Death of a Wedding Cake Baker

Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery #11

by Lee Hollis

For Matron of Honor Hayley Powell, catching a half-baked poisoner before her friend's wedding will be icing on the cake . . .
 
Liddy Crawford, best friend of food and cocktails columnist Hayley Powell, is getting married. The wedding is the talk of the town in Bar Harbor, Maine, including snide gossip about the age gap between the bride and her groom, local lawyer Sonny Lipton. But the cruelty of the comments is nothing compared to the nasty wedding cake baker, Liddy's quarrelsome cousin Lisa.
 
So when the belligerent baker is found facedown in a three-tier cake, the victim of a poisoned slice, there are more suspects in town than names on the guest list. With Sonny getting cold feet, Liddy getting hot under the frilly collar of her wedding gown, and a killer possibly crashing the ceremony, Hayley vows to solve the crime before her best friend walks down the aisle . . .
 
Includes seven delectable recipes from Hayley’s kitchen!

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Cozy, Fiction, Ebooks, Mystery Thriller, Audiobook

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published April 30, 2019

About the author

Lee Hollis is the pen name for Rick Copp and his sister Holly Simason.

Reviews

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liddy has a nasty cousin. But is she so mean that she'd intentionally hurt Liddy? In Death of a Wedding Cake Baker, she's Liddy's wedding cake baker, although the wedding doesn't turn out exactly as expected. Hayley tries to fix it, but things are bad this time. Death. Affairs. Secret marriages. Loving the series... Lee Hollis keeps me entertained, which explains why I read 6 of them this week!

[Ell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I truly enjoy Lee Hollis’ writing. Her style of writing is engaging and conversational. The characters really come to life and the relationships are both believable and enjoyable. In Death of a Wedding Cake Baker, Hayley Powell’s best friend Liddy is getting married. The mother of the bride insists Liddy’s cousin Lisa make the wedding cake. There is just one problem, neither Liddy nor Lisa care for each other very much. After many arguments Lisa is fired by Liddy. Soon after Lisa is poisoned. Liddy becomes the perpetrators next target. It appears the wedding is simply not meant to go off without several very large hitches! Hayley has her hands full playing peacekeeper, bodyguard and amateur detective. Who hated Lisa enough to kill her? Why did Liddy become the next target? What will it take to stop the murdering menace? You’ll enjoy finding out the answers to these questions in the current installment of the Hayley Powell mysteries.

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though I haven't read all of the series yet, I feel like I know Hayley and her friends pretty well and it was fun trip back to Bar Harbor. Her longtime diva friend Liddy was getting married to her on-again, off-again fiance, Sonny Lipton. Liddy was livid when her mom wanted to use her "stupid awful ogre" cousin Lisa as the cake baker. Hey, I did have to giggle a couple of times when she called her that, especially when she added "may she rest in peace" after Lisa was found dead in her bakery.

This was a really awesome mystery with some very clever twists. I had not seen that killer possibility coming--maybe I thought about it but couldn't think of a reason, so I was back to just reading and enjoying how the story played out. I thought Hayley was a little foolish to confront the killer like she did, but she did use her head when it counted. The side mystery all tied in as well, so I really can't mention anything about anything for fear of spoiling it. All I can say is, Lee Hollis, please, please, please get that next book published soon!

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hayley’s best friend Liddy is getting married and there is lots of talk around town about it. Liddy is older than her groom Sonny. Liddy’s cousin, who Liddy doesn’t want to invite to the wedding, is going to make the wedding cake. Lots of drama around the cake and Liddy’s cousin is found dead face down in a cake. She has been poisoned and Hayley has to find out who did it and what the groom’s problem with cold feet is. Another book that ends with a cliff hanger so you have to wait to find out what happens.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was really excited when I heard that this book was coming out. As one of my favorite Cozy Mystery writers, I had some pretty high expectations for this book but Lee Hollis definitely delivered! I thoroughly enjoyed DEATH OF WEDDING CAKE BAKER and can’t wait for the next book!

As you can expect, this book does circle around a wedding and it belongs to one of Hayley’s closest friends. If you’ve read any of the other books in the series, then you may already be familiar with Liddy Crawfield. Now that she is getting married, a lot of preparations have to be made, including who will be baking her wedding cake. Liddy’s mother insists that her cousin, who is a renowned cake baker, do it. However, Liddy has not been on good terms for her cousin for a while and that brings lots of tension between them. So when trouble occurs, Hayley must step in before Liddy’s wedding is completely ruined.

