The Last to Pie

Pies Before Guys Mystery #3

by Misha Popp

Perfect for fans of Mia P. Manansala and Elle Cosimano, in Misha Popp’s third Pies Before Guys mystery, the pies are deadlier than ever when Daisy receives a request for revenge against an abusive cop.

Daisy Ellery is back to doing what she does best: making pies and killing guys. And it’s about to get more dangerous than ever. Daisy knows the statistic–domestic violence perpetrated by cops is rampant. It was only a matter of time before she was called in to help. But when this request arrives in her inbox, it isn’t accompanied by the required referral and that makes Daisy nervous. Is this really a woman trapped in a violent relationship, or is it a shady cop trying to uncover Daisy’s murdery side hustle?

Daisy hesitates to accept the job–until the woman who left the request goes missing and it’s clear her boyfriend is responsible. Knowing the boyfriend’s work buddies won’t be any help with the investigation, Daisy sets out to find the woman and plans a little justice of her own. When Daisy finds evidence that the boyfriend wasn’t just a monster in private, but corrupt at work too, things get even more perilous.

Feeling guilty that she hesitated to help the woman, Daisy is determined to find her and get her justice–whatever it takes.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction, Audiobook, Adult, Mystery Thriller

336 pages, Hardcover

First published May 21, 2024

About the author

Misha Popp (she/her) enjoys writing about murdery women and over-the-top baked goods, but not so much about herself. She lives in rural Massachusetts where she bakes entirely too many pies and sculpts things out of chocolate. An unrepentant school nerd, she has a collection of degrees that have nothing to do with the jobs that pay her.

Reviews

[CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I jumped right into book three of this unique cozy mystery series with a queer feminist twist: the protagonist has a special kind of magic she bakes into her pies, one kind of which targets abusers/other irredeemable men if requested by the people they've hurt. This side murder pie business also gets her involved in mysteries, such as this case where an abusive cop has kidnapped his pregnant gf and isolated her in a rural cabin.

Daisy and her friend/former crush (?) Melly investigate and, of course, rescue her in the nick of time. There's a fun cast of Daisy's friends/colleagues at a diner where she parks her pink RV (named Penny) and supplies pies in exchange for electricity/etc. She has a local boyfriend who was a bit bland but also annoyed me a bit?

I love how this series is taking traditional cozy mystery tropes (there are even pie recipes in the back of the book!) and adding a unique amateur sleuth character (technically, a kind of feminist vigilante serial killer?!) and queer characters and progressive politics.

I wanted a bit more from the representation of Daisy's bisexuality, which is almost blink and you'd miss it. I don't think it'd be hard to add in some explicit references, like in her interactions with her queer colleague Juan and Melly, whose exact history with Daisy I don't quite know not having read the previous books.

I think I might go do that, actually, but not as audiobooks, as this narrator has a bit too much of a squeaky voice for my liking.

[Leia Sedai · Rating 3 out of 5]

After being disappointed by the second book being a formulaic knockoff of the GBBO I was happy to see The Last to Pie return to the original charm and coziness that made me love the first book. I was delighted for Noel and the other characters to have screen time again, and the idea of baking murder magic into a pie continues to be a fun premise to explore. While sad, the social commentary was accurate without overburdening the storyline.




****Thank you Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.****

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was definitely a cozy mystery, with that ending. I thought it was building up to something else! Anyway, I love this series, and I'm glad it's back to its origins with Daisy stopping bad men and helping the people they harm with pies. I need to buy hard copies of these books, if for nothing else than the recipes in the back.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for a ARC copy of this book. This was an honest review.

This book kept me glued to the page. There was a lot of suspense and tension. In spite of the story being fiction, the plot felt real in the sense that these things really happen. Daisy's pies have a kind of magic that makes the bad guy see the error of his ways. She can murder them with her pies. My favorite part of her story was her connection to her diner family, where she works even in times of trouble. The motivation behind Daisy's efforts to help save women that have been abused is heartwarming to me.

[Trisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another in the Pies Before Guys Mystery series! This one is #3 - and, although the mystery is contained and would stand well on its own, I highly recommend starting with book 1, Magic, Lies, and Deadly Pies because it really sets the stage for all the characters, storylines, and helps you understand how Daisy got to this point.

