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Pelican Cove #15

Pies and Pariahs: A Cozy Murder Mystery

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Pie Contest Turns Deadly

Fall is in the air and the Eastern Shore Pie Contest has come to Pelican Cove. So has a woman who became a pariah when she was banished from town forty years ago. Now she is back with a vengeance amidst loud protests. The town is split over whether a decades old edict is still valid, especially since the woman holds a lot of power as a judge of the contest.

The competition heats up as local women break their backs trying out different recipes, determined to win. Then an unexpected murder shocks the town.

Roped into investigating the crime, café owner and amateur sleuth Jenny King joins forces with the local Sheriff, talking to those who came in contact with the victim. Frustration sets in when none of her efforts yield any solid clues. To make matters worse, her dear friend had a strong motive to get rid of the victim and is lying to her. Jenny faces a moral dilemma. Should she confront her sick friend for the sake of solving the crime, or turn a blind eye to her transgressions?

She hits a wall every direction she turns and is almost ready to give up.

Meanwhile, the town is flooded with tourists eager to sample a slice of island life. Could one of them be responsible for the murder?

Pies and Pariahs offers the perfect dose of small town charm coupled with a mystery that will keep you turning the pages.

If you like cozy mysteries featuring strong women, small town drama, friendships that endure and a dash of romance, you will love this book.

205 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 30, 2024

119 people are currently reading
33 people want to read

About the author

Leena Clover

72 books365 followers
Leena Clover is a popular, bestselling author of cozy mysteries with heart.

You can expect fearless heroines, small town drama, quirky characters and friendships that last a lifetime in her books. Yummy food and a murder or two are guaranteed!

Visit her website at leenaclover.com to learn more.

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5 stars
152 (60%)
4 stars
74 (29%)
3 stars
20 (8%)
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4 (1%)
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
20 reviews
December 2, 2024
Not Great

I am disappointed. Cozy mysteries are generally not complicated but this made no sense. First, it’s been so long since #14, that I couldn’t remember who the characters were and how they related to each other. Then people were vehemently against Grace moving to town. They demanded she leave with no explanation given. They were so vehement, I was surprised no one demanded she be burned at the stake! This was not really characteristic of the town. In the end, there still was no good, logical reason for these very hateful feelings.
Also, how many pimento cheese sandwiches can one eat?!
All in all, very weak.
Profile Image for Loretta TheMoodyRedhead.
1,050 reviews4 followers
December 16, 2024
I was honestly pretty lost during this read. I felt like the pre-story was missing that lead up to page 1. I haven’t read the previous 14 books in this series for over a year so there’s part of the reason I felt lost, but Clover did explain the relationships of everyone as a reminder to readers like me.

I just felt like there were a lot of facts and they were short and to the point, but no meat. This book kind of felt like bullet points of information.

I suppose if I started this series from book 1 again that I’d enjoy all 15 as one unit, but going a year in between reads made things difficult to understand. It’s surely just me who feels this way and I hope no one else will experience this disconnect.

My next book is “Spiced Orange Suspicion: A Festive Murder Mystery (Claire's Candles Cozy Mystery Book 11).”

See you in my next review.
Deuces to your cabooses!
~ themoodyredhead ✨👩🏻‍🦰✨
973 reviews9 followers
November 23, 2024
Pelican Cove is all agog! A big pie contest is coming to town. Held every 5 years it’s been a long time since it had been held there. Jenny has been asked to organise the event & is happy to do so. Then the troubles start. Someone has come into town & it’s upsetting quite a few people. It turns out that she had been banished from town many years previously. Then she gets murdered. Jenny is asked to please help find the killer. Jenny is very busy with the cafe, the competition & trying to solve a murder. A very enjoyable read.
Profile Image for E.
1,883 reviews
November 27, 2024
Pie contest turns deadly

Everyone in pelican cove is excited to have the ci test return to their town. A surprise judge returns to town and turns everyone inside out. Can Jenny figure things out before a winner is declared? Pick up a copy to find out.
I really enjoyed this story and the rest of the series. The characters are great and the setting is a beautiful place I would like to visit. Fantastic storyline that kept me interested & guessing until the end. Wow what an ending it was, I can’t wait to see what happens next.
Profile Image for Polina Posner.
159 reviews4 followers
November 30, 2024
Pelican Cove is finally hosting the covered pie contest - and that brings with it old rivalries and opens old wounds. A former resident has come back to town to stir up emotions and had paid for it with her life!
Now it's up to Jenny to figure out who is responsible. Everyone is a suspect - even her dearest friends.
A wonderful come back to town cozy with a twisty turny plot and a nail biting ending!
7 reviews
January 14, 2025
Pies and Pariahs

Once again Leena Clover has written a book that keeps your interest and involves you in the characters’ lives. Once again she leaves you at the end hanging and you immediately look to see if you can find her next book!
112 reviews2 followers
August 1, 2025
What a surprise ending!!!

I absolutely love this series and highly recommend it. I very quickly fell in love with the town and it's people. It sounds like a town I would love to live in. Her books are a good pick me up.
3 reviews
December 14, 2024
Pelican Cove Lover

As always another great story by Leena Clover. I love this series. Had me fooled on this one.Read it you’ll love it
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews

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