I anticipated this as a cozy mystery and it fit the bill. It has a surprising ending which I was thrilled about. People are never as they seem!

#bookreview

Murder at the PTA by Lee Hollis

Rating: 4/5
The first book in the Maya and Sandra series starts when Sandra, the PTA president of Portland High School and wife of U.S senator becomes the new victim of the school’s scandalous gossipy website called “Dirty Laundry”. When a private investigator and a fellow mom Maya Kendrick finds out the person behind this Dirty Laundry, she goes to charge the columnist and finds a lifeless body, along with a confession. Although the Police rules out any case of foul play, Maya is not still convinced. With Sandra by her side, she goes to find the real truth unknowing of the fact that the truth is going to be more scandalous than she imagined.

Murder at the PTA is a fast-paced crime thriller novel with so many layers to it. The emotional aspects of the characters are shown in a way that makes the novel closer to your heart. The writing style is lucid and it can be your pick up if you are starting with the genre. Throughout the book, you are hooked to the narration and the alternative telling of the stories from Maya and Sandra’s point of view makes it more enjoyable.

As this is the first installment in the series, more priority was given to the character development part than the actual mystery itself. And, honestly, I don’t have a problem with that. I always enjoy stories with a strong background in character development part. However, if you are only looking for an action-packed crime thriller, you will be disappointed.

The climax was not at all predictable. I was perplexed when I found out the truth. The female protagonists are portrayed very well. The step by step approach conclusion was a treat to read. The side characters were also lovable. I loved how the author has given space to every character to shine.

Overall, it was a nice read. I will suggest this drama to all the beginners who are finding it difficult to start with a book in this particular genre.

This is the first book of the new Maya and Sandra Mystery Series by Lee Hollis. Sandra is a US Senator’s wife and new president of the PTA. Maya is a former police officer turned PI. These two opposites find a much needed friendship trying to solve the mystery of who killed the assistant principal.

I enjoyed this book quite a lot. Being the first book in a new series, there was a lot of character development and back story. At times the story took a back seat to that, but the I never saw the identity of the murderer coming and that always makes it a great mystery. I can’t wait to read more in this series!

DISCLAIMER: I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was intrigued by the description of this book, Desparate Housewives meets Murder She Wrote. And it lives up to that billing. I enjoyed getting introduced to these characters, especially Maya. It was a well thought out plot and kept my interest for the whole book.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by NetGalley.

**I received this ebook in exchange for my honest review from NetGalley**

This was such a good read. I love mysteries involving everyday life. I could really connect with the characters, and the story was written very well. I'm not a person that spoils in reviews, but if you love mystery and PTA drama then you'll definitely enjoy this book. I'd recommend for a light read that will keep you drawn in and entertained.

This is the first book in a new series and a very good one. As it a new series, time is spent having us learn about the protagonists--their backgrounds,their husbands, their children, their high school lives and all that has led them to where they are currently. I don't think that takes away from the story but the murder doesn't take place until about a third of the way in.

Maya is a PI, who had resigned from the Portland police department when her husband was arrested and convicted of corruption, and Sandra, wife of the junior senator from Maine. Maya has a partner, Frances who is in her last months of pregnancy and not able to really help.

Someone is writing a nasty gossip site called "Dirty Laundry" about the high school and related happenings in South Portland, Maine called Dirty Laundry. Maya's daughter asks her to investigate who it is when the gossip begins to impact the high school negatively. Sandra has already been blindsided by an article about her Senator husband using taxpayer money to settle a sexual harassment suit.

Maya and Sandra discover the Asst. Principal's body hanging from a ceiling joist in her office. Her death is ruled a suicide but Maya saw the bruise on her neck and knew she was strangled. The victim's sister doesn't believe her sister committed suicide and hires Maya to dig into it. And so the mystery takes off....

I was totally surprised by who done it and why.

Looking forward to the next installments.

I received an ARC from Kensington via Net Galley but the opinions expressed are my own.

This is the first in a new series by Lee Hollis. This author never disappoints as the long-running Hailey Powell series illustrates. Lee Hollis is actually two people a brother and sister using their middle names but from the biographical info, it would appear that this one is a solo effort by the brother half Rick Copp and he does a good job of making the characters believable, real, and relatable and weaves an engaging story. It is fast-paced and eminently readable and hard to put down.
This book introduces new characters a senator's wife and a private detective. An odd pairing who at first are at odds but eventually work together to solve a mysterious death. There are twists and turns in the book that keep one interested and the story engaging and fast-moving. I eagerly await the next book in this very welcome new series.

What a fun, quick-paced mystery! The author developed the characters nicely, weaving together the story without leaving any loose ends. I can't wait to learn more about Sandra and Maya and read future books in this series!

Someone is trying to expose all of the dirty little secrets of the students and staff at the Portland High School. Even newly elected PTA president Sandra Wallage. Sandra runs into fellow mom and private investigator Maya Kendrick, who has figured out who the author of the website that ya caused so much trouble. But when they go to confront them, they find them dead. In what appears to be a suicide. But the ex cop in Maya feels that there is more to it than that. So she, with the help of Sandra, decide to look into the death.

This was a great little story. It’s the first in a new series, and is shaping up to be a new must read series for me. This story was funny, and really held your interest. The characters were all wonderful, and just came alive off the page. This is the first book by this author I’ve read, but it won’t be the last. I really enjoyed this book.

I always enjoy cozy mysteries authored by Lee Hollis. This book differs from many cozy mystery debuts. In this series the sleuths are actually a duo. Maya is a private investigator and Sandra is a housewife and PTA president. They are united through their children and a shared fortitude that comes from suffering through disappointment. Maya and Sandra both have complicated marriages and a penchant for righting wrongs. I love that the characters in this book have layers. The surprising twist was the cherry on top.

