This is the 12th book in the Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery series. I have not read all of them, but I had no problem getting right into this book. I love Hayley and her friends Liddy and Mona. They are like the three musketeers, friends from childhood. Before there was a Hayley, Liddy and Mona, their mothers were also best of friends.

Hayley is newly married to Bruce, a crime reporter in their small town. As Hayley and Bruce are preparing for their delayed honeymoon cruise, Hayley's mother Sheila shows up unexpectedly for a stay of undetermined length.

An impromptu class reunion was held when Sheila comes to town, and soon after one of Sheila's frenemies is found dead. Sheila is suspect number one. As Hayley and her friends are trying to investigate to clear Sheila's name, Sheila and her friends are doing the same. This was a good story and I really enjoyed how the author worked in the mother's story along with Hayley's.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good mystery -with recipes! I was provided an advanced copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion. My thanks to #NetGallley and the publishers.

This is the 12th book in the Haley Powell Food and Cocktails mystery series. I’ve enjoyed the other book in the series. In this book, Haley’s mom as a murder suspect accused of murdering a girl from Haley’s past. Haley has to prove her mom’s innocence. This was a cute cozy, 4 stars.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is the twelfth book of the Hayley Powell Mystery series. I recommend reading them in order.

Hayley Powell is now happily married. Before she can set sail on her honeymoon cruise, however, Her mom, Sheila, pays an impromptu visit
and ends up a murder suspect. Hayley teams up with her BFFs Liddy and Mona to clear her mother's name, Sheila reunites with Liddy's mom Celeste and Mona's mom Jane for their own amateur sleuthing.

I enjoyed the characters and storyline of this book. This is a fun series to read!!

I really loved this book in a new to my series. Tha characters and location really and to the story. I can't wait to read the next one. This book keeps you guessing until the end

I often enjoy a well-written cozy mystery, and since this one sounded intriguing, I thought I’d read it.

While the mystery has a very good plot, at times it felt as if the author was trying too hard to throw a lot of humorous comments into the mix. Some of them, like this one didn’t over very well with me: “Owen was madder than a man with no legs in a shoe store.” I actually cringed when I read that.

Hayley is the main character in this story. For the most part she is okay. Her husband, Bruce, comes across as a bit of a flake at times as does her mom, Sheila. I would have appreciated this book more if the characters were better developed, and some of the antics taken down a peg.

Another visit to Bar Harbor with Hayley and her friends Mona and Liddy, as well as her new husband Bruce. I always enjoy seeing what this group gets into, but this one adds their mothers as well. When Hayley's mom comes to stay for a visit, Hayley and Bruce and quite concerned. Things do not go well and Sheila ends up in a B&B with a restraining order against her from her highschool nemesis, Cassie Lemon-Hogg. When Caskie ends up dead at the B&B, guess who the main suspect is? So, Hayley cancels her honeymoon to try and find out what happened and clear her mother. Sheila and her friends, Celeste and Jane have their own investigation going on. Fun, laughter and some danger prevail during this story.

I loved the addition of the three moms. Sheila is a hoot, she is so dramatic, the proverbial mother from you know where. They are sarcastic, quick witted and forces to be reckoned with when together. Once again, there in the inclusion of Hayley's columns with anecdotes and recipes throughout the book, which sometimes spoils the flow, but adds some humour and insight into their lives. This mystery was interesting and well plotted. The story was well-paced and had me reading it in one afternoon. Another fun addition to the Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery series. I say, grab this book, make a cocktail and kick back to enjoy a fun story. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.

Hayley Powell and her new husband are ready to set off on their honeymoon cruise when Hayley's mother, Sheila, drops in for a visit and decides to move in. Sheila and her high school friends call an impromptu reunion and disaster happens when the mean girl shows up provoking a big shouting match. When the mean girl is found dead ,Sheila is the prime suspect, so Hayley has to put her plans on hold to rescue her mother and possibly her young marriage as well.

There seemed to be a lot of complaining as well as trite characters. Not one i think I'll continue.

This is the first book I have read in this series but I will definitely search out more now. A great cozy mystery with a great lead character

It may not be front page news, but Island Times food and cocktails columnist Hayley Powell and crime reporter Bruce Linney are now happily married. Before they can set sail on their honeymoon cruise, however, Hayley's mom, Sheila, pays an impromptu visit—and promptly becomes the prime suspect in a murder.

The victim is Sheila's old high school rival, Cassie Lemon-Hogg, known for her homemade blueberry pies and her home-wrecking flirtations. As Hayley teams up with her BFFs Liddy and Mona to clear her mother's name, Sheila reunites with Liddy's mom Celeste and Mona's mom Jane for their own amateur sleuthing. The race is on between the moms and the daughters to find out who served this blueberry tart her just desserts.

The authors have given us a well written mystery that has lots of clues, a handful of suspects, a few red herrings, twists, and turns that leads to a conclusion filled with action and suspense. The characters are well written, well developed, clever, fun, intelligent, and lifelike which makes them very relatable. The story moves along at a nice steady pace for most of the story, there are a few times when the pace seems to slow down and the tone and dialogue seems to read like a script.

I did enjoy meeting the Hayley's and Mona's moms, and being reintroduced to Liddy's mom who we met in the previous book. I enjoyed reading Hayley's articles for the paper as they give you a little insight and history about her personal life and friendships. I don't like how Bruce is suddenly allergic to cats so Hayley has to find a new home for her elderly cat Blueberry, I don't remember that being an issue in the previous books where he and Hayley were dating. I wasn't a fan of how vindictive the mom's seemed to be towards a couple of former classmates, or how quick they cast suspicion towards innocent people to save their own butts. I'm looking forward to reading book #13 Death of a Wicked Witch to see what Hayley and her family and friends get into.

I received an ARC of this book from Kensington Books through NetGalley for my honest review.

This was a very good book and wrapped up many of the questions the previous book left hanging. It was nice to get to know our main character even more with her mother. It was fun seeing the dynamics of all the character's moms.

📚COZY REVIEW📚 I had to jump right into this one after finishing Death of a Wedding Cake Baker, what a cliffhanger! (Check my feed for my review on that one). •
A surprise arrival of one of the mothers puts honeymoon plans on hold. Just like Hayley, Liddy, and Mona, their mothers are spitting images of them, and find themself in trouble when the town's "Blueberry Tart" ends up dead after the mothers' impromptu high school reunion, it's up to Hayley to keep the Golden Girls out of trouble as they try to clear their names.
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I had an idea of how the murders went down before the big reveal, but the Golden Girls antics were driving me crazy! They didn't have as much finesse as Hayley when it comes to playing detective. But the showdown at the end had me rooting for them!
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And blueberry fans can indulge themselves in all blueberry-themed food and cocktail recipes in this book 🤤
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⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 for Death of a Blueberry Tart by @leehollisbooks
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Also, special thanks to @kensingtonbooks for this ARC, even though I am just now posting my review (oops 😬)

An interesting cozy where Hayley allowed herself to be led by her mom and her gang of boisterous ladies. I wasn't too captivated with this one, Sheila and her gang spoils it for me. They were a bit too vindictive, malicious and too quick to cast aspersions. This one lacks two chief essences, that of intrigue and excitement.

Death of a Blueberry Tart is the 12th book in the Hayley Powell Food & Cocktails cozy mystery series, and like most cozy series, the books don't need to be read in order but doing so enhances your enjoyment as you see the character development. Hayley is getting ready to go on her honeymoon when her mom shows up in dire need of attention. Let's just say that Hayley's mom is a little extra. As if that isn't bad enough, there is soon a murder and Hayley's mom becomes a suspect. Hayley definitely has her hands full. Chaos ensues! This book has all the elements of a good cozy: humor, suspense, red herrings, zany characters, and recipes.

I love cozy mysteries that entertain and this one certainly fills that bill. The brother/sister team that keeps us supplied with this community of characters must live in a small town that gives them plenty of examples of the locals and their antics. As two generations of besties investigate a murder, they must step outside their normal, happy lives and find a killer from the long list of suspects, of course, the victim was not a popular person, unless you count her renown blueberry tarts. Along the way, you'll find recipes utilizing blueberries. I'm sure you'll find one or two that you HAVE to try, I did. This is the 12th book in this excellent series but it reads very well as a stand alone. But why deprive yourself, read the others too.