And there's a lot to this one! Daisy is back to her pie-making-ways, keeping her new rules in place. But when she gets a request skirts some of her new rules, she has to wonder if her new rules are more helpful or hurtful.

Daisy also needs to make some hard decisions in here. It involves her life, her future and what all this means for her. I loved being back in the town, with these characters I know so well. I loved the uncomfortable storyline and the twists it gave. It really is a great book 3 and I hope it means we'll get more in this series!

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

[Miranda Blomberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to #NetGalley for letting me read this ARC.

I can't help it, I love this series. Do I think it's incredibly well written? No. Do I think that the characters are fascinating? Also no. Is the plot supersmart? No again.
What I love is the idea of it. I'm a sucker for a good pun, which combined with my love of murder mysteries and baking is what made me reach for this series to begin with. And is why I still jump at the chance to read the latest one.

I do however have a couple of complaints.
I think that most of the characters are a bit bland, and tend to be a bit stereotypical, but I do think that they are improving as the series continues. There's some tension in the relationship between Daisy and her boyfriend, which I think is much needed for there to be anything interesting about either of those characters at all (and yes, I'm still hoping she dumps him for Melly). It was also quite surprising, at least to me, and I appreciated that in a series that otherwise struggles with being a little too predictable. I think that there's a bit of a Nancy Drew like problem here, with the main character being a little too perfect. We are told that she has issues, but they are always sort of magically only there when it's convenient, or she's capable of getting over them, or she always has people around her that accept her anyways and have absolutely no problem with it. It makes the whole set-up feel a little childish at times. On the other hand, the relationship problems that surfaced in this third installment finally shows her in a less perfect light, which ironically make her a much more likeable character.

The thing with this series is that I mostly complain about the things I think are wrong with it, but I also can't wait for the next one... so my complaining is probably just me being snobbish.

This gets a 3 out of 5 stars as a whole from me, but let it be known that the idea is 5 out of 5 and I'll keep on reading them until there are no more to be had.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is so different from any other that I read and I love it! Daisy is smart, savvy, and her need for justice is unparalleled. The series seems to get better as it goes on, and we really get to know more about Daisy and her family as it continues. The secondary characters are equally wonderful and round out the small-town feel. There’s plenty of humor to go with the action but still cozy enough to satisfy readers who don’t want too much violence or language. Can’t wait to read the next!

I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.

[Patty (IheartYA311) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this to complete a couple book club prompts. It was OK, nothing special or memorable. It was like apple pie when cherry is your favorite and pumpkin is your least favorite. At least it was paced well.

[Cozy Reader Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Last to Pie (A Pies Before Guys Book #3)" by Misha Popp continues the pie baker, female Dexter of cozy mysteries. Daisy is still pulling double duty making helpful pies for the general public and for domestic abuse women with her special brand of magic. However, this time one of her Pies Before Guys clients is needing help with a cop boyfriend and disappears before she can complete a contract with Daisy. This stirs up lots of drama with Daisy in how she sees what she does and her relationships since she can't ignore an obvious need.

Very action and investigation, not enough mystery for what I look for in a cozy mystery. I hope of the series continues it goes back to the mystery side of things. This one did end a bit like it could be a final book but also left it open to more.

[Amy's Book Cafe · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Last to Pie takes us back to the world of Pies Before Guys mystery series and I was happy to go along. Apart from our usual mystery part, what i really appreciated about the book was a sense of self-awareness and inclusion of highly relevant social commentary. I think broadening the boundaries of cozy mysteries is something that can add to the genre and this book does exactly that. The side characters are amazing in this one and the plot moved at a good pace. Overall I enjoyed the book and I am looking forward to the next one.

Thanks to the author, publisher and netgalley for the e-arc.

[Emmalynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

After being very disappointed with Book two it was great to see book three return to the murder pies as the main focus. Daisy has done growing and settling to do and she does so in this book in terms of her relationships and settling into one place. Her romance with Noel hit a snag but they’ve resolved some of the issues, for now, hmmmm interesting to see how things will shake out. I’m still on the fence about Melly because I think her ultimate goal is to drive a wedge between Daisy and Noel.

[Cozybooklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

#TheLasttoPie #NetGalley is an intense cozy mystery that had me gripping my Kindle until the last page.
Baking pies is what Daisy does, but when she receives a request for a special pie, things go wrong and Daisy won't stop until she finds what she's looking for.
I loved this book so much, even though its fiction, I would love to be able to request my own special pie!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of the book.

[Bridget Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t think I’ve read something like this before.
I enjoyed the cozy elements alongside the tension and suspense.

There were so many heartwarming moments between the very few relationships she had which shared some of her deepest secrets! I love that I grabbed this on my recent library trip🤗

[Bee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I could read a thousand of these murder pie books. The absolute perfect cozy read for Fall!

This was so delightful, back to the roots of what made the first book so intriguing and enchanting.
I can't wait to see what this author bakes up next!

[Lexi · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars~

Definitely not as good as the second book in the series, but still a really enjoyable read (despite the long break I took while reading it)

[Andrew William · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4.5)

This is hands down the most terrifying/high stakes book in this series so far. I was so anxious towards the end, but it was so good. I was pleasantly surprised with the police commentary in this one, especially bc the MC both acknowledged her privilege AND actively did not like the police, which is very refreshing to see, especially in this genre.

There were a few moments in the book where the main character did a couple things that just seemed a little dumb and out of character for her, and sometimes those thugs did further the plot and were explained in a decent way, but sometimes it just created further unnecessary conflict between her and her bf and the other love interest (I still firmly hold the belief that they should be poly but ah well)

In every other aspect, this was a very good addition to the series. I do hope that Misha Popp writes more, though, because while this was a good ending to a book, it would've been an unsatisfying ending to the series. Im also not quite ready to give up these characters, so let's hope we get more 😆

[Leandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

What would you do if you were Daisy Ellery, baking extraordinaire and killer of bad men, and your most recent murder pie order was requested for a local police officer?

After the Great British Bake Off-esque backdrop of book 2, Misha Popp thrusts Daisy Ellery and her readers into a tense narrative, in which a young woman is abused by her boyfriend and then disappears without a trace. No one is looking for her except Daisy, and she is driven by guilt. She hesitated when the woman's murder pie order came in, seeing the intended target was a cop. Daisy knows the statistic; domestic violence perpetrated by cops is rampant. However, she also must protect herself, her past clients, and the future women she intends to help. Uncertain if this was a ruse by the authorities to catch her, Daisy waits. Now, with the woman missing, the time for waiting is over, but when the cop boyfriend turns his attention onto her, it seems that neither Daisy nor those she cares about are safe until this man is stopped.

This was a powerful narrative. At times the intensity of the mystery was fueled by the themes of domestic violence as well as police corruption and abuse of power. I appreciate Misha Popp's willingness to address these issues in the Pies Before Guys series, and it's one of the reasons why this series is an Auto-Preorder for me every year. While this is the first book in the series not to receive a 5 star from me, it's not because this is a sub-par storyline. I was gripped by Daisy's struggle to find this missing woman, the ticking clock making this narrative time sensitive, and the continued depiction of a community that supports Daisy. This book lost points from me for the awkward love triangle that the author seemed to include, as Melly continues to hang around and undermine Daisy's relationship with Noel, even if that isn't Melly's intent. With that said, I did like the Daisy is a woman character who doesn't want children, and I hope that continues to be her character arc.

Actual Rating: 4.25 stars 
Original Pub Date: 21 May 2024 
Reading Format: print + audio

PREVIOUS BOOKS IN THE SERIES:
Magic, Lies, and Deadly Pies—5 stars
A Good Day to Pie—5 stars 

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an E-ARC copy in exchange for this honest review!