My favorite part of this book is the fact that it doesn’t daddle with the extra fluff. The writing is tight and precise and gives just enough hints to keep the reader engaged. It also have other conflicts on the side, like for example, the tension between bride and groom or bride and mother, which also adds a little something to the book. But it still keeps the mystery the most important aspect of the book. Overall, it’s just a really well-written mystery that I think a lot of people would enjoy.

If you haven’t read this series already, then I would totally recommend it for something fun and exciting.

[Lisa Ks Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any day I get to read a book by author Lee Hollis, is a very good day indeed. And I do mean day. I make sure I have a clear schedule, and my phone on silent. I kick back in my recliner with a cold drink and snacks one hand, and I read the book cover to cover. Hooked from page one of DEATH OF A WEDDING CAKE BAKER, I may have finished in record time.

You would think by the eleventh book in a series, the author would have nothing left to tell. Or that the series would start getting tired. Nothing could be farther from the truth. DEATH OF A WEDDING CAKE BAKER is every bit as fresh and exciting at the first book in this series, DEATH OF A KITCHEN DIVA. This is because author Hollis doesn’t leave the characters standing still. They’re always evolving.

DEATH OF A WEDDING CAKE BAKER is a perfect example of my above statement. The book opens with Hayley and her besties, Liddy and Mona (among others) celebrating Liddy’s upcoming wedding. Anytime these three ladies are in a scene together, anything can happen. Mostly laughter for the reader. And there is plenty of that through the book. But this is a murder mystery after all. And this tale held many, many surprises. There were revelations leading to drop jaw moments that left me forgetting to breathe, in this intricate plot that had me turning the pages faster and faster. And it all leads up to a surprise cliff hanger ending. (Note to the author: I for one am happy with the “interruption” during the pivotal Hayley & Bruce scene.)

I can go on and on with all of the good things about DEATH OF A WEDDING CAKE BAKER and the entire Hayley Powell series, but I will wrap up with this. RECIPES! Food and cocktail recipes are included throughout the book.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this entertaining, enjoyable and fun to read book.
It's a well written mystery with a cast of likable characters and an interesting plot.
The mystery was good, no plot hole, and it kept me guessing till the end.
I look forward to reading other books by this author.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Kensington Books and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A five star cliffhanger ending after a roller coaster ride of wedding preparations involving three unlikely friends makes this a fun ride. Haley Powell's best friend is getting married but the brides emotions are out of control and deceptions are adding up to the point that Hayley wonders if the wedding will or should take place.

This is book #11 in A Haley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery but could easily be read as a stand alone. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington books for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like to visit with Haley and her friends in Bar Harbor. Liddy's wedding plans keep getting derailed - that happens when the wedding cake baker is poisoned with your cake - and they keep trying to keep it all on track.
I enjoy all of Haley's friends and their shenanigans. The recipes and her newspaper food columns are extra fun added to the plot.
This one ends on a cliff-hanger, though, so I'm even more eager for the next book to come out!

[Kirsti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book!

It's always nice to pick up a cozy and feel like you just fit in with the characters. The cast in this one isn't overwhelming, and you soon know who they all are and how they relate to one another. Food is obviously the theme with this series, and this one focuses on the wedding of Liddy, Hayley's good friend. It's when their disagreeable wedding baker is killed that the mystery starts, but there are layers of mystery here as to who is the target and why. At some points it was over the top dramatic, but after a while I just accepted the crazy and went with it. Liddy was written perfectly for that role, and although you never really LIKE her, you enjoy reading her character.

I thought this was a fun mystery and I'd like to catch up on the series. I did find that by having the recaps and recipes IN the text instead of at the end like a normal cozy mystery distracted me from the events at hand though, but I get the feeling that is how the rest of the series was written and it worked up until now- I'm the odd one out here. If you're looking for a new mystery or an established series, don't go past this one. Five stars!

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the eleventh book in the Hayley Powell series. Hayley is the maid of honor for her best friend, Liddy, at her wedding. When Liddy's mother forces her to have her cousin, Lisa make her wedding cake, Liddy is less than thrilled. But when Lisa turns up dead after making the cake Liddy wanted, things become a bit complicated. I love these characters and always enjoy visiting with them. The mystery was well done. I did not guess who it was until the very end. I also loved the cliffhanger at the end of the book and really need the next book now so I can find out what happens. Overall this was a great read.

