I think this book is ok. I found that it spend too much time in building up the main characters to the actual murder and investigation. I think that all the references to the color of the characters is too much. The reveal of the murderer is clever using technology to try to get away with it. #MurderwithHoneyHamBiscuits #NetGalley

Ive read every book in this series. It does not disappoint. It’s a great addition to the series and quick, fun read.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first time reading from this series, and I am glad that I was given this opportunity. I loved the slower pace of the first part of the book, which is used to put all the necessary elements and characters in place. The dynamics between the characters is well established, and it did help to better appreciate the second part of the book, once the murder has been committed. It might feel too slow for some readers, but in my opinion, it allowed me to fully savor the story. I was in a relaxed mood while I read Murder with Honey Ham Biscuits.

I really loved Halia and Wavonne, they are wonderful characters. Wavonne has absolutely no filter when she talks, much to the reader's delight. I was very happy to read a cozy mystery featuring African American characters, as I like to have diversity in what I read. I always welcome the opportunity to expand my horizons, and reading is a wonderful way to do so.

Also, the pineapple and red pepper jelly is on my list of recipes to try, although I think I will add a special ingredient to it.

In conclusion, if you have not given this series a try yet, please pick up this book. Enjoyment guaranteed!

It's bad enough that Halia Watkins has to take abuse from her flashy cousin Wavonne about her weight and lack of marital status, now her mother is chiming in. Halia is very happy operating the Sweet Tea restaurant in Prince George's County, Maryland, and serving good old fashioned comfort. When Tracy McAlister offers Halia the opportunity to be a judge for the reality TV show Elite Chef (even though she was the fifth choice after a dead chef), she decides to accept. There are three contestants left and the finals will be held at Russell Mellinger's new resort and the winner will be offered the job as head chef at his new restaurant. The three contestants are as varied as they can be, but Halia throws herself into the job. When one of the contestants is murdered, Halia's Miss Marple instincts kick in. Love this series. The interplay between Halia and Wavonne is so funny. Looking forward to the next book.

Murder with Honey Ham Biscuits was a fun and entertaining read. I loved several of the characters, especially Halia and Wavonne, and Wavonne got me laughing multiple times. The plot was nicely done and engaging. An added bonus was all the talk about food and the recipes that was added.

Absolutely love this series and I loved this book! Each new book has always been my favorite LOL.I love the recipes I love the characters,everything about it is amazing and I hope that this series continues!

First, book by this author. Had me smiling the whole way through.
Mahalia Sweet Tea, home cooking restaurant. Hailia gets picked to judge on a cooking show. Her cousin is quite a character.
All the talk of food makes your mouth water.
Check it out

I loved this book! Halia and Wavonne are such delightful characters, and Wavonne kept me laughing throughout the book. Her sassy, saucy personality works so well with Halia’s quieter demeanor. I’ve read a few other books in this series, but this book is by far my favorite.

Things take a sudden turn for the worst when a tragic death takes place during the taping of a cooking show. Wavonne and Halia find themselves wrapped in the investigation when one of their new friends becomes a prime suspect.

I can’t wait to see what this fantastic duo get into next.

Rare to find one set in my home state, a delicious mix of soul food and laughter with great characters and a fun time.

This is the first book I've read in the series. When the first scene features Wavonne in all her over-the-top glory, I thought it was just going to be too much. But Wavonne is used to good effect and not too often. So she's a good comedic foil to Mahalia.

The characters were good here, and I liked the cooking show set-up. But it is 55% before the person is killed. 55%. That is WAY too far into a book for it to be called a mystery, to me. So the pacing was all off, and there were lots of machinations to get the murder solved in less than half the book.

Review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Halia Watkins and her cousin Wavonne are busy enough with their D.C. area soul food restaurant, Sweet Tea. But when they're invited to judge a TV cooking competition, they're tempted by the visibility it could give the restaurant... and the glamorous weekend that comes as a perk.
The experience of seeing how a reality TV show comes together is eye-opening, When one of the competitors turns up dead, though, their special insight into the relationships among the contestants and judges, producers, and backers helps Halia and Wavonne see the truth before it's too late.
The characters are fun and likable, and Wavonne's sassiness is a great foil for Halia's more refined self presentation. The supporting characters are also well-developed and sympathetic.
Some of the action takes place at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the author brings African-American history seamlessly into the story.
The book is well-written and neatly plotted. A fun and cozy story with recipes.

I know a new Mahalia Watkins Soul Food Mystery means I’m in for a lot of laughs and some mouthwatering descriptions of delicious foods! In Book 4, Halia and her cousin, Wavonne participate in judging a cooking show. Hilarity abounds between the cousins repartee, and the cunning and sabotage between the contestants. However, it’s not funny anymore when a contestant perishes. The author is oh-so-clever building her plot and the true villain is hard to determine. MURDER WITH HONEY HAM BISCUITS is a delightful, fun, and easy read. I highly recommend this African American Cozy series.

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

Halia Watkins, who owns a soul food restaurant called Sweet Tea in Maryland, is invited to be a judge on a cooking show. She is reluctant at first, learning that she is not their first choice, but cousin Wavonne, really wants the opportunity to be on TV, so she agrees. There are 3 contestants, and when one of them is murdered, Halia feels as if she must help to solve the crime as she's done in the past, despite police department disapproval. I enjoy this series: it not only has likable characters, humor, and a well-constructed plot, but recipes are also included. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book was great. It was funny. It had suspense. It had everything a great book should have. The character were relatable and I found myself not wanting to put the book down. I look forward to reading about Halia's adventures as an amateur detective. This book did not disappoint and I can't wait to go with Halia as she solves her next case.

I got 50 percent be into this book and decided to stop reading it. I asked for Murder with Honey Ham Biscuits because cozy mysteries tend to be overwhelmed by white female protagonists. I believed this book was written by a black women when I started, and it's not. It's written by a white hispanic man, which isn't necessarily a deal breaker to start with. However, the representation was at best pandering and at worst offensive. Halia herself is an okay character and seems pretty similar to other protagonists in this genre, but Wavonne and Vera definitely edge into stereotype territory.
So we know that a black women didn't write this, but it also feels like one wasn't consulted. I think it's really important to look at what black reviewers are saying about this book, and I have seen a lot of one stars from them. The consensus is that Wavonne needs more depth and a better name, as well as people having various critiques regarding decisions characters make not being realistic.

Halia Watkins and her cousin Wavonne are going to be on TV! When Halia is asked to be a guest judge on a cooking show she finds herself sitting next to her former boss and nemesis, talk about uncomfortable. Things take an even stranger turn when one of the contestants is killed in the hotel the cast is staying at. The chef who was cut on the taped episode is the main suspect and asks Halia for her help in solving the murder, putting Halia right in the middle of another murder investigation. With a slew of suspects with solid alibis, Halia has her work cut out for her if she wants to prove her new friend’s innocence.

Having grown up in Prince George’s county, this series brings me home each and every time. With well developed characters and fabulous recipes, it makes each book a real page turner! I cannot wait to try the corn and crab chowder and the ham and cheese biscuits from the included recipes.