This was a fun humorous book, third in the Pie Town Mystery series. The story goes thus, landlady Charlene signs Val and herself up for a reality based show Pie Hard, and the producer soon falls to her death followed by an episode of arson and another death on the golf course. And Val and Charlene start their investigation along with their pie baking.
My first book by Kirsten Weiss, initially, it took me time to really understand and love both Val and Charlene. But once I got into the rhythm of their shop Pie Town and pie making, it became quite easy to start rolling into the fun of their antics.
The characters were all different, eccentric or quirky would be a better description. The suspense and mystery were well weaved between the camera shooting. Strangers entered their lives who soon became friends and lost relatives. Certain events had me rolling in laughter, including a pie fight and stopping an escaping suspect by jumping on the roof of his car.
The only niggle I had was there was so much going on in the midsection that it overwhelmed me as along with the murder mystery, there were side stories and backstories like coven of naked women dancing, alienophobia, hypnosis, psychiatric consulting. Whew!!
A fast paced whodunit which kept me entertained with lovable characters, pies, and a hint of romance. This book was a great cozy mystery.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and publisher Kensington, and this is my journey into its pages, straight from the heart!!
All my reviews can be found here
Have you read books by this author? And have you tried any of the recipes given in cozy mysteries?
Based in San Mateo, California, Kirsten Weiss writes genre-blending novels: urban fantasy/mystery, steampunk/suspense, and cozy mysteries. Kirsten has never met a dessert she didn’t like, and her guilty pleasures are watching Ghost Whisperer reruns and drinking red wine.
Business at the bakery may have slowed down, but Val Harris isn’t about to eat humble pie—not until a reality cooking show decides to whip the struggling Pie Town into shape. If Val can tolerate criticism from an abrasive pastry chef during filming, the free publicity might turn the unusual opportunity into the sweetest deal she didn’t know she needed.
Except no one in San Nicholas has an appetite for dessert once murder steals the spotlight. When the show’s bossy producer gets pushed to her death, Val and her flaky, septuagenarian pie crust expert, Charlene, follow crumbs in hopes of finding the killer. But with cameras still rolling and the shocking identity of the victim’s replacement a guaranteed recipe for disaster, Val needs to stay cool long enough to solve the crime and keep Pie Town from falling apart—or else she just might go up in smoke before she ever graces the small screen.
Publication Date: 26th February 2019
Publisher: Kensington
27 Responses
This looks like a fun read
It was a yummy read.. I am craving cake and tea… 😂 😂
I remember seeing this but don’t think Its for me. Never came across any recipea in any of the cozy mystery I have read so far which is really less But nice review 😃
Thank you Vandana… I just wanted a different genre, hence picked it up
Judging from your review, it seems like despite the hectic mid-section, you enjoyed reading the book. Nice review! 🙂
Thank you Debjani… You are right jumping off to the roof of the car was like olden movies… 😂
Haha, I love the title of the book, clever. I haven’t tried any recipes from a cozy, but, strangely, I actually enjoy reading over recipes that are in non-cookbooks.
I can barely cook, forget baking. But I like to watch cookery shows… I haven’t tried any recipes ever read or seen…
In the past I’ve enjoyed Kirsten’s Witches Of Doyle series and her Riga Hayworth detective books.
Thank you for the recommendation… I hadn’t heard of this author ever. I am going to check them on amazon
I love your review with your little niggle Shalini! I also am craving an apple pie… off to make one now. If I gain weight, I’m blaming you.
Apple pie… Yummm.. I want but my hips don’t… 😂 😂
Wonderful review, Shalini! Every once in a while I crave a book like this, and yes, I have tried recipes found in books, though my interest in cooking has waned over the years. I’m a better baker than a chef. Fortunately, hubby likes to cook, and he’s good at it, so I have no problem sharing the cooking with him. Now I’ve got some revising to do (many thanks, my dear–you’ve once again got my head spinning with new ideas), so off I go. Looking forward to your next review! 🙂
Whew… New ideas… I am loving it…
You are a baker… Ooohhh yumm..my hips won’t lie honey, they have asked me to cut down…
Thank you ❤️ for your love 😍
Can’t remember the last time a book made me laugh.Lately,I’ve gasped but I miss having a good laugh from reading.Sounds like a fun read despite the niggles.Great review.
The pie fight reminded me of the old silent movies. Not sure if any of you have ever seen it
The title is hilarious!
I know… Even some of the scenes like the pie fight were😍❤️😂
Pie Hard 😂 Points on the title alone!!! Wonderful review, Shalini. It gives me the niggles as well when cozies lose track of the mystery!
And when they cause me to eat and when my hips don’t lie 🙈😂
I wish my hips would lie more!!!
Well, mine are jiggling more 😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣
Nice review Shalini. This series is quite quirky with some paranormal, but I enjoy it. Yes I have read a lot of this author’s work. I enjoy her Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum series.
Oooh then I have to check that out… Thanks Carla❤️
If you get a chance, I hope you enjoy them.
I’m deeply happy I’ve found your blog – post often!! Thank you! ☺️🙏
Thank you ❤️