MURDER AT THE PTA

Book 1 in the Maya and Sandra Mysteries

by Lee Hollis

A Barnes & Noble Exclusive Edition

First in a new series!

Someone is trying to turn Portland High into a school for scandal with a gossipy website called Dirty Laundry. The latest target of ruinous rumors is newly elected PTA president Sandra Wallage. After a heated meeting with outraged parents, Sandra runs into fellow school mom and private investigator Maya Kendrick, who's discovered the person behind the website. But when the women storm into the venomous gossip columnist’s office they find a lifeless body—along with a confession.

Although the police rule the death a suicide, Maya suspects an injured party hung the Dirty Laundry creator out to dry. Maya already has a PI partner—but she's pregnant, and sonograms and stakeouts tend to conflict. So when Sandra volunteers for a crash course in sleuthing, Maya accepts the help. But as these unlikely partners study the clues, a killer plans to teach them a lesson . . .

MY REVIEW

As a big time fan of author Lee Hollis’ Hayley Powell Food & Cocktail Mysteries, I was beyond excited to hear of this new series. When starting this book, I hoped I would like it at least half as much as I do the Hayley Powell series.

While MURDER AT THE PTS turned out to be a well written story, and a good start to a new series, I have to say it doesn’t read like a typical cozy. The subject matter is more mainstream mystery. Subjects like affairs, and drugs are present as more than passing mentions. (I kn0w, these are small town issues as well, but not so much in cozies) There is also mild profanity, and the word B*sta.. pops up at least once.

Now, I know what you must be thinking. “Lisa didn’t like this book.” That’s far from true. I devoured MURDER AT THE PTA in one sitting. However, I know many who read my reviews are cozy “purists” like I am, and I felt the need to mention the above. If you like all sub-genres of mysteries, you have got to read this book.

There was one revelation wasn’t such a surprise to me, but the story was a good mystery, and the identity of the killer surprised me. This really was a well done introduction to a series. Lee Hollis made sure to allow us time to get to know the characters. I really like Maya and Sandra, and look forward to watching their partnership and friendship grow.

If you’re looking for a new mystery series to start, and you’re a fan of the old song HARPER VALLEY PTA, you’re going to want to read, MURDER AT THE PTA.

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