I always get excited for a new Lee Hollis book and this latest installment in the Hayley Powell Food and Cocktail Mystery series doesn’t disappoint! If you’ve been following this series then you may know that there’s a little bit of a romance going on in this series. At the beginning of this book we find Hayley and Bruce married. However, it seems to me that not everything is going according to plan. This is especially true when Hayley’s meddling mother, Sheila, suddenly shows up a few days before they are set to leave for their honeymoon. Sheila has her own set of relationship problems, but Hayley doesn’t have the time or the desire to sort through that mess with all the other things going on in her life.

However, when Sheila is suspected of killing an old high school rival, Hayley works with the help of her friends, Liddy and Mona, to find out what happens. The interesting twist about this book is that Sheila doesn’t just wait in the shadows, worrying about what will happen to her daughter or her fate. She actually teams up with Liddy and Mona’s mothers to do their own version of amateur sleuthing. I’ve read a lot of Cozy Mysteries but this is the first time I’ve seen two sets of people going after the same thing. It was definitely refreshing to read and I loved the unique idea!

I also have to mention how quickly I read this book because I think that shows just how well-written and perfectly paced this book is. I always read Lee Hollis’s books pretty quickly, but this one I read in one sitting. It’s a fast-paced read that easy to follow and super fun and entertaining. This series is definitely one of my top favorite Cozies. I really can’t recommend it enough! It’s a must read!

Death of a Blueberry Tart by Lee Hollis is the twelfth book in Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery but can be read as a standalone.

Hayley is finally married to Bruce and eagerly awaiting their honeymoon when her mother Sheila unexpectedly comes to visit and creates chaos within days.
Sheila's old time nemesis is found dead only hours after their confrontation witnessed by a large group of people.
Hayley is ready to help and find out the truth but her mother and her old cronies are eager to play detectives as well.
As two group of amateur sleuths bang heads another victim is found and time is ticking before Sheila is arrested for a crime she didn't commit.

This was as always a real treat Great set of characters that constantly develop and grow are after so many books so dear to me as my own friends.
There is plenty of humor and laughs, as well as a well told mystery. Very ingenious and cleverly plotted murders.

Highly recommended.

Mothers, daughters, and murder! Hayley knows her mom Sheila didn't kill her old nemesis Cassie, baker of pies and problem for many. She's good at solving murders, alongside her friends Liddy and Mona. Sheila is pals with their moms, Celeste and Jane. All six of them are on the hunt for the murderer, much to the dismay (at times) of Hayley's new husband Bruce. While this has a lot of characters, it's easy to quickly sort who's who and enjoy the family interactions. The mystery isn't too twisty, it's light (for a murder mystery), humorous in spots, and...there are recipes. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. Although it's the 12th (oh my!) in the series, it will be perfectly fine as a standalone.

Death of a Blueberry Tart by Lee Hollis is a book filled with humor, mystery, as well as quite a few yummy blueberry recipes. I may or may not have screenshotted a few of the recipes I want to remember to try out later, especially the cocktails.

But anyway, back to the book review.

When I requested this book from Netgalley, it’s because I was interested in the story. What I didn’t realize was that it was the 12th book in a series. Oh no! I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to follow along very well since I haven’t read the first 11 books.

Not to worry. Although the book is a part of a larger series, I was able to catch up very quickly. I liked the main character Hayley right away because she was very level headed and relatable. At the beginning of the story, she is so excited to have just married her new husband Bruce and they’re both thrilled that their honeymoon is quickly approaching.

But it just goes to show that you shouldn’t count your chickens before they hatch, because their newlywed bliss is soon interrupted by the arrival of Hayley’s mom. She comes to down indefinitely and immediately gets wrapped up in some drama.

Drama is actually an understatement, because Hayley’s Mom is soon accused of murder.

Even though her Mom is driving her crazy with all of her comments about Hayley and Bruce’s life together, she knows that she has to stick up for her Mom and prove her innocence. Sure, Sheila was not a huge fan of Cassie Lemon-Hogg, but just because the two didn’t get along in high school doesn’t mean that Sheila would kill her.

Does it?

Hayley has her hands full with dealing with her mother, her new husband, and trying to solve the mystery before it’s too late.