[Mr Francy Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

A GOOD READ AS ALWAYS, AND THE ENDING HAS ME CRAVING THE NEXT BOOK IN THE SERIES!

PREMISE: Liddy Crawford, best friend of food and cocktails columnist Hayley Powell, is getting married. The wedding is the talk of the town in Bar Harbor, Maine, including snide gossip about the age gap between the bride and her groom, local lawyer Sonny Lipton. But the cruelty of the comments is nothing compared to the nasty wedding cake baker, Liddy's quarrelsome cousin Lisa. So when the belligerent baker is found facedown in a three-tier cake, the victim of a poisoned slice, there are more suspects in town than names on the guest list. With Sonny getting cold feet, Liddy getting hot under the frilly collar of her wedding gown, and a killer possibly crashing the ceremony, Hayley vows to solve the crime before her best friend walks down the aisle.

THOUGHTS: I enjoyed this one as I have pretty much all of the books in the series. The mystery was intriguing, the reveal was good and the Island Times Food and Cocktail Columns Hayley Powell writes, still continue to bring me joy. I love all the characters and still love seeing them all. The ending had me a little upset, but then it ended on a cliff hanger that had me very very happy! Can't wait for the next one.

4.5 Stars!
xoxo.

[Heidi Prockish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! I was a little thrown off at first, there is a bigger "time" gap in between books than I thought. Otherwise it was fantastic.

[Paula Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series and the ending. Can't wait for the next one to find out what happens!!!

[K.A. Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

DEATH OF A WEDDING CAKE BAKER by Lee Hollis, is the eleventh book in the Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery series. The inviting, elegant cover lures the reader in and then delivers a ride that keeps them on their toes and turning pages. I so enjoy that the protagonist, Hayley, and her friends are women of a “certain” age. Hayley’s children are grown and living their own lives, which gives her a greater amount of freedom. The author provides plenty of positive optimism that it’s never too late for love, no matter what your age may be. Although, to make the story entertaining, there are plenty of bridezilla and mother-of-the-bridezilla moments, involving Hayley’s friend, Liddy. I was especially tickled over the scene when Hayley must try on her bridesmaid dress… it was hysterically accurate of what so many bridesmaids have endured in serving their friend, the bride! The story also brings in the factor of family and the squabbles that can happen when a wedding is involved.

As the title implies, the bride’s wedding cake baker, who just so happens to be Liddy’s cousin, is poisoned and dies. The very talented bakery owner was a difficult woman and had a reputation for being nearly impossible to deal with, even within her own family. This gives Hayley almost too many suspects to look in to, but she’s determined to clear things up so that the bride can enjoy her nuptials. There are twists and turns along the way, plus humor sprinkled throughout that kept me entertained. DEATH OF A WEDDING CAKE BAKER is a terrific addition to a delightful series!

I was provided an advance copy via Netgalley with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Kirsten · Rating 1 out of 5]

100% will be my last in the series.
Women tearing down other women.
Huge amounts of ignoring common sense, how laws work, timelines, etc.
Feels like this entire story is written by a man who has never met a woman or listened to her in his lifetime.
Chaotic.
Friends that don't support each other.
Way too many damsel in diatress.
Random family members/characters that pop up out of nowhere.

[Kiki Z · Rating 1 out of 5]

WHY DOES EVERYONE SHOUT EVERYTHING?

DNF'd at 51% because I cannot take the amount of exclamation points on the page any longer. It makes the characters extra annoying--and they were already pretty annoying to being with. (I hate Liddy, #sorrynotsorry.)

[Under the Covers Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.


I was really excited when I heard that this book was coming out. As one of my favorite Cozy Mystery writers, I had some pretty high expectations for this book but Lee Hollis definitely delivered! I thoroughly enjoyed DEATH OF WEDDING CAKE BAKER and can’t wait for the next book!

As you can expect, this book does circle around a wedding and it belongs to one of Hayley’s closest friends. If you’ve read any of the other books in the series, then you may already be familiar with Liddy Crawfield. Now that she is getting married, a lot of preparations have to be made, including who will be baking her wedding cake. Liddy’s mother insists that her cousin, who is a renowned cake baker, do it. However, Liddy has not been on good terms for her cousin for a while and that brings lots of tension between them. So when trouble occurs, Hayley must step in before Liddy’s wedding is completely ruined.

