will also enjoy this book. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.
April 2, 2018
Hayley Powell is still mixing things up in Death of A Cookbook Author by Lee Hollis.
Accepting an invitation from her cookbook idol, Hayley hopes she can "measure up," to the other guests.
This is one of my favorite series and this book did not disappoint me. Filled with laugh out loud moments, Death of A Cookbook Author offers mouthwatering recipes and a well plotted mystery that will keep you guessing.
Hayley has come a long way and I've enjoyed watching her spread her wings and grow.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley.
Accepting an invitation from her cookbook idol, Hayley hopes she can "measure up," to the other guests.
This is one of my favorite series and this book did not disappoint me. Filled with laugh out loud moments, Death of A Cookbook Author offers mouthwatering recipes and a well plotted mystery that will keep you guessing.
Hayley has come a long way and I've enjoyed watching her spread her wings and grow.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley.
June 16, 2019
Lee Hollis never disappoints! Highly recommend.
June 12, 2018
I like this series. This is book 10 in the Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails series. Hayley gets a chance to spend the 4th of July with her idol, cookbook author Penelope Janice, helping judge a cooking competition. Hayley gets food poisoning and isn't sure if she overheard a murder being plotted or not. When a body is discovered next morning police think it could be an accident and Hayley needs to investigate before the killer shuts her up permanently. Hayley is pretty much on her own this book without her friends to back her up. As always the Maine setting is soothing and inviting. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
May 8, 2018
Death of a Cookbook Author is the 10th book in the Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery series. The author has been keeping her stories fresh with varying the settings of the books. This particular mystery takes place at the grand estate of a famous Cookbook author who Hayley admires but she soon learns that fame doesn't always bring happiness!
Although the recipes, as always, are creative and sound absolutely delectable, the anecdotal columns that accompany them seem to have run a bit long in this book. Still, the mystery otherwise fast paced and there was even some romance thrown in that you'll never see coming!
I really enjoyed this book and am eagerly awaiting the next book in this series.
Although the recipes, as always, are creative and sound absolutely delectable, the anecdotal columns that accompany them seem to have run a bit long in this book. Still, the mystery otherwise fast paced and there was even some romance thrown in that you'll never see coming!
I really enjoyed this book and am eagerly awaiting the next book in this series.
April 24, 2018
Hayley goes to a book signing of her idol and comes away with an invitation to her home for the weekend of the fourth. You see Penelope asks her to enter in to a celebrity cook-off because one of her other contestants couldn't make. Hayley is excited and looks forward to a great time filled with wonderful food and chefs that she has only seen on television. During the first evening Hayley ends up with food poisoning, while on her way back to her room from the bathroom she over hears a conversation that seems like two people planning the death of another. The next morning when she wakes up she is sure she heard Penelope's husband and her assistant planning her demise. When confronted by the police everyone thinks its a big joke, even the cops but Haley is sure of what she heard. When Penelope's husband is found dead at the bottom of a cliff the next morning she is sure he has been murdered but by who? Follow along with Hayley as she takes a look at all the guests to figure out what reason they would have for killing. Did Penelope do it, she doesn't seem to bothered by her husbands death? Was it the assistant who seemed to be having an affair with the man? When another death occurs Hayley isn't sure what to think. Everyone thinks she's the one causing problems but is that what the killer wants to happen? What about the ex Hayley runs into, he is now working for Penelope could he have been involved, she hopes not because she needs to work through the feelings she has when she sees him. Does she still care about him, is it truly over? So many questions will Hayley be able to figure things out before something happens to her? This was a fun whodunit that had me looking at suspects at every turn. The author truly had me guessing the whole way through.
November 15, 2022
Not one of her better books in this series
March 27, 2018
Enjoyable, entertaining Maine mystery! Although much of protagonist Hayley's life has changed throughout this series, she's still Hayley, and I appreciate that. I love her humor, her realistic imperfection, her personality, and her drive for finding truth and justice. In Death of a Cookbook Author, she's staying at a celebrity chef's summer "cottage" with several other cooks, competing in a competition and being filmed for a tv show. There are quite a few secrets and hidden agendas among the household, and Hayley has no qualms about making people upset in her quest to find the truth. This was a fun read, a good mystery with a hint of romance, and some delicious recipes! This is one of my favorite series, though I definitely think it stands alone for those who are new to the series. Great for lovers of mystery, cooking, and Maine!
