A. L. Herbert writes an engaging and entertaining culinary whodunit. When a local hairdresser turned famous hair product mogul winds up dead after her big product launch party, the police arrest an quasi-innocent man, and restaurant owner Halia must solve the mystery. Aided by her cousin and partner in crime, Wavonne, the pair navigate through the night club scene, drag queen performances, and the disappearance of steamy Dominican personal chefs. Laugh out dialogue and a surprise twist ending will have readers begging for the next book in this cozy mystery series. Includes mouth watering recipes to take the reading experience to the next level.

This is the first book I've read by this author and I was pleasantly surprised with the style of writing and the content of the story.
The titles of the books are clever and the book cover is vibrant and colorful.
I plan to read the other books in the series.

I thought this had a promising premise but it felt like a caricature of African American women and that really turned me off.
I could not finish the book.

Mahalia (Halia)Watkins, owner of Sweet Tea Soul Food restaurant in Prince Georges County, Maryland, is known for two things: her cooking and her solving murders. When Halia and Wavonne get to meet a local celebrity and hair care entrepreneur, Monique, they are invited to her annual party of the year.

When Monique is found dead shortly after the party ends, her husband is arrested for her murder and he asks Halia to find the real murdered before he’s sent up the river to the big house. While not a fan of the man, Halia believes he may not be guilt and begins poking around and tries to figure out who killed Monique.

So many suspects, so many plausible scenarios. Halia and the gang made this a fun read, especially in my old stomping grounds of PG County, Maryland. It brought back some fun memories and makes me want to go back home for a visit!

I picked this one up due to the fairly local setting for me. A fun read, but not sure I'll check out the rest of the author's work.

A Mahalia Watkins Soul Food Mystery

Halia and Wavonne are back! Serving the best soul food in the area at Mahlia's restaurant, Sweet Tea. Between laughing at Wavonne and drooling over the delicious food Halia turns out I was thoroughly entertained!

While getting their hair done, a local girl who made it in the big time of hair care pops in with her video crew to shoot one of her top-selling salons. Everyone is excited to meet Monique Dupree and before they know it the ladies are being invited to the big Hair Expo.

Inviting them all back to her restaurant for a good dinner, Mahalia is getting some negative vibes coming off a few of Monique's friends and husband. She's also getting some nice vibes from their personal chef.

But when Monique is found shot to death  in her own home, everyone is looking to Mahalia to look into things. And there was plenty to look into! Every last one of them is hiding some nasty secret and Monique it turns out was hiding some of her own. One that could rock her empire.

This is one cozy series that I really like. The characters are real and aren't perfect, but that is why we love them, they are just like us. 

Well Done!

Netgalley/March 26th 2019 by Kensington

I requested this book because it looked fun, and who doesn't need a fun read these days? This was also my first foray into Cozy Mystery and I have to say I probably won't linger long in this subgenre.

I read a lot of thrillers and gripping mysteries. This particular title and the author, while cute and entertaining just wasn't for me. I look for a fast pace and a thrilling ride and this book was more of a slow, southern crawl. I know most readers look for the recipes as well... I flipped right past them. The actual murder in this book happens entirely too late for my taste and the amateur investigation just didn't turn my crank. Not a terrible book at all but unfortunately not for me.

Halia and Wavonne are back. There is never a dull moment around Sweet Tea. Murder with Collard Greens and Hot Sauce centers around Monique Dupree and her hair care line. Monique is a mystery, but yet a "home girl" made good. Some of her friends and tournament is questionable. As always Halia is sticking her nose in where it does not belong. Wavonne is still "embarrassing" as ever. This book was a fast read. The mystery was not as mysterious as the previous two books. Overall, the story was good and funny as always. I look forward to the next book. Hopefully it will not be another three years. The book includes recipes. The recipes are always a plus.

Love this book will read more from this author thank you to net galley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book

Halia Watkins and Wavonne are back! Halia owns Sweet Tea, a soul food restaurant in Maryland, and she and cousin Wavonne are delighted to meet glamorous entrepreneur Monique, who has created an empire with her beauty products for African-American women. Of course, when there’s a murder after Monique’s over-the-top party, Halia gets involved, much to the annoyance of the local police. I usually find cozy mysteries pretty predictable, but this one kept me guessing until the end. Great characters coupled with humor and a well plotted story made Murder with Collard Greens and Hot Sauce another winner in this series for me.

I love this author!
I always look forward to the recipes as much as the stories.
Each one is better and better! I finished it in one day!
While you don't need to start with the first one to enjoy this book, do yourself a favor and start with the first one.
I'm looking forward to the many books that are to come.

Mahalia, or Halia is doing a bang up business at her Sweet Tea cafe. A swanky hair convention in town has got everyone flocking to her restaurant for refreshment. The pop star Monique Dupree is found murdered, and there are plenty of suspects. It would seem no one really loved Monique as much as Monique did. That leaves Halia and cousin Wavonne (love that name!) to find the real culprit. This is a fun cozy mystery spiced up with soul food and sass