My favorite part of this book is the fact that it doesn’t daddle with the extra fluff. The writing is tight and precise and gives just enough hints to keep the reader engaged. It also have other conflicts on the side, like for example, the tension between bride and groom or bride and mother, which also adds a little something to the book. But it still keeps the mystery the most important aspect of the book. Overall, it’s just a really well-written mystery that I think a lot of people would enjoy.

If you haven’t read this series already, then I would totally recommend it for something fun and exciting.

*ARC provided by publisher
Reviewed by Ann❤ ♡ Don't want to miss any of our posts? Subscribe to our blog by email! ♡ ❤

[RO G'ma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death of a Wedding Cake Baker is the eleventh book in the Hayley Powell Mystery series written by Lee Hollis. 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. The reveal surprised me, but I was disappointed that the book ended with a cliffhanger. 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. Hayley has two adult children, Gemma and Dustin, one brother, Randy, who’s married to Sergio Alvares, Bar Harbor’s police chief and owns a bar, Drinks Like a Fish, and is dating an Island Times coworker, Bruce Linney. One of Hayley’s best friends, Liddy Crawford, is getting married to Sonny Lipton, a local lawyer, who’s much younger than she is. Hayley is the matron of honor and their other friend, Mona Barnes, is one of two bridesmaids. Hayley’s overwhelmed with her responsibilities of helping the bride plan the event, dealing with her friend who has turned into a bridezilla and the overbearing and controlling mother of the bride. Liddy isn’t happy when her mother, Celeste, promises the proprietor of Calk Walk, Lisa, the cousin Liddy doesn’t like, that she can provide the wedding cake. Lisa refuses to listen to what Liddy wants and insists on baking a non-traditional wedding cake with nuts even though Liddy’s allergic. Shortly after Liddy fires Lisa, the baker has a change of heart and bakes the cake the bride wants, but after tasting the cake, the baker’s body is found on Cake Walk’s kitchen floor, and it’s determined she’s been poisoned. Hayley is concerned Liddy might have been the intended victim and takes it upon herself to figure out what’s going on.

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

[Jennifer Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

I usually love the books in this series and this story itself was great. But I found so many (of what I thought were) errors in this book that it distracted from the story! I am not sure if it's because this is a team of two writers or if the editor didn't catch these or maybe even if I'm reading it wrong, but here are my issues:

***SOME ERRORS LISTED HAVE SPOILERS***

On page 75, while telling a story, Hayley mention Joe's WIFE Esther. Then at the bottom of page 76, she says Joe had stayed stubbornly single over the years and met Nancy that day and were married by November. Were there two Joe's or not??

On pages 118/119, they catch Timmy in Lisa's bakery. He says he was supposed to come the day she died but everything happened and the police wouldn't let him near the place so he waited until things died down to return. But on page 210, he says he did stop by to get the money the day of the murder and could give a description of the suspect. How did he see the suspect when he came when the police were there AFTER the murder??

On pages 202/203, it IS determined that AJ is driving Sabrina home for a night of "passion". Then on pages 212/213, she goes to Sabrina and says she has to know if she went home alone the night before...um, what?? This one can be explained easily, but I think it makes the main character look dumb for questioning it.

This one isn't huge, but on pages 140/141, they are trying out 6 cocktails for the reception but I only saw 5. Did I miss one?

Finally, on page 277, AJ says he knows what Hayley knows because Sabrina left her phone in the car when she ran to get Liddy's veil and he read the text message. They leave in said car THEN Hayley's phone lights up with calls from Sabrina. How is she able to make phone calls when she hasn't made it back to the car yet with the veil??

Again, I love this series and this book had the opportunity to be great. I just wish all these things didn't distract me from the story!! And, btw, with that ending, I need the next one!!

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death of a Wedding Cake Baker is the eleventh installment in the Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery series set in Bar Harbor, ME and featuring columnist Hayley Powell. Hayley's best friend Liddy Crawford has managed to not only snag much younger lawyer, Sonny Lipton while on vacation but also gotten him to propose and the wedding planning is moving at top speed.

