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Sky High Pies #3
Red Velvet, Dead Velvet
At first glance, Crescent Creek appears to be a Rocky Mountain paradise of cozy smiles, friendly neighbors and simple pleasures. But the longer Kate Reed is back in her Colorado hometown after a dozen years away, the more she realizes the community is a hotbed of unexpected secrets and shady villains.
When she receives a call from the local library’s head honcho, Kate initially suspects it’s about an overdue book. But in a split second, she realizes the woman isn’t talking about Murder on the Orient Express. Instead, the soft-spoken librarian is asking for Kate’s help—a request that leads to a puzzling mystery involving an anonymous death threat, a dubious young woman dressed in black, a suddenly secretive Wall Street retiree and a Ponzi scheme that has ensnared a handful of area residents.
Includes a tasty trio of Nana Reed’s Sky High recipes!
Red Velvet, Dead Velvet is the third title in the Sky High Pies Cozy Mystery series.
When she receives a call from the local library’s head honcho, Kate initially suspects it’s about an overdue book. But in a split second, she realizes the woman isn’t talking about Murder on the Orient Express. Instead, the soft-spoken librarian is asking for Kate’s help—a request that leads to a puzzling mystery involving an anonymous death threat, a dubious young woman dressed in black, a suddenly secretive Wall Street retiree and a Ponzi scheme that has ensnared a handful of area residents.
Includes a tasty trio of Nana Reed’s Sky High recipes!
Red Velvet, Dead Velvet is the third title in the Sky High Pies Cozy Mystery series.
- GenresMysteryCozy Mystery
186 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 28, 2015
181 people are currently reading
96 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 28, 2019
Former private investigator, Kate, is asked to look into an anonymous death threat found by the local librarian. It seems to be targeting Walter, a local man rumored to have swindled several community members out of their savings. Despite that, the key suspects behind the letter are out of towners attending the book fair, a brother and sister from New York. When Walter and the sister disappear, Kate must figure out who is to blame and why.
Small town with a big crime makes for a fun mystery. I picked this book up out of sequence for a challenge, if I had more time I would be tempted to go back and read the first three. It's just a simple, quick, fun, mystery, and would be a great beach read if that is what you are in the mood for.
Small town with a big crime makes for a fun mystery. I picked this book up out of sequence for a challenge, if I had more time I would be tempted to go back and read the first three. It's just a simple, quick, fun, mystery, and would be a great beach read if that is what you are in the mood for.
February 11, 2017
Who did it
Who did it is what you will be asking as you read this book. Just as you think you've figured it out the author throws you a twist. I like the romance that is building for Katie. Looking forward to the next book.
Who did it is what you will be asking as you read this book. Just as you think you've figured it out the author throws you a twist. I like the romance that is building for Katie. Looking forward to the next book.
December 4, 2015
This was wonderful! Kate is called upon to try to solve a blackmail scheme that turns into a kidnapping, but all is not quite as it seems. Add into the mix that she is finally beginning to date Zach, and the annual book fair is on at the library, makes for a busy time for Kate and the rest of the folks in town. After some interesting twists and turns, the crime is solved, with a few surprises in store for all. A good read, and one I'd recommend.
April 8, 2025
I hadn't visted Sky High Pies in a while and it felt like coming home to visit again. I really enjoy my visits there. Katie Reed gets a call about a mysterious letter found in the library. Sounds sort of like a game of Clue. She sets out to investigate it when the victim from the letter goes missing Katie works with the police to find out what really happened.
Okay I really like Katie as a main character but I wish we could have a more exciting love interest than Zack he is just nice. I like the love interest to have some personality and not just yes dear you are so wonderful. Give me sexy and a little wild or mysterious over boring. The story line was really good.
A series I plain on continuing with.
Okay I really like Katie as a main character but I wish we could have a more exciting love interest than Zack he is just nice. I like the love interest to have some personality and not just yes dear you are so wonderful. Give me sexy and a little wild or mysterious over boring. The story line was really good.
A series I plain on continuing with.
April 26, 2018
Good, but irritating
I am mostly enjoying this series, as the mystery portion is good and I can appreciate the heroine. However, I am tired of the head police detective seeming like such an idiot, and I feel that too many side characters are becoming caricatures. Plus, please do some grammar checking! "Between you and I" is making me crazy. I'll try one more in the series.
I am mostly enjoying this series, as the mystery portion is good and I can appreciate the heroine. However, I am tired of the head police detective seeming like such an idiot, and I feel that too many side characters are becoming caricatures. Plus, please do some grammar checking! "Between you and I" is making me crazy. I'll try one more in the series.
July 7, 2018
Tears, letters and books
Another great read. When she receives a call from the librarian, who's in floods of tears, about a letter she found behind the photocopier she can't help but look further into the matter. Following a visit to him she is surprised when she receives a call asking her to go to his house. He's missing! Add in a scheme were locals lost money, a niece and nephew bilked out of their father's money, a missing girl and of course the missing subject. Can she find out if the two missing people are alive? If they are, where are they and who was responsible? All the while whilst juggling the bakery and her new romantic interest.
Another great read. When she receives a call from the librarian, who's in floods of tears, about a letter she found behind the photocopier she can't help but look further into the matter. Following a visit to him she is surprised when she receives a call asking her to go to his house. He's missing! Add in a scheme were locals lost money, a niece and nephew bilked out of their father's money, a missing girl and of course the missing subject. Can she find out if the two missing people are alive? If they are, where are they and who was responsible? All the while whilst juggling the bakery and her new romantic interest.
October 3, 2019
Unfortunately I’m losing interest with each successive entry in this series. The plot here had no real twists or turns, and the side plot around the book fair wasn’t well developed or interesting. Kate seemed extra obstinate and Trent was on edge and just rude for a lot of the book. The saving grace is it’s quick and easy to digest. Nice filler but don’t plan on continuing.
March 15, 2021
Great cozy mystery
Another great installment in an entertaining series! Great characters. Great plot with tons of twists and turns. This story focused more on revenge and getting back ill-gotten gains. More people are involved than what you think! Keep an open mind when you read this one!!
Another great installment in an entertaining series! Great characters. Great plot with tons of twists and turns. This story focused more on revenge and getting back ill-gotten gains. More people are involved than what you think! Keep an open mind when you read this one!!
January 10, 2017
Great book
I was actually surprised how well I enjoyed reading this book. I thought it would be just another cozy mystery but it was a good detective story with interesting characters
I was actually surprised how well I enjoyed reading this book. I thought it would be just another cozy mystery but it was a good detective story with interesting characters
February 5, 2018
Scrumptious
If you like a great story with an engaging cast of characters this one's for you. It's fun to learn more about this small town seething with intrigue and a never ending lust for baked goods!
If you like a great story with an engaging cast of characters this one's for you. It's fun to learn more about this small town seething with intrigue and a never ending lust for baked goods!
March 16, 2020
Fun read, tasty recipes for disaster and goodies
Katie just can't seem to stay out of the PI business. Out of towners and locals alike want what they lost from the resident scam artist and will go to great lengths to get it. Kate is drawn in to the drama by the town librarian .
Katie just can't seem to stay out of the PI business. Out of towners and locals alike want what they lost from the resident scam artist and will go to great lengths to get it. Kate is drawn in to the drama by the town librarian .
August 28, 2017
Always entertaining
Another great mystery that totally surprised me! Can't wait to read the next one. I'm going to try out one of the recipes soon 😉
Another great mystery that totally surprised me! Can't wait to read the next one. I'm going to try out one of the recipes soon 😉
August 17, 2017
Love love love
I'm falling in love with this series and the characters. Character development is great and very good plot twist. I had no idea what was going on until at the end
I'm falling in love with this series and the characters. Character development is great and very good plot twist. I had no idea what was going on until at the end
November 25, 2019
Intriguing plot
Short read and great ending. Recipes to try. How can I get them printed? It would be much easier than to hand copy them.
Short read and great ending. Recipes to try. How can I get them printed? It would be much easier than to hand copy them.
December 2, 2017
Well, this is a fun book. We get to see the budding relationship between Zack and Kate which is nice. I was afraid that they were going to see high school exes be put back together again. As fun Trent is, and they do make a nice pair, I am enjoying Kate getting to know Zack and starting her life over again in Crescent Creek.
I enjoy seeing Kate work as a PI even though she is adamant that she isn't working as a PI but she has worked in the field for 10 years so it's hard to break the habit. I also like how, though he doesn't completely agree with it, Zack doesn't try to change her. Though Trent does belly ache about Kate putting herself in danger, he also doesn't try to change her but just asks her to be careful. He feels a lot more like an older brother than an Ex-boyfriend.
The mystery was interesting, as was the character development throughout. Though the victim was treated like one, he wasn't all that innocent. We still felt for all of the characters, which I really like in a book.
Overall, this book was really enjoyable.
I enjoy seeing Kate work as a PI even though she is adamant that she isn't working as a PI but she has worked in the field for 10 years so it's hard to break the habit. I also like how, though he doesn't completely agree with it, Zack doesn't try to change her. Though Trent does belly ache about Kate putting herself in danger, he also doesn't try to change her but just asks her to be careful. He feels a lot more like an older brother than an Ex-boyfriend.
The mystery was interesting, as was the character development throughout. Though the victim was treated like one, he wasn't all that innocent. We still felt for all of the characters, which I really like in a book.
Overall, this book was really enjoyable.
July 20, 2016
Maxwell's Sky High Pie Cozy Mysteries have reinforced by new attitude towards e-books. My only quibble is that I'm not sure that I'd call them cozies -- Kate Reed, the protagonist, is a former Chicago PI and she becomes involved in some situations that, to me, go beyond cozy territory. Given a lot of the series I've been reading lately -- and how they're marketed -- I'm not sure that "cozy" really means cozy anymore.
That aside, I like Kate Reed (though, in later books, the descriptions of her interactions with her new boyfriend are saccharine and don't seem to fit her personality), I like the pie shop and I like her small town in Colorado. I'm looking forward to reading more!
That aside, I like Kate Reed (though, in later books, the descriptions of her interactions with her new boyfriend are saccharine and don't seem to fit her personality), I like the pie shop and I like her small town in Colorado. I'm looking forward to reading more!
April 8, 2016
What a fun read.
I really love how well the author is able to bring just the right amount of humor to each character.
Wheel truly knows them as friends and people , not just characters she'd writes.
Five stars to MARY MAXWELL...KEEP THESE MYSTERIES COMING.
JUST ONE REQUEST..THE RECIPE FOR MY FAVORITE BANANA CREME PIE...CAROL
JUSTCVA46@GMAIL.COM
I really love how well the author is able to bring just the right amount of humor to each character.
Wheel truly knows them as friends and people , not just characters she'd writes.
Five stars to MARY MAXWELL...KEEP THESE MYSTERIES COMING.
JUST ONE REQUEST..THE RECIPE FOR MY FAVORITE BANANA CREME PIE...CAROL
JUSTCVA46@GMAIL.COM
February 20, 2016
Good book!
Good reading! I would probably read the whole series.
Nice who done it!
It was worth my while .
Great recipes too
Good reading! I would probably read the whole series.
Nice who done it!
It was worth my while .
Great recipes too
April 30, 2016
Nicely done.
I love mysteries that no one really gets hurt. This one was just great. On to number four. This as a very good series.
I love mysteries that no one really gets hurt. This one was just great. On to number four. This as a very good series.
October 4, 2016
good cozy mystery
April 11, 2016
Another fun read.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews