Treacherous Tart

Pie in the Sky Mysteries #2

by Ellie Grant

In this second charming novel in the Pie Shop cozy mystery series, a modern-day Lothario is shot dead, and it's up to Maggie to clear her aunt and partner-in-pie from the suspect list.

It's Christmas time at Pie in the Sky, Aunt Clara's pie shop, and she has a new beau, Donald Wickerson, who loves her Marvelous Mince Pies.

Unfortunately, it seems that this holiday, Donald might only be interested in Aunt Clara for her money. Ryan and Maggie research his background and find he's had several wives who met with unfortunate "accidents" that left him wealthier. Now they have to convince Aunt Clara that her boyfriend is after more than just her pie recipes.

When Donald stumbles into Pie in the Sky and dies after being shot, Aunt Clara is devastated and also a suspect, since everyone in Durham knows about Donald from Ryan's newspaper article. Now Maggie and Ryan will have to prove that someone else in the long list of people he'd wronged finally got the courage to end his life.

Genres: Mystery, Christmas, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Food

368 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 28, 2014

About the author

Ellie Grant is a pseudonym for husband and wife authors who get help writing from their cat, Quincy, and their big rescue puppy, Rudy. They live in North Carolina with their family.

Reviews

[Leo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a classic cozy mystery as the victim was an unlikeble character and the suspect list is long. But it was enjoyable, nothing groundbreaking but a charming cozy mystery nevertheless.

[Melodie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the first in this new series quite a bit. This one wasn't nearly as good...or as believable. It took place at Christmas, which raised it up a bit as to how much I liked it. If there's another in this series, I might read it, or I might not.

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Pies, kittens and MURDER…OH MY!!

Ellie Grant has served up another awesome story for readers to devour!

Aunt Clara and Maggie Grady run Pie in the Sky, a shop featuring tasty delights like Evie’s Elegant Eggnog Pie, Marvelous Mince Pie and Pumpkin Pizzazz Pie. The are even going to start offering savory pies to bring in a lunch crowd. These two ladies are at work baking pies before the sun comes up and serving pie until late in the day. I don’t know how they do it and still find time to not only sleep but have boyfriends. Aunt Clara’s new beau, Donald, has quite a checkered past that she didn’t know about until right before he fell dead right in the middle of Pie in the Sky. Maggie has Ryan but he may have a little competition. Bring on the romantic tension… But the police looking much too closely at Clara as a suspect so romance aside Maggie needs to find out who really killed philandering Donald. She sees plenty of suspects, why can’t the police?

I love these characters. Aunt Clara reminds me of my mother who also ran an eatery that was as important to her as Pie in the Sky is to Clara. Clara heart is huge and she always finds the “silver lining” to every situation. I felt so bad that she was falling for such a despicable man and then to have him die and her being suspected of killing him just broke my heart. But she persevered knowing she was innocent and handled it all with grace and dignity. Even some very scary situations. She is a wonderful woman.

Maggie had a lot on her plate. She not only had to keep the Pie in the Sky up and running and meet the commitment they had for a huge fundraiser, she also had to find the real person responsible for dastardly Donald’s death.

We also were introduced to some fun furry felines. You will love their names.

The author penned a fine mystery as well with quite a variety of suspects. Donald Wickerson had not only left behind scorned women but families and friends of those former wives who died due to “accidents” where he inherited all their money. The killer really could have been so many different people. The pages just flew by as we followed the clues until the awaited “aha moment”.

A very entertaining read. You will be craving pie by the end so be sure to check out the included recipes, perfect for the upcoming holiday season.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maggie Grady has been enjoying seeing her Aunt Clara celebrate the wonders of Christmastime in Durham, North Carolina with her new love, Donald Wickerson. So it is no wonder that Maggie’s Christmas mood is completely ruined when her boyfriend, Durham Weekly newspaper reporter Ryan Summerour, presents Maggie with evidence that Donald is not what he seems. Instead of being the caring and trustworthy man that he presents himself to be, Donald is a male black widow. Donald has had six wives in the past and all of them suffered suspicious deaths. He has been investigated for every death, but has escaped charges. However, the evidence against him is condemning.

