Cranberry-Banana-Oat Muffins from Death of a Coupon Clipper a novel with recipes - Literary Baker (2024)

One thing after another happens to Hayley. Her furnace goes out in on of the worst snow storms in Bar Harbor, Maine. There is a chance she might find rescue in the form of a coupon clipping game show that has announced they will be filming at her local grocery store. Find out how Hayley gets past numerous setbacks to finally get to compete.

This is book #3 of 16 Hayley Powell Mystery series. Hayley is a columnist in her local Bar Harbor, Maine newspaper. She is a relatable single mom of two teenager who has had the worst luck in stumbling across murder victims.

Death of a Coupon Clipper by Lee Hollis

Cozy Mystery Novel Series with Recipes

Book Review

Outline and Tone:

Coupons can really make a dent in a grocery bill. Fortunately, today most people can use digital coupons. We don’t need to spend hours cutting out coupons and sorting them by category and due date. In Death of a Coupon Clipper, the protagonist, Hayley, has run into a string of financially bad luck. The light at the end of the tunnel is the possibility of appearing on a game show called Wild and Crazy Couponing. In this novel, couponing still involves the clipping of paper coupons. When her competitor is found dead with scissors stuck in her back, will the show go on? Hayley goes into detective mode again to try to solve the murder so she has a chance to win $10,000.

This cozy mystery moves at such a fast pace that I hardly noticed it was almost 400 pages. Hayley, Mona, Liddy and the rest of the Bar Harbor Maine residents are all interesting characters. This story includes new characters from the game show, neighbors and highlights a new police officer. Lee Hollis does a fantastic job bringing characters to life and making them both interesting and believable.

In addition to the cozy mystery story line, Hayley writes a food and drink column for the local paper and these articles are included in the novel. Hayley tells an interesting personal story that could be from last week or the story could be from her childhood, and then she pairs the story with a recipe for a co*cktail and for a food item to prepare. For this blog, I’ve decided to review Cranberry-Banana-Oat Muffins. The recipe is super simple and also super satisfying!

The author:

This book was written by Lee Hollis. Well sort of… Lee Hollis is the pseudonym for the real authors, a brother and sister team, Rick Copp and Holly Simason. There is more information on Goodreads. Like their protagonist Hayley Powell, Copp and Simason are from Maine. Copp moved to Hollywood and wrote for The Golden Girls, Wings, Teen Titans and a long list of impressive television and movies. Simason is a columnist in Maine and writes a cooking column. Fortunately for us readers, they decided to combine their talents and write the Lee Hollis series, currently being published by Kensington House Publishing Corporation. The Hayley Powell series has a Facebook page. The authors are active on both Twitter and Instagram.

What is not to like?:

There is not much to dislike, but if I’m being honest then I must say that I don’t like her boyfriend. Lex Banfield has too many red flags for me. Please don’t think this is a spoiler, it isn’t. I’m just not impressed with him and I think Hayler could do much better.

The verdict:

Lee Hollis has written another winner. Hayley is such a loveable character, that is is easy to cheer for her and follow her as she both independently and with the help of friends and family solves mysteries. She faces life’s struggles with a great attitude and I simply love reading about her adventures.

Disclaimer: In the name of full transparency, please be aware that this blog post contains affiliate links and any purchases made through such links will result in a small commission for me (at no extra cost for you).

Easy and Quick Cranberry-Banana-Oat Muffins

Assemble the Ingredients

The recipe calls for smashed bananas, the best way to do that is to put the peeled bananas in a Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer with the whisk attachment and let the whisk mash them.

See how great whisking the bananas mash them!

I am especially fond of the 7 Quart Pro Kitchen Aid Mixer, the one that raises and lowers the bowl. The large capacity pays off with bread doughs and double batches of cookie dough.

Combine your first six ingredients in a mixing bowl and mix well.

A small mixing bowl works for combining the dry ingredients since the batter comes together in the stand mixer. The small bowl from the OXO Good Grips 3- Piece Plastic Mixing Bowl Set worked great. I also love and because the measurements are so easy to read.

In a separate bowl beat together the egg, bananas and melted butter until smooth;

add to dry ingredients; stir to blend.

Stir in the cranberries, just until combined.

Spoon the batter into prepared muffin pans, filling almost to top.

Instead of muffin pans and paper cups, I absolutely love using OXO Good Grips Silicone Baking Cups, Pack of 12, Reusable, BPA-Free, Dishwasher Safe, Non-Stick, Food Grade, Cupcake Cups, Muffin Cups, Cupcake Liners, Muffin Liners. They don’t even need support, just place them on a cookie sheet.

I have 2 sets of these silicone cups. They come in a pack of 12, but I have extras for those time when there is more batter than can fit in 12 cups.

Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until tops spring back when lightly touched.

If you are wondering why the green silicone muffin cup is empty, it is because I just couldn’t wait!. I popped one out while it was steaming hot and ate it. It was so tasty I didn’t even need to butter it!

What would I do differently next time?

I sprinkled the baked muffins with sugar when I took them out of the oven. Next time I will add large sugar crystals to the top.

I really enjoy this recipe and I enjoy Lee Hollis’ books! Try these other books and recipes from this cozy mystery series.

Southern Mac and Cheese from Death of a Country Fried Redneck, Pumpkin Chocolate Chips Cookies from Death of a Pumpkin Carver, Lemon Tart from Death of a Cupcake Queen, and Dreamy Orange Dreamsicle Cake from Death of a Cupcake Queen.