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 delectible, 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.

I loved this book. it was so much fun to read. I found myself reading long past my bedtime and laughing out loud many times. If you are an "older woman" who's children have flown the coop, you will love this book. It didn'tmatter than this is the 10th book in the series, the author provides enough back story to make you feel like you are old friends. Don't miss this one and you may ad well order the complete series because you will want to read it asap. I was given a digital copy of this book by netgalley and the published. The opinions are my own.

I received a ARC of this book for review. My opinions are my own.
DEATH OF A COOKBOOK AUTHOR is the tenth book in the Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery series by Lee Hollis. I have read the entire series and each book is delightful. This book can be read as a stand alone . The author introduces all the characters and back story so any new reader can enjoy this book. This next in series is a fun read with a well crafted interesting mystery that kept this reader guessing !
In this next in series our protagonist Haley Powell Hayley Powell is the food columnist for the Island Times in Bar Harbor, Maine. Penelope Janice is a cooking specialist on Flavor Network’s top TV show. Hayley jumps at the chance to attend the book signing for Penelope’s latest book and is thrilled when Penelope asks her to be a guest in a celebrity potluck contest that will be filmed at her home 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 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 to talk to his husband, Sergio Alvarez, Bar Harbor’s Chief of Police, who agrees to speak with Penelope. Penelope is skeptical and Conrad denies the allegation. The following morning Conrad’s body is found at the bottom of a cliff. Sergio believes it was an accident since Conrad had been drinking excessively, but Hayley thinks it was definitely murder. The mystery deepens as the plot widens with suspects and Haley soon finds herself in peril as she is close to finding the answer to his murder.
I loved this next in series because of the well crafted mystery and enjoyable characters. Is a delightful series and always a pleasing read. I look forward to the next in series.

DEATH OF A COOKBOOK AUTHOR is the tenth book in the Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery series by Lee Hollis and is an entertaining page turner! I love that Hayley is an “older” woman, her children grown and on their own. She writes a successful food and cocktail column for the Island Times newspaper in Bar Harbor, Maine. The author includes several of Hayley’s columns sprinkled throughout the book and they add a peek into her personal life as she shares snippets of memories, anecdotes and recipes. It truly is a unique way for the reader to feel like they know the protagonist. When Hayley is invited to spend the 4th of July weekend at Penelope Janices’ estate and participate in a celebrity potluck casserole competition, Hayley can’t believe her good luck. It’s cute how she goes all fan-girl over Penelope, the famous cooking and lifestyle star on the Flavor Network. I’m sure I would act just like her if I ever had the chance to meet a famous television personality.

Hayley believes she overhears a plot between Penelope’s husband and assistant to murder the famous woman. However, it’s Penelope’s husband that ends up dead shortly thereafter and Hayley has a difficult time believing it was just an accident like the police say. Not one to shy away from asking questions and finding out the truth, she starts digging and uncovers a multitude of secrets that the rich and famous weekend guests have tried to hide… but could that make one of them a killer? I have to hand it to Hayley, even though she managed to make most of the guests mad at her, she doesn’t let it deter her. The exciting reveal pulls the reader in and keeps you turning pages faster and faster and just when I gave a sigh of relief that justice was served, the author threw in one last twist that I didn’t see coming!

The theme of the recipes centered around the celebrity completion are casseroles and the author includes recipes galore including some delicious cocktail concoctions!

Death of a Cookbook Author by Lee Hollis is the tenth book in A Hayley Powell Food & Cocktails Mystery series (that’s a mouthful). Hayley Powell is shocked when Penelope Janice, cookbook author and television personality, is a fan of her column. Penelope invites Hayley to participate in her Third Annual Fourth of July Celebrity Potluck Celebration at her estate in Seal Harbor, Maine. The competition along with the other festivities for the weekend will be filmed for Penelope’s show. Hayley is thrilled to be invited and hopes that her cooking will measure up. The first night they have steamed mussels for dinner which Hayley devours. She soon regrets her over indulgence when she wakes up with food poisoning in the middle of the night and is unable to find a bathroom. She overhears two people plotting a murder, but Penelope just laughs off Hayley’s concerns. The following day Hayley is awakened to screams. Conrad Janice has been found at the bottom of the cliff. The victim had been extremely drunk the night before and Chief of Police Sergio Alvares rules it an accident. Hayley believes foul play is involved, but she will need to find hard evidence to prove it. Penelope is not about to let the death of her husband stop the weekend, so the festivities proceed (gives Hayley time to snoop). Hayley is unprepared for an unexpected dip into the ocean, a boyfriend for the weekend, or a second body. It is going to be a wild Fourth of July weekend in Death of a Cookbook Author.