I happily received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I happily received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
June 1, 2018
Hayley gets invited to a Fourth of July weekend by her chef/cookbook writer idol, Penelope. Once in her summer "cottage" with the other celebrity chef guests, things go awry and relationships topple. Murder is on the menu and arson and more. Can Hayley survive the holiday intact?
I enjoy this series immensely. It always makes me want to go back to Bar Harbor again. Whenever I finish one of these, I want to read another one immediately.
I enjoy this series immensely. It always makes me want to go back to Bar Harbor again. Whenever I finish one of these, I want to read another one immediately.
September 11, 2023
GOOD BOOK AS ALWAYS, BUT DRAGGED TOWARDS THE END.
PREMISE: When Hayley's idol, cookbook author and TV personality Penelope Janice, invites her to participate in a Fourth of July celebrity cook-off at her seaside estate in Seal Harbor, Maine, Hayley couldn't be more flattered. She just hopes she can measure up. With a who's who of famous chefs whipping up their signature dishes, this holiday weekend has all the ingredients for a once-in-a-lifetime culinary experience.
Instead, Hayley gets food poisoning her first night and thinks she overhears two people cooking up a murder plot. The next morning, a body is found at the bottom of a cliff. Tragic accident or foul play?
THOUGHTS: I love this series and am therefore not at all surprised that I'm giving this book a high rating. Hayley is arguably one of my favourite amature sleuths and her adventures are always so exciting. I also love the Island Time Food and Cocktails column that continues to pop up and the usual characters have come to feel like family for me.
In this particular one I enjoyed that Hayley went to stay with a cookbook author as it's nice to mix things up and get away from 'the norm'. The mystery (or should I say MysterieS plural) actually intrigued me and I really enjoyed trying to work out 'who-dun-it'. The reveal was good, but I did think it was a little obvious.
My only issue is that we got the first reveal, then we slowly moved on, then we got the second reveal and slowly moved on and then we got the final reveal. I think, for me, the ending suffered from incredibly slow pacing, which had me docking a star.
Other than that though, a good book and can't wait to get to the next one.
4 Stars
xoxo.
PREMISE: When Hayley's idol, cookbook author and TV personality Penelope Janice, invites her to participate in a Fourth of July celebrity cook-off at her seaside estate in Seal Harbor, Maine, Hayley couldn't be more flattered. She just hopes she can measure up. With a who's who of famous chefs whipping up their signature dishes, this holiday weekend has all the ingredients for a once-in-a-lifetime culinary experience.
Instead, Hayley gets food poisoning her first night and thinks she overhears two people cooking up a murder plot. The next morning, a body is found at the bottom of a cliff. Tragic accident or foul play?
THOUGHTS: I love this series and am therefore not at all surprised that I'm giving this book a high rating. Hayley is arguably one of my favourite amature sleuths and her adventures are always so exciting. I also love the Island Time Food and Cocktails column that continues to pop up and the usual characters have come to feel like family for me.
In this particular one I enjoyed that Hayley went to stay with a cookbook author as it's nice to mix things up and get away from 'the norm'. The mystery (or should I say MysterieS plural) actually intrigued me and I really enjoyed trying to work out 'who-dun-it'. The reveal was good, but I did think it was a little obvious.
My only issue is that we got the first reveal, then we slowly moved on, then we got the second reveal and slowly moved on and then we got the final reveal. I think, for me, the ending suffered from incredibly slow pacing, which had me docking a star.
Other than that though, a good book and can't wait to get to the next one.
4 Stars
xoxo.
