Local food and drink writer Haley Powell thinks she's done solving murders in scenic Bar Harbor, Maine. But when a taste of the South comes to New England, Haley's following another recipe for disaster. . .
As a single mom, Hayley Powell already has a full plate--she's got deadlines to make and a teenage daughter with eyes for an aspiring singer-songwriter. But when country music superstar Wade Springer rolls into town, Hayley spies an irresistible side gig: personal chef to her all-American idol. After he tries her home cooking, Wade's so impressed that he hires her on the spot--and invites her to dine with him alone.
Hayley and Wade are hitting all the right notes. . .until a body turns up. Wade's tour bus was torched overnight and a roadie named Mickey Pritchett came out well-done. But the real cause of death isn't barbecue: Mickey was shot, his mouth stuffed with one of Hayley's trademark chicken legs. An ornery drunk, Mickey had already made plenty of enemies in town, but Wade's reputation is on the rocks. Hayley reckons it's up to her to settle this mess--a charbroiled mystery with all the fixin's.
Includes seven delectable recipes from Hayley's kitchen!
Praise for Death of a Kitchen Diva
"Delicious and satisfying. Another course, please." --Carolyn Hart
"Readers will be calling for a second round from author Lee Hollis." --Leslie Meier, author of Chocolate Covered Murder
A definite improvement from the first book, really I'd give this 3 1/2 stars. Death of a Country Fried Redneck was a more enjoyable read and felt much more tightly written. The story line was completely implausible, but one doesn't read cozies for their gritty reality. A lot of good character development of the supporting cast in this book, although we see almost nothing of Lex - necessary to make way for completely implausible story line. :)
The murderer was a surprise - the author did a very good job with interwoven plot lines, red herrings, lots of suspects and misdirection.
The writing still doesn't flow as naturally as it could, but this could be in part that it is written in the third person, so often feels more like a narration than a story to get lost in. Still, I'll look for the third and hope for continuous improvement.
Reading updates
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Started reading
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14 November, 2012:
Finished reading
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14 November, 2012:
Reviewed