Hackley Public Library Book Club discussion

Welcome to the first HPL Online Book discussion of
Murder with Fried Chicken and Waffles by A.L. Herbert.

As we comment on each other's posts lets remember our group rules.
1. Let's chat about the book!
2. You don't have to agree but you have to be respectful.
3. Have fun.

Hi everyone, This is Analiese, the adult services librarian at Hackley Public Library. Please bear with us as this is a new format for our book discussions.

To start our discussion, what was your initial reaction to the book? Did it hook you immediately, or did it take some time to get into?

I immediately liked the book

Ron wrote: "I immediately liked the book"

That's great! What did you like about it? For me it took a little while to get into. This usually happens with me and mystery books though, I don't get hooked until the murder takes place.

Anyone present?

Even though it took me a little while to get into, I really enjoyed the backstory and the backdrop of Halia and Mahalia's Sweet Tea. I could really feel the heart that she put into her restaurant.

How do you think that affected her judgement after finding Marcus inside Sweet Tea?

Waiting

I didn't finish the book but desired to see how this would work. I have used Goodreads for a while but not for book discussion

Ron wrote: "Waiting"
She certainly did a lot of waiting the next day, nervously at that! It would probably have saved her a lot of trouble if she just contacted the police in the first place.

But then again, she brought up the point that it would probably make business bad to have a murder in the restaurant.

If you were in her position what would you have done?

I will stay online till 6:30 PM

Analiese wrote: "Ron wrote: "Waiting"
She certainly did a lot of waiting the next day, nervously at that! It would probably have saved her a lot of trouble if she just contacted the police in the first place.

But..."

Okay, That sounds good. Remember, you can always come back and answer the questions at a later time and keep the discussion going.

Hi Ron, Do you see my comments in the reply of your answers?

Hope that this is tried again with hopefully more success

With more people? I agree. Although nothing beats face to face discussion.

Would you be open to trying a video chat discussion for the next one if we are not back in the library by that time?

Sorry for being late, but really enjoyed the book and the dialog. used to live in Maryland and had friends in PG county. Characters are familiar. Liked the ending as well as the development of events & resolution. Thought people acted in character and that was part of the fun.

Jean wrote: "Sorry for being late, but really enjoyed the book and the dialog. used to live in Maryland and had friends in PG county. Characters are familiar. Liked the ending as well as the development of even..."

No problem Jean, glad you made it.
I agree! Do you have a favorite character?

Halia worked so hard to get her restaurant to where it is now and was determined to keep it that way. Focused on this goal, she did whatever she could. It was an emotional decision, not a logical one. Even Wavonne could see that but Halia made up her mind so she was going to follow her plan. Her determination is both a strength and a weakness.

I think my favorite character was Halia. Although Wavonne added some comic relief, I liked Halia's passion for her restaurant really made her pop out as a character for me. Surprisingly, I also began to really like Jacqueline, Marcus's sister, at the end.

Sorry, I forgot to add:
I would have done the logical thing and called the police but then I would not be able to tell the interesting story she could.

Signing off

I actually thought Jacqueline was the one her killed Marcus for a while. I went back and forth between suspects. I even thought it might be Darius, the server, for a while.

Was there a character you thought was the murderer right off the bat?

Ron wrote: "Signing off"
Thanks for joining us, Ron.

Jean wrote: "Sorry, I forgot to add:
I would have done the logical thing and called the police but then I would not be able to tell the interesting story she could."

I don't know how I would react in her situation. I would like to think I would call the police but if I had all of my heart & soul (and money) put into the restaurant and it could be jeopardized... I'm not sure.

What made the setting unique or important? Could the story have taken place anywhere?

Jean wrote: "From Don:
I liked the language of the characters and the setting was interesting. A fun read from beginning to end. I laughed out loud a lot!"

I did too! It was refreshing have a book with humor in it. Did you have a favorite part that you thought was especially funny?

I had a whole lot of trouble working this site and would hope to have Cliff Note type instructions for future use. That aside, I loved this book and would hope to dine at such a restaurant. Furthermore, Halia's attitudes about social responsibility resonant well with me. The world needs more people like her!
Finally, I hope to read future books by this author. Best mystery reading I've had since Rex Stout days!!

We are working out some kinks with having discussions online but that's a good idea to have instructions handy for the next time.

