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Kielbasa Queen Mystery #2
The Pierogi Peril
Lydia Wienewski has opened her Polish-American cafe and bakery on the shore of Lake Erie, but her idyllic new venture is shattered when the low tide leads to a terrible discovery.
July, 1982 . Lydia Wienewski's dream has finally come Lydia's Lakeside Cafe and Bakery, selling delicious Polish-American fare on the shore of Lake Erie, is now open and her fortunes are looking up. Even her old nemesis and tutor, the irascible Madame Delphine, has made time to sample Lydia's delectable pierogi, with some of her students in tow.
But when Lydia finds Madame Delphine dead in the water, her lakeside dream turns into a nightmare. Was it a bizarre suicide, or brutal murder? As Lydia and Grandma Mary investigate, they discover that there was more to Madame Delphine than meets the eye, and quickly find themselves drawn into an increasingly perilous situation! Can they uncover the truth about Madame Delphine's untimely death?
July, 1982 . Lydia Wienewski's dream has finally come Lydia's Lakeside Cafe and Bakery, selling delicious Polish-American fare on the shore of Lake Erie, is now open and her fortunes are looking up. Even her old nemesis and tutor, the irascible Madame Delphine, has made time to sample Lydia's delectable pierogi, with some of her students in tow.
But when Lydia finds Madame Delphine dead in the water, her lakeside dream turns into a nightmare. Was it a bizarre suicide, or brutal murder? As Lydia and Grandma Mary investigate, they discover that there was more to Madame Delphine than meets the eye, and quickly find themselves drawn into an increasingly perilous situation! Can they uncover the truth about Madame Delphine's untimely death?
224 pages, Hardcover
First published January 2, 2024
6 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
About the author
Geri Krotow
97 books200 followersAward winning, bestselling author of cozy mystery, romantic suspense, and women’s fiction. Buffalo, NY native and proud of it. Navy veteran.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
November 9, 2023
Thank you NetGalley and Severn House for this ARC of The Pierogi Peril.
Right off the bat I was excited to read this book. The concept of reading a book about one of my favorite childhood memories- making pierogis- was so enticing. Pair that with some Polish words and phrases that reminded me of my childhood mixed into the book, and I was sold.
As I began reading, I also started to notice some uncanny similarities between characters and members of my family. (For example, a couple characters were Ted and Stanley— also some names of my family members. The cook off was being held at Saint Stanislaus— a church in my hometown my family frequented.) I loved those quirky coincidences and I was excited to keep reading.
However, as the story progressed, I felt like it was missing something? I began to lose interest towards the end of the book because I felt like I just wanted things to progress quicker.
Would I still recommend this book? Yes. Would I recommend it to someone looking for a lighthearted book about murder (if there is such a thing)? Also yes.
The Pierogi Peril will be available for purchase on January 2, 2024. I recommend getting a copy!
Right off the bat I was excited to read this book. The concept of reading a book about one of my favorite childhood memories- making pierogis- was so enticing. Pair that with some Polish words and phrases that reminded me of my childhood mixed into the book, and I was sold.
As I began reading, I also started to notice some uncanny similarities between characters and members of my family. (For example, a couple characters were Ted and Stanley— also some names of my family members. The cook off was being held at Saint Stanislaus— a church in my hometown my family frequented.) I loved those quirky coincidences and I was excited to keep reading.
However, as the story progressed, I felt like it was missing something? I began to lose interest towards the end of the book because I felt like I just wanted things to progress quicker.
Would I still recommend this book? Yes. Would I recommend it to someone looking for a lighthearted book about murder (if there is such a thing)? Also yes.
The Pierogi Peril will be available for purchase on January 2, 2024. I recommend getting a copy!
December 29, 2023
My Rating: 3.5
Thank you NetGalley and Severn House for the opportunity to read this ARC.
It’s 1982 and Lydia Wienewski’s dream is coming true when she opens her cafe and bakery specializing in Polish-American fare on the shores of Lake Erie. Not even her old nemesis and tutor Madame Delphine can resist Lydia’s delectable pierogi, who arrives with several students in tow. But a dark cloud settles over Lydia’s idyllic dream when she finds Madame Delphine dead behind her cafe the day after their reunion. Lydia and Grandma dive back into investigation mode to quickly find the culprit and uncover the truth about Delphine’s death.
Growing up in a family with Polish heritage, I have always been drawn to books and movies that highlight it. I loved the tidbits of the Polish language and the talk of pierogi and kielbasa, as that had been one of my favorite meals growing up. Many of the characters reminded me of my family, which gave me such nostalgic feelings of making pierogi with my aunts and family friends.
This book has a cozy mystery feel as we venture alongside Lydia and Grandma Mary as they try to solve Madame Delphine's murder. Their tenacity and banter made it an enjoyable experience. Though I did not read the first book before reading this one, the author does add snippets to recap the events of book 1 without it feeling overwhelming and without giving away all the details of book 1. I would definitely suggest reading book 1 first, so you don't miss a thing! I loved the recipies at the back of the book and am inspired to cook up some homemade pierogi soon!
If you love cozy mysteries that have strong family bonds and fiesty female characters, check out The Kielbasa Queen Mystery series.
Read if you like:
🔍 Cozy Mysteries
🕵️♀️ Tenacious Amatuer Detectives
👵 Sassy Grandma Chats
🥘 Mouthwatering Food Talk
Thank you NetGalley and Severn House for the opportunity to read this ARC.