With Hayley chosen to be Maid of Honor and the sometimes rough lobsterwoman, Mona Barnes named as a bridesmaid, neither are impressed with Liddy's choice of Pepto-Bismol colored gowns which resemble something little Bo Peep would be wearing. But, the dresses aren't the only problem, Liddy's mother Celeste is taking over and has announced that Hayley's childhood nemesis Sabrina Merryweather is joining the wedding party and that she has chosen her niece Lisa Crawford to bake the cake. Problem is that Liddy absolutely despises the ogre Cousin Lisa.

Things are getting tense with Lisa not wanting to listen to a thing Liddy says and insisting that Liddy's choice of cake for her big day is tacky. After several tastings that ended in failure, the girls arrive at Lisa's bakery for one more shot only to find the baker lying face down in one of her cakes. Fingers point to Liddy but the temperamental baker isn't very popular in town so the suspect list is lengthy.

Teaming up with her two best friends and her brother Randy and his husband Police Chief Sergio Alvares, Hayley sets out to track down a killer. The antics of Hayley and her friends will have you laughing aloud from the first page to the last. A fun plot with returning characters that ends with a cliffhanger.

I received an advanced copy of Death of a Wedding Cake Baker from NetGalley via Kensington Publishing. While not required to write a review I am more than happy to offer my honest opinion.

[Taryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this next book of the series Hayley's best friend Liddy is finally getting married. She is marrying local attorney Sonny Lipton and with their age difference it is all anyone can talk about. Wedding plans are on track until Liddy finds out that her mother hired her much hated cousin Lisa to bake her wedding cake. She would love to put her foot down and say no but her mother is paying for the wedding which leaves her no choice but to go along. Things go from bad to worse when Hayley finds Lisa face down dead in a cake much like the one Liddy has asked for, for her upcoming nuptials. The suspect list is long and Hayley wants to do everything she can to keep Liddy's wedding on track. Things don't look so good for the wedding though when at every turn Sonny is showing up and he won't talk to Liddy about what is going on. He says he loves her and wants to get married so Liddy soldiers on. Hayley doesn't know what is going on but is determined to figure things out before her best friends big day. With Lisa dead she has the extra pressure of baking the wedding cake. Will she be able to find a killer and bake a beautiful cake before the big day? Follow along as she tries to do that in more in hopes of keeping her friends day a happy one. This was the best book yet, I was surprised in the end and loved the direction that the author took with the characters. I look forward to seeing what journey she takes them on next!!!

I received an ARC of this book, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Death of a Wedding Cake Baker" earns 5/5 Wedding Toasts...Clever Fun!

New to Lee Hollis's Hayley Powell Food and Cocktail Mystery series, but I'm always in for "Cake," and excited that cozy "Karma" baked up some just desserts! The mystery was clever (bride's nasty cousin is poisoned) with a steady pace and enough clues to "play along," but my inner Sherlock was delightfully challenged. It ended with most issues tied up, but there appears to be a cozy cliffhanger that is typical for this series. Written in a third-person narrative, although not my favorite perspective to be an observer, it is done well with vivid, some delicious, descriptions, well-developed characters (I love Hayley! But I admire Liddy!), and lots of dialogue that illustrates personality and tone. The book is a great length with depth in the story and character interactions, but Hollis doesn't use a lot of extraneous falderal. I enjoyed and recommend this eleventh book, easily joining in as a newbie fan!

I love the extra treats cozy writers add to their work. Hollis incorporated into the story several recipes for delicious food and cocktails perfect for her newspaper column. I plan to try the Lemoncello Prosecco Cocktail and Pomegranate Cosmo and who can pass up Baked Crab Poppers and Vanilla Cake with Raspberry Filling and Lemon Buttercream Frosting. Oh, yummy!

Disclosure: I received a NetGalley ARC. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.

[Nancy H · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series, and this book is excellent, just like the previous ones. In this story, Hayley's best friend is getting married, but the bride and her mother have both become 'bridezillas' that Hayley has to try to calm down. There is a lot going on with the groom, and the bride calls off the wedding - twice - and then reinstates it, causing everybody a lot of trouble. When the cake baker, the bride's detested cousin, is chosen by the bride's mother to provide the cake, there is even more trouble. The baker insists that the right cake is one with nuts - which the bride is deathly allergic to - and refuses to consider what the bride actually wants. When she (the baker) is murdered, suspicion falls on the bride and lots of other people. Hayley has to sort through the mess and find out who murdered her, as well as what the deep secrets are that the groom is harboring. This is an excellent and very satisfying read, and I can't wait for the next book in the series!