I enjoyed this book. It's a bit different from a standard cozy mystery as one of the main characters is a private detective investigating the murder of the school assistant. The assistant was running a dirty laundry website and her murder was called a suicide. The main character Maya teams up with the school PTA president Sandy to investigate it and the ending is a surprise. #MurderatthePTA #NetGalley

A solid first book in the Maya and Sandra series. I really enjoyed the characters and the murder mystery was interesting. I look forward to the next book in the series.

The first in a new series following Maya, a private detective, and Sandra, a housewife and PTA president. There was no mystery to solve until about 25%. Then it still was about building a relationship between Maya and Sandra. I found the book ok overall. I love cozy mysteries, but so many I read are deep into a series. I forget how the first book really needs to set the overall tone and theme of the series. I will still read the next one that comes out to see if I want to continue. I just found the book a little slow and the mystery part was just ok.

Murder at the PTA by Lee Hollis is the debut cozy mystery series set in Portland, Maine, with Maya and Sandra as the main characters. Since this is the first book in the series, there seemed to be a lot of character development and not as much emphasis on the actual mystery. The mystery seemed to take a backseat to the characters and who they were and how they knew each other. This was okay, but it made for some slow reading at times. Sandra and Maya are two strong characters who work very well together. I also liked the teenage characters and their storylines and added some extra areas to focus on.

I was quite surprised by the ending and did not guess who the murder turned out to be. I like it when the ending is not predictable, and this one was not.

I look forward to more books in this series. The characters were relatable and solid, the story was good, and the mystery was a surprise.

#MurderatthePTA #NetGalley

A housewife, a private eye, and the PTA make for an excellent read! The mixture of characters is so fun and different, and they lead the reader down a path of twists and turns. This book is fun filled mystery, even if it was required school reading!

This is the first in a new series Sandra and Maya mystery series. Maya is a private investigator and Sandra is the newly elected PTA president. Portland High is the subject of a gossip website and wreaking all sorts of havoc. Sandra and Maya want to find out who is running the dirty laundry website and since Maya’s daughter has asked her to look into she believes she knows who it is. As Sandra and Maya go to confront the person they are found dead. The death is deemed a suicide but they both suspect that is not the case. Sandra and Maya each have a lot of baggage. Sandra’s husband is a senator who is never home and Maya’s husband is in jail. As with many first books a good portion is spent to getting to know the main characters as well as the development of their friendship. This is a good start to a new series and there are surprises along the way. Good first book and will be looking for the next in the series.

Murder at the PTA is the debut of the Maya and Sandra Mystery series set in Portland, Maine and featuring Private Detective Maya Kendrick and Sandra Wallage, wife of Maine's Senator. Sandra has begun her new position as President of the PTA and is rattled when the local social media rag "Dirty Laundry" posts an article claiming her husband is using taxpayer money to pay off a sexual harassment suit.

When the nasty news also reports that one of the high school football players has a drug problem, Maya's teenage daughter Vanessa begs her mother to find out who's behind the blog before it tears apart the community. It doesn't take long for Maya to uncover the identity of the writer but when she heads out to confront the woman she stumbles upon a dead body.

Sandra and Maya had gone to high school together but ran in different circles. Sandra is trying to cope with her husband's infidelities and Maya is trying to come to terms with the fact that her husband (ex Police Captain) is behind bars for corruption. Their children are also dating and the two women soon reconnect and join forces to track down a killer.

The mystery almost seems to take a backseat and instead the book focuses primarily on the individual struggles of the two women. The murder is wrapped up with a surprising twist and a new partnership, allowing for the potential of many new adventures for Maya and Sandra.

I received an advanced copy of Murder at the PTA from NetGalley via Kensington Publishing. While not required to write a review I am happy to offer my honest opinion.

Maya Kendrick ran a private investigative service with her friend, a pregnant Frances Turner, just barely paying the bills.
Sandra Wallage was president of the PTA and the wife of a senator.
Their paths cross when they come upon the body of the principal's assisant during a PTA meeting.
Maya knows the cause of death was untrue, she had seen the body, but had to let it go without a paying client. Lucky for her, she got one....and the assistance of Sandra in her investigation.
Ms. Hollis writes a tale of intrigue, dark deeds, and people with secrets they don't want shared.
Together Sandra and Maya, whose children happen to be dating, relentlessly look into every suspect in the murder that was declared a suicide.
The book has more than mystery between the pages and a bit of humor as well as a shock in the identity of the killer. Don't miss it!
I requested and enjoyed this ARC from NetGalley and offer my opinion gratis.

Enjoyable Amateur Sleuthing Ensues.....
Things get heated at the PTA, a malicious gossip abounds and a body is discovered. Mother and private investigator Maya teams with PTA president Sandra to crack the crime. Enjoyable amateur sleuthing ensues. A very promising first in series.

Sandra Wallage, the wife of a US Senator from Maine and PTA president, of the local high school, is raising her two teenage boys while her husband is in DC. When the Assistant Principal is found hanging in your office from a suspected suicide, Sandra cross paths with a student from her high school days as they find the body. Sandra and Maya were never friends in high school, but it seems their paths are destined to cross as their teenagers are dating and Sandra wants to help Maya investigate what they believe is a murder and not a suicide the police ruled it to be.

As the case and life bring the two women together again they build a friendship and begin to trust each other as they try to find out what truly happened without becoming the next victims.

A great start to a new series. I’m looking forward to seeing the characters develop and the friendship deepening over the rest of the series.