April 27, 2018
Death of a Cookbook Author by Lee Hollis is the 10th book in the Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery series, and another great addition to the series. Hayley is excited when her idol Penelope Janice asks her to take part in her celebrity cook-off. When someone dies, Hayley starts sleuthing, was it an accident or murder? I really enjoy the character of Hayley, she is fun and you can't help but like her. This book is fast paced with a well thought out plot and great characters. Once I started this book, I had to keep reading, until I was done. I often find myself laughing out loud I strongly recommend this book for all cozy mystery lovers like myself.
I received this book for a fair and honest review.
I received this book for a fair and honest review.
March 31, 2018
Hayley Powell is a food columnist for her local newspaper. She gets the opportunity to participate in cookbook author, Penelope Janice's Fourth of July cook off at her estate. She is beyond excited as Penelope is her idol. But things don't go as planned. Hayley gets food poisioning the first night there and overhears a man, who she believes is Penelope's husband, and a woman plotting a murder of who she thinks is Penelope. When Hayley tells Penelope what she overheard, Penelope doesn't believe her. Did Hayley really hear a murder plot or was it a fever induced hallucination? Things get even more complicated when Penelope's husband is found daed at the bottom of a cliff. Now Hayley has to find out if his death was an accident as everyone believes, or if it was murder like Hayley suspects. She teams upwith Bruce, the crime reporter for the paper after an attempt on her life and another possible murder occurs. The two try to piece together what happened.
This was a great edition to this series. It is a little different from her previous books. Hayley's children are not in this book anc we only see her two best friends briefly. However, everything I love about this series was still there. Hayley is still the same person even with different background characters and I found that I didn't miss Mona and Lindy as much as I thought I would. I loved seeing Hayley and Bruce team up together and I hope we see more of them together. The mystery was well done. I was not expecting who the killer was. I can't wait to read the next book.
I received this book from net galley in exchange for an honest review.
This was a great edition to this series. It is a little different from her previous books. Hayley's children are not in this book anc we only see her two best friends briefly. However, everything I love about this series was still there. Hayley is still the same person even with different background characters and I found that I didn't miss Mona and Lindy as much as I thought I would. I loved seeing Hayley and Bruce team up together and I hope we see more of them together. The mystery was well done. I was not expecting who the killer was. I can't wait to read the next book.
I received this book from net galley in exchange for an honest review.
August 30, 2018
This is the tenth in the A Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery. Hayley meets her lifestyle guru/cookbook author idol at a book signing and gets invited to a cooking competition at her estate. Once there, Hayley meets an interesting cast of characters, the perhaps errant husband of her hostess, the femme fatale assistant, the other chefs, and an old boyfriend, now landscaper. A murder occurs and that is just the start of mysterious incidents at the event. Hayley investigates to try to prove that she isn’t a hysteric. This was a pretty good cozy mystery.
April 16, 2018
**I voluntarily read this ARC**
The best word I can come up with to describe this book is unexpected. It may be an odd word choice, but every time I was sure of something, it went in an unexpected direction. The mystery was well written and nicely paced. I really like Hayley's column. It adds an extra bit of humor and shows who Hayley is when she isn't in the middle of a murder.
The best word I can come up with to describe this book is unexpected. It may be an odd word choice, but every time I was sure of something, it went in an unexpected direction. The mystery was well written and nicely paced. I really like Hayley's column. It adds an extra bit of humor and shows who Hayley is when she isn't in the middle of a murder.
April 1, 2018
Death of a Cookbook Author is the tenth book in the Hayley Powell Mystery series written by Lee Hollis. There are lots of laughs, some adult language, but no graphic violence or sexually explicit situations. The story moves along at a steady pace, the mystery is interesting and well plotted, and the characters are well developed. There are twists and turns that keep the reader guessing. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading light, cozy mysteries.