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

'The Last to Pie' is book 3 in the Pies Before Guys Mystery series by Misha Popp. This is SUCH a good mystery series, but you have to suspend your disbelief as some things that happen are not believable in real life (at least not in my real life, but I'm not someone who bakes murder magic pies and gives them to bad men).
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Daisy Ellery is back. She has finally settled into a rhythm, just in time for life to throw a major curve ball at her. When a request comes in through her murdery side hustle, Pies Before Guys, asking Daisy for help in a domestic violence situation regarding a cop, she is wary. This request came in without the required referral, plus it doesn't follow the format she demands. Could this be a trap? Daisy hesitates answering this request, as cops would love to take down her side business.
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Daisy's hesitation proves deadly when the woman who left the request goes missing. Even though Daisy doesn't have a contract with the woman, she is worried. That means investigating! Daisy starts poking around, trying to learn more about the woman and her shady copy boyfriend who Daisy believes is responsible for her disappearance. With the help of her friend Melly, she learns more than she ever wanted to about the shady dealing of this cop. Determined to do whatever she can to find this woman, Daisy throws caution, and her boyfriend's warnings, to the wind and sets out to unbury the truth.
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This book had me on the edge of my seat. The thought that a cop could be trying to trap Daisy through her Pies Before Guys business isn't far-fetched given what happened in previous books, so I was hooked! Seeing Daisy and her relationships change throughout this book was interesting. Daisy's found family comes through for her, but also goes through some catastrophic changes. I can't wait to see what's next.

[Colleen Earle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley for giving me early access to this book in return for a review.

This book was a lot of fun. The Last to Pie is the third book in the Pies Before Guys Mystery series by Misha Popp. This was the first book in the series that I've read and the first book by Misha.

It follows Daisy Ellery who has special magic that allows her to infuse her pies with different emotions, including so much guilt that you will die. She welds this magic for good, making pies for the local diner that give patrons the feeling of comfort, selling pies at the local college campus that help students focus and feel confident, and of course baking murder pies for women escaping abusive relationship. She gets an order for her murder pie business from a partner of a police officer. When the woman mysteriously disappears before the pie can be delivered, Daisy knows something is wrong. She goes on an adventure to find and save the woman and puts her life in danger in the process.

Like most cozy mystery series this book doesn't require you read the first two in the series, and does a really good job at catching you up on where Daisy is in her life and what her relationship with her friends are like. I found the characters mostly believable and fun.

It was a cute quick read. The relationships were good and the setting was really charming, I am going to look at finding the first two books in the series because this one was so fun.

[Caitlin C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is getting better by the book! I could ot put this one down. Daisy's relatioship with Noel is getting more intense at the same time Melly is pushing he rway in to the picture. Diasy has always walked the legal line. Daisy comes from a long line of magical women. Women who can imbed their magic in their crafts. In Daisy's instance she bakes pies, specifically murder pies. She has built a business around providing women who have been abused with a pie that will kill the recipient, and only that recipient.

Daisy gets a request from a woman who says she is in danger and doesn't know if she is going to make it. After reaching out once, she vanishes. Daisy has a strict set of rules she follows, but this woman gets under her skin. She needs to know more and needs to save her. She breaks her own rules and starts searching for this woman. It is made more difficult by the fact tha the abuser is a police officer.

Noel is not supportive of this, although he wants to build a life with Daisy, he is pushing back on her. Melly steps up and helps Daisy with the interrogation. Daisy also grows closer to her diner family, which was erally cool to see.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Laura Hundley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Last To Pie
Written By Misha Pop
Published By Crooked Lane Books
Release Date May 21, 2024

A pies before guys cozy mystery, it is the story of Daisy Ellery who makes pies that kill guys. Daisy understands how hard it is to be a police officer and how rampant domestic violence is in their relationships. When she receives a message in her inbox she is not sure if it is from a woman who is trying to escape a relationship or a cop that is looking for info. Into her side hustle as a man killer. Now, the woman who sent the message is missing and Daisy must do what she can to find her but can she? This is a really good mystery that will keep you invested in the novel from the start.

4 out of 5 stars


Thank you to NetGalley as well as the author and publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my unbiased and honest review..

[Katee · Rating 4 out of 5]

What if you could request a pie that would kill only the person who's done you wrong? Everyone else could eat it and be fine, but only the person the poison is meant for would get poisoned. That's exactly what Daisy Ellery does in her business Pies Before Guys. A baker can't make a living on making murder pies alone, so she also bakes safe bakes, with a little magic, at a local diner. When a domestic abuse victim emails her seeking a murder pie for her abusing partner, Daisy looks into the details. As she starts to look closer and the woman goes missing, her abuser sets his sights on Daisy as his next target.

This is the latest in a mystery series, the third book in it, but I had no idea that it was a series when I started. I honestly thought it was the first book in a series when I picked it up. I had no problem finding myself among the characters or the story. Misha Popp did a fantastic job reminding readers what happened before, for those that are in the same shoes as me. I definitely want to go back and read the other two books in the series and I hope she'll write more in the future with these characters.