[Ileana Renfroe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death of a Wedding Cake Baker is a great cozy mystery about Hayley's best friend, Liddy getting married in Bar Harbor, Maine. Of course, trouble followers. When the baker which is a family member is found dead from being poisoned there are more suspects than names on the guest list.

Great characters and scenery.. Overall, this is one of those cozy mysteries you want to start reading and not put down until you are finished.

Great job!

[Leah · Rating 2 out of 5]

June

This is about a murder and wedding planning. The focus was on the upcoming wedding. Liddy could be unlikeable, but her mother was the one who brought out the worst in her. That woman annoyed me too. The murder was in the background for most of the story. I didn't like the way it ended. I had hoped things would end differently. I knew they wouldn't because I have read later books in the series.

[Rebecca Noble · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent who done it and a quick read. I love the”newspaper column entries. “
Love the twists and turns.

[Ranie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the funniest books in the series I've ever read....very entertaining with creative, colorful and lively characters! As you are reading this duo author's books, you feel as if you know the characters, personally....they are created with depth and well defined details....Well-written, always. The ending was quite unexpected and shocking! Highly recommend! (the mini stories are so funny and really laugh out hilarious!!!)

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death of a Wedding Cake Baker by Lee Hollis is the 11th book in the Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery series, and another great addition to the series. Hayley is busy helping her best friend, Liddy, plan her wedding. Liddy's nasty cousin Lisa is baking the wedding cake, until she is found dead. 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. This might be my favorite book so far in the series with all the surprises. 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/series for all cozy mystery lovers like myself.

I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. Thank you.

[JoAnne McMaster (Any Good Book) · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Hayley Powell is chosen to be her best friend Liddy's matron of honor, she doesn't expect everything to turn into a nightmare: a gown that makes her look like Little Bo Peep, having to deal with Liddy's horrible, over-the-top mother Celeste, and worst of all, Liddy's cousin Lisa, a baker who's been employed by Celeste to make the wedding cake. Liddy and Lisa obviously hate each other, and it shows in Lisa's choice of cakes, when she ignores Liddy's wishes. The only good thing in her life is her boyfriend Bruce Linney, a co-worker at the Island Times. She never thought they'd get to the point where they'd like each other, but here they are, almost in love.

After Liddy has had enough and asks Hayley to make her cake instead, Lisa goes on a rampage, and when Hayley goes to her shop to see if she can smooth things over, she finds a very dead Lisa. Now with Liddy front and center as a killer, Hayley decides if she wants Liddy's wedding to go off, she needs to find a killer. That is, if she can stay alive long enough to figure it out...

I do love reading this series. It's gotten better over time and is still going uphill, which is more than some series do, so that's a big plus. This time out, Liddy is finally marrying her attorney boyfriend, Sonny Lipton. But Sonny seems almost like a third party to the wedding, not having anything to do with the planning, and not even showing up on time - or at all - of some of the events. So of course Liddy is a nervous wreck. A raging nervous wreck. Hayley is doing her best to help Liddy keep it together, but if Sonny doesn't get his act together, there won't be any wedding.

What ensues is not so much the actions of a bridezilla, but a bridezilla's mother. Celeste is every man's (and woman's) nightmare. No wonder Liddy is the way she is. Celeste isn't someone I'd want to come across in a dark alley. Or even a light one. But it explains a lot about Liddy's personality, at the very least.

Then there's the murder investigation itself, which Hayley knows has to be solved before Liddy's big day. But when Hayley starts digging, other people become involved. People like Bruce and even Sal, Hayley's boss. And what they discover is going to rock everyone back on their heels, and quickly...

I really enjoyed this book. My only complaint is in a spoiler below, because it pertains to a major part of the story. It gives the reasons why thing went the way they were, so please don't read it if you haven't read the book.

He wasn't a polygamist; he was a bigamist. A polygamist is a man with many wives but the women all know about each other and they all live together in one home. A bigamist is a man who marries more than one woman, but none of them know about each other and they all live in their own homes.

At any rate, I enjoyed reading this book and I was pleased at the way everything turned out in the end. When the murderer was discovered, the reasons, while rather twisted since the wrong party (I felt) was targeted, still made it all interesting enough that I was glad to have finished it. Recommended.