Hayley Powell is the food columnist for the Island Times in Bar Harbor, Maine and she humorously writes about her memories of past events and includes tasty recipes in her column. Penelope Janice is a cooking and lifestyle specialist on Flavor Network’s top-rated TV show and Hayley idolizes her. Hayley jumps at the chance to attend the book signing for Penelope’s latest book, Making Magic Out of Leftovers, and ecstatic when Penelope asks her to be a last minute guest and participate in a celebrity potluck contest that will be filmed for an upcoming show at her home in Seal Harbor over the Fourth of July weekend. Shortly after arriving at Penelope’s mansion, Hayley overhears a heated argument between Penelope and Conrad, her husband of twenty-six years. The topic of the argument was Penelope’s assistant and suspected ghostwriter, Lena Hendricks. Hayley gets food poisoning after the first night’s dinner and believes she overhears Conrad and a woman she assumes is Lena plotting Penelope’s murder. Hayley calls her brother, Randy, and asks to talk to his husband, Sergio Alvarez, Bar Harbor’s Chief of Police, who agrees to meet her there and speak with Penelope. Penelope is skeptical and Conrad denies the allegation. The following morning, Carol Kay, another guest chef, finds Conrad’s body at the bottom of a cliff. Sergio believes it was an accident since Conrad had been drinking excessively, but Hayley doesn’t agree. Since Penelope refuses to cancel the scheduled activities, Hayley decides to use the time to try to figure out what really happened.
I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.
Hayley Powell is the food columnist for the Island Times in Bar Harbor, Maine and she humorously writes about her memories of past events and includes tasty recipes in her column. Penelope Janice is a cooking and lifestyle specialist on Flavor Network’s top-rated TV show and Hayley idolizes her. Hayley jumps at the chance to attend the book signing for Penelope’s latest book, Making Magic Out of Leftovers, and ecstatic when Penelope asks her to be a last minute guest and participate in a celebrity potluck contest that will be filmed for an upcoming show at her home in Seal Harbor over the Fourth of July weekend. Shortly after arriving at Penelope’s mansion, Hayley overhears a heated argument between Penelope and Conrad, her husband of twenty-six years. The topic of the argument was Penelope’s assistant and suspected ghostwriter, Lena Hendricks. Hayley gets food poisoning after the first night’s dinner and believes she overhears Conrad and a woman she assumes is Lena plotting Penelope’s murder. Hayley calls her brother, Randy, and asks to talk to his husband, Sergio Alvarez, Bar Harbor’s Chief of Police, who agrees to meet her there and speak with Penelope. Penelope is skeptical and Conrad denies the allegation. The following morning, Carol Kay, another guest chef, finds Conrad’s body at the bottom of a cliff. Sergio believes it was an accident since Conrad had been drinking excessively, but Hayley doesn’t agree. Since Penelope refuses to cancel the scheduled activities, Hayley decides to use the time to try to figure out what really happened.
I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.
May 24, 2018
Princess Fuzzypants here: Hayley thinks she has died and gone to heaven when one of her idols invites her to a special holiday weekend at her estate. She is not so sure after she arrives and death is on the menu- twice in one day. And that is before the killer decides Hayley herself is one ingredient that needs removing.
Lots of foodie celebrity characters are sprinkled throughout along with the normal quota of folks who live in this summer paradise. Hayley is not deft when she investigates. In fact, if she was a utensil, she would be a butcher knife. Except in the kitchen, she lacks a delicate touch so she irritates the killer. Even after she has been put in peril, she continues to stumble on. It is only when she enlists the help of her brother’s cop husband, is she able to unmask the villain with minimal risk to herself.
Inserted throughout the book are “columns” she writes for the local newspaper and recipes for both food and drink. Some of the casseroles sound downright delicious. It is an interesting tweak. I did enjoy the quick read.
I give it four purrs and one paw up.
Lots of foodie celebrity characters are sprinkled throughout along with the normal quota of folks who live in this summer paradise. Hayley is not deft when she investigates. In fact, if she was a utensil, she would be a butcher knife. Except in the kitchen, she lacks a delicate touch so she irritates the killer. Even after she has been put in peril, she continues to stumble on. It is only when she enlists the help of her brother’s cop husband, is she able to unmask the villain with minimal risk to herself.
Inserted throughout the book are “columns” she writes for the local newspaper and recipes for both food and drink. Some of the casseroles sound downright delicious. It is an interesting tweak. I did enjoy the quick read.
I give it four purrs and one paw up.