I'm glad you liked the author and the mystery! I've never read Rex Stout but now I'll have to put it on my list. Luckily this was the first of a whole series by A.L. Herbert so there are plenty to read from.

https://www.goodreads.com/series/1489...

Did anyone else get insanely hungry while reading this? It made me want to try out some of the recipes she had listed, especially the waffles.

PG County was an ideal place for the story, it made so many things credible. PG is a place where African Americans are a majority and where a woman like Halia could make it. I have a friend from Jamaica who lives in PG County, who also started a restaurant, featuring his Jamaican cooking/heritage. He did so well that his jerk chicken sauce is sold on the internet.

From Don:
I liked the language of the characters and the setting was interesting. A fun read from beginning to end. I laughed out loud a lot!
From Jean:
Perfect place for the story since it was for upwardly mobile people & soul food restaurants as well as for beauty parlors & churches where people dressed up and church ladies wore amazing hats.

That's so cool! So you think the author did a good job in portraying PG County? p.s. you'll have to let me know the name of the sauce!

I know I felt like the county was a character in itself. The descriptions were great. I also liked how the author described the churches and hats. Also, how her aunt would be extra dramatic at funerals.

So as we are nearing the end of the scheduled online discussion time, how did you feel about the ending of the book? What did you like, what did you not like, and what do you wish had been different?

Hello there

some favorite scenes:
When Halia's mom takes over the talking to Mrs. Watkins
also
When Wavonne takes the drinks from the table of ladies who were spiking their drinks with their own booze; and also Wavonne when she overwhelms the young desk clerk at the apartment complex in order to see the video camera tapes.
and
the exercising that Halia did, and the comments she made about the instructor teaching yet another class, and working out later that evening...Halia could not believe it. But then, the instructor coveted fried chicken, so funny!

When Regine was first interviewed by Halia, I remember being struck by how fast Regine responded about her alibi and the videocam at her apartment lobby. However, I did not suspect her then. Everyone had a reason for murder.

I copied some of the recipes and was hoping to make her cornbread but then the stay at home orders came and I haven't gone to the market for some needed ingredients.

Don wrote: "some favorite scenes:
When Halia's mom takes over the talking to Mrs. Watkins
also
When Wavonne takes the drinks from the table of ladies who were spiking their drinks with their own booze; and als..."

The exercise and the shame eating chicken is why I ended up liking Jacqueline at the end haha. Great scenes!

Mallory wrote: "Hello there"

Hello there!

Jean wrote: "When Regine was first interviewed by Halia, I remember being struck by how fast Regine responded about her alibi and the videocam at her apartment lobby. However, I did not suspect her then. Everyo..."

Oh yes, the cornbread would be good to try too.

It's great to hear everyone had so much fun reading this book! I haven't yet read it myself, but it sure sounds like it was clever and funny! I always enjoy a great book that makes you laugh out loud.

Highly recommended but story is more convoluted that first appeared so it's a fun read and ride with Halia.

As to the ending, Probably asking too much and not needed, but I worry about old Mrs. Watkins...did she keep her house? Maybe Halia took care of that.

I would hope so. Mrs. Watkins seemed sweet. I wish I lived in a place where I could drop by a stranger's house and they would offer me pie.

She was the key clue to the whole thing. I actually thought that Darius was going to end up being her son and the murderer. I liked that I didn't figure it out.

I think this book was just the kind of read I needed during this time.

Although it's seven, the best thing about online discussions is that they can keep going! If you have any questions about the book you want to chat about or bring up, feel free to post them. I may not respond immediately but will keep checking and responding when I can.

I'm glad I was able to hear from you Don, Jean, and Ron. I hope you stay well!

The author nailed PG County. Absolutely right on, including its history, and relations with DC and Montgomery County.
BTW, the Oxon Hill bike club (in PG Cty) is to bike clubs like Halia's restaurant, as it goes out of its way to make participants feel at home. We once has a flat tire on their ride, and before I could get the tire off, a support van stopped and did the chore for me, and their after ride party was a hoot!

Wow that's so nice! I love when everyone helps each other, it shows such a beautiful side to humanity. :)
Have a great night!

I liked the ending, satisfying but bittersweet. I'm glad clemency might be shown to the two sisters and their situation. The murder was not justified but their reason, to protect their mother and her losses, was. People are sometimes more motivated by love and by hate than by reason or logic. Still, there were so many laughs along the way and such great dialog "to listen to."