Murder at the PTA
*𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝘆 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝗼𝗻 𝟴/𝟭𝟴/𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟬
While I am continuing to post my regular content, the BLM movement is still going on. Please keep referring to my story and linktree to find ways to help out.✊🏻‼️
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Lee Hollis is my favorite cozy mystery duo because they wrote my absolute favorite series, and I was so honored that netgalley accepted my request to read their newest series. Seriously. Like sobbing when I got the notification.😂
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Sandra Wallage, PTA president is put under full blast on the website Dirty Laundry when they say that her senator husband has been covering up a sex scandal. Maya Kendrick, another parent, who doubles as a private investigator crosses paths with her old classmate, who happens to be Sandra, they team up to decide to find out who is behind the venomous site, and when they do, she’s dead.😨
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Yes, I did guess the killer within the first hundred pages, but alas the curse of reading too many books struck again. I can honestly tell you that, that perspective didn’t hinder my enjoyment at all. I still loved the characters, and the enemies to friends was something that I haven’t really read in a cozy mystery before. I seriously can’t believe I have to wait for more books to come out instead of just binging the first five or so, and I can’t recommend Lee Hollis enough.😁
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I posted this on my story, but would you all like me to a guide to cozy mysteries, or a starter pack type thing? Let me know!💋
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Dm me to talk about all things book or writing related! I’ll be looking forward to it! —Em😌

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Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Books for ARC of Murder at the PTA for an exchange for an honest review.

It is with a heavy heart that after reading the book, I feel that the characters were not memorable nor did they leave a good impression on me wanting to pursue them further in seeing their relationship through. I liked a few things that were pointed out, that one main character came from a nuclear family, and the other was a single parent unit who is hardworking and learning to balance the odds. However, there were many items projected into the story that made me wonder if I was at a Comicon or actually reading a murder mystery novel.

I'm a fan of Lee Hollis and her Hayley Powell series, but this one... I can't say I am.

I anticipated this as a cozy mystery and it fit the bill. It has a surprising ending which I was thrilled about. People are never as they seem!

#bookreview

Murder at the PTA by Lee Hollis

Rating: 4/5
The first book in the Maya and Sandra series starts when Sandra, the PTA president of Portland High School and wife of U.S senator becomes the new victim of the school’s scandalous gossipy website called “Dirty Laundry”. When a private investigator and a fellow mom Maya Kendrick finds out the person behind this Dirty Laundry, she goes to charge the columnist and finds a lifeless body, along with a confession. Although the Police rules out any case of foul play, Maya is not still convinced. With Sandra by her side, she goes to find the real truth unknowing of the fact that the truth is going to be more scandalous than she imagined.

Murder at the PTA is a fast-paced crime thriller novel with so many layers to it. The emotional aspects of the characters are shown in a way that makes the novel closer to your heart. The writing style is lucid and it can be your pick up if you are starting with the genre. Throughout the book, you are hooked to the narration and the alternative telling of the stories from Maya and Sandra’s point of view makes it more enjoyable.

As this is the first installment in the series, more priority was given to the character development part than the actual mystery itself. And, honestly, I don’t have a problem with that. I always enjoy stories with a strong background in character development part. However, if you are only looking for an action-packed crime thriller, you will be disappointed.

The climax was not at all predictable. I was perplexed when I found out the truth. The female protagonists are portrayed very well. The step by step approach conclusion was a treat to read. The side characters were also lovable. I loved how the author has given space to every character to shine.

Overall, it was a nice read. I will suggest this drama to all the beginners who are finding it difficult to start with a book in this particular genre.

This is the first book of the new Maya and Sandra Mystery Series by Lee Hollis. Sandra is a US Senator’s wife and new president of the PTA. Maya is a former police officer turned PI. These two opposites find a much needed friendship trying to solve the mystery of who killed the assistant principal.

I enjoyed this book quite a lot. Being the first book in a new series, there was a lot of character development and back story. At times the story took a back seat to that, but the I never saw the identity of the murderer coming and that always makes it a great mystery. I can’t wait to read more in this series!

DISCLAIMER: I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was intrigued by the description of this book, Desparate Housewives meets Murder She Wrote. And it lives up to that billing. I enjoyed getting introduced to these characters, especially Maya. It was a well thought out plot and kept my interest for the whole book.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by NetGalley.

**I received this ebook in exchange for my honest review from NetGalley**

This was such a good read. I love mysteries involving everyday life. I could really connect with the characters, and the story was written very well. I'm not a person that spoils in reviews, but if you love mystery and PTA drama then you'll definitely enjoy this book. I'd recommend for a light read that will keep you drawn in and entertained.

“Murder at the PTA” is the newest novel for Lee Hollis. Maya has had a tough go of it with a pregnant partner, a husband in prison, barely able to pay the bills and raising a teenage daughter by herself. Sandra has had her world shaken up by a scandal involving her husband, her position as the PTA president on shaky ground, and she realizes her life holds little meaning until she finds herself with Maya in the principal’s office looking at the dead body of the administrative assistant. Together, but separately they each begin an investigation that leads them on a wild adventure and the beginning of friendship. I was given an advanced copy of this book, and all of the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Maya and Sandra Mystery

There is a website called Dirty Laundry going around Portland High and the latest target is the new PTA president Sandra Wallace a senators wife and her two sons go to that high school. We also meet Maya a private investigator who married a dirty cop serving time who also has a daughter going to the high school.