June 2, 2025
Death of a Cookbook Author by Lee Hollis is the 10th book in the Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery series. Food and Cocktails columnist Hayley Powell is invited to a Fourth of July cook-off at celebrity cookbook author Penelope Janice's seaside estate, only to suffer a bout of food poisoning on the first night and overhearing a murder plot by Penelope's husband, who is then found dead at the bottom of a cliff. This series is always entertaining and we see hints of a romance between Hayley and crime reporter Bruce Linney. I especially love Hayley's columns which always provide a laugh. Lots of fun and an enjoyable cozy mystery.
October 8, 2018
Another fun mystery in the life of Hayley Powell. My only complaint is that her friends, Mona and Liddy, were hardly in it. I like their bond and crazy antics! I enjoyed reading about the chefs and the recipes seem delightful. I was a little surprised with part of the ending. I didn't think the author was going to go in that direction. Wonderful book by an awesome team and can't wait for the next one!!
May 9, 2018
My favorite Hayley Powell mystery! Already looking forward to the next one!
September 16, 2020
3.5 stars
January 23, 2021
This series keeps getting better & better! I love it!! You could read out of order but I would recommend reading in order if you can.
July 5, 2024
Hero's are Human
Hayley Powell meets her cooking hero Penelope Janis and is thrilled to be invited for a weekend at her estate. But as usual things go horribly wrong.
This book was fun to read and the recipes, well there are casseroles I will be making, especially the Zucchini Lasagna.
A great read with a surprise.
Hayley Powell meets her cooking hero Penelope Janis and is thrilled to be invited for a weekend at her estate. But as usual things go horribly wrong.
This book was fun to read and the recipes, well there are casseroles I will be making, especially the Zucchini Lasagna.
A great read with a surprise.
February 5, 2021
Great read, lots of characters and lots of mystery. I enjoyed this author and hope to read more of her books.
December 18, 2020
Hayley Powell is at a book signing for a famous cookbook author that she loves, Penelope Janice, who also has a summer home nearby. When Penelope unexpectedly asks Hayley to substitute as a guest cook at a Fourth of July gathering at her home, Hayley's stunned. It seems someone backed out at the last minute, and Penelope follows Hayley's food column in the newspaper. The catch is she's expected to stay the entire weekend since Penelope is filming the entire thing for a TV special. Of course, Hayley agrees.
But the first night there, dinner isn't a pleasant affair. Penelope is arguing with her husband Conrad, and then Hayley gets a bout of food poisoning, and needs to find a bathroom. When exiting to go back to her room, she overhears two people have a conversation about murdering someone, and she thinks Conrad and Penelope's secretary Lena are the two people talking. So early the next morning she calls her brother-in-law Sergio, who's chief of police, to ask his advice. He arrives to question Penelope, but she blows it off and Conrad, of course, tells Hayley she was having hallucinations. But then Conrad is found dead at the bottom of a cliff, and Hayley wonders if it was truly an accident. Especially when she has an 'accident' of her own that she knows was on purpose. Still, she has no proof. So with the help of her co-worker Bruce Linney, Hayley sets out to find out who wants someone dead...and if she can keep that person alive before she's the next victim...
After a slow start to the series where all I saw was Hayley and her friends doing nothing but getting drunk, this series has improved to the point where I'm actually enjoying reading it, and I'm glad I stuck with it. We don't see a lot of her cronies Liddy and Mona, but then the story is written in such a way that there wouldn't have been much point to them being around, anyway. However, in this one, Bruce makes quite an appearance that is very telling as to where the story line is heading, and it might actually become interesting along the way. We also have the reappearance of one of Hayley's ex-boyfriends added into the plot.
The death occurs early on, and Hayley knows that someone in the household had to be the killer, but she can't imagine it being Penelope, even if it's become apparent that Penelope's marriage was on the rocks. However, with the woman insisting no one would kill him, Hayley's on her own. Then there's an attack on Hayley's life, and she knows she's on the right track. She also discovers that her idol has cracks in her veneer and may not be the person she's thought and admired for years.
When there's another attack on someone else, Hayley's determined to figure things out, even if it puts her in the sights of a killer. By the end of the book, more than one surprise comes forth, and everything comes together nicely, giving us an ending that makes us want to read the next in the series. Recommended.
