I just love the themed holiday collection of novellas Kensington Publishing puts out and EASTER BASKET MURDER by Leslie Meier, Lee Hollis, and Barbara Ross is no exception. It’s such a fun way to catch up with favorite characters in between full-length releases or get to know a new author through the short novella without investing a lot of time. Each of the novellas is a complete mystery all on their own and I’m always amazed how the authors fit so much in with limited words.

Easter Basket Murder by Leslie Meier is part of the Lucy Stone Mysteries, and one that I haven’t read much of. I like that the protagonist, Lucy Stone, is a woman of a certain age, an empty nester, and still works as a part-time reporter for the local paper. When a golden egg, crafted by a local famous artist, is stolen, Lucy gets involved in discovering the thief. But instead of finding the egg, she uncovers heartbreaking elder abuse, infighting between the old guard and the new members of the Chamber of Commerce, and a dead body. The story started out slowly, but as the events piled up, the pace quickened. Ms. Meier does a good job of weaving in the Easter theme of the story throughout.

Death by Easter Egg by Lee Hollis finds protagonist Hayley Powell (owner of a local restaurant and newspaper columnist writer) hosting her son, future daughter-in-law, and her two-year-old grandson, Eli, for Easter week. The author obviously knows a thing or two about sugar-hyped up toddlers and writes the family scenes with humor…and making me very glad those toddler days are behind me. When the Easter bunny dies after eating peanut butter chocolate eggs—his EpiPen not found in the basket he was holding—Hayley can’t help but dig into what happened. The story flows and the fast-paced plot, interspersed with Hayley’s Easter reminiscing and cocktail and food recipes, kept me turning pages to find out what happens next while enjoying the close family setting and Easter festivities.

Hopped Along by Barbara Ross is probably my favorite of the bunch. Her characters have become like family over the course of the series and this plot had the most twists and turns to intrigue the reader. Set on protagonist Julia Snowden’s family island in Maine, on Easter Sunday, the author brings family and friends together to celebrate. When a top-hat, morning suit-wearing elderly man is found sprawled in the garden and then disappears leaving behind a stolen valuable rare copy of The Adventures of Peter Rabbit, Julia has a good idea where he’d been and where he might hide out. The action starts right away and continues at a good pace throughout the story. I really liked that Julia teams up with her boyfriend, State Police detective, Tom, to investigate. They work well together and I’ve enjoyed seeing their relationship progress. Be sure to read the heartwarming author’s note at the end, along with a recipe you’ll want to try out at home.

There are a few recipes provided in the book and I couldn’t wait to try the recipe from Lee Hollis for Scalloped Potatoes. Adding cheese is an option… but really, why would you forgo the extra layer of creamy deliciousness?! I liked that the sauce uses milk instead of heavy cream, as well as some chicken broth for extra savory taste. It was easy enough to prepare and by using a food processor to slice the potatoes, the dish came together in a timely manner. Everyone loved the scalloped potatoes and will definitely be added to my side dish dinner rotation!

 

 

Amazon Synopsis

EASTER BASKET MURDER by LESLIE MEIER
Tinker’s Cove businesses are clashing over a new Easter Basket–themed promotion to boost in-store sales, with tensions boiling over the grand prize—a mysterious golden egg crafted by a reclusive Maine artist. When the one-of-a-kind art piece is stolen, it’s up to part-time reporter Lucy Stone to investigate three struggling entrepreneurs who stick out in the local scene. But a huge town scandal comes into focus when a harmless shopping spree turns deadly, leaving Lucy to stop a murderer from springing back into action . . .

DEATH BY EASTER EGG by LEE HOLLIS
As Bar Harbor’s annual egg hunt approaches, Island Food & Spirits columnist and restauranteur Hayley Powell is thrilled to introduce her grandson, Eli, to local springtime traditions. Turns out, keeping up with a rambunctious toddler isn’t always sunshine and rainbows—especially when a decadent peanut butter treat kills the Easter bunny himself during the festivities! Now, with a clear-as-cellophane case of murder on her hands, it’s up to Hayley to crack the clues and scramble deadly plans before it’s too late . . .

HOPPED ALONG by BARBARA ROSS
Julia Snowden’s Easter Sunday at Windsholme, a sprawling mansion tucked away on a remote Maine island, looks like it’s been borrowed from the pages of a lifestyle magazine. But when a dead body is discovered in the garden—then vanishes soon after without any explanation—an innocent hunt for eggs becomes a dangerous hunt for answers. With no clues beyond a copy of The Adventures of Peter Rabbit, Julia must find out if April Fool’s Day came early or if she’s caught in a killer’s twisted game . . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

A huge thank you to Lee Hollis for providing TWO print copies of EASTER BASKET MURDER! Contest ends February 18, 2024 at 11:59 pm PST and is limited to U.S. residents only. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below to enter. The winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.