Liddy is hoping to organize the perfect wedding. She has the style and the money to do it. Her cousin, Lisa, wants to force her own agenda, to showcase her baking talent. The title gives away how successful Lisa is, but this is not the only conflict. This cozy mystery takes the reader on several surprising twists.
This is book #11 in the Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery series. Hayley’s BFF, Liddy, is planning her perfect wedding to fiancé Sonny Lipton. The book takes the reader through several twists and surprises that keep it fast paced and you won’t figure it all out until the reveal.
Death of a Wedding Cake Baker by Lee Hollis
Asiago, Bacon, and Caramelized Onion Dip
from a cozy mystery novel:
Death of a Wedding Cake Baker
by Lee Hollis
Book Outline and Tone:
Most brides dream of the perfect wedding cake for that traditional cake feeding picture. Lindy is no exception. She knows just what she wants, an angel food cake, her favorite. But her cousin, Lisa and Bar Harbor’s bakery owner, is not listening. She presents Liddy with chocolate walnut cake (ew!). Lisa is so contrary that it is not a surprise when the book titled Death of a Wedding Cake Baker that Lisa, the wedding cake baker, dies.
So who killed Lisa and why is the primary mystery, but it is not the only mystery in this novel. Liddy’s fiancé is not showing much interest in the wedding and on the other hand, he is professing his unalterable love for Liddy. So he can’t live without her and also doesn’t care about the wedding. That’s enough to make everyone confused!
Let’s not forget about the fun side of this series, the food and cocktail columns that Haley writes for the local paper. These appear scattered throughout the novel. They give the reader some comedy relief and insight into Hayley’s lighter side. I absolutely adore reading these columns!
The Best Quote:
“Hayley knew from the sour look on Liddy’s face that the perfectly lovely afternoon was about to take a sharp turn toward Disaster Alley”
The Author: Lee Hollis
This book was written by Lee Hollis. Well sort of… Lee Hollis is the pseudonym for the real authors, a brother and sister team, Rick Copp and Holly Simason. There is more information on Goodreads. Like their protagonist Hayley Powell, Copp and Simason are from Maine. Copp moved to Hollywood and wrote for The Golden Girls, Wings, Teen Titans and a long list of impressive television and movies. Simason is a columnist in Maine and writes a cooking column. Fortunately for us readers, they decided to combine their talents and write the Lee Hollis series, currently being published by Kensington House Publishing Corporation. The Hayley Powell series has a Facebook page. The authors are active on both Twitter and Instagram.
What is not to like?:
I rarely find fault with this series. It is clever, relatable, fun, and keeps you guessing until the very end. This installment is no different.
The verdict:
First of all, if you need a good appetizer, make this. It is absolutely fantastic. Second, read the book. You will fall in love with this series.
Disclaimer: In the name of full transparency, please be aware that this blog post contains affiliate links and any purchases made through such links will result in a small commission for me (at no extra cost for you).
Asiago, Bacon, and Caramelized Onion Dip
Assemble the Ingredients
Preheat your oven to 425°F.
Add the two tablespoons of olive oil to a large skillet and heat over medium high heat.
Add your onion to the skillet and cook for about 5 minutes, then bring your heat down to low and sauté the onions, stirring occasionally, until golden brown-about 20-40 minutes.
Remove from heat and cool slightly.
Add your crumbled bacon, half of your Asiago cheese, half of your chives.
Then add the rest of the ingredients, stirring to combine.
Spray a one-quart baking dish with cooking spray and put your onion mixture into the baking dish.
Sprinkle the top with the rest of the Asiago cheese.
Bake in the oven for 20 minutes or until bubbly.
Remove and sprinkle with the remaining chives.
Serve with your favorite crackers and enjoy!
Asiago, Bacon, and Caramelized Onion Dip from a cozy mystery by Lee Hollis
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 6-7 cups chopped onion
- 4 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
- 4 oz shredded Asiago cheese, divided
- 4 Tbsp chopped chives, divided
- ⅔ cup real mayonnaise
- ⅔ cup sour cream
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F.
- Add the two tablespoons of olive oil to a large skillet and heat over medium high heat.
- Add your onion to the skillet and cook for about 5 minutes, then bring your heat down to low and sauté the onions, stirring occasionally, until golden brown-about 20-40 minutes.
- Remove from heat and cool slightly.
- Add your crumbled bacon, half of your Asiago cheese, half of your chives, and the rest of the ingredients, stirring to combine.
- Spray a one-quart baking dish with cooking spray and put your onion mixture into the baking dish.
- Sprinkle the top with the rest of the Asiago cheese.
- Bake in the oven for 20 minutes or until bubbly.
- Remove and sprinkle with the remaining chives.
- Serve with your favorite crackers and enjoy!
What would I do differently next time?
Nothing it was absolutely delicious!
Here are more delicious recipes from Lee Hollis books.
Dreamy Orange Dreamsicle Cake from Death of a Cupcake Queen,
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies from Death of a Pumpkin Carver,
Southern Mac and Cheese from Death of a Country Fried Redneck, and