But the first night there, dinner isn't a pleasant affair. Penelope is arguing with her husband Conrad, and then Hayley gets a bout of food poisoning, and needs to find a bathroom. When exiting to go back to her room, she overhears two people have a conversation about murdering someone, and she thinks Conrad and Penelope's secretary Lena are the two people talking. So early the next morning she calls her brother-in-law Sergio, who's chief of police, to ask his advice. He arrives to question Penelope, but she blows it off and Conrad, of course, tells Hayley she was having hallucinations. But then Conrad is found dead at the bottom of a cliff, and Hayley wonders if it was truly an accident. Especially when she has an 'accident' of her own that she knows was on purpose. Still, she has no proof. So with the help of her co-worker Bruce Linney, Hayley sets out to find out who wants someone dead...and if she can keep that person alive before she's the next victim...
After a slow start to the series where all I saw was Hayley and her friends doing nothing but getting drunk, this series has improved to the point where I'm actually enjoying reading it, and I'm glad I stuck with it. We don't see a lot of her cronies Liddy and Mona, but then the story is written in such a way that there wouldn't have been much point to them being around, anyway. However, in this one, Bruce makes quite an appearance that is very telling as to where the story line is heading, and it might actually become interesting along the way. We also have the reappearance of one of Hayley's ex-boyfriends added into the plot.
The death occurs early on, and Hayley knows that someone in the household had to be the killer, but she can't imagine it being Penelope, even if it's become apparent that Penelope's marriage was on the rocks. However, with the woman insisting no one would kill him, Hayley's on her own. Then there's an attack on Hayley's life, and she knows she's on the right track. She also discovers that her idol has cracks in her veneer and may not be the person she's thought and admired for years.
When there's another attack on someone else, Hayley's determined to figure things out, even if it puts her in the sights of a killer. By the end of the book, more than one surprise comes forth, and everything comes together nicely, giving us an ending that makes us want to read the next in the series. Recommended.
December 7, 2019
This is the first of the series that I have read. It was a fun one to start with. Hayley, Randy and Sergio are wonderful. Bruce is growing on me. I feel like there is a lot of history between them that I am missing. However, there was enough to make me care about their relationship.
The crime part was complicated, but there were hints along the way. It was a good cozy type mystery.
The crime part was complicated, but there were hints along the way. It was a good cozy type mystery.
November 17, 2025
Never meet your heroes. Hayley Powell is invited to be a cooking contestant at celebrity chef Penelope Janice's palatial home over the Fourth of July weekend. She's honoured until Penelope, Penelope's husband Conrad, and the other contestants seem to be shadier than they appear. When someone is found dead, Hayley has to figure out who the killer is despite everyone threatening her not to.
This started off pretty fun. I liked how Hayley quickly realized a woman she greatly admired wasn't a great person. And I liked the more isolating environment since most of the book took place in this expensive cottage home, that's basically a mansion, and all of the people around Hayley are rich, powerful, and up-to-no-good. It was interesting to read about Hayley interacting with people who aren't the usual kooky cast and are actively sabotaging and gaslighting her. It added more tension and a level of vulnerability, especially when someone was repeatedly trying to harm her, that hasn't been featured in other books.
Things quickly went down hill when Bruce appeared and forced himself and his shitty romance into the story. I'm not a fan of the male love interests in this series. I don't like Bruce and dislike the fact that he's Hayley's happily ever after. I despised him in this book because his lame attempts of fawning over Hayley took away from the murder mystery. He literally inserted himself into Hayley's case and then forced her to pretend they were dating under the guise of being undercover. He annoyed Hayley into sharing a bed (despite Hayley being sick, which is disgusting because why share a bed with a sick person), sneezed into a rival love interest's face because apparently his hands were preoccupied, kept pawing at and kissing Hayley in front of the whole town to maintain their dating cover, and got jealous over her ex. She made some comment about knowing Lex intimately and Bruce got offended, asking, "How intimate?" Or what did she mean by intimate? Like, dude, she dated Lex for two years. Did he seriously expect her not to have sex with her boyfriend at the time???
