Brenda H. (booksinvt) - , reviewed on 7/13/2016 + 465 more book reviews

Death of a Pumpkin Carver is the eighth installment in the Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails series. Hayley Powell has settled into her position as office manager and food columnist for the Island Times in Bar Harbor, ME. It's Halloween in Bar Harbor and Hayley gets a nasty trick in the form of her ex-husband Danny appearing back in town.

Danny has broken up with his girlfriend Becky Cameron and come back to town. He's staying with his Uncle Otis Pearson in the moonshiners tiny cabin in the woods, but trying hard to worm his way back into the family house. Their kids Gemma and Dustin are happy to have their dad back in town but Hayley knows Danny is most likely up to no good. It doesn't take long for her fears to come true, when Otis is found bludgeoned to death in the cemetery.

Hayley soon learns that Danny has gotten involved in a scheme that left him owing money to the Boston mob. When two dangerous men appear in town it's obvious that they are looking for their money. Danny becomes the prime suspect in Otis' murder based on the fact that the moonshiner had been hiding money in his mattress and only Danny and Hayley knew where his stash was and it's gone. While Hayley doesn't think much of her ex-husband she knows in her heart that he is not a murderer and decides to set out to clear his name.

Hayley's best friends Mona and Liddy are on hand to help along with Hayley's brother Randy and his boyfriend Sergio, the Chief of the Bar Harbor Police Department. In addition to figuring out who the killer is Hayley has her hands full trying to maintain an amicable relationship with her ex-boyfriend Aaron Palmer. Aaron is the local veterinarian and Gemma is working for him for the summer. Gemma is having a difficult time dealing with Aaron's assistant and receptionist Edna, who is determined to make the young girl look bad in the eyes of their boss.

Sal Moretti, Hayley's boss at the Island Times is anxious for Hayley and reporter Bruce Linney to solve the crime and get the scoop published. Hayley's relationship with Bruce has evened out and things are starting to heat up between the two.

While it's not necessary to read the series in order, I recommend that you do in order to have the full background of the main cast of characters. A fun, fast read with lots of laughs, a delightful group of people and yummy recipes for both food and cocktails.

I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley via Kensington Publishing. While not required to write a review I am more than happy to offer my honest opinion.

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