Death of a Cookbook Author is nicely written and has a steady pace. While this is the tenth installment in the series, it can be read alone. The necessary background details are provided for new readers. I thought the mystery was well-crafted and clever (I never thought to use an automated cat feeder in that way). There are several suspects and good misdirection. I have to admit that I enjoyed the dig at a certain politician who loves Twitter. All the loose ends are wrapped up at the end of the book. There are some great laugh out loud moments and Hayley’s columns were entertaining. It will be interesting to see how Hayley’s new romance progresses in future books. I did not think Hayley would ever admit her feeling for this man. I would like to see Hayley mature in future books as she does not always act her age (she comes across as immature at times). There are recipes included in the book. Death of a Cookbook Author is my favorite book so far in this series.

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.

3.5 Stars

Hayley Powell is excited to be attending Penelope Janice’s book-signing event at her summer home in Seal Harbor, Maine, to promote Penelope’s newest cookbook. Hayley can’t believe it when Penelope tells her she’s a fan of her food column and invites Hayley to her home for a celebrity chef potluck weekend. Hayley is thrilled to be included with famous chefs she admires for an event that is being filmed for television. After the first night of the event, one of the chefs discovers a dead body, but in spite of this tragic event, the show must go on. Hayley decides to ask questions and find out if the death was an accident or if there is a killer in their group.

Death of a Cookbook Author is the tenth in the series, but the first I’ve read, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I like the Maine setting and the diverse group gathered to film a television show. Most of the characters are interesting, although some of the less pleasant characters, such as Clara, come across as cartoon villains. The main character, Hayley is enthusiastic and kind, but seems immature for someone with grown children. There are also some issues with awkward dialogue between Hayley and some of the others that doesn’t sound realistic and takes the reader out of the story.

In spite of some of the book’s flaws, the situation Hayley finds herself in for a weekend with famous chefs, a possible murderer, and two potential love interests make an entertaining read. Adding to the humor is the inclusion of several of Hayley’s food columns, complete with recipes. The columns are funny and some of the recipes sound delicious and easy to make, such as the tomato casserole pie and the amaretto coffee. The book is a quick read with a fun premise that keeps the reader guessing as to what really happened. Fans of Joanne Fluke may want to give this light mystery a try.

~ Christine

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.

A really good mystery, fun to read and fast paced!
I read the first one in this series and was not impressed but this one is really good.
I kept me hooked since the first pages and guessing till the end.
It's hilarious but describes the characters with a lot of tenderness and they are very well written.
I'll catch up with the previous instalments and cannot wait to read the next one.
Many thanks to Kensington Books and Netgally

This is a cozy mystery at its best!
Hayley writes articles about food for the local magazine, and she gets invited to spend Fourth of July at the famous cook's holiday house and to participate in the cook off show among some of the most renown chefs.
It is a dream come true, until she has a food poisoning and overhears hostesses' husband and her ghostwriter planning to kill her. She shares this with the lady of the house only to be laughed at. Next day chef's husband is found dead. And from then on wherever she turns, Hayley encounters attempts on her life yet she is still ridiculed and no one believes her.
Very faced paced, brimming with unexpected developments, so many twists and turns it will leave your head spinning. It also has many humorous as well as romantic moments.
I love the characters, they are so well portrayed you can easily imagine them. Beautiful descriptions of Maine coast and whole holiday vibe add an additional spice to this fun mystery. I particularly like stories that go with Hayley's fabulous recipes.
I recommend this book to all mystery lovers.

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35881947-death-of-a-cookbook-author" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="Death of a Cookbook Author (Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery, #10)" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1520653360m/35881947.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35881947-death-of-a-cookbook-author">Death of a Cookbook Author</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/743308.Lee_Hollis">Lee Hollis</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2368405581">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
I received and ARC of this book from Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for my honest review.<br /><br />Hayley Powell is a food columnist for The Island Times in Bar Harbor, Maine. While at a book signing by Penelope Janice, one of the top stars for the Flavor Network for her latest cookbooks. Penelope asks Hayley to participate in a celebrity potluck contest as a last minute fill in for a no show guest at her estate over the Fourth of July weekend to be filmed for her cooking show. Hayley gets food poisoning from some bad mussels the first night, then she overhears a man, who she believes to be Penelope's husband Conrad, and a woman plotting a murder of who she thinks is Penelope. When Hayley tells Penelope what she'd overheard, Penelope doesn't believe her. Things get even more complicated when Conrad is found dead at the bottom of a cliff after a night of heavy drinking. Hayley now has to find out if Conrad's death was an accident as everyone believes it to be, or if it was murder like Hayley suspects. Hayley call Bruce, the crime reporter for the paper after an attempt is made on her life, the two team up to work on figuring out the mystery. <br /><br />With a house full of suspects it's hard to narrow down who killed Conrad until the surprising reveal. We don't have the usual characters in this book as Hayley's children have both left home and her two best friends only make the briefest of appearances so we are introduced to some new colorful characters. It was nice to see Hayley's and Bruce's relationship take a turn towards them being a couple after being coworkers and friends since book 1. The author does a nice job of drawing you into the story with her characters, well plotted mystery, and her well paced story line.
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/1344649-faythe-shattuck">View all my reviews</a>