There's a murderer on the loose. Stop using it as an excuse to canoodle with Hayley. Either investigate the case or ask her out like a normal adult instead of coming up with these weird shenanigans. I just thought it was creepy and was hoping the murderer would try to go after Bruce instead of Hayley.
I mentioned another love interest. Hayley's ex, Lex Bansfield, from the first three books reappears. He's so distant and cold that it was maddening to think he even stood a chance. Although he wasn't as overtly annoying as Bruce, I still didn't like him. And his involvement in the case bothered me because... did he actually do anything? It was one of those things where I thought this was such a weird way to finalize Lex's departure from the series and Hayley's life.
I wished I could say the murder mystery was enough to compensate for the forced romance, but it did not. It fell apart farther into the story. So what happened? .
It just didn't work for me at all. I have a hard time believing Penelope was as clueless as she was . Especially since the killer implicated someone close to them. Hayley wasn't very smart in this book either, to be honest. She discovered Penelope was having an affair and couldn't figure it out until the very end despite it being very obvious who that someone is. Just think for a second about what other male is around and vehemently defending Penelope and fawning over her. It was just disappointing.
And then the book ended with Bruce asking out Hayley and running away and I just had to roll my eyes. This book had me in the first half.
This started off pretty fun. I liked how Hayley quickly realized a woman she greatly admired wasn't a great person. And I liked the more isolating environment since most of the book took place in this expensive cottage home, that's basically a mansion, and all of the people around Hayley are rich, powerful, and up-to-no-good. It was interesting to read about Hayley interacting with people who aren't the usual kooky cast and are actively sabotaging and gaslighting her. It added more tension and a level of vulnerability, especially when someone was repeatedly trying to harm her, that hasn't been featured in other books.
Things quickly went down hill when Bruce appeared and forced himself and his shitty romance into the story. I'm not a fan of the male love interests in this series. I don't like Bruce and dislike the fact that he's Hayley's happily ever after. I despised him in this book because his lame attempts of fawning over Hayley took away from the murder mystery. He literally inserted himself into Hayley's case and then forced her to pretend they were dating under the guise of being undercover. He annoyed Hayley into sharing a bed (despite Hayley being sick, which is disgusting because why share a bed with a sick person), sneezed into a rival love interest's face because apparently his hands were preoccupied, kept pawing at and kissing Hayley in front of the whole town to maintain their dating cover, and got jealous over her ex. She made some comment about knowing Lex intimately and Bruce got offended, asking, "How intimate?" Or what did she mean by intimate? Like, dude, she dated Lex for two years. Did he seriously expect her not to have sex with her boyfriend at the time???
There's a murderer on the loose. Stop using it as an excuse to canoodle with Hayley. Either investigate the case or ask her out like a normal adult instead of coming up with these weird shenanigans. I just thought it was creepy and was hoping the murderer would try to go after Bruce instead of Hayley.
I mentioned another love interest. Hayley's ex, Lex Bansfield, from the first three books reappears. He's so distant and cold that it was maddening to think he even stood a chance. Although he wasn't as overtly annoying as Bruce, I still didn't like him. And his involvement in the case bothered me because... did he actually do anything? It was one of those things where I thought this was such a weird way to finalize Lex's departure from the series and Hayley's life.
I wished I could say the murder mystery was enough to compensate for the forced romance, but it did not. It fell apart farther into the story. So what happened? .
It just didn't work for me at all. I have a hard time believing Penelope was as clueless as she was . Especially since the killer implicated someone close to them. Hayley wasn't very smart in this book either, to be honest. She discovered Penelope was having an affair and couldn't figure it out until the very end despite it being very obvious who that someone is. Just think for a second about what other male is around and vehemently defending Penelope and fawning over her. It was just disappointing.
And then the book ended with Bruce asking out Hayley and running away and I just had to roll my eyes. This book had me in the first half.
December 24, 2021
This new series (to me) combines two of my interests--cooking and mysteries so it's a bonus! Enjoy following Hayley Powell's adventures!
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