Mahalia Watkins first appeared in Murder with Fried Chicken and Waffles and one of the best ways to learn about a person is by asking questions, so let’s get to know Halia.

What is your name?
Mahalia Watkins. . .Halia for short.

How old are you?
40-something.

What is your profession?
I own Mahalia’s Sweet Tea, a soul food restaurant in Prince George’s County, Maryland.

Do you have a significant other?
No, but Momma is forever trying to find me one.

Any children?
No, but again, Momma is on a quest for grandchildren and insists, that despite being in my 40s, I must still “have a viable egg or two floating around in there.”

Do you have any sibling(s)?
No.

Do your parents live near you?
I share a home with Momma and my cousin, Wavonne.

Who is your best friend?
While she causes me constant stress, and I’m always bailing her out of trouble, I would have to say my cousin, Wavonne.

Cats, dogs or other pets?
No.

What town do you live in?
I live in Prince George’s County, Maryland.

House or building complex? Own or Rent?
I live in my childhood home with Momma and Wavonne. It’s long been paid off.

What is your favorite spot in your house?
As a restaurant owner I spend very little time at home, but my favorite spot would be my bedroom, watching mindless television after a long day at Sweet Tea.

Favorite meal? Favorite dessert?
My favorite meal is Sweet Tea’s top selling menu item, friend chicken and waffles. My favorite dessert is Momma’s chocolate marshmallow cake. Recipes for both items are in Murder with Fried Chicken and Waffles and Murder with Macaroni and Cheese.

Favorite hobby?
Prior to opening a restaurant cooking was always my favorite hobby, which I turned into a full-time career.

Favorite author?
I really enjoy Laura Levine’s Jaine Austin mystery series. [Editor’s Note: me too]

Favorite vacation spot?
It’s very hard to get away from the restaurant, but I love the beach, and I hope to participate in some sort of culinary cruise in the future.

Favorite sports team?
I’m not much of a sports fan, but living in the D.C. area, I’ll say the Redskins and the Nationals.

Movies or Broadway?
Broadway!

Are you a morning or a night person?
We’re not open for breakfast, and it’s usually midnight when I get home from work, so I have no choice but to be a night person.

Amateur sleuth or professional?
Amateur.

Whom do you work with when sleuthing?
My cousin Wavonne is often my partner in crime solving.

In a few sentences, what is a typical day in your life like?
I try to be at Sweet Tea by 10am. From there my day is all about keeping the Sweet Tea train on the tracks. I do everything: make waffles and sour cream corn bread, take inventory, order supplies, hire (and fire) staff, check in on tables, plan daily specials. . .and solve the occasional murder or two. 🙂

You can read about Halia in Murder with Collard Greens and Hot Sauce, the third book in the “Mahalia Watkins Soul Food” cozy mystery series, released March 26, 2019.

Mahalia’s Sweet Tea boasts the most flavorful soul food in all of Prince George’s County, Maryland. But as events at the beauty industry’s leading trade show turn ugly, owner Halia Watkins needs to bite into an unsavory new item on the menu—murder!

When the chicest hair convention of the year gets cooking in town, so does business at Mahalia’s Sweet Tea. Halia can barely handle the influx of customers looking to satisfy their appetites after spending the day surrounded by outrageous runway styles. As buzz builds around beauty mogul and pop culture icon Monique Dupree, collard greens start moving out of the kitchen faster than models strutting down the catwalk . . .

But the glitz fades the moment Monique is found shot to death. Turns out, the glamorous entrepreneur’s vanity empire was stained by bitter rivalries, explosive affairs, and backstabbers scheming for fame and fortune. With more suspects than ingredients listed on a bottle of deep conditioner, Halia and her cousin Wavonne rush to discover who pulled the trigger—before the conniving culprit dishes another deadly surprise . . .

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About the author
A.L. Herbert grew up in both Prince George’s County and Charles County, Maryland. A.L. is currently working on the next Mahalia Watkins Soul Food Mystery and more delicious comfort food recipes. You can visit A.L. on his website at alherbert.com and on Facebook.

All comments are welcomed.