Maya has an eighth month pregnant partner, but stakeouts and interviewing suspects is hard to do for her. Seeing her daughter and Sandra's son are dating she gives her a quick rundown on the rules and takes a chance on her.
When Maya and Sandra come upon the Dirty Laundry's body in her office in the high school they call he police and Maya is rushed out of the room fast. So when it is ruled a suicide and not a murder she knows something is wrong because she and Sandra showed up first and she saw evidence proving it was murder. She doesn't trust the cop that investigated the scene of the crime but she is not a cop any longer so she has no where to go but to keep investigating with Sandra.

Sandra turns out to be a good with people and getting them to open up
with all her years of being a senators wife it comes easy and Maya's friend doesn't like it. And Maya can't understand what her problem is there trying to find answers. Maya thinks she must be jealous of the time she is spending with Sandra.
I could not believe the ending of the book, I didn't see it coming. I can't wait for the next book in this series. These two will be great together!!

This is a fun cozy mystery. I loved how it is set in a school environment. Another winner by Lee Hollis and I can't wait to read more in this series!

This is the first book in a new series and a very good one. As it a new series, time is spent having us learn about the protagonists--their backgrounds,their husbands, their children, their high school lives and all that has led them to where they are currently. I don't think that takes away from the story but the murder doesn't take place until about a third of the way in.

Maya is a PI, who had resigned from the Portland police department when her husband was arrested and convicted of corruption, and Sandra, wife of the junior senator from Maine. Maya has a partner, Frances who is in her last months of pregnancy and not able to really help.

Someone is writing a nasty gossip site called "Dirty Laundry" about the high school and related happenings in South Portland, Maine called Dirty Laundry. Maya's daughter asks her to investigate who it is when the gossip begins to impact the high school negatively. Sandra has already been blindsided by an article about her Senator husband using taxpayer money to settle a sexual harassment suit.

Maya and Sandra discover the Asst. Principal's body hanging from a ceiling joist in her office. Her death is ruled a suicide but Maya saw the bruise on her neck and knew she was strangled. The victim's sister doesn't believe her sister committed suicide and hires Maya to dig into it. And so the mystery takes off....

I was totally surprised by who done it and why.

Looking forward to the next installments.

I received an ARC from Kensington via Net Galley but the opinions expressed are my own.

This is the first in a new series by Lee Hollis. This author never disappoints as the long-running Hailey Powell series illustrates. Lee Hollis is actually two people a brother and sister using their middle names but from the biographical info, it would appear that this one is a solo effort by the brother half Rick Copp and he does a good job of making the characters believable, real, and relatable and weaves an engaging story. It is fast-paced and eminently readable and hard to put down.
This book introduces new characters a senator's wife and a private detective. An odd pairing who at first are at odds but eventually work together to solve a mysterious death. There are twists and turns in the book that keep one interested and the story engaging and fast-moving. I eagerly await the next book in this very welcome new series.

What a fun, quick-paced mystery! The author developed the characters nicely, weaving together the story without leaving any loose ends. I can't wait to learn more about Sandra and Maya and read future books in this series!

Someone is trying to expose all of the dirty little secrets of the students and staff at the Portland High School. Even newly elected PTA president Sandra Wallage. Sandra runs into fellow mom and private investigator Maya Kendrick, who has figured out who the author of the website that ya caused so much trouble. But when they go to confront them, they find them dead. In what appears to be a suicide. But the ex cop in Maya feels that there is more to it than that. So she, with the help of Sandra, decide to look into the death.

This was a great little story. It’s the first in a new series, and is shaping up to be a new must read series for me. This story was funny, and really held your interest. The characters were all wonderful, and just came alive off the page. This is the first book by this author I’ve read, but it won’t be the last. I really enjoyed this book.

I always enjoy cozy mysteries authored by Lee Hollis. This book differs from many cozy mystery debuts. In this series the sleuths are actually a duo. Maya is a private investigator and Sandra is a housewife and PTA president. They are united through their children and a shared fortitude that comes from suffering through disappointment. Maya and Sandra both have complicated marriages and a penchant for righting wrongs. I love that the characters in this book have layers. The surprising twist was the cherry on top.

I enjoyed this book. It's a bit different from a standard cozy mystery as one of the main characters is a private detective investigating the murder of the school assistant. The assistant was running a dirty laundry website and her murder was called a suicide. The main character Maya teams up with the school PTA president Sandy to investigate it and the ending is a surprise. #MurderatthePTA #NetGalley

A solid first book in the Maya and Sandra series. I really enjoyed the characters and the murder mystery was interesting. I look forward to the next book in the series.

The first in a new series following Maya, a private detective, and Sandra, a housewife and PTA president. There was no mystery to solve until about 25%. Then it still was about building a relationship between Maya and Sandra. I found the book ok overall. I love cozy mysteries, but so many I read are deep into a series. I forget how the first book really needs to set the overall tone and theme of the series. I will still read the next one that comes out to see if I want to continue. I just found the book a little slow and the mystery part was just ok.

Murder at the PTA by Lee Hollis is the debut cozy mystery series set in Portland, Maine, with Maya and Sandra as the main characters. Since this is the first book in the series, there seemed to be a lot of character development and not as much emphasis on the actual mystery. The mystery seemed to take a backseat to the characters and who they were and how they knew each other. This was okay, but it made for some slow reading at times. Sandra and Maya are two strong characters who work very well together. I also liked the teenage characters and their storylines and added some extra areas to focus on.

I was quite surprised by the ending and did not guess who the murder turned out to be. I like it when the ending is not predictable, and this one was not.

I look forward to more books in this series. The characters were relatable and solid, the story was good, and the mystery was a surprise.

#MurderatthePTA #NetGalley

A housewife, a private eye, and the PTA make for an excellent read! The mixture of characters is so fun and different, and they lead the reader down a path of twists and turns. This book is fun filled mystery, even if it was required school reading!