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Sky High Pies #5
A Zest for Murder
When Kate Reed’s friend suddenly vanishes one afternoon—leaving behind a ransacked home and a baffling mystery, she’s stunned like everyone else in Crescent Creek, Colorado. Not only is the disappearance harrowing and mysterious, but the local authorities have few leads to pursue in their efforts to find the missing woman.
Using her experience as a private investigator, Kate begins looking into the abduction between shifts at Sky High Pies, the popular bakery café she runs in town. When the victim’s boyfriend asks to join the search, she readily agrees. The subsequent investigation includes a ne’er-do-well rogue from Kate’s past, a series of crimes in New Mexico, a truly aromatic ransom note, a famous lithograph by Salvador Dalí and a fluffy white dog with a bedazzled collar.
A Zest for Murder, Book 5 in the Sky High Pies Cozy Mystery series, includes a tasty trio of Nana Reed’s Sky High recipes!
Using her experience as a private investigator, Kate begins looking into the abduction between shifts at Sky High Pies, the popular bakery café she runs in town. When the victim’s boyfriend asks to join the search, she readily agrees. The subsequent investigation includes a ne’er-do-well rogue from Kate’s past, a series of crimes in New Mexico, a truly aromatic ransom note, a famous lithograph by Salvador Dalí and a fluffy white dog with a bedazzled collar.
A Zest for Murder, Book 5 in the Sky High Pies Cozy Mystery series, includes a tasty trio of Nana Reed’s Sky High recipes!
- GenresMysteryCozy Mystery
192 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 28, 2016
135 people are currently reading
108 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 18, 2022
I have not previously read anything by this author and I was pleased to find this book very readable. The main character, Kate, is an ex Private Investigator now manager of a bakery. This works well as the reason why her sleuthing is tolerated and even encouraged by the local police.
The story begins with a murder, followed rapidly by the apparent kidnapping of one of Kate's friends. There are a lot of red herrings and confusion, but eventually the kidnappers are exposed and with the reveal comes a big surprise which I did not see coming.
An entertaining story, good characters and some delicious recipes at the end. All good.
The story begins with a murder, followed rapidly by the apparent kidnapping of one of Kate's friends. There are a lot of red herrings and confusion, but eventually the kidnappers are exposed and with the reveal comes a big surprise which I did not see coming.
An entertaining story, good characters and some delicious recipes at the end. All good.
June 16, 2023
I’d like to say something to open this review before I forget. Does anybody else hold their breath waiting for Katie’s boyfriend to turn on her? Like she’ll find out that he has been traveling around for more reasons than doing photo shoots. I think he’s literally shooting people. With a gun. You get it.
After this read, I really think that now, because of what Katie finds out about her friend. Also, one of the previous books has a friend turning bad. I’m slightly skeptical… Just slightly. I can’t help it after all of the cozy mysteries I’ve read in the past few years. So many people cannot be trusted. I hope he doesn’t turn bad, but who knows?
Another thing, I always thought Katie would end up with Trent again. So far, that isn’t happening. Trent is noticeably bitter about Katie being with someone other than himself. Since there are about 30 or 40 books in this series, perhaps she’ll ultimately wind up with the Deputy Chief. I’m okay with that. :-)
What does any of that have to do with this book, in particular? Nothing, I suppose, but I tend to focus on the “What ifs” and the romance angles.
In this read, Katie’s friend from when the two were kids in school has been abducted and Katie finds a woman in her friend’s house that is covered in blood and barely breathing. No sign of her friend anywhere though. Eventually, Katie has her suspicions confirmed that the friend has, in fact, been abducted.
Katie puts all the pieces of the clue puzzle together to help the Law locate her friend, but it’s not looking good for her friend. Will Katie put all the pieces together quickly enough to help save her friend’s life? Argh, who knows?! It may be too late!
I’m currently reading the next book - Deadly Desserts (Sky High Pies Cozy Mysteries Book 6) and I’m thinking that the reason I kept saying “friend” above is because I don’t remember the girlfriend’s name! I think it is because I haven’t really connected with the characters yet. There are so many things going on in each book and Katie is so serious and business headed that the warmth of the personalities is left out. I like Jules and Harper because they have sweet personalities and they are nice people, but there isn’t anyone else that I am particularly close with. I do hope that changes eventually. Maybe Katie needs to get a dog - pets always seem to bring life and love to a story.
