Hailey Powell, along with her husband Bruce, is attending a local turkey shoot. Everyone who entered has a chance to win, and Hailey is pleased (so is Bruce) with her results. But sometime during the event, a local curmudgeon, Tom Farley, is shot. While the bullet isn't fatal, and he has a lot of enemies, Hailey wonders who wanted him dead.

But it's not as easy as that. Tom is the lone holdout to a company that wants to purchase his land to build and is willing to pay top dollar. Of course, his neighbors are unhappy, but are they unhappy enough to kill him? Hailey questions him in the hospital, but the ornery man doesn't have the answers she wants.

Unfortunately, neither do the neighbors. They don't like her questions, and they want her to go away. So how is she supposed to find out who shot him? Soon enough, it doesn't matter when Tom turns up dead and now there's a murder investigation. In between trying to serve people Thanksgiving dinner at her restaurant, dealing with her friends Liddy and Mona, who have problems of their own, and enjoying her own Thanksgiving meal at her brother's home, Hailey's life is full. But is it so full she can't find out the truth?...

This is the 18th book in the series, and I have read them all. I love how Hailey has evolved. In the first book, I was not enthused by her, and almost called an end to the series right there. But she's changed, she's gotten stronger and better. She's a great character who's actually in a happy marriage (sorry, single sleuths). It's pleasant and refreshing. Especially to know that Bruce loves her as much as she loves him. Even when an old flame comes to town. Oh, did I forget to mention that? Yeah, Hailey has to deal with that, too.

But there is a lot going on. A lot of suspects, a lot of action, and a lot of questions. Especially about the gruesome way in which Tom Farley died (read the book). Yet Hailey perseveres, and eventually, with the help of one unexpected person, she discovers the truth. And while not pleasant, it leaves a very good epilogue that I hope will lead us into the next in the series. Highly recommended.

I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.

Death of a Tom Turkey serves up a satisfying slice of holiday-themed sleuthing, mixing small-town charm with a juicy murder and a delightfully tangled web of suspects. The premise is as clever as it is quirky: cranky turkey farmer Tom Farley claims someone tried to take him out during a shooting competition, only to later wind up actually dead—right on the land he swore he’d die on. Whether it’s foul play or fowl play, amateur sleuth Hayley has her hands full.
The final reveal ties everything together in a satisfying way that hits all the right cozy mystery notes.

Death of a Tom Turkey is a warm, witty holiday mystery that proves Thanksgiving isn’t just about food and family, it’s also the perfect time for murder.

#DeathofaTomTurkey #NetGalley is the latest book in this long running series.
Hayley and her husband Bruce become involved in the investigation of the death of a local turkey farmer.
There are plenty of suspects, including Bruce's ex girlfriend, which adds plenty of stress for Hayley.
The story itself is good, it revolves around
a community who want to sell their land, but the lone turkey farmer is holding it up.
I thought the book was good, but not as good as the others.
I'm looking forward to the next book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.