Faced with breaking her Aunt Clara’s heart, Maggie just doesn’t know what to do. When Maggie finally gets up the courage to tell Aunt Clara, she won’t hear any of it. Her wonderful Donald could never do such a thing. Wouldn’t Maggie be upset if Aunt Clara suggested Ryan was capable of hurting someone? The news spreads when Ryan puts a picture in the paper with his article on Donald’s philandering ways. It looks like someone must have believed it because that same day Donald stumbles into Maggie and Clara’s shop, Pie in the Sky, bleeding from a bullet wound.

Now, as the girlfriend of the victim, Aunt Clara is under suspicion for Donald’s death. Maggie isn’t going to let her aunt end up in jail over a murderous scoundrel, so she and Ryan start digging for more information on Donald and for possible suspects. They soon find out that there are a lot of people who could have wanted Donald dead seeing as he was dating more than Aunt Clara at the time of his death, not to mention the family of Donald’s supposed victims. Just when it looks like Ryan and Maggie are onto something, another crime is carried out. Will Maggie be able to find the murderer before anyone else gets hurt? Also, Donald wasn’t the only person in town with something to hide. Will the secrets uncovered shed light on the crimes committed or will they only add to the confusion?

Treacherous Tart is the second book in the Pie in the Sky mysteries.

[Susan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Here's the thing: In spite of a couple of head-shaking red herrings (in retrospect, they were ridiculous), the mystery itself was pretty good. In fact, that's the reason I finished it and why I gave it 2 stars instead of one. The rest of it had me almost quitting by the time I reached chapter 4. In a nutshell, the writing was amateurish. Some of the characterization came across as juvenile. The dialogue was often just plain bad. Worse was the descriptive writing. A good writer can make description interesting, something that flows rather than bringing the story to a stop. Short, choppy, boring sentences that were the equivalent of "She had long, dark hair and wore high heels. She was in her mid-thirties." . . . . . And then there's the pie. Sure, it's set in a pie shop, but that does not mean that there should be pie ad infinitum. Pie ingredients (buy them, chop them, mix them, discuss them), pie toppings, making pie crusts, remaking pie crusts, smelling pie crust, cooking pies, cooling pies, cutting pies, selling and serving pies (both by the slice and whole pies), choosing pie names (the lamer the better apparently), cleaning up after pie. Then you add in the inconsistencies: we sell only fresh pie, but we sell day old pie to students; we sell pie, but somehow we have cookies out of the blue for students.
This book actually made me angry because of the low quality of the writing. I'm finished with this series.

This book made me so angry that I had to return and change my rating.

[Jane Ritzinger · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book seems to have been written for adolescents. Nothing about it is realistic.

[Lindsey · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is absolutely awful. There are zero redeeming qualities. The characters are all insufferable, plot threads are picked up and dropped seemingly at random, and the dialogue is just painful.

Where this book truly stands out is the way all of the characters seem to have been written by a being that’s only heard vaguely of humans and has deeply misunderstood what emotions are. Everyone in the book holds petty grudges, but apparently being kidnapped is no big deal and people should really learn to let that one go.

I can suspend disbelief for good cozy mysteries, but this was just terrible.

It gets one star because I finished it, but I only finished it out of a misplaced belief that it had to get better - surely no book could be this bad - but yes, it really is that bad.

Give this author and this series a miss; there’s literally nothing engaging or enjoyable about this setup or these characters.

[Marty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Returning to her home town of Durham, NC, after 10 years in New York, Maggie has moved in with her Aunt Clara and is a partner in running “Pie in the Sky” restaurant. After years of being alone, Aunt Clara has found a new beau, Donald Wickerson, or had found one until he staggered into the restaurant and dropped dead from a bullet wound. Maggie and her boyfriend Ryan, are troubled to learn that Aunt Clara was not the only lady friend Wickerson was seeing. Apparently Donald had several ladies in town who thought he was going to marry them. Worse yet, Ryan, the publisher of the town weekly newspaper, had found that Donald was known as “the Black Widower.” He had six previous wives, all of whom had died leaving him richer each time. Now, Aunt Clara is the main suspect in his murder. Can all this get straightened out before Christmas???