This is a mystery that really kept me guessing the entire time. There were back stories to the suspects that I didn’t expect and I found myself not wanting to make any guesses before the very end.

This seems like a really cute series that I would like to read more of in the future. Hayley is the Island Times food and cocktails columnist and there are quite a few columns and recipes scattered throughout the story.

I would recommend this mystery if you’re interested in solving crimes and tasty foods. Not to mention that Hayley’s Mom cracked me up throughout the book. There’s a lot of humor involved in this story as well.

5 Stars

This is the twelfth book in the Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails mystery series by Lee Hollis.

I am totally becoming the biggest Lee Hollis fan. A few of my most favorite and memorable reads have come from Hollis lately. I resonated with Hayley’s situation as her mother’s sudden appearance on their doorstep had them cancelling their much awaited cruise vacation. Then her mom’s old high school rival is killed and Sheila is suspect number.

Hayley’s mom seemed to attract trouble. Not sure how she wasn’t in jail more often in the town where she lives currently. Maybe being around her daughter is giving her some negative karma. I loved how the older generation were the ones going out and causing havoc while the younger generation went around bailing them out of jail. Too funny.

I also loved the relationship between Hayley and Bruce. And those little news clippings between chapters were so fun and informative. Loved them too! I mean, it was just a love fest all around reading this book. Can’t recommended it more highly.

If you love a good cozy mystery, definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

Thank Netgalley and the publisher Kensington Publishing

So let me preface this review by saying this was my first read of this author and this series

Overall I enjoyed this book. I like cozies and the old fashion whodunnit and on a personal level love Bar Harbor Maine and Acadia National park so I was excited to read a new series

So what worked for me.... it was a nice mystery and I enjoyed the Interaction between the mothers and daughters especially Sheila and Hayley. I did have an idea of who was behind this early in the book however the artist put in a nice twist that also had you wondering the why and how it tied together - so I enjoyed that part very much - and I liked the ending - The Who and why. Very creative

What did not work for me - the book would change the storytelling. At times I was engrossed in the story following the conversations between characters and then all of the sudden I felt I was reading a movie script - example Hayley and Sheila we’re discussing this or doing this - to me it was hard to get into the story when the narrative changed. This is the only reason I went from a 4 star to a 3 star.

Will I read another book in this series? Yes. I did enjoy the story..

DEATH OF A BLUEBERRY TART, the twelfth book in the Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mysteries by Lee Hollis, is one of my favorites in the series so far! The protagonist, Hayley, is settling into her new marriage with Bruce. If you’ve followed the series, you know that Hayley and Bruce have always had a contentious working relationship before they got together, so this newest release is a fun look at how they’re managing. It brings to light how effective the author is at developing the characters over the course of the series. And while this book can be read as a standalone, starting from the beginning builds on the admiration for the protagonist and her supporting characters. Death of a Blueberry Tart also includes Hayley and her best friends, Mona and Liddy’s mothers as central figures to the plot. This provides plenty of opportunities for humor as the zany dynamics between mothers and daughters plays out on the pages, especially between Hayley and her mother, Sheila. Plus it gives the reader an opportunity to see Hayley through a different set of eyes and find out a little more about her life growing up.

When Sheila’s high school nemesis is found murdered, she becomes the number one suspect. She and her old high school friends immediately jump into investigator roles because if Hayley could solve cases in the past, then so could they. I greatly enjoyed how the author played the older generation of women against Hayley and her friends as each group tries to solve the case. With well-plotted clues and an additional murder thrown in to make the reader second guess themselves, the author wraps up story with a rousing ending worthy of Helen Reddy’s song, I am Woman!

Another aspect of this series that I truly love is Hayley’s food and cocktail columns that she writes for the Island Times. It’s a charming break in the story and always includes yummy recipes.