Trigger warning for domestic abuse.

Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley for a copy in exchange for review consideration.

[Jen Ryland (jenrylandreviews & yaallday)]

A bit confused. I thought this was first in a new series but surprise, it's book three. The good news is that you don't have to read the prior books to understand this one!

The Pies before Guys series feels heavily inspired by Waitress (movie and Broadway show).

This modern cozy features a paranormal element and a bunch of social issues. Daisy has hereditary talents for baking pies that kill. Yes, she's a pie assassin for hire.

Overall this was a fun updated cozy read. I was hoping that there would be a twist in the plot, but it was pretty straightforward.

Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance copy for review!


Read more of my reviews on JenRyland.com! Let's be friends on Bookstagram!

[Alex]

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

DNF @ 56%

I did skim through this book up until the end, but did not read the second half thoroughly. However, I am familiar with the entirety of its plot, so I can provide a complete opinion.

😍 The good:
I have to say, I enjoyed the storyline! The topics that were covered were important to discuss (mainly focusing on human relationships of all sorts, both healthy and toxic), even though some of the ethical aspects of even the positive characters can be quite debatable. The magical and mystery elements were also exciting.

😅 The not-so-good:
The execution disappointed me though, as I could not stick with reading the book in full despite its plot. Some ways of expressing things were simply confusing or hardly interesting for me; the fact that I did not read the previous books in the series might have contributed, but I don't think that it's the main reason.

📜 Some nice quotes:

"Love, when it goes wrong, may be the reason Pies Before Guys exists, but that's the exception. Love usually gets it right."

"Nothing predicts the future like the past."

"Besides, what is forever if not one long string of for-nows?"

[Micky Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quirky twist on the murder mystery. In this case, we know the murderer, we just don't know who and why they will get a special pie! The plot is woven with wonderful detail and entwines the personal lives of the characters throughout the pie business antics. It is interesting how the author weaves such a serious issue of domestic violence into such a lighthearted appearing story line. The witty dialogue, the unique characters, the unique interpersonal relationships and of course the murder pies all come together to make a fun story to read and is definitely on my favorite series list! I'm already chomping at the bit for the next book to be written so I can see how things go for the characters in their personal lives!

FYI: The audiobook is a great listen and is one series that I do prefer the audio to the reading the books! They are just more fun and whimsical in audio!

[Tara Kat (MagnoliaPigeonBookBlurbs) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series so much!!! Misha Popp has created the coziest of cozy mysteries that not only has delicious pies, but also explores the growing cases of misogyny, spousal abuse, police brutality and femicide in the United States. Pies Before Guys is a love letter to the unbreakable bonds sisterhood, magic & some damn good pies! 🥧

📚 Third in the Series
🔍 Cozy Mystery
🗣️ Social Commentary
🥧 Magic Pies
💀 Pies Before Guys
🪦 Vigilante Justice
💅🏼 Nail-Biting Suspense

This series is such a great read and I am keeping my fingers crossed for more installments! 🤞🏼

Thank you so much Crooked Lane Books for the gifted copy!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This mystery was enjoyable! A female lead who saves others with a little magic and secrecy, of course! Very easy storyline to follow. Reminds me of a Heather Webber novel but with more edge to it.
If you're a fan of Sarah Addison Allen and love cozy mysteries as well, you should definitely try this book out!
Thanks given to the publisher for an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars - The third installment in the Pies Before Guys series sadly didn't grip me or offer anything new to the overall storyline.

I do really like the cast of characters we've gotten to know but its simply not enough to keep me reading this series moving forward. The subject matter is extremely tense but otherwise its not mysterious or thrilling in any way.

Hoping others will continue to enjoy these books more than I did!

[Deana Spurling · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.8⭐️ I didn’t like this book as well as I liked the first two. I don’t know if it was the subject matter ( domestic violence and bad cops) or the fact that the character of Melly drives me nuts. She is just to over the top for me. However, if more books come out in this series, I will put them on my TBR list.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a combination of a cozy mystery with sassy language. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and this series. A serial killer with magical pies takes out bad guys with a smile and heels! A perfect concept that no one sees coming.