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series. Aunt Clara has a new boyfriend, but Ryan and Maggie are concerned that he may be a “black widower” con man who is out for money and not love. But when Donald, the boyfriend, comes into the shop after being shot, Clara may have bigger problems on her hands as the police consider her a suspect. Maggie works with Ryan to see if they can figure out who the real killer is. In the meantime, they try to keep the shop running and are trying out savory pies to increase their business. On the personal front, an old friend from Maggie’s childhood shows up and he still has feelings for Maggie and Ryan is looking at his options when it looks like his father may have to sell the building where their newspaper business resides. The book contains pie recipes at the back.

[Ann Boytim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maggie and her Aunt Clara own a pie shop and its getting closer to Christmas a busy time for them and Aunt Clara is in love with her new beau but unfortunately he staggers into the pie shop and dies. Aunt Clara has been out the back of the shop but Maggie sees what has happened. Maggie discovers Aunt Clara's boyfriend has many women on a string and is part of an online dating service. When Aunt Clara is a suspect Maggie and her boyfriend Ryan have to clear Aunt Clara's name and find the real killer.

[Jeanie Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this series isn't going to make my top 10, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. It probably would have rated higher had I not recently fallen in love with three cozy series! The central characters and a few of the secondary characters captured me and the mystery held me all the way through. Ellie Grant led readers to the resolution but it still held a surprise for me. I look forward to reading more book by this author.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

But a lot of mystery but a good bit of character development. And lots of recipes!

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun foodie mystery! You love these characters, their relationship, and spunk. The mystery was interesting and engaging. I will try to pick the next one in the series soon.

[Bonnie Drummond · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story that has it all a bitter friendship from years ago, man that's after wealthy women, a friendship that wants to be renewed, end of a legacy from fire, new beginnings and finally MURDER. All of this before Christmas.

[Michelle Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Treacherous Tart, Pie in the Sky Mystery by Ellie Grant (AUTHOR)
Pocket Books
Christmas, Cozy Mystery
ISBN 9781451689563
Donald Wickerson has had six wealthy wives die suspiciously. Now he has his eyes set on Aunt Clara, one of the owners of Pie in the Sky. He walks into the pie shop, calls out to Aunt Clara and drops dead. Who might have killed him? It could be any number of people that he has taken advantage of or maybe one of the many ladies he is dating. Maggie and Ryan are determined not to allow Aunt Clara to take the fall for a crime they know she could not commit. They are doing their best to keep her out of the big house while creating new pies and keeping the newspaper afloat. Aunt Clara insists that they are wrong about her beloved.
Aunt Clara’s story is filled with vibrant and spirited characters. They bring life and laughter to this novel. The author Ellie Grant did a great job with the storyline and plot it was well written. There is action, laughter and cats, you could not ask for a better lineup unless you add pie, which she has. Treacherous Tart’s is a fun, fast paced and clean read. I recommend it to anyone that enjoys cozy mysteries. I give it 5 stars.
Quote: “Freeze it? Bite your tongue, Maggie Grady! Frozen crust never tastes the same. I thought I taught you better than that.”
There are worse crimes than using frozen crust….
I want to thank the author Ellie Grant and publisher Pocket Books for bringing good clean books like this one to readers like me. I was provided with this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maggie is settling in to her home with Aunt Clara, her job at Pie in the Sky, and her relationship with Ryan. And her Aunt also has a new gentleman caller, Donald. But Ryan soon discovers that Donald is suspected of being a Black Widower, leaving a string of dead rich wives behind. Although he is worried about telling Clara, Ryan publishes an article about him to warn other potential victims. Clara reads the article but refuses to believe it. But when Donald stumbles into the pie shop and dies at Maggie's feet, Clara becomes a prime suspect. Her only alibi is that she was in the alley behind the store searching for a stray cat she was trying to feed. While Maggie and Ryan hope to find the killer before Clara is arrested, it turns out that Donald was stringing along several other women in the town. Can they succeed or will Clara become Donald's final victim? This is the second book in this series and I enjoy watching the growth of the main characters, specifically Maggie and Ryan and their growing relationship. I enjoyed seeing another competitor for Maggie's affection and Ryan's reaction to him. The new savory pie sounded wonderful but then I have always been partial to chicken pot pie. And with the teaser at the end of the story, I am looking forward to the next book in this series. Disclosure: I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Tess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy the "foodie" cozy mysteries. Especially when there are yummy recipes included. This one is about pies, and the fact that it's by some of my favorite authors doesn't hurt. This is Ellie Grant's 2nd book in the Pie InThe Sky series. Maggie and Aunt Clara are elbow deep in flour. As Christmas is approaching, they are trying some new recipes, such as Marvelous Mince, Evie's Elegant Eggnog, and Pumpkin Pizzazz. Truthfully both ladies are somewhat distracted, Maggie by Ryan and Aunt Clare by her new gentleman friend, Donald. When Donald is murdered, right in front of the pie shop, Clara is devastated, and not understanding why makes it even worse. When the truth is discovered Clara and Maggie are both have trouble believing it. Maggie swears to Ryan that she will stay out of this case, but we all know Maggie better than to believe that.
Compounded with the murder, a fire that destroys the building that Ryan and his father owned, which was the home of their newspaper, Garrett, Ryan's dad is hit over the head and knocked unconscious,
and Aunt Clara's kidnapping. How will Maggie be able to keep up with all of it, and still have time for pie making? Does any of this have anything to do with Donald?