Princess Fuzzypants here: When Hayley’s mother, Sheila, descends on the newly weds just before their delayed honeymoon, it was not a welcome interruptions. Between pot shots at Hayley for everything from her appearance to her housekeeping, Sheila is in fine fettle. Things are testy enough before the high school reunion Hayley suggests that brings Sheila’s two BFF’s face to face with their high school nemesis. After giving her a thorough dressing down, the three ladies feel vindicated until said nemesis is murdered in the room beside Sheila..
Initially Shelia is considered the prime suspect after her public display of dislike. But then it seem the town drunk who also went to school with all of them, is arrested and charged. Hayley does not believe her mother did it but neither does she believe justice is now being done.
So two sets of three BFF’s, mothers versus daughters, decide to investigate and uncover the villain. Then when a second high school associate is murdered, it looks like the stakes are now higher and far more complicated than a high school feud.
It’s a good thing Hayley is a well grounded lady. With her mother who definitely needs someone to keep her in line, her mother’s friends and even her own friends and her new husband, there are plenty of folks mucking up the waters. Yet, somehow, the truth will out. Let’s just hope it doesn’t mean Hayley’s demise.
Four purrs and two paws up.

Death of a Blueberry Tart is the twelfth 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 lots of laughs and no adult language, graphic violence, or sexually explicit situations. Twists and turns that keep the reader guessing.

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 recently married Bruce Linney, an Island Times crime reporter. As Bruce and Hayley prepare to leave on a one-week cruise to the Bahamas for their belated honeymoon, Hayley’s mother, Sheila, shows up unannounced because she’s broken up with her long-time boyfriend. Hayley and her best friends, Liddy Crawford and Mona Barnes, decide to throw a high school reunion for their mothers, who are also best friends, and Randy offers to hold it at his bar. When Caskie Lemon-Hogg, one of the senior friend’s classmates is murdered, Sheila becomes a prime suspect. Bruce and Hayley have to postpone their honeymoon, as Hayley and her friends try to clear Sheila’s name, and Liddy’s mom, Celeste, and Mona’s mom, Jane, team up with Sheila to do the same. Unfortunately, Bruce stumbles upon the body of Caskie’s best friend, Regina Knoxville.

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

Average cozy with recipes for blueberry tarts etc. Not much happening so it’s a read for when you haven’t anything to read
Thank you netgalley and the publisher for allowing me this arc

Another quick, hilarious read by Lee Hollis. I liked that the characters mothers were in this one. They were pretty funny. Lots of yummy sounding blueberry recipes.

This book picks up right where the previous book left off. Hayley and Bruce are newly married and can't wait for their honeymoon. The only snag is Hayley's mother making an unannounced visit. After a fight with Hayley, her mother, Sheila, goes to stay in a hotel for the remainder of her visit. But when Hayley gets a call from Sheila that Sheila's high school enemy is found dead a few rooms down from where Sheila was staying. Hayley and Bruce cancel their honeymoon cruise and help try to prove that Sheila didn't murder anyone.

I always love the characters in this series. Hayley and her friends always make for some good laughs. I loved the added bonus of their mothers in the story. Hayley's columns thrown in are some of my favorite things about this series. I really enjoyed the stories of Hayley, Mona, and Liddy when they were kids. The mystery was well done. I didn't figure out who the killer was until the end. I can't wait to try some of the recipes in the book and am excited to see where the series goes from here.

I received a copy of this book from net galley in exchange for an honest review.

Death of a Blueberry Tart is the twelfth installment in the Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery series set in Bar Harbor, ME and featuring the newlywed Island Times columnist Hayley Powell. Now happily married to fellow reporter Bruce Linney, Hayley is looking forward to their upcoming honeymoon cruise - that is until her mother Sheila shows up unannounced from Florida. Sheila has broken up with her longtime boyfriend and come back to Bar Harbor to cry on Hayley's shoulder.

Sheila was high school besties with Celeste (Liddy's mom) and Jane (Mona's mom) and the trio's first night out leads to a public argument with their longtime nemesis, Caskie Lemon-Hogg. Caskie was always causing trouble back in the day - whether it was stealing boyfriends or cheating on tests - and it appears she hasn't changed. Completely rattled by the argument Caskie files a restraining order against Sheila and her friends, but then has a change of heart and sets out for the local B&B to apologize to Sheila. Unfortunately, she winds up dead in the hotel room adjacent to Sheila's and all fingers are pointing to Hayley's mom as the prime suspect.