It’s 1982 and Lydia Wienewski’s dream is coming true when she opens her cafe and bakery specializing in Polish-American fare on the shores of Lake Erie. Not even her old nemesis and tutor Madame Delphine can resist Lydia’s delectable pierogi, who arrives with several students in tow. But a dark cloud settles over Lydia’s idyllic dream when she finds Madame Delphine dead behind her cafe the day after their reunion. Lydia and Grandma dive back into investigation mode to quickly find the culprit and uncover the truth about Delphine’s death.
Growing up in a family with Polish heritage, I have always been drawn to books and movies that highlight it. I loved the tidbits of the Polish language and the talk of pierogi and kielbasa, as that had been one of my favorite meals growing up. Many of the characters reminded me of my family, which gave me such nostalgic feelings of making pierogi with my aunts and family friends.
This book has a cozy mystery feel as we venture alongside Lydia and Grandma Mary as they try to solve Madame Delphine's murder. Their tenacity and banter made it an enjoyable experience. Though I did not read the first book before reading this one, the author does add snippets to recap the events of book 1 without it feeling overwhelming and without giving away all the details of book 1. I would definitely suggest reading book 1 first, so you don't miss a thing! I loved the recipies at the back of the book and am inspired to cook up some homemade pierogi soon!
If you love cozy mysteries that have strong family bonds and fiesty female characters, check out The Kielbasa Queen Mystery series.
Read if you like:
🔍 Cozy Mysteries
🕵️♀️ Tenacious Amatuer Detectives
👵 Sassy Grandma Chats
🥘 Mouthwatering Food Talk
December 9, 2023
Geri Krotow's cozy mystery series is highly entertaining and the mystery are fast paced and solid. This second installment is even better than the previous one and I was glad to catch up with the characters
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
August 28, 2024
I really tried to like this one - the setting and the descriptions of food are a real draw – but the characters are so unlikeable and annoying that it really ruined the story for me. Between Lydia constantly feeling like she has so much to do but she can’t do it because she has to investigate and her grandmother throwing her at male suspects to get clues, it just got to be too much. Add in that in just about every chapter she has to mention the previous book and murder she solved and it got tiring. This really was not for me.
I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.
I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.
January 1, 2024
I love a good cozy mystery, however the Pierogi Peril is not neither good nor cozy. The characters and dialogue are just awful. Save your money!
December 19, 2023
Lydia Wienewski has had a hectic life since returning to Buffalo, NY. Following her father’s stroke, she had to take over running his butcher’s shop to keep the family business afloat. Then she found a body in the smoking shed behind the shop and solved that murder. Now she’s trying to look forward, and in addition to working at the butcher shop, she is running her own café specializing in Polish food, and preparing to renovate a little cottage nearby. Meantime, she catches what moments she can with her equally busy boyfriend, Stanley. The one thing she absolutely does not need in her life is more excitement.
Then her former pastry instructor, Madame Delphine, shows up in the café, along with some of her former classmates and Lydia’s ex-boyfriend. Lydia had hoped never to see any of them again. When Madame Delphine’s body is discovered the next day behind the café, Lydia knows she needs to act fast before he dreams for her business are destroyed by negative publicity.
This is the second book in this series set in the 1980s in Buffalo, NY. It easily works as a stand-alone book because plenty of backstory is provided.
The mystery was well-crafted with well-hidden clues. The suspect pool was just the right size. Some information necessary to solve the mystery wasn’t entirely revealed. I feel like there was just enough information provided that it can be said the author played fair, but I was not entirely happy with the identity of the murderer.
I loved the setting in the 80s in Buffalo. The story was rich in detail and it felt very authentic. The details about the time period were accurate and well-researched, and Buffalo was brought in through the use of local vernacular and the ethnic and regional communities.
I also very much enjoyed the descriptions of the food. My family isn’t Polish, but I was raised in a region similar to Buffalo, with a large historic immigrant population from Poland, so the food very much spoke to me. There are two recipes at the end of the book – one for pierogi and one for cookies.
The book contained a good cast of characters. Even among the suspect pool, the characters were well-defined and easy to tell apart from one another.
Lydia and her grandmother have a very sweet, and unique, relationship. They are only 36 years apart in age, which seems fairly unusual nowadays, but I suppose there was a time not long ago when being married and having a child at 18 wasn’t as surprising as it is now. I appreciated the way the two of them worked together to solve the mystery. Her grandmother was my favorite of the characters.
I found it hard to really like Lydia. She was occasionally abrasive and rude. When her grandmother called her out on her behavior, Lydia maintained she was a strong woman who asked for what she wanted. While I absolutely believe everyone should ask for what they want, asking and demanding are not the same, and saying please or thank you is a basic courtesy no matter what gender. However, Lydia does recognize that she is changing and growing. She admits that she was embarrassed by the person she was in pastry school; she realized she had acted like a brat. So it’s clear she is growing, and it will be interesting to watch her character develop further.
The overall pacing of the book was slow. I feel like this story needed a secondary mystery or some other sub-story to help it move along rather than adding so much backstory as filler.
I received a free eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Then her former pastry instructor, Madame Delphine, shows up in the café, along with some of her former classmates and Lydia’s ex-boyfriend. Lydia had hoped never to see any of them again. When Madame Delphine’s body is discovered the next day behind the café, Lydia knows she needs to act fast before he dreams for her business are destroyed by negative publicity.
This is the second book in this series set in the 1980s in Buffalo, NY. It easily works as a stand-alone book because plenty of backstory is provided.
The mystery was well-crafted with well-hidden clues. The suspect pool was just the right size. Some information necessary to solve the mystery wasn’t entirely revealed. I feel like there was just enough information provided that it can be said the author played fair, but I was not entirely happy with the identity of the murderer.