A copy of this book was sent to me by the author/publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.

[Theresa Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a fan with the Dynamic Duo, Joyce and Jim Lavene, you will remain loyal followers of this fun loving talented couple! If this is your first time reading one of their many captivating cozy mysteries you will become part of the cult!
In this second installment, of The Pie In the Sky Series, the author, Ellie Grant, AKA J&J Lavene , does a pleasant segue into another murder happening at this Pie Shoppe ( that you wish was next door to you). The protagonist is a fun loving character Maggie who is adjusting to running the pie shoppe with Aunt Clara, a love interest and Aunt Clara's beau who raises suspicion with Maggie and her boyfriend Ryan. Unfortunately, for Maggie, Clara, and the Shoppe, Clara's beau, Donald, dies in front of Maggie, of course at THE SHOPPE! Aunt Clara becomes the prime suspect, but Maggie soon learns, the deceased was courting other women in town besides Clara. Maggie and Ryan are on a mission to find the killer before Clara is locked up or becomes a victim herself.
This series is rising to the top like yeast rises for dough! Bringing in another love interest for Maggie adds more spice to this fabulous book!
Enjoy the story, and The Recipes, MANGIA!
Bravissimo to The Lavenes!

[Dharia Scarab · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite series by these authors, I was disappointed that the epilogue for each book contains a lead in/ cliffhanger for the next book. Especially since they never published a third book for this series.


Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...

1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.

2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.

3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.

4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.

5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.

[Rosa Davila · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a joy to be back at Pie in the Sky with Maggie and Aunt Clara. This book is a great read and will keep you guessing to who the murderer is. I enjoyed the book a lot, which had me wishing I had some of those pies in front of me. I can almost smell the chicken pot pie! I have no problems recommending this book.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little murder mystery set in Durham, NC. You find yourself falling in love with the characters and you cheer them on when they are struggling and get angry when they are unrightly accused of things they have not done. Delicious food, relationships forming, adventures abounding...it's just a fun read that it's great to curl up with in a cold winter day.

[Ayny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I finished the book to see 'who-dun-it", and out of respect for the author who passed away recently.
Wow, editing is very poor, some sequences don't make sense at times either.
As well, not really a Christmas story, except the story happens around holiday time.

[Dancing Flamingo · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Jeanette Hammond · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Maggie and her Aunt Clara run A Pie in the Sky, and they serve just what their name implies. Life is good until Aunt Clara's friend is murdered and she's the prime suspect.

[Gretchen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a new series for me. I started with #2 because it's a Christmas one. I will definitely go back and read #1.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great follow up to PLUM DEADLY. Very cute, quick read... sets us up for the next book. Can't wait!