Death of a Blueberry Tart is the 12th installment in the Haley Powell Mystery series by a brother and sister team going by the name of Lee Hollis. Haley is the food writer for her local newspaper, and includes recipes, exotic drinks, and personal stories in her Island Times columns. Haley and Bruce have gotten married, but because Haley’s mother, Sheila has dropped into town unexpectedly and is staying at their house, they have had to postpone their honeymoon. There is a reunion, and Sheila, Celeste (Liddy’s Mom), and Jane (Mona’s Mom) attend and reunite with high school rival, Caskie Lemon-Hogg, who is famous in the town for her blueberry tarts and breaking up relationships. Unfortunately, Caskie Lemon-Hogg is murdered, and Sheila becomes the prime suspect. Now Haley, et al, must find the real murderer before Sheila spends time in prison for a murder she didn’t (at least we hope she didn’t) commit.

One of the things that stands out in Hollis’ characters is that they are so “Eastern,” and fit the stereotype of those from the east coast not being very nice to strangers or each other. Haley, Mona, and Liddy are best friends, but they aren’t even nice to each other, let alone people in the town. Bruce, Haley’s new husband, is nicer, but it takes a lot of patience, especially to be nice to Haley’s mother. Sheila, Celeste, and Jane, who have been best lifelong friends like their daughters, have similar relationships, and if anyone wants to check out the different cultures in different parts of America, the characters in this book will give insight.

Hollis is a good storyteller, and is able to build suspense throughout. The books in the series are fun, and contain recipes. Death of a Blueberry Tart includes mouthwatering blueberry recipes, and once readers find out who the actual murderer is, they will want to make those recipes in their own kitchen. Followers of the series will welcome this new novel; those who aren’t familiar will want to read the others, but can start with this since it is also okay as a standalone novel.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

This is the first book I have read by Lee Hollis. It will not be the last. I loved the characters, the plot and how it all came together at the end to reveal the killer. It was a quick read and had me up well into the night, not wanting to put it down!

Death of a Blueberry Tart is the 12th installment of this fun series, but don't let that scare you, this book is very good as a stand alone. This book is a fun romp and the characters are like old friends. Oh and the mystery is OK too. I recommend this book.

I strongly recommend this story because it's truly fun and enjoyable as all the other instalments in this series.
It's great to meet again the well thought cast of characters and their antics made me laugh.
The mystery is solid and kept me guessing.
I can't wait for the next book.
Many thanks to the Kensington Books and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

If you like murders and good food, you'll enjoy this book. Although this is part of a series which I've only read a few and it works well as a 'stand-alone'.

I found the book well-written and kept me engaged until the end. I would love to hang-out with these characters and eat some of the amazing food that is described in this book.. Don't read this book on an empty tummy!

I'm looking forward to the next one!

Death of a Blueberry Tart is the 12th instalment in the Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery series written by Lee Hollis. The mystery is absorbing, the well plotted story moves along at a comfortable pace, and the appealing characters are well fleshed out. There are lots of comedic moments and a plentiful supply of twists keep the reader guessing.

Food and drinks columnist Hayley Powell writes for the Island Times in Bar Harbor, Maine, and her articles include humorous anecdotes of events and tasty recipes in her column. Hayley, mum to daughter Gemma, and son Dustin, has recently married Bruce Linney, an Island Times crime reporter. She also has one brother, Randy. Randy owns a bar, Drinks Like a Fish, and is married to Sergio Alvares, Bar Harbor’s police chief.

Just before Bruce and Hayley are due to leave on a week long cruise to the Bahamas for their belated honeymoon, Sheila, Hayley’s mum, rocks up unannounced having broken up with her long-time partner. Hayley and her best friends, Liddy Crawford and Mona Barnes, decide to organise a high school reunion for their mothers, who are also best friends, and Randy offers to hold it at Drinks Like A Fish. When a schoolmate of the elder group of friends, Caskie Lemon-Hogg, is murdered, Sheila becomes the prime suspect. Bruce and Hayley are forced to postpone their honeymoon whilst Hayley attempts to clear Sheila’s name, aided by her chums. Liddy’s mum, Celeste, and Mona’s mum, Jane, team up with Sheila, hoping to do the same with their own sleuthing. While all this is going on, Bruce happens upon another dead body... this time, Caskie Lemon-Hogg's best friend.

Overall, although I arrived extremely late to the party with this particular series, I thoroughly enjoyed Death of a Blueberry Tart. For me, the book worked extremely well as an individual read as the mystery within was self-contained, though I appreciate that I have probably missed out on some of the backstories and nuances, coming in so late. Even so, I certainly have not been deterred from reading the other instalments, and I look forward to finding out what Lee Hollis has in store for Hayley, next!

I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel, at my request, from Kensington Books via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.