I loved the setting in the 80s in Buffalo. The story was rich in detail and it felt very authentic. The details about the time period were accurate and well-researched, and Buffalo was brought in through the use of local vernacular and the ethnic and regional communities.
I also very much enjoyed the descriptions of the food. My family isn’t Polish, but I was raised in a region similar to Buffalo, with a large historic immigrant population from Poland, so the food very much spoke to me. There are two recipes at the end of the book – one for pierogi and one for cookies.
The book contained a good cast of characters. Even among the suspect pool, the characters were well-defined and easy to tell apart from one another.
Lydia and her grandmother have a very sweet, and unique, relationship. They are only 36 years apart in age, which seems fairly unusual nowadays, but I suppose there was a time not long ago when being married and having a child at 18 wasn’t as surprising as it is now. I appreciated the way the two of them worked together to solve the mystery. Her grandmother was my favorite of the characters.
I found it hard to really like Lydia. She was occasionally abrasive and rude. When her grandmother called her out on her behavior, Lydia maintained she was a strong woman who asked for what she wanted. While I absolutely believe everyone should ask for what they want, asking and demanding are not the same, and saying please or thank you is a basic courtesy no matter what gender. However, Lydia does recognize that she is changing and growing. She admits that she was embarrassed by the person she was in pastry school; she realized she had acted like a brat. So it’s clear she is growing, and it will be interesting to watch her character develop further.
The overall pacing of the book was slow. I feel like this story needed a secondary mystery or some other sub-story to help it move along rather than adding so much backstory as filler.
I received a free eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 4, 2024
This was a fun, cozy mystery that hooked me quickly and kept me intrigued to the end. The scene is Buffalo, New York, in the early 1980s, and a Polish-American café owner who stumbles over her second dead body in a few months. Though I haven't (yet) read the first book in the series, enough backstory is provided for the references to make sense.
Lydia returned to her home and family in Buffalo after leaving pastry school in Ottawa over differences with her instructor, Madame Delphine. She splits her time between helping her father with his butcher business and running her newly opened café and bakery, with little left to spend with her boyfriend, Stanley. I like Lydia's close relationship with her family; the love, respect, and support are clearly there.
The story begins with an unexpected visit from Madame Delphine and others from the pastry school. Lydia is wary, as they did not part on the best terms. But the visit is surprisingly cordial, with both admitting to mistakes made. I liked the prospect of a friendly and professional relationship between the two former adversaries. Matters become complicated the next morning when Lydia discovers Madame's dead body in the lake behind the café.
I enjoyed Lydia and Grandma's investigation into the murder. Though the local cop writes it off as a suicide, Lydia is sure it was murder and sets out to prove it. The clues are few and far between, and there is a wide range of suspects, from Delphine's husband or son to students from the pastry school. Despite warnings from the local cop to stay out of it, Lydia is determined to solve the mystery before it impacts her business. I liked following her thought processes, though sometimes they led her to take risky chances. The final confrontation was well done, with enough intensity to keep me on the edge of my seat until it was over.
The story's characters were well-portrayed and unique enough to keep them straight. Lydia was fervently family-oriented but also looking for her place separate from them. She has her moments of unlikeable behavior, but it is easy to see the changes she undergoes during the book. Her boyfriend, Stanley, is a law student who is as busy as she is. I liked how they worked at their relationship. I loved his support and protectiveness as she got more involved in the investigation. I adored Grandma Mary. She reminds me a lot of Grandma Mazur in the Stephanie Plum books. She is feisty and outspoken, making me laugh at some of her comments.
#netgalley
Lydia returned to her home and family in Buffalo after leaving pastry school in Ottawa over differences with her instructor, Madame Delphine. She splits her time between helping her father with his butcher business and running her newly opened café and bakery, with little left to spend with her boyfriend, Stanley. I like Lydia's close relationship with her family; the love, respect, and support are clearly there.
The story begins with an unexpected visit from Madame Delphine and others from the pastry school. Lydia is wary, as they did not part on the best terms. But the visit is surprisingly cordial, with both admitting to mistakes made. I liked the prospect of a friendly and professional relationship between the two former adversaries. Matters become complicated the next morning when Lydia discovers Madame's dead body in the lake behind the café.
I enjoyed Lydia and Grandma's investigation into the murder. Though the local cop writes it off as a suicide, Lydia is sure it was murder and sets out to prove it. The clues are few and far between, and there is a wide range of suspects, from Delphine's husband or son to students from the pastry school. Despite warnings from the local cop to stay out of it, Lydia is determined to solve the mystery before it impacts her business. I liked following her thought processes, though sometimes they led her to take risky chances. The final confrontation was well done, with enough intensity to keep me on the edge of my seat until it was over.
The story's characters were well-portrayed and unique enough to keep them straight. Lydia was fervently family-oriented but also looking for her place separate from them. She has her moments of unlikeable behavior, but it is easy to see the changes she undergoes during the book. Her boyfriend, Stanley, is a law student who is as busy as she is. I liked how they worked at their relationship. I loved his support and protectiveness as she got more involved in the investigation. I adored Grandma Mary. She reminds me a lot of Grandma Mazur in the Stephanie Plum books. She is feisty and outspoken, making me laugh at some of her comments.
#netgalley
December 29, 2023
I am grateful to Net Galley for letting me read this book before it was released. I was so excited by the premise of this book and the fact that it’s set in my hometown. Being of Polish descent as well, I found the characters relatable.
However, I have so many issues with this book. First, I was so excited to read how the author would weave Buffalo into the narrative. It was completely clunky. It seemed as if the author had a list of places she had to mention in the story but it was done superficially and didn’t give the reader any real connection to the area. She made great pains to name Cheektowaga, Union Road, the East Side of Buffalo…but then made up a fictional town where the murder actually took place. I don’t get it. There is no such place as Acorn Bay…but she took great pains to include the names of a local hospital and the international bridge. It was weirdly specific while simultaneously being extremely detached.
Second, a big plot point was the tide on Lake Erie. Scientifically speaking, there is a tide on the Great Lakes but it’s not anywhere near as dramatic as the ocean tides. The tides on Lake Erie are diurnal and change the water level no more than 5 centimeters a day. So using the “low tide” as a plot point is ridiculous to anyone who understands the difference between lakes and oceans.
Plot-wise, there was way too much of characters discussing the crime and analyzing it. The reader never had a chance or reason to go back and look for clues in the text. The dialogue was tiresome. I did like how some of the minor early events in the book showed up as critical at the end. I would say if you liked Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers you might enjoy this. It was a light-hearted murder mystery. If you’re from Buffalo, you’ll be disappointed other than seeing some familiar names of places in print.
The ending felt rushed and was unsatisfying after so much interminable drudgery of pointless dialogue. I thought about going back and reading the first book but I’ve changed my mind.
However, I have so many issues with this book. First, I was so excited to read how the author would weave Buffalo into the narrative. It was completely clunky. It seemed as if the author had a list of places she had to mention in the story but it was done superficially and didn’t give the reader any real connection to the area. She made great pains to name Cheektowaga, Union Road, the East Side of Buffalo…but then made up a fictional town where the murder actually took place. I don’t get it. There is no such place as Acorn Bay…but she took great pains to include the names of a local hospital and the international bridge. It was weirdly specific while simultaneously being extremely detached.
Second, a big plot point was the tide on Lake Erie. Scientifically speaking, there is a tide on the Great Lakes but it’s not anywhere near as dramatic as the ocean tides. The tides on Lake Erie are diurnal and change the water level no more than 5 centimeters a day. So using the “low tide” as a plot point is ridiculous to anyone who understands the difference between lakes and oceans.
Plot-wise, there was way too much of characters discussing the crime and analyzing it. The reader never had a chance or reason to go back and look for clues in the text. The dialogue was tiresome. I did like how some of the minor early events in the book showed up as critical at the end. I would say if you liked Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers you might enjoy this. It was a light-hearted murder mystery. If you’re from Buffalo, you’ll be disappointed other than seeing some familiar names of places in print.
The ending felt rushed and was unsatisfying after so much interminable drudgery of pointless dialogue. I thought about going back and reading the first book but I’ve changed my mind.
October 11, 2023
(Thank you to Severn House for the ARC!) All opinions are my own.
"This was the magic Lydia found in her vocation: she was creating a meal for a patron to enjoy today, but she also relished keeping family memories alive, if only in her heart."
"No crying, ma cherie. We are women with a passion few understand."
If there's one thing to know about me, I love a good mystery. I've never delved into different subgenres of mystery, let alone Cozy Mystery. The Pierogi Peril is just that - cozy. This story mostly centers family, and it's done in an authentic way. Mistakes, mishaps, murder - and good food is what it's all about. Lydia Wienewski's dream of a Polish-American Cafe and Bakery on the shore of Lake Erie comes with challenges. She navigates owning a business, finding her way in the world, and solves a mystery all at once. There are so many moments that are real and heartfelt. The interactions between Lydia and Stanley are authentic and display real relationships in the world. The entire character of Grandma was my favorite to read about. The special relationship that Lydia and her grandmother has is one of the threads that kept me going. They/re the iconic duo I was rooting for. I enjoyed getting to learn about Lydia's Polish heritage and the culture that influenced everything she did.
At times, I wondered about the storyline and background with Madame Delphine. Was there more to learn? Was that all there was to her character? She seemed to be much more of a complex character than we got to see in the story.
If you're someone who is looking for a heartwarming and lighthearted take on a murder mystery , this is your book! It's the perfect story to grab when you need something cozy.
"This was the magic Lydia found in her vocation: she was creating a meal for a patron to enjoy today, but she also relished keeping family memories alive, if only in her heart."
"No crying, ma cherie. We are women with a passion few understand."
If there's one thing to know about me, I love a good mystery. I've never delved into different subgenres of mystery, let alone Cozy Mystery. The Pierogi Peril is just that - cozy. This story mostly centers family, and it's done in an authentic way. Mistakes, mishaps, murder - and good food is what it's all about. Lydia Wienewski's dream of a Polish-American Cafe and Bakery on the shore of Lake Erie comes with challenges. She navigates owning a business, finding her way in the world, and solves a mystery all at once. There are so many moments that are real and heartfelt. The interactions between Lydia and Stanley are authentic and display real relationships in the world. The entire character of Grandma was my favorite to read about. The special relationship that Lydia and her grandmother has is one of the threads that kept me going. They/re the iconic duo I was rooting for. I enjoyed getting to learn about Lydia's Polish heritage and the culture that influenced everything she did.
At times, I wondered about the storyline and background with Madame Delphine. Was there more to learn? Was that all there was to her character? She seemed to be much more of a complex character than we got to see in the story.
If you're someone who is looking for a heartwarming and lighthearted take on a murder mystery , this is your book! It's the perfect story to grab when you need something cozy.
December 24, 2023
⭐️: 3.5 / 5
Publication Date: January 2, 2024
I want to thank Severn House and Net Galley for allowing me to get an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
This is the second book in a cozy cuisine mystery series. I’m happy I read the first book before picking this up because it is repeated alluded to and brought up as a point of character development. This story picks up shortly after the end of the first book.
Some of the coolest aspects of this story, were all the descriptions around the polish food! I’ve never tried it before but this definitely piqued my interest in trying this particular cuisine. I also found the grandmother’s commentary to be witty and funny.
As for my reservations, l was underwhelmed by the twists and reveals. I also found that many of the plot points were repeated over and over which made this overall just less enjoyable. I also found some of the choices the FMC made just didn’t make sense and rolled my eyes a few times because of it.
Overall I thought this book was fun and cozy but fell short for me. If you like a mystery that revolves around a woman in her 30s amateur sleuthing with her grandmother you’ll get a kick out of this book.
Would recommend for those who are fans of
- Polish cuisine
- 80s
- Buffalo, NY setting
- Amateur sleuth mysteries
⚠️ body horror
Publication Date: January 2, 2024
I want to thank Severn House and Net Galley for allowing me to get an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
This is the second book in a cozy cuisine mystery series. I’m happy I read the first book before picking this up because it is repeated alluded to and brought up as a point of character development. This story picks up shortly after the end of the first book.
Some of the coolest aspects of this story, were all the descriptions around the polish food! I’ve never tried it before but this definitely piqued my interest in trying this particular cuisine. I also found the grandmother’s commentary to be witty and funny.
As for my reservations, l was underwhelmed by the twists and reveals. I also found that many of the plot points were repeated over and over which made this overall just less enjoyable. I also found some of the choices the FMC made just didn’t make sense and rolled my eyes a few times because of it.
Overall I thought this book was fun and cozy but fell short for me. If you like a mystery that revolves around a woman in her 30s amateur sleuthing with her grandmother you’ll get a kick out of this book.
Would recommend for those who are fans of
- Polish cuisine
- 80s
- Buffalo, NY setting
- Amateur sleuth mysteries
⚠️ body horror
January 3, 2024
1982. Lydia Wienewski's Polish/American cafe, Lydia's Lakeside Cafe and Bakery, is now open in Buffalo, New York. Lydia's pierogi is hailed as the best in the area, and everyone wants her to enter the pierogi contest at The Buffalo International Food Festival. But when her former mentor, Madame Delphine, comes to town, along with some of her students, she dredges up memories that Lydia would sooner forget. And then Lydia finds Delphine dead at the cafe. Lydia and her grandmother, Mary, again team up to try to solve the murder. This is Book Two of the Kielbasa Queen mysteries.
I loved the portrayal of Polish/American culture, the 1980s Western New York setting, and the delicious descriptions of all of the food. Lydia's grandmother steals the show with her unconventional behavior, such as getting caught making out in the car with her boyfriend. At times I felt the overall mystery moved too slowly. There were plenty of red herrings, but the conclusion was a little bit predictable. However, the characters and the setting make it well worth another trip to Lydia's cafe. My overall rating is 3.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Severn House via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
I loved the portrayal of Polish/American culture, the 1980s Western New York setting, and the delicious descriptions of all of the food. Lydia's grandmother steals the show with her unconventional behavior, such as getting caught making out in the car with her boyfriend. At times I felt the overall mystery moved too slowly. There were plenty of red herrings, but the conclusion was a little bit predictable. However, the characters and the setting make it well worth another trip to Lydia's cafe. My overall rating is 3.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Severn House via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
March 13, 2024
A very fun sequel! If you liked The Kielbasa Killer, you will love Pierogi Peril. Lydia has finally opened her dream polish bakery and her relationship with The Guy is going strong. Pop is back to work after healing from his stroke. Seeing Lydia solving a mystery under these new conditions of her lifestyle changes was very interesting. And things heating up between Nowicki and Grandma made me giggle, but also I love seeing Grandma happy.
The mystery itself was very good and full of twists. In some ways this doesn’t feel like a typical cozy mystery. An example of this would be that Lydia running her new business is written very realistically - happy yes, but more stressful than adorable and happy all the time. Also the characters do make occasional sexual references and use some swear words. Again, it just gives the novel a more grounded and realistic feeling. In my opinion, it also makes the murder more believable.
I like the writing very much and I enjoyed seeing these characters progress. Lydia, Grandma, Teri, Stanley, Pacha the cat, all these characters are so fun and I hope to see more of them.
Thank you to Severn House and NetGalley for the ebook ARC. All opinions are my own.
The mystery itself was very good and full of twists. In some ways this doesn’t feel like a typical cozy mystery. An example of this would be that Lydia running her new business is written very realistically - happy yes, but more stressful than adorable and happy all the time. Also the characters do make occasional sexual references and use some swear words. Again, it just gives the novel a more grounded and realistic feeling. In my opinion, it also makes the murder more believable.
I like the writing very much and I enjoyed seeing these characters progress. Lydia, Grandma, Teri, Stanley, Pacha the cat, all these characters are so fun and I hope to see more of them.
Thank you to Severn House and NetGalley for the ebook ARC. All opinions are my own.
November 4, 2023
Geri Krotow has written several novels and series. The Pierogi Peril is Geri Krotow's second novel in the Kielbasa Queen series, the first being The Kielbasa Killer. I would definitely recommend reading The Kielbasa Killer first (before The Pierogi Peril), as I was constantly feeling like I didn't know about "the background" of the primary character Lydia and her grandmother who solved the first mystery.
I'm Polish and make many dozen pierogi for our family Christmas party each year ... fondly called Grandma's Christmas. One of my cousin's name is Lydia and being from the Great Lake State, several things drew me to The Pierogi Peril, including the restaurant overlooking Lake Erie. (There aren't that many books with Midwest settings, although extending "Midwest" to Buffalo is a stretch.) That said, murder mysteries aren't my normal genre.