Knowing her mom is not a murderer, Hayley sets out with the help of Liddy and Mona to find the real killer, and Sheila teams up with Celeste and Jane to clear her name. Soon we have a competition between the old and young to solve the crime first.

A well crafted plot featuring series regulars and full of the madcap hilarity that readers of the series have come to expect from Hayley and her friends. While I always recommend starting a series from the beginning, this latest installment can read as a stand alone. Delicious blueberry recipes, one of which I'm definitely going to attempt, and the delightful shenanigans of Hayley's cat Blueberry, add to the mystery.

I received an advanced copy of Death of a Blueberry Tart from NetGalley via Kensington Publishing. Though not required to write a review I am happy to offer my honest opinion.

I've always loved the Hayley Powell mysteries, set in Bar Harbor, Maine, where she writes a food/spirits column for the local newspaper. In this episode, Hayley has just married Bruce, with whom she's worked for many years. Her children are only occasionally mentioned, having left the nest. But, Hayley's mother has come to visit from Florida and that adds a new dimension to the stories. Frankly, I'm not sure Hayley's marriage was a good move--I guess it's nice to have another person in her house, but it seemed like Bruce, who's supposed to be a crime reporter, doesn't really get too involved in investigating the murders. He seems more of an appendage. Hayley's mom is quite a character, though, and makes up for it. It does make me wonder what will happen in the next episode without Hayley's mom around. Could be kind of boring! Overall an interesting read, but not one of the best in the series.

This series just keeps getting better and better! Not only are the mysteries well planned but I enjoy the characters who are fun and relatable (I know how Hayley felt with her mother hanging around LOL). The columns from the Island Times as well as the recipes add a unique aspect to the series. I always read these books in one sitting and look forward to the next book in this series.

This is the first book I have read by the brother-sister duo of lee Hollis and am glad I stumbled on it. While this is book 12 in the series, and there were some references to people, places, and events obviously touched on in previous books, it reads just fine as a stand alone.

A solid whodunit it and some great recipes are included as well. I’ll be savoring another taste in this series with the earlier books. I’ll be looking for lucky book 13 to come out as well.

This is a great addition to this already wonderful series. I love this series and Hayley is one of my favorite characters.
When long-time friends, Hayley, Liddy and Mona get together, the laughs are loud, however, add their colorful, quirky mothers to the mix, and you have the beginnings of a comedy show.
The mothers put on their investigative hats when one of their old friends becomes a murder victim.
It seems mothers and daughters are racing to see who can solve the mystery first, and these ladies are sure to keep you laughing.

I love cozy mysteries and I am always looking for a new series. This was a really fun, cozy mystery that can be read as a stand-alone. I look forward to going back and reading the rest of the series.

Bar Harbor reporters Hayley and Bruce are newlywed and preparing to ditch town for a honeymoon cruise when Hayley's mom, Sheila, arrives for an impromptu visit, prompting an informal class reunion. When Sheila gets together with her bffs Jane and Celeste, quite coincidentally the moms of Hayley's bffs Mona and Liddy, it doesn't take long for them to be embroiled in a mystery when their high school rival, Cassie, is found brutally murdered! An absolute hoot of a mystery, Lee Hollis' Death of a Blueberry Tart, the 12th Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery, kept me on my toes following the antics of both sets of besties, each one trying to beat the other to solve the crime! 5 stars!!!

This is the 12th installment in the Hayley Powell Food and Cocktail Series. Before Hayley and husband Ben can hit their honeymoon she must save her Mom from being framed for a murder. This book starts right where the last book left off. I read this series on and off and have not read all in the series, however, you can definitely read this one without having read all in the series. Hayley’s Mother Shelia shows up and high school nemesis (seems silly that issues from high school still carries thru to middle age but it does or at least some people think so) is dead and Hayley’s Mom is the prime suspect. Hayley works with her friends Mona and Liddy and Shelia reconnects with Celeste (Liddy’s Mom) and Jane (Mona’s Mom) and there are 2 sets of sleuthers trying to find out the real murderer. Two generations of ladies going after the culprit no way was he or she going to get away with it. This story made me laugh and definitely entertained me. This series is still solid and has only gotten better. Look forward to the next installment. Love the recipes as well and will need to try some. Love blueberries.