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Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery Books in Order

23 Books
2012 – 2023 Published
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Reading order

The Recommended Reading Path

For the best reading experience, it is highly recommended to read the Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery series in publication order. Because the books follow the ongoing personal life of Hayley Powell—including her relationships, her career at the local newspaper, raising her teenagers, and her journey as a business owner in Bar Harbor, Maine—reading them chronologically prevents minor character spoilers. The recipes and cocktails included at the end of each chapter also evolve alongside Hayley's culinary confidence, making the publication sequence the most satisfying route through this cozy harbor town.

Hayley Powell Mysteries: The Complete Publication List

Below is the complete list of the series, combining the mainline novels and the holiday novellas (which were originally published in multi-author anthologies and later released as standalone ebooks):

  1. Death of a Kitchen Diva (2012) - The series opener where Hayley begins her food column and must clear her name when a rival is found dead.
  2. Death of a Country Fried Redneck (2012) - Hayley caters for a demanding country star who ends up dead.
  3. Death of a Coupon Clipper (2013) - A bargain hunt turns deadly when a coupon blogger is murdered.
  4. Death of a Chocoholic (2014) - Hayley investigates the murder of a local chocolate shop owner.
  5. Death of a Christmas Caterer (2014) - A festive mystery where a wealthy town matriarch is killed.
  6. Death of a Cupcake Queen (2015) - Hayley probes a murder involving a competitive cupcake bakery.
  7. Death of a Bacon Heiress (2016) - The death of a wealthy local heir draws Hayley into a new investigation.
  8. Death of a Pumpkin Carver (2016) - A Halloween-themed mystery involving a killer on the loose.
  9. Death of a Lobster Lover (2017) - Hayley defends her friend Mona when a lobster fisherman is found dead.
  10. Death of a Cookbook Author (2018) - A celebrity cook-off takes a dark turn when a plot is overheard.
  11. Death of a Wedding Cake Baker (2019) - A wedding planner is murdered, ruining a coastal ceremony.
  12. Death of a Blueberry Tart (2020) - Hayley investigates a suspicious fire and death at a local bakery.
  13. Death of a Wicked Witch (2020) - A Halloween mystery involving local psychics and mysterious deaths.
  14. Death of an Italian Chef (2021) - A prominent local chef is murdered just as his new restaurant opens.
  15. Halloween Party Murder (2021) - An anthology featuring the Hayley Powell story "Death of a Halloween Party Monster."
  16. Death of an Ice Cream Scooper (2022) - Summer in Bar Harbor turns chilly when an ice cream shop worker is killed.
  17. Death by Haunted House (2022) - Standalone release of the novella originally published in the 2019 Haunted House Murder anthology.
  18. Death by Yule Log (2022) - Standalone release of the novella originally published in the 2018 Yule Log Murder anthology.
  19. Death of a Christmas Carol (2022) - Standalone release of the novella originally published in the 2020 Christmas Card Murder anthology.
  20. Death of a Clam Digger (2023) - A local seafood supplier is targeted by a ruthless killer.
  21. Death of a Halloween Party Monster (2023) - The standalone ebook release of the 2021 holiday novella.
  22. Easter Basket Murder (2024) - An anthology featuring the Hayley Powell story "Death by Easter Egg."
  23. Death of a Gingerbread Man (2024) - A festive winter mystery centering on a local bakery crime.
  24. Death of a Tom Turkey (2025) - Hayley investigates the shooting of a local turkey farmer during the holidays.
  25. Death of a Grill Master (2026) - Hayley must solve a murder at a summer barbecue competition.

Understanding the Novellas and Holiday Anthologies

One common area of confusion for readers is the holiday novellas. Sibling authors Rick Copp and Holly Simason, writing as Lee Hollis, frequently contribute to Kensington Publishing's themed holiday anthologies alongside fellow cozy authors like Leslie Meier and Barbara Ross. These novellas are essential, fun additions to the Hayley Powell canon, but they can be read as standalones. Over the years, Kensington has repackaged these short stories as standalone ebooks, which accounts for some of the duplicate listings and varying release dates found on library systems and online retailers. For example, Death by Yule Log was first released in the Yule Log Murder anthology in 2018 before getting its own digital release in 2022. Whether you read them inside their original multi-author anthologies or as standalone digital short stories, they fit neatly into the timeline around the publication years of the main novels.

What to Know Before You Start

Before diving into Bar Harbor's mysteries, it is helpful to understand the unique collaborative spirit behind the pen name Lee Hollis. The books are co-authored by siblings Rick Copp, a veteran Hollywood screenwriter (known for his work on The Golden Girls and Wings), and Holly Simason, a celebrated cooking columnist. This partnership creates the perfect division of labor: Rick designs the clever plotting, pacing, and witty dialogue, while Holly crafts the delicious, accessible recipes and cocktail pairings that accompany each mystery. The books are famous for their lighthearted, highly entertaining tone that prioritizes community relationships and humor. Unlike darker detective fiction, the Hayley Powell series contains no graphic violence, making it a comforting escape for cozy mystery fans who love culinary themes, quirky townspeople, and family dynamics.

Practical Reader Advice

While publication order is recommended due to the recurring characters and Hayley's evolving family life, almost all of the novels can be enjoyed as standalones. Each mystery is self-contained and resolved by the final chapter. If you are looking for a place to test the waters, the clear starting point is Death of a Kitchen Diva, which establishes Hayley's transition from an overworked office manager to a popular columnist and amateur sleuth. If you want to sample the holiday-specific offerings, the anthologies like Halloween Party Murder and Easter Basket Murder provide quick, festive stories that showcase the series' signature humor without requiring you to catch up on years of character backstory. Additionally, fans of Lee Hollis's writing style may also enjoy their other mystery series, such as the Palm Springs-set Desert Flowers mysteries or the Portland-based Maya and Sandra series, which carry the same warmth and engaging storytelling.

Frequently Asked

QDo I need to read the Hayley Powell mysteries in order?

While each mystery is self-contained and can be read as a standalone, it is highly recommended to read them in publication order. This allows you to follow the ongoing character development of Hayley, her family, and her friends in Bar Harbor without encountering minor spoilers.

QWho is the author behind the pen name Lee Hollis?

Lee Hollis is the joint pseudonym of brother-and-sister writing team Rick Copp and Holly Simason. Rick brings his experience as a Hollywood screenwriter to handle the plots and dialogue, while Holly uses her background as a food columnist to create the book's recipes.

QAre the recipes in the Hayley Powell books real?

Yes! Every book features real, kitchen-tested recipes and cocktail pairings. They are created by co-author Holly Simason, who is an award-winning food and cooking columnist.

QWhat is the difference between the holiday anthologies and the standalone novellas?

Many of the holiday-themed stories (like Death by Yule Log or Death of a Christmas Carol) were originally published in multi-author printed anthologies alongside writers like Leslie Meier and Barbara Ross. They were later released as standalone digital ebooks, which is why they sometimes appear under two different titles or release years.

QWhere is the Hayley Powell mystery series set?

The series is set in the scenic, coastal town of Bar Harbor, Maine (referred to as Bay Harbor in some early promotional materials), offering a charming small-town backdrop filled with local color, lobster bakes, and tight-knit community dynamics.