Main character Hayley has just made a new friend. Like Hayley, she is a good cook and loves food. Trudy runs a food truck and serves up some of the finest sandwiches Hayley has ever had. Not everyone is excited about a new food truck in town, including the owner of the only other food truck. Drama is about to unfold in Bar Harbor, Maine.

This is book #13 in the Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery series. Set in Bar Harbor, Maine, just outside Acadia National Park, Hayley writes a column for the local paper where she shares recipes and funny stories. In this novel, the mystery revolves around the new reverend and his wife. Who would not want them in their town?

Death of a Wicked Witch by Lee Hollis

Ultimate Comfort Grilled Cheese Sandwich

from a cozy mystery:

Death of a Wicked Witch

by Lee Hollis

Book Outline and Tone:

I am a big fan of this series, and I often rave about the humorous columns that main character, Hayley, writes for her local paper. But for this installment, the murder mystery and a will they/won’t they story line are what kept me turning the pages.

Hayley and Bruce seem to be settling into married life well. Gemma, Hayley’s daughter, comes to visit with her boyfriend Connor. All is not well in that relationship and Hayley spends a lot of time trying to decide if she should intervene. Author Lee Hollis does a great job writing Gemma as a young adult dealing with what comes across as believable drama for 20-somethings.

The main mystery revolves around new friends for Hayley and Bruce. Their church is retiring the pastor, and Reverend Ted and his wife Trudy come to take his place. Hayley and Trudy hit it off right away. Trudy has a food truck and makes outstanding sandwiches. It seems as though Ted and Trudy will make a great addition to Bar Harbor, but not everyone agrees. There is a murder and fingers get pointed in many different directions.

The Best Quote:

“I’ll tell you what happened,” Hayley whispered, still trying to catch her breath. “I caught you smoking again, that’s what happened. Now do me a favor and call Sergio.”

Point of View:

The novel is told in third person with the reader knowing Hayley’s thoughts.

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 enjoyed this storyline quite a bit. Hayley and Bruce are a strong couple that will hopefully fuel many more novels to come!

I usually love Hayley’s food and cocktails columns that are sporadically included, but for this novel, the columns seem forced and not near as entertaining.

The verdict:

Pick it up! Read and enjoy the story. Hayley is so likable and smart. She makes a great main character.

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).

Randy’s Comfort Grilled Cheese

Assemble the Ingredients

The bread I used to make these sandwiches was homemade sourdough sandwich bread made by my awesome sister. Each week she bakes 2 loaves of tangy, tasty sourdough bread in a sandwich bread pan and she gives me a loaf! She is the best sister, and I am so lucky!

Add 1 tablespoon butter to the pan and heat to medium low.

Butter one side of your sourdough bread,

then spread fig jam on the other and place butter-side down in a heated pan.

Add the bacon and cheese. Feel free to add a bit more cheese if you desire,

then sprinkle on the green onions.

Butter one side of the second slice of bread and place it on top of bread in a pan butter-side up.

Molly’s Kitchen Tip!

I always cove the fry pan when making grilled cheese sandwiches. I feel the trapped heat helps the cheese to melt.

When the bread in the pan is toasted golden brown, carefully flip your sandwich over and toast the other side until cheese is melted and bread is golden brown on that side.

Remove from heat, place on a plate, slice in two, and enjoy!

Ultimate Comfort Grilled Cheese

Hayley's brother Randy came up with this fantastic recipe

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

Course Bread, cheese, grilled cheese, lunch, Sandwich

Cuisine American

Servings 1 sandwich

Ingredients

4 slices crispy bacon (I used the precooked type and microwaved it until perfectly crispy)
2 slices sourdough bread (or bread of your choice)
fig jam (enough for spreading on the bread)
3 ounces sliced gruyere cheese (more if you prefer cheesy goodness)
1 Tbsp chopped green onion
3 Tbsp butter
Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

Add 1 tablespoon butter to the pan and heat to medium low.
Butter one side of your sourdough bread,
then spread fig jam on the other and place butter-side down in a heated pan.
Add the bacon and cheese. Feel free to add a bit more cheese if you desire,
sprinkle on the green onions.
Butter one side of the second slice of bread and place it on top of bread in a pan butter-side up.
When the bread in the pan is toasted golden brown, carefully flip your sandwich over and toast the other side until cheese is melted and bread is golden brown on that side.
Remove from heat, place on a plate, slice in two, and enjoy!