Set in Maine outside of Acadia National Park, Hayley is a food and drink columnist for her local paper. She is about to have her 20th high school reunion when both drama and baked treats are everywhere.
This fast paced novel is mean girls meets the people pleaser. Yummy treats, romance and mystery round out this novel which is #6 in the Hayley Powell food and cocktails mystery.
Death of a Cupcake Queen by Lee Hollis
Cozy Mystery Novel with Recipes
Book Review
Outline and Tone:
The protagonist is about to have her 20th high school reunion. She and her two friends are from the same graduating class. To plan for the event Hayley has to meet with some of the mean girls from her class. One of them, Sabrina, still resides in their hometown. While Hayley and Sabrina have matured to a friendly tolerance of each other, the incoming mean girls, Ivy and Nykki seem to have the same mentality that they did in high school. It all goes awry at the reunion party when one of these mean girls is murdered at the event. Now Hayley, who in addition to writing her column, enjoys solving mysteries. The story continues with another classmate who is now homeless and threatens to tell a big secret, a super sexy boy toy of one of the mean girls, 2 more deaths and another mystery that is from 20 years ago.
The author:
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.
The verdict:
While there are several cozy mysteries out there, this one is easily like the cream that rises to the surface. I was more than pleasantly surprised with the upbeat tone and page turning tempo. This one is on my highly recommended list.
What is not to like?:
There is some swearing in the novel. Of course since it is a murder mystery, there is also some violence. Neither is graphically over the top. As far as sex, there are but a few kisses.
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Assemble the ingredients
Add all ingredients (except for the cool whip topping) to the bowl of an electric mixer and mix on medium for 2 minutes.
I was at my mom’s home for an extended visit and used her equipment for this recipe. She had this Kitchenaid Artisan Mini Plus with 3.5 quart bowl. I was skeptical at first since the mixer is so much smaller than my mixer at home. But Kitchenaid did not disappoint! not only was the mixer big enough to mix all of the ingredients, but it was also strong enough. If you are in need of a small mixer, this one is a 5 star winner!
It is worth it to get the larger stand mixer. This is big enough to handle any recipe and most recipes when doubled!
Pour into a prepared (greased and floured or spray with a nonstick spray) 9X13 pan. Spread the batter with OXO’s Good Grips Silicone Everyday Spatula. Then bake for 30 minutes.
The cake is done baking when a toothpick inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean. At this point allow the cake to cool to room temperature and then refrigerate until cool.
When the cake is chilled, simply frost with cool whip and add either fresh orange pieces on top or candied oranges. This is the perfect cold summer dessert!
What would I do differently next time?
This is another great and super simple recipe. I think next time I might try using a vanilla (or yellow) box of cake mix and add lime gelatin. I’m not thoroughly convinced that the cake mix has to be the same flavor as the gelatin. My family loved this cake cold from the fridge on a hot summer day.
Dreamy Orange Dreamsicle Cake
Ingredients
- 1 box Orange cake mix [I used Duncan Hines Perfectly Moist Orange Supreme cake mix]
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup oil
- 1½ cup water
- 3 oz. box of orange Jell-O mix
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
- Then combine all of your ingredients in a bowl and with an electric mixer, mix for 2 minutes until blended.
- Pour into a greased and floured 13x9 baking dish.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
- Cool your cake completely then frost with a whipped topping of your choice.
Try these desserts with fruit!
Apple Orchard Bars from Fudge Cupcake Murder by Joanne Fluke,
Apple Turnovers from Two Parts Sugar One Part Murder by Valerie Burns, and
Apple Spiced Muffins from Grilled for Murder by Maddie Day.
I know you will enjoy the recipes and the novels!
I love this recipe! It was super easy to make and absolutely a hit with the whole family. I cannot wait to see what other recipes will come out.