Thank you to NetGalley for introducing me to (yet once again ... new to me) author Geri Krotow. Thank you to Severn House Publishing for approving my NetGalley request to read The Pierogi Peril. Publication date is Jan 2, 2024.
Rounding up Somewhere between 3 and 4 stars. I'm definitely going to try the pierogi recipe also provided.
I'm Polish and make many dozen pierogi for our family Christmas party each year ... fondly called Grandma's Christmas. One of my cousin's name is Lydia and being from the Great Lake State, several things drew me to The Pierogi Peril, including the restaurant overlooking Lake Erie. (There aren't that many books with Midwest settings, although extending "Midwest" to Buffalo is a stretch.) That said, murder mysteries aren't my normal genre.
Thank you to NetGalley for introducing me to (yet once again ... new to me) author Geri Krotow. Thank you to Severn House Publishing for approving my NetGalley request to read The Pierogi Peril. Publication date is Jan 2, 2024.
Rounding up Somewhere between 3 and 4 stars. I'm definitely going to try the pierogi recipe also provided.
October 31, 2023
It was my love of Pierogi that drew me to this cosy murder mystery. The book itself is a delight and perfect for keeping me company whilst snuggled on the sofa on a dank, dismal day.
A newly opened family run Polish themed cafe on the shores of Lake Erie is thrown into turmoil when owner Lydias former French pastry tutor, Madame Delphine graces them with her presence bringing family and students along with her. Things don't get any better when her body is found on the lakeshore beneath the broken decking.
This is the second in the Kielbasa Queen Mystery series of books and whilst I enjoyed reading it, I'd think I'd definitely have benefitted from reading the first before starting this one. That said this novel has warmth, humour and as Lydia and her irrepressibly roguish Grandma Mary put their sleuthing skills together to find the villian I found myself completely wrapped up in this lighthearted easy read
My thanks to Severn House and NetGalley for the review copy, I was under no obligation and all opinions expressed are my own.
A newly opened family run Polish themed cafe on the shores of Lake Erie is thrown into turmoil when owner Lydias former French pastry tutor, Madame Delphine graces them with her presence bringing family and students along with her. Things don't get any better when her body is found on the lakeshore beneath the broken decking.
This is the second in the Kielbasa Queen Mystery series of books and whilst I enjoyed reading it, I'd think I'd definitely have benefitted from reading the first before starting this one. That said this novel has warmth, humour and as Lydia and her irrepressibly roguish Grandma Mary put their sleuthing skills together to find the villian I found myself completely wrapped up in this lighthearted easy read
My thanks to Severn House and NetGalley for the review copy, I was under no obligation and all opinions expressed are my own.
January 3, 2024
In reading Geri Krotow’s Pierogi Peril, I felt like I had met my sleuthing baker cousin in Lydia Wienewski and was right there alongside her in Lydia’s Lakeside Café and Bakery, enjoying the smell of Polish breads and cakes, kielbasa and pierogies fried in butter and onions coming from her kitchen, and of course I was helping my cousin and Grandmom Mary solve the murder of Lydia’s one-time nemesis.
I loved the relationships between the cast of characters, the tension between the detectives and Lydia and Grandmom’s Angie Dickinson attitude.
While I guessed the murderer early on, though you never really know until the end, I enjoyed every minute of this delightful cozy mystery, the second installment of A Kielbasa Queen Mystery series. I can’t wait to go back and read the first book in the series, The Kielbasa Killer.
I highly recommend Pierogi Peril for cozy mystery lovers, especially those of Polish descent. I received this Advance Reader’s copy of Pierogi Peril from Severn House, courtesy of NetGalley.
I loved the relationships between the cast of characters, the tension between the detectives and Lydia and Grandmom’s Angie Dickinson attitude.
While I guessed the murderer early on, though you never really know until the end, I enjoyed every minute of this delightful cozy mystery, the second installment of A Kielbasa Queen Mystery series. I can’t wait to go back and read the first book in the series, The Kielbasa Killer.
I highly recommend Pierogi Peril for cozy mystery lovers, especially those of Polish descent. I received this Advance Reader’s copy of Pierogi Peril from Severn House, courtesy of NetGalley.
November 26, 2023
The Pierogi Peril is the second book in a cozy mystery series that follows a young Polish woman. She helps at her families butcher shop and she just opened her own cafe. When her old culinary school teacher who she had problems with shows up announced and then ends up dead, she is on the case to find out what happened.
I liked this cozy mystery! I loved the characters and the family dynamics. The family really loves each other and it shows. I also liked the Polish food throughout. I am not polish but my husband is so I am familiar with some of the foods and it’s fun to see. I loved the Buffalo setting and how descriptive it was! I also really like the cover. I enjoyed the first book as well.
I feel like the mystery was pretty predictable but I still enjoyed it! Thanks so much to netgalley and Severn house for the arc in exchange for an honest review!
This book releases January 2nd and i would recommend checking it out.
I liked this cozy mystery! I loved the characters and the family dynamics. The family really loves each other and it shows. I also liked the Polish food throughout. I am not polish but my husband is so I am familiar with some of the foods and it’s fun to see. I loved the Buffalo setting and how descriptive it was! I also really like the cover. I enjoyed the first book as well.
I feel like the mystery was pretty predictable but I still enjoyed it! Thanks so much to netgalley and Severn house for the arc in exchange for an honest review!
This book releases January 2nd and i would recommend checking it out.
December 12, 2024
Lydia Wienewski has opened her cafe and bakery on the shore of Lake Erie, featuring Polish-American Cuisine. She is looking forward to renovating the cottage on her property and moving to the peaceful home.
Madame Delphine, her former culinary school teacher, drops in unexpectedly with her husband, son and students, Lydia is shocked. But when Madame Delphine makes amends for the way she treated her Lydia accepts the woman's apology.
The day after the visit Lydia makes a horrific discovery on the lakeshore and enlists her grandma to help her solve what appears to be a crime.
This is the second book in the Kielbasa Queen Mystery series. I loved the first book and looked forward to reading this one. The characters are realistic and interesting. I love Lydia’s relationship with her family. The plot in this book moved a little slower than in the first, but I remained engaged. I find the setting easy to picture, though I often think they may be in Cleveland instead of Buffalo. I do recommend this book, and it could stand alone, but I recommend reading Book 1 first.
Madame Delphine, her former culinary school teacher, drops in unexpectedly with her husband, son and students, Lydia is shocked. But when Madame Delphine makes amends for the way she treated her Lydia accepts the woman's apology.
The day after the visit Lydia makes a horrific discovery on the lakeshore and enlists her grandma to help her solve what appears to be a crime.
This is the second book in the Kielbasa Queen Mystery series. I loved the first book and looked forward to reading this one. The characters are realistic and interesting. I love Lydia’s relationship with her family. The plot in this book moved a little slower than in the first, but I remained engaged. I find the setting easy to picture, though I often think they may be in Cleveland instead of Buffalo. I do recommend this book, and it could stand alone, but I recommend reading Book 1 first.
December 8, 2023
I haven’t read the first book in this series but I think I’ll have to after reading this one. I saw pierogi in the title and as any good Polish person, I said heck yeah. I enjoyed this murder mystery, but I think it would have been beneficial for me to read the first book as some things related back to it. But that didn’t takeaway from the story, It was nice to read a book that has Polish people as main characters but is not set in Poland during WWII (nothing wrong with that- I love a good historical fiction novel). This novel is fairly fast paced and you can’t help but to root for Lydia. If you want a mystery book that’s easy to read and makes your mouth water from all the mentions of kiełbasa, pierogi and Polish food then this book is for you. 5/5
Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the eARC.
Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the eARC.
January 1, 2024
3.5 Stars
I just want to preface this by saying I did not read book one but I find with cozy good murder mysteries you don’t really need too. This book did talk about some things from book one but it gave you the information that you needed.
When I saw this title I could not, not request this book. Pierogis are one of my staple foods and I could live solely off of them. The cover page was cute and matched the title.
I recently delved into cozy food murder mysteries and I haven’t been disappointed yet. I enjoyed the Pierogi Peril, it was decently paced and had characters that I liked reading about. The twist at the end was a twist but I kind of had figured it out I just didn’t have the “why” it happened.
I would recommend this book to those who like cozy murder mysteries.
Thank you to Netgalley for sending me this eBook for free to read and give and honest review.
I just want to preface this by saying I did not read book one but I find with cozy good murder mysteries you don’t really need too. This book did talk about some things from book one but it gave you the information that you needed.
When I saw this title I could not, not request this book. Pierogis are one of my staple foods and I could live solely off of them. The cover page was cute and matched the title.
I recently delved into cozy food murder mysteries and I haven’t been disappointed yet. I enjoyed the Pierogi Peril, it was decently paced and had characters that I liked reading about. The twist at the end was a twist but I kind of had figured it out I just didn’t have the “why” it happened.
I would recommend this book to those who like cozy murder mysteries.
Thank you to Netgalley for sending me this eBook for free to read and give and honest review.
November 28, 2023
A homage to the Polish dumplings and other similar delights mixed in with a bit of murder.
The second in this series, Lydia has now opened her cafe and bakery and is so busy with that and helping her Dad out in his butcher's shop that she has forgotten to enter the Pierogi contest at the international festival being held locally.
She is disappointed, but carries on as normal. When she arrives at the cafe one day she discovers her nemesis and former teacher there enjoying her food. They talk and all is forgiven between them. To Lydia's horror Madame Delphine's body is discovered the next morning on her beach. Cue Lydia and Grandma to investigate.
A nice cozy mystery and very easy to read.
The second in this series, Lydia has now opened her cafe and bakery and is so busy with that and helping her Dad out in his butcher's shop that she has forgotten to enter the Pierogi contest at the international festival being held locally.
She is disappointed, but carries on as normal. When she arrives at the cafe one day she discovers her nemesis and former teacher there enjoying her food. They talk and all is forgiven between them. To Lydia's horror Madame Delphine's body is discovered the next morning on her beach. Cue Lydia and Grandma to investigate.
A nice cozy mystery and very easy to read.
January 2, 2024
The big day has finally come and Lydia’s new shop had opened. Much to her surprise, her former teacher, Madame Delphine shows up. While Madame was never nice to anyone, moreover Lydia, the two actually have a rather pleasant conversation and amends appear to have been made.
When Madame is murdered, Lydia and Grandma but on their sleuthing chaos. While Lydia may be busier than ever, she and Grandma feel they must solve the mystery of whodunit. Will whomever did the ghastly deed get away with it, or will Lydia and grandma be next on their list?
This was a super fun read. Grandma can be a but much at times, but ya gotta love her. Looking forward to more hi jinx and murder with Lydia and grandma.
When Madame is murdered, Lydia and Grandma but on their sleuthing chaos. While Lydia may be busier than ever, she and Grandma feel they must solve the mystery of whodunit. Will whomever did the ghastly deed get away with it, or will Lydia and grandma be next on their list?
This was a super fun read. Grandma can be a but much at times, but ya gotta love her. Looking forward to more hi jinx and murder with Lydia and grandma.
January 1, 2024
This was such a comforting read for my Polish soul. I have really been enjoying cozy mysteries, so I was excited to give this one a read. I loved all of the small touches that reminded me of my family, but some parts definitely fell flat for me. Around 70%, I started losing interest and just wanted them to solve the murder already! However, the granddaughter/grandmother teamwork was super cute and was definitely my favorite aspect of the story.
If you like murder mysteries and Polish jokes, this one is for you!
Thank you to NetGalley, Geri Krotow, and Severn House for a copy of this arc. I received a copy for free and am leaving a review voluntarily.
If you like murder mysteries and Polish jokes, this one is for you!
Thank you to NetGalley, Geri Krotow, and Severn House for a copy of this arc. I received a copy for free and am leaving a review voluntarily.
April 8, 2024
I’ll take some blame here. I didn’t read the first book in this series. There are already established relationships and roles that certain characters have settled into. I’m pretty sure my issues with the character work can partially be explained by the previous book.
However, I’ve dnf’ed the book after getting 36% into it. That’s largely due to the huge jump that the main characters, Lydia and her grandmother. Rather than allow the police to conduct an investigation on their own, these two decide that they HAVE to be involved, they HAVE to “conduct their own investigation”, and the part that made me close out my kindle app was Grandma telling Lydia she MUST play the part of the lover of the son of the deceased. For what?
And doesn't this ruse make them appear MORE suspicious? To what end?
I’m no stranger to a cozy mystery that requires a little suspension of disbelief. But this was a step too far for me.
I did enjoy the family aspects. The 80’s nostalgia was fun. And of course the food descriptions are mouthwatering.
I just don’t think this was the storyline for me.
However, I’ve dnf’ed the book after getting 36% into it. That’s largely due to the huge jump that the main characters, Lydia and her grandmother. Rather than allow the police to conduct an investigation on their own, these two decide that they HAVE to be involved, they HAVE to “conduct their own investigation”, and the part that made me close out my kindle app was Grandma telling Lydia she MUST play the part of the lover of the son of the deceased. For what?
And doesn't this ruse make them appear MORE suspicious? To what end?
I’m no stranger to a cozy mystery that requires a little suspension of disbelief. But this was a step too far for me.
I did enjoy the family aspects. The 80’s nostalgia was fun. And of course the food descriptions are mouthwatering.
I just don’t think this was the storyline for me.
December 4, 2023
Who killed Madame Delphine? That's the question that Lydia and her grandmother Mary decide they must answer. Lydia's finally got her own shop even though she still helps out her dad at his and she's busy. She didn't like Madame Delphine, who wasn't nice to her when she was a student, but they've just managed to have an adult, positive conversation. Cozy fans know that Madame Delphine wasn't nice to a lot of people. I liked this for the focus on food (yum) and family (even though I found Mary a bit much), Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. And- there's a recipe you might want to try.
November 3, 2023
Lydia and her grandma are crime solving sleuths when at Lydia's café her culinary instructor - Madame Delphine - is found dead at the back of her café. In order to keep the café open and not hurt her new business Lydia and her grandma go sleuthing to find answers to how Madame passed away.
The book was a quick easy read and entertaining, which was a good break from heavy books.
Thank you #NetGalley for the advance copy
The book was a quick easy read and entertaining, which was a good break from heavy books.
Thank you #NetGalley for the advance copy
November 4, 2023
Who doesn’t love food, the 1980’s, and a murder mystery? The Pierogi Peril was a fast paced, entertaining story which leaves the reader wanting more. I adored Lydia and Grandma Mary’s mystery solving skills and hope other do too! Now…I am off to find some pierogis of my own to eat.
Disclaimer: this is book two in a series, however, it was easy to read it with no prior context. I am also so thankful for the ARC received via Netgalley.
Disclaimer: this is book two in a series, however, it was easy to read it with no prior context. I am also so thankful for the ARC received via Netgalley.
February 16, 2024
A fun read! Being from a Polish-American family, I loved the tidbits about polish culture that were added in. I especially loved the ever feisty and fun Grandma Mary.
I hadn’t read the first in the series but didn’t have a problem jumping in on this book. It was a little slow to start, but I really enjoyed the characters.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #SevernHouse for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I hadn’t read the first in the series but didn’t have a problem jumping in on this book. It was a little slow to start, but I really enjoyed the characters.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #SevernHouse for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 15, 2023
Thank you NetGalley and Severn House for this ARC of The Pierogi Peril.
AHHH THIS WAS THE SECOND BOOK IN THE SERIES !!! I didn’t know that before requesting it. But that aside I did read and well, I don’t think I am the audience for this book. It felt slow to me but it might have been different if I had read first book. It’s a cozy mystery and if you want that this book shall deliver !
AHHH THIS WAS THE SECOND BOOK IN THE SERIES !!! I didn’t know that before requesting it. But that aside I did read and well, I don’t think I am the audience for this book. It felt slow to me but it might have been different if I had read first book. It’s a cozy mystery and if you want that this book shall deliver !
January 3, 2024
The 80s vibes are strong in this book! It really helps immerse you in the setting. I loved seeing Lydia succeeding with her cafe. Seeing Madame and her family was an unexpected delight. I so enjoy Lydia, her family, and the setting.
The mystery and the investigation were good. Lydia and Grandma Mary make a great sleuthing duo. The romance is developing nicely. It is just awesome.
The mystery and the investigation were good. Lydia and Grandma Mary make a great sleuthing duo. The romance is developing nicely. It is just awesome.
December 14, 2023
Absolutely loved this book! It was cute, smart, mysterious and made me smile all the way through. I didn’t realize it was book 2 in a series so now I’ll have to go back and read book 1. Just darling. Recommend for a simple, quick, easy, feel good read.
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