Death of a Cookbook Author: A Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery
By Lee Hollis
Kensington
April 24, 2018

Review by Cynthia Chow

Apparently, Island Times newspaper food columnist Hayley Powell never heard of the warning to never meet your heroes. Even if she had, there’s no way she would have passed up a chance to meet her inspiration and idol, Flavor Network cooking and lifestyle expert Penelope Janice. In Bar Harbor for a book signing event, Penelope shocks Hayley by inviting her to be a replacement guest on a televised celebrity casserole competition filmed at Penelope’s Seal Harbor estate. Hayley’s initial starstruck elation takes a quick nosedive when she is carb-shamed healthy eating expert, makes an enemy of the household cook, and as a coping mechanism overindulges on her beloved mussels at a food-competition level.

Unfortunately, her impressive mussel-consuming ability leads to a bout of food poisoning, which is why no one believes that she overheard a plan to murder Penelope. When a body does indeed turn up, Hayley’s credibility would seem to be bolstered, especially after she is pushed off a boat, a fire breaks out, and the Fourth of July celebrations continue despite the rising body counts. Hayley hurtles herself into the investigation despite her Police Chief brother-in-law’s dismay, the complicating presence of an ex-boyfriend, and the unwanted arrival of irritating co-worker/competitor who arrives pretending to be her current boyfriend.

Interspersed between her hilarious adventures, Hayley’s Island Food & Spirits columns continue to be absolute delights. Hayley’s recent bouts with murder actually seem complacent compared to her accounts of drunken parade floats, decimated wedding cakes, and mysterious limo-delivered casseroles. Of the high-proof drinks and decadent dishes, my favorites would be the Amaretto Coffee and Easy Breezy French Toast Casserole. Not everyone may share Hayley’s love of casseroles, but it’s hard to argue with their ease and nostalgic value. Similarly reliable is this series, which never fails with clever dialogue, twisty plots, and laugh-inducing moments of absurdity. Hayley is the epitome of the plucky, resilient heroine, one who persists in her goals despite her complete lack of qualifications. The empty-nester has grown as a mother and reporter, and it looks as though her future will be even more unpredictable and full of joyful humor.

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.

Hayley gets the opportunity of a lifetime- an invitation from her cookbook idol to compete in a Fourth of July cookoff. Things start going downhill fast- food poisoning and of course, murder. Who killed the cookbook author's husband?

Stick around and read Hayley's foray into solving the murder.

Another GREAT addition to the series! Definitely recommend!

**Thank you Kensington Books for the review copy via NetGalley**

Great mystery! Great articles! Great recipes!

This is book ten of the series but can be read as a stand alone if you wish. I laughed out load here and there. This book has all the pieces to make it a winner. I learned that famous people aren't all they are cracked up to be. Plots for murder, food posioning, murder attempts, and all kinds of craziness. Romance coming and going. We get not one, but two murders/accidents? By far one of my favorites of the series.

Death of a Cookbook Author by Lee Hollis was a fabulous read for me on a rainy Sunday afternoon! It's July in Bar Harbor, and Hayley Powell, food columnist for her local island newspaper, has been invited to spend the weekend with her cookbook idol, Penelope Janice, and her famous friends. After overhearing a hush-hush murder plot during the middle of the night, Hayley tries to warn the potential victim, but to no avail - and within 24 hours a body has been found dead at the bottom of a cliff! Hayley's very life is in danger, and she works against the clock to discover the identity of the murderer before the weekend is over. Incredibly fast-paced and it includes delicious recipes for summer and all year long! Of note, I really enjoyed the blurbs/stories from Hayley's column - nice touch! A+++

This is perfect for those who like cozys, Maine, and recipes! I've dipped in and out of this series featuring Hayley Powell, who always seems to find both dead bodies and the murderers despite being a food and cocktails expert rather than a law enforcement officer. This time around, she finds herself at a food competition where there's a lot at stake and well, someone is going to eliminate competition in a bad way. It's nicely plotted and an easy read and there are recipes ! Thanks to netgalley for the ARC.

The Lee Hollis writing team has done it again with another delightful Hayley Powell mystery. 'Death of a Cookbook Author' enchants me with it Maine location, wonderful characters, intriguing mystery and touch of romance. It is also witty and funny. I like the direction Hayley is going and look forward to many more in the series!

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.

Okay, not great. Disappointing for this series.