After this read, I really think that now, because of what Katie finds out about her friend. Also, one of the previous books has a friend turning bad. I’m slightly skeptical… Just slightly. I can’t help it after all of the cozy mysteries I’ve read in the past few years. So many people cannot be trusted. I hope he doesn’t turn bad, but who knows?
Another thing, I always thought Katie would end up with Trent again. So far, that isn’t happening. Trent is noticeably bitter about Katie being with someone other than himself. Since there are about 30 or 40 books in this series, perhaps she’ll ultimately wind up with the Deputy Chief. I’m okay with that. :-)
What does any of that have to do with this book, in particular? Nothing, I suppose, but I tend to focus on the “What ifs” and the romance angles.
In this read, Katie’s friend from when the two were kids in school has been abducted and Katie finds a woman in her friend’s house that is covered in blood and barely breathing. No sign of her friend anywhere though. Eventually, Katie has her suspicions confirmed that the friend has, in fact, been abducted.
Katie puts all the pieces of the clue puzzle together to help the Law locate her friend, but it’s not looking good for her friend. Will Katie put all the pieces together quickly enough to help save her friend’s life? Argh, who knows?! It may be too late!
I’m currently reading the next book - Deadly Desserts (Sky High Pies Cozy Mysteries Book 6) and I’m thinking that the reason I kept saying “friend” above is because I don’t remember the girlfriend’s name! I think it is because I haven’t really connected with the characters yet. There are so many things going on in each book and Katie is so serious and business headed that the warmth of the personalities is left out. I like Jules and Harper because they have sweet personalities and they are nice people, but there isn’t anyone else that I am particularly close with. I do hope that changes eventually. Maybe Katie needs to get a dog - pets always seem to bring life and love to a story.
May 26, 2020
One of the best of the series!
Mary Maxwell is an outstanding writer with a talent for storytelling. With this book she tells a gripping tale of misplaced loyalties and bad choices made by nearly everyone. If you are new to this series, you do not have to read the stories in sequence, but however you choose to read the Sky High Pies books just do not miss this one!
Mary Maxwell is an outstanding writer with a talent for storytelling. With this book she tells a gripping tale of misplaced loyalties and bad choices made by nearly everyone. If you are new to this series, you do not have to read the stories in sequence, but however you choose to read the Sky High Pies books just do not miss this one!
July 18, 2018
Blood and pastries
Another good read. When her slightly ditzy friend doesn't turn up at a party, no-one thinks anything of it. However when she tries to deliver her order the next day and finds a gunshot victim on the kitchen floor things turn more sombre. Where is her friend? A panicked whispered phone call just amps the anti. Can they find her before things get too out of hand? Plus why was she taken? Possibly not as good as the previous plots but the storyline about the characters pulled it up to a great read.
Another good read. When her slightly ditzy friend doesn't turn up at a party, no-one thinks anything of it. However when she tries to deliver her order the next day and finds a gunshot victim on the kitchen floor things turn more sombre. Where is her friend? A panicked whispered phone call just amps the anti. Can they find her before things get too out of hand? Plus why was she taken? Possibly not as good as the previous plots but the storyline about the characters pulled it up to a great read.
August 24, 2024
3⭐️? Reminds me of an adult Nancy drew and nothing more. Similarly to Nancy drew, lots of useless information where you could skip chapters here and there and not miss much likely. Overall it was a nice mindless read though with an interesting end. Nothing special but okay to pass time
August 28, 2017
Murder for Money
What happens when a good friend is kidnapped right under your nose? Hopefully nothing a little sleuthing can't fix and just in time. Great read and a great series
What happens when a good friend is kidnapped right under your nose? Hopefully nothing a little sleuthing can't fix and just in time. Great read and a great series
December 2, 2017
It was nice getting back into this book series again. We get to find out more about the town in this book, and like in all small towns, there are feuds and harmless competitions between people. The victim in this book was one of Kate's friends so she has a vested interest in the case. Though Kate only really does some legwork and speaks with Tipper's boyfriend. It was still interesting to see how this case advanced.
Trent and Kate's relationship was put on display in this book, though they really just act like siblings with their banter. Kate and Zack's relationship is still so cute, it's just sad that Zack wasn't present through a good chunk of the book. There were some minor inconsistencies through the book, nothing that really changes much, just things like Zack was supposed to help out at the store and that never happened.
I still really liked this book and it was an interesting read.
Trent and Kate's relationship was put on display in this book, though they really just act like siblings with their banter. Kate and Zack's relationship is still so cute, it's just sad that Zack wasn't present through a good chunk of the book. There were some minor inconsistencies through the book, nothing that really changes much, just things like Zack was supposed to help out at the store and that never happened.
I still really liked this book and it was an interesting read.
November 17, 2019
Great story and plot
The ending was a surprise and totally unexpected. I think it is time for Trent and fins to develop romantic interests.
The ending was a surprise and totally unexpected. I think it is time for Trent and fins to develop romantic interests.
May 19, 2020
Not as good as some of the others in this series.
May 26, 2022
As this was my first by this author but #5 in the series I have missed a bit of the background but it was still an ok read.
November 21, 2022
Katie
These books are so good. I love the thought and intrigue that goes into each story. Can’t wait to read the next one!
These books are so good. I love the thought and intrigue that goes into each story. Can’t wait to read the next one!
March 5, 2017
2.5 stars.
So there was an editing things that I for some reason can't get over. It was the scene where she goes to Zach's house and it says she brings wine and a roast chicken from someplace and puts them on the counter... a few lines down Zach states that the chicken still needs x amount of time before its finished cooking so she can go get comfy... and it seems silly to even me that I'm focusing on that but I cannot get it out of my damn mind. And it's NOT why the rating is low for me, this book just wasn't my cup of tea.
It wasn't a bad book, a 2.5 is a completely average score for me. That's what this was, a little bit better than okay but I didn't really 'like' it. Probably the mystery element, because NOTHING was a mystery to me. I hate things being glaringly obvious in my face and I'm still kind of weirded out that they're giving information on a serious case to a civilian even if she was a private investigator. She could be in on it for all they know! Just really bad police work throughout really.
I didn't connect with any characters at any point and I thought Zach was a pointless character even if he's throughout the series, the 'romance' was non existent to me.. But I did enjoy the recipe at the end haha
So there was an editing things that I for some reason can't get over. It was the scene where she goes to Zach's house and it says she brings wine and a roast chicken from someplace and puts them on the counter... a few lines down Zach states that the chicken still needs x amount of time before its finished cooking so she can go get comfy... and it seems silly to even me that I'm focusing on that but I cannot get it out of my damn mind. And it's NOT why the rating is low for me, this book just wasn't my cup of tea.
It wasn't a bad book, a 2.5 is a completely average score for me. That's what this was, a little bit better than okay but I didn't really 'like' it. Probably the mystery element, because NOTHING was a mystery to me. I hate things being glaringly obvious in my face and I'm still kind of weirded out that they're giving information on a serious case to a civilian even if she was a private investigator. She could be in on it for all they know! Just really bad police work throughout really.
I didn't connect with any characters at any point and I thought Zach was a pointless character even if he's throughout the series, the 'romance' was non existent to me.. But I did enjoy the recipe at the end haha
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 11, 2016
More fun at the Bakery.
May 7, 2016
Very good
I liked this one as much as the other 4. An easy read, refreshing with no bad language and interesting people. On to the next one.
I liked this one as much as the other 4. An easy read, refreshing with no bad language and interesting people. On to the next one.
May 13, 2016
Very enjoyable cozy mystery series with plenty of surprises to keep you guessing right up to the end of the story.
May 30, 2016
Make sure you have a snack
The food in this book makes your mouth water. Add a pinch of who dun it, a bakery Ruth and her friends and you have a great read
The food in this book makes your mouth water. Add a pinch of who dun it, a bakery Ruth and her friends and you have a great read
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews