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Pie Town Mystery #3
Pie Hard
Will Val pie hard on national TV?
Business at the bakery may have slowed down, but Val Harris isn’t about to eat humble pie—not until a reality cooking show decides to whip the struggling Pie Town into shape. If Val can tolerate criticism from an abrasive pastry chef during filming, the free publicity might turn the unusual opportunity into the sweetest deal she didn’t know she needed.
Except no one in San Nicholas has an appetite for dessert once murder steals the spotlight. When the show’s bossy producer gets pushed to her death, Val and her flaky, septuagenarian pie crust expert, Charlene, follow crumbs in hopes of finding the killer. But with cameras still rolling and the shocking identity of the victim’s replacement a guaranteed recipe for disaster, Val needs to stay cool long enough to solve the crime and keep Pie Town from falling apart—or else she just might go up in smoke before she ever graces the small screen.
Business at the bakery may have slowed down, but Val Harris isn’t about to eat humble pie—not until a reality cooking show decides to whip the struggling Pie Town into shape. If Val can tolerate criticism from an abrasive pastry chef during filming, the free publicity might turn the unusual opportunity into the sweetest deal she didn’t know she needed.
Except no one in San Nicholas has an appetite for dessert once murder steals the spotlight. When the show’s bossy producer gets pushed to her death, Val and her flaky, septuagenarian pie crust expert, Charlene, follow crumbs in hopes of finding the killer. But with cameras still rolling and the shocking identity of the victim’s replacement a guaranteed recipe for disaster, Val needs to stay cool long enough to solve the crime and keep Pie Town from falling apart—or else she just might go up in smoke before she ever graces the small screen.
340 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published February 26, 2019
61 people are currently reading
484 people want to read
About the author
Kirsten Weiss
110 books1,302 followersKirsten Weiss writes laugh-out-loud, page-turning mysteries. Her heroines aren’t perfect, but they’re smart, they struggle, and they succeed. Kirsten writes in a house high on a hill in the Colorado woods and occasionally ventures out for wine and chocolate. Or for a visit to the local pie shop.
She is best known for her cozy and witch mystery novels. So if you like funny, action-packed mysteries with complicated heroines, just turn the page…
Kirsten sends out original short stories of mystery and magic to her mailing list. If you’d like to get them delivered straight to your inbox, make sure to sign up for her newsletter at kirstenweiss.com
Feel free to follow her on Twitter @KirstenWeiss or Bookbub, get in touch on Facebook, post a picture of this book to Instagram and tag her @kirstenweissauthor, or send her an email. She’ll answer you personally…which may be a good or a bad thing, depending on your perspective.
She is best known for her cozy and witch mystery novels. So if you like funny, action-packed mysteries with complicated heroines, just turn the page…
Kirsten sends out original short stories of mystery and magic to her mailing list. If you’d like to get them delivered straight to your inbox, make sure to sign up for her newsletter at kirstenweiss.com
Feel free to follow her on Twitter @KirstenWeiss or Bookbub, get in touch on Facebook, post a picture of this book to Instagram and tag her @kirstenweissauthor, or send her an email. She’ll answer you personally…which may be a good or a bad thing, depending on your perspective.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
January 14, 2019
Pie Hard by Kirsten Weiss is the third book of the cozy Pie Town Mystery series. Each book in the series has it’s own self contained mystery to be solved so they could be read out of order or as a standalone if choosing to do so. There is however some character building carried over from book to book so reading in order would give the full picture.
In the first book of the Pie Town Mystery series readers were introduced to Valentine “Val” Harris who had moved to San Nicholas along the coast in California thinking she was going to be starting a whole new life by opening up her own business and marrying her fiance. Six months later all Val had left was her business when her fiance had called off their wedding and after putting all her money into her dream, Pie Town, she knew she had to do whatever it took to make the business a success.
However, Val and her pie crust maker, Charlene, seem to have the worst luck when it comes to finding dead bodies but the duo are becoming better and better at finding the murderers. When Charlene surprises Val by bringing in a reality television crew from the show Pie Hard to film the shop Val isn’t too sure about taking part. When she gets a call from a regular that another body has been found Val thinks it’s the end of the series in the shop when it turns out the producer is the latest victim but the show must go on as they say and the danger surrounding the show continues.
The Pie Town Mystery series has quickly become one of my favorite cozy series to read. There is that quirkiness I enjoy with a small town vibe and all of the characters are likable but Charlene steals the show with each new addition to the series making them quite hilarious with her antics. If I had any complaints with this latest it would be that I need more Charlene in the action but the mystery is still fun to follow along and try to solve through each twist to the story. 4.5 stars for this latest book in the series and as always I will welcome the next when it comes.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
In the first book of the Pie Town Mystery series readers were introduced to Valentine “Val” Harris who had moved to San Nicholas along the coast in California thinking she was going to be starting a whole new life by opening up her own business and marrying her fiance. Six months later all Val had left was her business when her fiance had called off their wedding and after putting all her money into her dream, Pie Town, she knew she had to do whatever it took to make the business a success.
However, Val and her pie crust maker, Charlene, seem to have the worst luck when it comes to finding dead bodies but the duo are becoming better and better at finding the murderers. When Charlene surprises Val by bringing in a reality television crew from the show Pie Hard to film the shop Val isn’t too sure about taking part. When she gets a call from a regular that another body has been found Val thinks it’s the end of the series in the shop when it turns out the producer is the latest victim but the show must go on as they say and the danger surrounding the show continues.
The Pie Town Mystery series has quickly become one of my favorite cozy series to read. There is that quirkiness I enjoy with a small town vibe and all of the characters are likable but Charlene steals the show with each new addition to the series making them quite hilarious with her antics. If I had any complaints with this latest it would be that I need more Charlene in the action but the mystery is still fun to follow along and try to solve through each twist to the story. 4.5 stars for this latest book in the series and as always I will welcome the next when it comes.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
March 9, 2019
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Pie Hard, a reality cooking show has come to Pie Town courtesy of Charlene and as a complete surprise to Val. The camera and crew arrive along with Regina Katz, the show’s producer. Val is nervous because she knows what type of show this is. They will bash her shop and everything she does to get the high ratings. The show’s pastry chef, Ilsa Fueder, is already muttering “don’t like” about every pie she looks at.
After the first day of taping Val gets a call from Ray, one of the gaming regulars telling her that show’s producer has died in an “accident” he sees more like murder. Soon the Baker Street Bakers are into a full-blown investigation with Ray as an associate member, (he is not a baker). Shocked that show is continuing Val uses the opportunity to get to know all the suspects on her list. She also has a connection to the show’s new producer. The death has again slowed Pie Town’s business to a crawl. Hard to be a success when Val keeps finding dead bodies. She just knows she needs to find the killer before she is bankrupt and baked to a crisp.
This is a fun series and this is a great addition. Murder with a lot of mayhem fills these pages. Charlene is quite the instigator and to start with Val just has to go with the flow. Right from the beginning when a yurt is dropped within feet of Val’s tiny storage container house and the “goddesses” arrive for their yearly retreat. Something Charlene forgot to mention to Val. Then continuing when Val arrives at Pie Town to see her shop filled with strangers, holding cameras and tacking a microphone to her shirt. And on to Charlene’s several unbelievable and impossible theories about who killed the producer and why. It takes a little time, but Val gets her bearings and juggles all these balls in the air while trying to find out more about a certain new member of the crew. The author has done so well developing the recurring characters and introducing the new batch as well. Charlene’s cat, Frederick continues to make his appearances and is always good for a giggle.
I really enjoyed all the facets of the mysteries within this story. Val has plenty of clues to sift through along with plenty of suspects. The story is expertly plotted in a way that had me guessing right up until the big reveal. The family dynamic that was woven into the murder part of the story really added depth. It will be interesting to see how it impacts future stories. I was intrigued about how the goddesses were going to evolve into the story. I will say I was surprised at the role one of them played, but it was absolutely perfect.
Pie Hard, a reality cooking show has come to Pie Town courtesy of Charlene and as a complete surprise to Val. The camera and crew arrive along with Regina Katz, the show’s producer. Val is nervous because she knows what type of show this is. They will bash her shop and everything she does to get the high ratings. The show’s pastry chef, Ilsa Fueder, is already muttering “don’t like” about every pie she looks at.
After the first day of taping Val gets a call from Ray, one of the gaming regulars telling her that show’s producer has died in an “accident” he sees more like murder. Soon the Baker Street Bakers are into a full-blown investigation with Ray as an associate member, (he is not a baker). Shocked that show is continuing Val uses the opportunity to get to know all the suspects on her list. She also has a connection to the show’s new producer. The death has again slowed Pie Town’s business to a crawl. Hard to be a success when Val keeps finding dead bodies. She just knows she needs to find the killer before she is bankrupt and baked to a crisp.
This is a fun series and this is a great addition. Murder with a lot of mayhem fills these pages. Charlene is quite the instigator and to start with Val just has to go with the flow. Right from the beginning when a yurt is dropped within feet of Val’s tiny storage container house and the “goddesses” arrive for their yearly retreat. Something Charlene forgot to mention to Val. Then continuing when Val arrives at Pie Town to see her shop filled with strangers, holding cameras and tacking a microphone to her shirt. And on to Charlene’s several unbelievable and impossible theories about who killed the producer and why. It takes a little time, but Val gets her bearings and juggles all these balls in the air while trying to find out more about a certain new member of the crew. The author has done so well developing the recurring characters and introducing the new batch as well. Charlene’s cat, Frederick continues to make his appearances and is always good for a giggle.
I really enjoyed all the facets of the mysteries within this story. Val has plenty of clues to sift through along with plenty of suspects. The story is expertly plotted in a way that had me guessing right up until the big reveal. The family dynamic that was woven into the murder part of the story really added depth. It will be interesting to see how it impacts future stories. I was intrigued about how the goddesses were going to evolve into the story. I will say I was surprised at the role one of them played, but it was absolutely perfect.
January 21, 2019
Pie hard is a solid cozy mystery with quirky, likable characters and a dash of suspense. Val Harris, owner of Pie Town, a bakery specializing in pies in San Nicholas California, is about to be thrust into the spotlight on an episode of Pie Hard, a reality-based show that promises to turn businesses into instant successes. When the TV producer plunges to her death the same day she arrives in town Val can’t help but suspect foul play. But that is not the only mystery to be solved. The strange man that had shown up in her bakery that morning, is on the beach as the tragedy happens and fills in for the deceased producer has something oddly familiar about him. When the foodie star of Pie Town turns up dead Val knows she needs to get to the bottom of things fast. I highly recommend this book to cozy mystery fans. The Pie Town Mystery series is fun, light and entertaining.
February 24, 2019
Release Date: February 26, 2019
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Actual Rating: 4 stars
Pie Hard is the third book in the Pie Town Mystery series. I have come to really love this series and am always super excited when a new installment is added. Kristen Weiss has with transforming her characters to people and I am always happy to catch up with Val and Charlene. Whether these two are baking some pies or solving a murder I always know I am in for a treat! That is no different with this book and I felt the excitement throughout. If you are a cozy mystery reader and haven't had a chance to check out this series yet I highly recommend it! Not only will you find delicious recipes and an amazing set of characters but you will be itching to solve the crime right along with them!
In this addition, Val finds herself part of a TV show called Pie Hard. Thinking (and hoping) that Pie Hard will help turn her business into a place more people will frequent she goes along with the crazy people who produce it. But when one of the producers end up dead she has no choice but to find out "who-dun-it" before it ruins her business for good...
Follow Val, Charlene, Ray, and a slew of other characters as they track clues to find out who the killer is before it's too late! But don't read this one on an empty stomach because it will be growling in need with all the delicious desserts being whipped up within the pages.
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Actual Rating: 4 stars
Pie Hard is the third book in the Pie Town Mystery series. I have come to really love this series and am always super excited when a new installment is added. Kristen Weiss has with transforming her characters to people and I am always happy to catch up with Val and Charlene. Whether these two are baking some pies or solving a murder I always know I am in for a treat! That is no different with this book and I felt the excitement throughout. If you are a cozy mystery reader and haven't had a chance to check out this series yet I highly recommend it! Not only will you find delicious recipes and an amazing set of characters but you will be itching to solve the crime right along with them!
In this addition, Val finds herself part of a TV show called Pie Hard. Thinking (and hoping) that Pie Hard will help turn her business into a place more people will frequent she goes along with the crazy people who produce it. But when one of the producers end up dead she has no choice but to find out "who-dun-it" before it ruins her business for good...
Follow Val, Charlene, Ray, and a slew of other characters as they track clues to find out who the killer is before it's too late! But don't read this one on an empty stomach because it will be growling in need with all the delicious desserts being whipped up within the pages.
April 20, 2019
Pie hard is the third book in the Pie Town Mystery and I am still enjoying this series very much. Val Harris owner of Pie Town, a bakery specializing in pies in San Nicholas California, has more than one surprise in store. First she finds out that a group of "goddesses" are having their yearly retreat in a yurt that has been dropped off on her property, then that her pastry chef, friend and landlord, Charlene has submitted her name to be featured on an episode of Pie Hard. Pie Hard is a reality-based show that promises to turn businesses into instant successes. When the TV producer plunges or is pushed to her death, Val can’t help but suspect foul play. The second mystery is regarding the mystery man, who is now the new producer for the show. There is something about him that Val thinks is familiar, but she can't put her finger on it. When a second murder involving Pie Town occurs, Val knows she needs to get to the bottom of things fast, before it affects her business.
This is a solid cozy mystery with quirky, likable characters and a dash of suspense. I really enjoyed the various mysteries within this story. Val has plenty of clues to sift through along with several suspects. The story is well-plotted with enough twists and clues that I was left guessing right up until the reveal. The family storyline was really interesting and I am curious to see if that will impact future offerings in this series. I would be remiss if I did not mention Charlene. She is not the MC, but I love every appearance of her in the stories. She is quirky, humorous, and jumps right into everything with both feet. Val has no choice but to follow along. I highly recommend this fun, light, entertaining book to cozy mystery fans. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon my request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.
This is a solid cozy mystery with quirky, likable characters and a dash of suspense. I really enjoyed the various mysteries within this story. Val has plenty of clues to sift through along with several suspects. The story is well-plotted with enough twists and clues that I was left guessing right up until the reveal. The family storyline was really interesting and I am curious to see if that will impact future offerings in this series. I would be remiss if I did not mention Charlene. She is not the MC, but I love every appearance of her in the stories. She is quirky, humorous, and jumps right into everything with both feet. Val has no choice but to follow along. I highly recommend this fun, light, entertaining book to cozy mystery fans. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon my request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.
January 26, 2019
This is the third book in what has been a really entertaining cozy mystery series to date. I love all of the titles. In fact, the title of the first book is what drew me to check out the series. Then I read it and fell in love. This book is a nice addition to the series. The characters are fun, eccentric, quirky and seriously, who can resist a book with a narcoleptic cat. Val and her sidekick Charlene are going to be featured in a new reality show that will help the struggling Pie Town. And......you guessed it, something goes wrong leading to murder and mayhem. I love how the author has written Val and Charlene. The complement each other in personality and temperament. Who know two bakers could find so much trouble. This time around, we get a glimpse into Val's past with the arrival of the crew that will be filming the reality show.
The mystery is well done and while there are not that many suspects to choose from, trying to guess the identity of the killer was harder than I thought. The author did a great job of distracting me with clues and backstories that made me continue to second guess myself. The book had a nice pace and I thought it was well plotted. I like how the characters are growing and developing and I'm looking forward to reading more books to come in the series. I'm hoping one day we will get the answer to whether or not Charlene's cat Frederic is really narcoleptic or just incredibly lazy and spoiled.
I voluntarily read an digital ARC provided to me by the publisher, Kensington, through Netgalley.
The mystery is well done and while there are not that many suspects to choose from, trying to guess the identity of the killer was harder than I thought. The author did a great job of distracting me with clues and backstories that made me continue to second guess myself. The book had a nice pace and I thought it was well plotted. I like how the characters are growing and developing and I'm looking forward to reading more books to come in the series. I'm hoping one day we will get the answer to whether or not Charlene's cat Frederic is really narcoleptic or just incredibly lazy and spoiled.
I voluntarily read an digital ARC provided to me by the publisher, Kensington, through Netgalley.
February 18, 2019
In this next book of the series Charlene has taken upon herself to get the Pie Shop involved in a reality TV Series. Val is totally surprised and isn't sure that she wants anything to do with the show, from what she has seen they are quite harsh and critical. Val ends up agreeing and hopes that the show can help boost the Pie Shops sales and maybe give them some ideas to improve upon business. When the producer dies from a fall off a cliff the police think it may have been an accident or suicide but one of Val's regulars from the gaming group was there and he thought she had been murdered. Val insists on figuring out just what happened to the woman but gets a shock when the new producer turns out to be her father, a man who left her life when she was a few years old and never returned. What has brought him back into Val's life and why now? There is also a strange young man hanging around all the time, does he have anything to do with the woman's death or is it just a coincidence? Val already has a lot going on in her life as it is, Charlene didn't tell her about a group of women who would be staying in a yurt for a week on the property that Val lives on. The death of the producer and some other incidents have become a burden on the Pie Shop, keeping people away from eating there. The sudden appearance of her father hasn't helped the situation either. Follow along and see how Val deals with each new direction she is pulled into and where it all leads. Will she find a killer and get her Shop back on track or will a new death close her down for good? This is a funny series filled with a great cast of main characters. I love the direction that the author is taking and can't wait to see what Val and Charlene get into next.
I received an ARC of this book, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
I received an ARC of this book, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 21, 2019
This was a fun humorous book, third in the Pie Town Mystery series. The story goes thus, landlady Charlene signs Val and herself up for a reality based show Pie Hard, and the producer soon falls to her death followed by an episode of arson and another death on the golf course. And Val and Charlene start their investigation along with their pie baking.
My first book by Kirsten Weiss, initially, it took me time to really understand and love both Val and Charlene. But once I got into the rhythm of their shop Pie Town and pie making, it became quite easy to start rolling into the fun of their antics.
The characters were all different, eccentric or quirky would be a better description. The suspense and mystery were well weaved between the camera shooting. Strangers entered their lives who soon became friends and lost relatives. Certain events had me rolling in laughter, including a pie fight and stopping an escaping suspect by jumping on the roof of his car.
The only niggle I had was there was so much going on in the midsection that it overwhelmed me as along with the murder mystery, there were side stories and backstories like coven of naked women dancing, alienophobia, hypnosis, psychiatric consulting. Whew!!
A fast paced whodunit which kept me entertained with lovable characters, pies, and a hint of romance. This book was a great cozy mystery.
My first book by Kirsten Weiss, initially, it took me time to really understand and love both Val and Charlene. But once I got into the rhythm of their shop Pie Town and pie making, it became quite easy to start rolling into the fun of their antics.
The characters were all different, eccentric or quirky would be a better description. The suspense and mystery were well weaved between the camera shooting. Strangers entered their lives who soon became friends and lost relatives. Certain events had me rolling in laughter, including a pie fight and stopping an escaping suspect by jumping on the roof of his car.
The only niggle I had was there was so much going on in the midsection that it overwhelmed me as along with the murder mystery, there were side stories and backstories like coven of naked women dancing, alienophobia, hypnosis, psychiatric consulting. Whew!!
A fast paced whodunit which kept me entertained with lovable characters, pies, and a hint of romance. This book was a great cozy mystery.
February 26, 2019
I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
After trying out Kiersten Weiss’ other series, I was curious about this one. Although I’m not a huge lover of pie, I was intrigued by the writing style and concept of her paranormal Cozy Mystery enough to try this one. The Pie Town series is more of a Contemporary but it does have the similar lighthearted vibe.
PIE HARD is an obvious tribute to the Die Hard movies and in this book, Val is also put in the spotlight. However, she probably isn’t an enthusiastic about the idea as some of the other people in her life. The reality show is supposed to enliven the success of her shop but when a murder occurs, Val isn’t so sure this is the right thing for her.
I enjoyed this book, but probably not as much as I had hoped. Don’t get me wrong. It was a cute concept and definitely had some fun characters, but I guess I was hoping that this series would be something a bit more unique like her other series. Nevertheless, it’s a solid Cozy that I think many food lovers would enjoy. Weiss keeps the writing and tone quite light so I think it would also be suitable for readers who are just getting into the genre.
*ARC provided by publisher
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February 8, 2019
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book!
This is the third Pietown mystery, and unfortunuately I haven't read the others. It is unfortunate because this one was very good, and I enjoyed my time spent with Val and Charlene very much! They were a quirky pair that made for a very different kind of cozy, and I must say Val puts up with a lot from her crazy land lady and her schemes! It all works out though, and a murderer is of course caught after some sleuthing. The only bad thing about this book is the multiple references to microwaved water for tea...I know there can't be anything WRONG with it exactly...but there is something wrong with it haha.
A fun series with Pie themes that are sure to make your mouth water. Four stars.
This is the third Pietown mystery, and unfortunuately I haven't read the others. It is unfortunate because this one was very good, and I enjoyed my time spent with Val and Charlene very much! They were a quirky pair that made for a very different kind of cozy, and I must say Val puts up with a lot from her crazy land lady and her schemes! It all works out though, and a murderer is of course caught after some sleuthing. The only bad thing about this book is the multiple references to microwaved water for tea...I know there can't be anything WRONG with it exactly...but there is something wrong with it haha.
A fun series with Pie themes that are sure to make your mouth water. Four stars.
April 1, 2019
This is the 3rd book in the Pie Town Mystery series. Val Harris owns Pie Town in San Nicholas, CA and her friend Charlene signs her up for a reality TV show called Pie Hard where a crew comes in, critiques the restaurant and suggests improvements. When the producer is killed and then the star turns up dead, Val knows she has to help solve the crime.
This is a great cozy mystery with fun and quirky characters and a solid plot. I recommend it.
Thanks to Kensington Publishing Corporation and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a great cozy mystery with fun and quirky characters and a solid plot. I recommend it.
Thanks to Kensington Publishing Corporation and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 20, 2019
I really liked it, so many cozy’s have been getting on my nerves lately 😻
March 16, 2019
I have come to adore cozy novels in recent months, so I jumped at the chance to read this delightful little mystery. What could be a better setting than a beautiful, picturesque little town in coastal California with a gorgeous pie shop! This is the third book in the Pie Town Mystery series by Kirsten Weiss, the first book being ‘The Quiche and the Dead’ followed by ‘Bleeding Tarts.’
Valentine (Val) Harris’ pie shop, ‘Pie Town’ is struggling, however, when Val’s quirky business partner and pie crust expert, Charlene, allows a reality television crew from the show 'Pie Hard' to film the shop, it seems that things might be about to change. If Val can tolerate criticism from an abrasive pastry chef during filming, the free publicity might turn the unusual opportunity into the sweetest deal she didn’t know she needed.
When the show’s bossy producer, Regina Katz, gets pushed to her death, Val and Charlene, once again, turn crime-solvers in the hope of finding the killer. Val needs to stay cool long enough to solve the crime and keep ‘Pie Town’ from falling apart, or else she just might go up in smoke before she ever graces the small screen.
For anyone, like me, who hasn’t read the first two books of the series, Kirsten Weiss, without being too overt, provides plenty of back-stories. Written in the first person, the characters in this novel were a scream and I particularly liked Val and Charlene’s interaction. I really enjoyed the easy-to-read writing style, the plot and the pace of the book.
All in all, “Pie Hard” is a light-hearted, lovely read, that combines mystery, thrills and murder and mayhem.
I'm looking forward to reading the first two books of the series with, hopefully, more to come!
[Thanks to #NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC of #PieHard in exchange for an honest review]
Valentine (Val) Harris’ pie shop, ‘Pie Town’ is struggling, however, when Val’s quirky business partner and pie crust expert, Charlene, allows a reality television crew from the show 'Pie Hard' to film the shop, it seems that things might be about to change. If Val can tolerate criticism from an abrasive pastry chef during filming, the free publicity might turn the unusual opportunity into the sweetest deal she didn’t know she needed.
When the show’s bossy producer, Regina Katz, gets pushed to her death, Val and Charlene, once again, turn crime-solvers in the hope of finding the killer. Val needs to stay cool long enough to solve the crime and keep ‘Pie Town’ from falling apart, or else she just might go up in smoke before she ever graces the small screen.
For anyone, like me, who hasn’t read the first two books of the series, Kirsten Weiss, without being too overt, provides plenty of back-stories. Written in the first person, the characters in this novel were a scream and I particularly liked Val and Charlene’s interaction. I really enjoyed the easy-to-read writing style, the plot and the pace of the book.
All in all, “Pie Hard” is a light-hearted, lovely read, that combines mystery, thrills and murder and mayhem.
I'm looking forward to reading the first two books of the series with, hopefully, more to come!
[Thanks to #NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC of #PieHard in exchange for an honest review]
February 26, 2019
After trying out Kiersten Weiss’ other series, I was curious about this one. Although I’m not a huge lover of pie, I was intrigued by the writing style and concept of her paranormal Cozy Mystery enough to try this one. The Pie Town series is more of a Contemporary but it does have the similar lighthearted vibe.
PIE HARD is an obvious tribute to the Die Hard movies and in this book, Val is also put in the spotlight. However, she probably isn’t an enthusiastic about the idea as some of the other people in her life. The reality show is supposed to enliven the success of her shop but when a murder occurs, Val isn’t so sure this is the right thing for her.
I enjoyed this book, but probably not as much as I had hoped. Don’t get me wrong. It was a cute concept and definitely had some fun characters, but I guess I was hoping that this series would be something a bit more unique like her other series. Nevertheless, it’s a solid Cozy that I think many food lovers would enjoy. Weiss keeps the writing and tone quite light so I think it would also be suitable for readers who are just getting into the genre.
March 25, 2023
Please give Charlene a personality makeover and Val a spine!!! The addition of Ray is good.
Charlene once again bullies Val into an untenable situation, signing her up for a TV show without her knowledge, and of course Val goes along with it. A producer is murdered, a missing father surfaced and the trouble starts.
Charlene once again bullies Val into an untenable situation, signing her up for a TV show without her knowledge, and of course Val goes along with it. A producer is murdered, a missing father surfaced and the trouble starts.
May 24, 2022
I’m really enjoying this series. Val and Gordon go well together and the rest of the characters add excitement. I enjoyed the additional characters that came with the film crew and made the mystery fun.
March 20, 2019
Val (for Valentine) Harris is the owner of Pie Town, a bakery specializing in pies, both sweet and savory. Like many new businesses getting established and starting to turn a profit are goals, so far, not a reality. Speaking of reality, reality shows, in particular, Pie Town is going to be the featured on one. Unfortunately, murder is on the menu too. Filled with zany characters and a pie safe full of suspects, Pie Hard is another fun read with all sorts of twists to keep you guessing.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 12, 2021
La storia non è male, ma nel finale ci sono un po' troppi colpi di scena tendenti allo inverosimile e allo stupefacente, per non parlare del fatto che quasi sempre non riesco a sopportare la spalla ottuagenaria della protagonista.
December 30, 2020
I love this series. The characters, the town, everything about this series is a homerun.
April 13, 2019
I've written this review for Really Into This
Check out all of our reviews at https://reallyintothis.com
Happy Reading, friends!
PIE HARD BY KIRSTEN WEISS BOOK REVIEW
A bakery, a quirky town, a murder mystery & a reality TV show? This book is made for me!
STANDALONE OR SERIES
This is my first foray into the Pie Town Mystery Series by Kirsten Weiss. While I likely missed a bit of character development, the first few chapters catch me up nicely. I feel like I didn’t miss a beat reading it as a standalone That being said, Weiss is careful not to give away too many details. That way, readers can venture backward & read the series from the beginning.
THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS
Murder & baked goods- heck yes! While Pie Hard centers around a bakery, there’s not a flood of recipes or food talk. After reading Chocolate Cream Pie Murder, it was nice to take a break from the recipes & focus on the stories.
Kirsten Weiss fills the story with loads of twists & turns. While some of the surprises are a bit outrageous, I didn’t mind it. What I really want more of is Charlene. She’s a great sidekick to Val.
THE VERDICT
I am Really Into This book! Pie Hard is a great cozy mystery. Weiss hits my sweet tooth with all the baked goods but focuses enough on the murder mystery to keep me turning the pages. I’m looking forward to reading more of her books!
Special thanks to Kirsten Weiss & Kensington Books for providing our copy in exchange for an honest & fair review.
Check out all of our reviews at https://reallyintothis.com
Happy Reading, friends!
PIE HARD BY KIRSTEN WEISS BOOK REVIEW
A bakery, a quirky town, a murder mystery & a reality TV show? This book is made for me!
STANDALONE OR SERIES
This is my first foray into the Pie Town Mystery Series by Kirsten Weiss. While I likely missed a bit of character development, the first few chapters catch me up nicely. I feel like I didn’t miss a beat reading it as a standalone That being said, Weiss is careful not to give away too many details. That way, readers can venture backward & read the series from the beginning.
THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS
Murder & baked goods- heck yes! While Pie Hard centers around a bakery, there’s not a flood of recipes or food talk. After reading Chocolate Cream Pie Murder, it was nice to take a break from the recipes & focus on the stories.
Kirsten Weiss fills the story with loads of twists & turns. While some of the surprises are a bit outrageous, I didn’t mind it. What I really want more of is Charlene. She’s a great sidekick to Val.
THE VERDICT
I am Really Into This book! Pie Hard is a great cozy mystery. Weiss hits my sweet tooth with all the baked goods but focuses enough on the murder mystery to keep me turning the pages. I’m looking forward to reading more of her books!
Special thanks to Kirsten Weiss & Kensington Books for providing our copy in exchange for an honest & fair review.
December 29, 2018
At Pie Town, Val Harris is still in her first year and while business is a little slow right now she isn't about to throw in the towel.
Unbeknownst to Val her much older pie crust baker, Charlene has signed the shop up for the reality television show Pie Hard. Walking into her shop to find strangers and cameras is not what Val needs at the moment. But with Charlene whispering in her ear listing all of the good things and publicity they would receive, she caves.
Pie Hard, like all reality shows, thrives on drama and trust me there is no lack of drama in this tale. Rude, late, and pushy, Val doesn't know how much of this she can take. Charlene has already forgotten to tell her she rented a piece of the land where Val's tiny house sits to a group of Yurt loving, goddesses for the week and she still isn't sure if she has a boyfriend or not.
When one of her gaming regulars, Ray calls to say he just saw a body fall off the cliff at the hotel where the entire crew is staying, Val and Charlene are on the case. Val is hoping they all just go on home, but no, fate has something even more shocking in store for her! The new producer.
When even more bodies start piling up they know they need to solve this thing before Pie Town dies a hard death!
What makes a really good Cozy Mystery Series? Characters. And Ms. Weiss has given us an abundance of them. Not the typical ditzy ones. Characters you could meet in any small town. They have depth, flaws, quirks, just like the rest of us. They are relatable. This is what I like to call an intelligent cozy. There are so many layers of intrigue in this one that I read it straight through! Just when you think you know who did what and why, you don't. I love it when I read a story and go WHAT?? at the wrap up.
Very Well Done!
Kensington February 26, 2019
Thanks so much for the ARC KW!
Unbeknownst to Val her much older pie crust baker, Charlene has signed the shop up for the reality television show Pie Hard. Walking into her shop to find strangers and cameras is not what Val needs at the moment. But with Charlene whispering in her ear listing all of the good things and publicity they would receive, she caves.
Pie Hard, like all reality shows, thrives on drama and trust me there is no lack of drama in this tale. Rude, late, and pushy, Val doesn't know how much of this she can take. Charlene has already forgotten to tell her she rented a piece of the land where Val's tiny house sits to a group of Yurt loving, goddesses for the week and she still isn't sure if she has a boyfriend or not.
When one of her gaming regulars, Ray calls to say he just saw a body fall off the cliff at the hotel where the entire crew is staying, Val and Charlene are on the case. Val is hoping they all just go on home, but no, fate has something even more shocking in store for her! The new producer.
When even more bodies start piling up they know they need to solve this thing before Pie Town dies a hard death!
What makes a really good Cozy Mystery Series? Characters. And Ms. Weiss has given us an abundance of them. Not the typical ditzy ones. Characters you could meet in any small town. They have depth, flaws, quirks, just like the rest of us. They are relatable. This is what I like to call an intelligent cozy. There are so many layers of intrigue in this one that I read it straight through! Just when you think you know who did what and why, you don't. I love it when I read a story and go WHAT?? at the wrap up.
Very Well Done!
Kensington February 26, 2019
Thanks so much for the ARC KW!
February 18, 2019
Pie Hard by Kirsten Weiss is the 2rd book in the Pie Town Mystery series, and I loved it. Pie Hard is a perfect blend of mystery and humor. Val owns the restaurant Pie Town. Charlene her elderly crust maker, signs the restaurant up for a make over on network television. When the shows producer gets murdered, thrown over a cliff, the mystery begins. Not only is this book really funny, I often found myself laughing out loud a lot, the mystery kept me guessing until the end. I found this book to be a quick read, I read it in one day, with a well developed plot and unique characters. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. If you love humorous cozy mysteries, I strongly recommend this book and series.
I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
December 22, 2018
Though this is the third in a series, it’s the first Pie Town book I’ve read. (Actually, it’s the first “cozy mystery” I’ve read! Only realized this year that’s a thing!)
The premise was great—Val’s bakery, Pie Town, gets chosen for the reality show Pie Hard, a show that turns around struggling bakeries. But when someone starts killing off the crew, Val & her sidekick Charlene need to solve the mystery before her business goes down in flames.
The characters were loveable & the setting was perfect. I loved the description of the bakery & the pie making process. The mystery kept me guessing til the end, & had a satisfying wrap up.
I’m looking forward to reading the other 2 books in the series, The Quiche & the Dead & Bleeding Tarts. Can’t wait to spend more time with these people!
The premise was great—Val’s bakery, Pie Town, gets chosen for the reality show Pie Hard, a show that turns around struggling bakeries. But when someone starts killing off the crew, Val & her sidekick Charlene need to solve the mystery before her business goes down in flames.
The characters were loveable & the setting was perfect. I loved the description of the bakery & the pie making process. The mystery kept me guessing til the end, & had a satisfying wrap up.
I’m looking forward to reading the other 2 books in the series, The Quiche & the Dead & Bleeding Tarts. Can’t wait to spend more time with these people!
April 13, 2019
Sarah contributed this review for Really Into This
Check out all of our reviews at https://reallyintothis.com
Happy Reading, friends!
PIE HARD BY KIRSTEN WEISS BOOK REVIEW
A bakery, a quirky town, a murder mystery & a reality TV show? This book is made for me!
STANDALONE OR SERIES
This is my first foray into the Pie Town Mystery Series by Kirsten Weiss. While I likely missed a bit of character development, the first few chapters catch me up nicely. I feel like I didn’t miss a beat reading it as a standalone That being said, Weiss is careful not to give away too many details. That way, readers can venture backward & read the series from the beginning.
THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS
Murder & baked goods- heck yes! While Pie Hard centers around a bakery, there’s not a flood of recipes or food talk. After reading Chocolate Cream Pie Murder, it was nice to take a break from the recipes & focus on the stories.
Kirsten Weiss fills the story with loads of twists & turns. While some of the surprises are a bit outrageous, I didn’t mind it. What I really want more of is Charlene. She’s a great sidekick to Val.
THE VERDICT
I am Really Into This book! Pie Hard is a great cozy mystery. Weiss hits my sweet tooth with all the baked goods but focuses enough on the murder mystery to keep me turning the pages. I’m looking forward to reading more of her books!
Special thanks to Kirsten Weiss & Kensington Books for providing our copy in exchange for an honest & fair review.
Check out all of our reviews at https://reallyintothis.com
Happy Reading, friends!
PIE HARD BY KIRSTEN WEISS BOOK REVIEW
A bakery, a quirky town, a murder mystery & a reality TV show? This book is made for me!
STANDALONE OR SERIES
This is my first foray into the Pie Town Mystery Series by Kirsten Weiss. While I likely missed a bit of character development, the first few chapters catch me up nicely. I feel like I didn’t miss a beat reading it as a standalone That being said, Weiss is careful not to give away too many details. That way, readers can venture backward & read the series from the beginning.
THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS
Murder & baked goods- heck yes! While Pie Hard centers around a bakery, there’s not a flood of recipes or food talk. After reading Chocolate Cream Pie Murder, it was nice to take a break from the recipes & focus on the stories.
Kirsten Weiss fills the story with loads of twists & turns. While some of the surprises are a bit outrageous, I didn’t mind it. What I really want more of is Charlene. She’s a great sidekick to Val.
THE VERDICT
I am Really Into This book! Pie Hard is a great cozy mystery. Weiss hits my sweet tooth with all the baked goods but focuses enough on the murder mystery to keep me turning the pages. I’m looking forward to reading more of her books!
Special thanks to Kirsten Weiss & Kensington Books for providing our copy in exchange for an honest & fair review.
March 4, 2019
Pie Hard by Kirsten Weis
Book #3: Pie Town Mystery Series
Source: NetGalley and Kensington Publishing Company
Rating: 4½/5 stars
Val Harris loves owning her own business even if it eats up most of her time, life, and energy. Baking pies, filling bellies, seeing happy faces, and working with her staff brings Val such joy. What would bring her even more joy, the bakery bringing in a larger profit and sustaining itself financially. As ever, Val keeps her worries to herself and her crust maker, Charlene interferes.
As far as interfering goes, Charlene has really outdone herself this time! With no input or even consent from Val, Charlene has signed Pie Town up to participate in a reality show. To that end, the producers, cameras, and stars will come into the shop, assess Val, her staff, and her products, and (hopefully) not make her out to be a fool on national television. Oh, and if Val is really lucky, the entire production will help her find new and inventive ways to improve her products and her shop. Unfortunately, Val has yet to be really lucky 😊
Before Val knows it, she’s committed to the show, her kitchen is filled to capacity, one of the “experts” is kind of mean, and another one ends up dead. Just as fast as everything else happens, Val is drawn into yet another murder (or two) investigation and her limited free time is spent not sleeping, worrying about her shop and her safety, and what shenanigans Charlene is going to get up to next. There’s also the matter of her kind of boyfriend, the sexy police officer who may not be her kind of boyfriend much longer since Val’s involvement in the current case got him kicked off the case. Yeah, there a lot of crazy in every one of Val’s days and nights.
The Bottom Line: I’m just going to put this out there right now, the Pie Town Mystery series is getting stronger with each additional book. This time through, Val is more confident in her investigative skills, Charlene is even crazier, they have an investigative intern (YAY!), and the plot is the strongest yet. In point of fact, this particular plot seems to be intended to set up the continuation of the series for the foreseeable future. Without giving anything away, the use of and the results of the Pie Town participation in the reality show sets Val and Charlene up for a very nice and successful indeed. In addition to professional evolution, there is also evolution on the personal side and I so love that for these characters. In completely cheesy fashion, I am ready for another slice of pie 😊
Book #3: Pie Town Mystery Series
Source: NetGalley and Kensington Publishing Company
Rating: 4½/5 stars
Val Harris loves owning her own business even if it eats up most of her time, life, and energy. Baking pies, filling bellies, seeing happy faces, and working with her staff brings Val such joy. What would bring her even more joy, the bakery bringing in a larger profit and sustaining itself financially. As ever, Val keeps her worries to herself and her crust maker, Charlene interferes.
As far as interfering goes, Charlene has really outdone herself this time! With no input or even consent from Val, Charlene has signed Pie Town up to participate in a reality show. To that end, the producers, cameras, and stars will come into the shop, assess Val, her staff, and her products, and (hopefully) not make her out to be a fool on national television. Oh, and if Val is really lucky, the entire production will help her find new and inventive ways to improve her products and her shop. Unfortunately, Val has yet to be really lucky 😊
Before Val knows it, she’s committed to the show, her kitchen is filled to capacity, one of the “experts” is kind of mean, and another one ends up dead. Just as fast as everything else happens, Val is drawn into yet another murder (or two) investigation and her limited free time is spent not sleeping, worrying about her shop and her safety, and what shenanigans Charlene is going to get up to next. There’s also the matter of her kind of boyfriend, the sexy police officer who may not be her kind of boyfriend much longer since Val’s involvement in the current case got him kicked off the case. Yeah, there a lot of crazy in every one of Val’s days and nights.
The Bottom Line: I’m just going to put this out there right now, the Pie Town Mystery series is getting stronger with each additional book. This time through, Val is more confident in her investigative skills, Charlene is even crazier, they have an investigative intern (YAY!), and the plot is the strongest yet. In point of fact, this particular plot seems to be intended to set up the continuation of the series for the foreseeable future. Without giving anything away, the use of and the results of the Pie Town participation in the reality show sets Val and Charlene up for a very nice and successful indeed. In addition to professional evolution, there is also evolution on the personal side and I so love that for these characters. In completely cheesy fashion, I am ready for another slice of pie 😊
January 22, 2019
Pie Hard is the third book in Kirsten Weiss’ A Pie Town Mystery series. The mystery is well plotted and entertaining, the characters are eccentric and likable. There are plenty of suspects to choose from and lots of clues to sift through in order to try to figure out whodunit.
Valentine ‘Val’ Harris is the owner of Pie Town in the small town of San Nicholas in California. Charlene, Pie Town’s talented piecrust maker, poses as Val’s business partner and arranges for a reality TV show, which focuses on struggling bakeries, Pie Hard, to feature Pie Town in one of their segments. Val isn’t thrilled with the surprise and is worried because the show has the reputation of being overly critical and harsh, but reluctantly agrees to allow them to proceed because it will provide much-needed exposure for them. While it was common for strangers to come into Pie Town, two new customers were there the same morning as the TV crew, and they both seemed familiar to her, but Val couldn’t place either of them. Ray MacTaggart, a Pie Town regular, calls Val and tells her that he’s on the trail beneath the cliffs at the Belinda Hotel and needs her to come right away because someone was dead. When Val and Charlene arrive at the hotel, Ray tells them he heard shouting and then a woman, later identified as Regina Katz, the show’s line producer, flew off the cliff; and he’s convinced she was pushed. Val spots the two Pie Town “strangers” up on the cliff. The next morning, Frank Harris, one of the “strangers,” announces he’s the replacement producer, and later claims to be Val’s estranged father. Chief Shaw removes Detective Gordon Carmichael from the investigation, claiming he’s lost his objectivity. Val and Charlene start asking questions and looking into the murder, bringing Ray in to help with research. When a second member of the show is murdered, and other crimes are committed, Val worries about the impact it will have on her business. Gordon, who’s trying to build a relationship with Val, is supportive of their investigative efforts, but only if they study for and obtain PI licenses.
I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.
Valentine ‘Val’ Harris is the owner of Pie Town in the small town of San Nicholas in California. Charlene, Pie Town’s talented piecrust maker, poses as Val’s business partner and arranges for a reality TV show, which focuses on struggling bakeries, Pie Hard, to feature Pie Town in one of their segments. Val isn’t thrilled with the surprise and is worried because the show has the reputation of being overly critical and harsh, but reluctantly agrees to allow them to proceed because it will provide much-needed exposure for them. While it was common for strangers to come into Pie Town, two new customers were there the same morning as the TV crew, and they both seemed familiar to her, but Val couldn’t place either of them. Ray MacTaggart, a Pie Town regular, calls Val and tells her that he’s on the trail beneath the cliffs at the Belinda Hotel and needs her to come right away because someone was dead. When Val and Charlene arrive at the hotel, Ray tells them he heard shouting and then a woman, later identified as Regina Katz, the show’s line producer, flew off the cliff; and he’s convinced she was pushed. Val spots the two Pie Town “strangers” up on the cliff. The next morning, Frank Harris, one of the “strangers,” announces he’s the replacement producer, and later claims to be Val’s estranged father. Chief Shaw removes Detective Gordon Carmichael from the investigation, claiming he’s lost his objectivity. Val and Charlene start asking questions and looking into the murder, bringing Ray in to help with research. When a second member of the show is murdered, and other crimes are committed, Val worries about the impact it will have on her business. Gordon, who’s trying to build a relationship with Val, is supportive of their investigative efforts, but only if they study for and obtain PI licenses.
I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.
March 15, 2019
Pie Hard is the third book in the Pie Town series of cozy mysteries but it totally reads like a standalone. The book starts with Val Harris being awakened to what seems like an earthquake and then a blinding light. At first she thinks it is a UFO since she has a phobia about them. But soon she realizes that a huge truck has driven onto the property and her tiny home was shaken due to its sheer heaviness. Her abode isn’t the most stable place to live.
It is 4am and a yurt is being delivered into her front yard. Come to find out, Val rents her tiny home, more like a fancy storage container, from her next door neighbor Charlene. Charlene has invited a group of metaphysical goddess types to hold their annual retreat in her yard and she had forgotten to tell Val about their arrival.
And that wasn’t the only thing Charlene failed to tell Val about. She had gone behind Val’s back and requested that a reality TV show, Pie Hard, use Val’s business, Pie Town, as a guinea pig for their television antics Pie Hard was known for really bashing new businesses and Val’s business had only been open for less than a year. It wasn’t doing great but it wasn’t in dire straights either.
And so starts the roller coaster ride that is Pie Hard. It was truly an excellent cozy mystery that I recommend highly. So many great antics happen in the book that I don’t want to spoil anything for you. Trust me. This is a must read. I am putting Kirsten Weiss on my must read author list for sure. Kensington Books sure has a lot of great authors in their cozy mystery line up. I feel truly blessed to be able to read them and relate these great books to you. Definitely read this one.
BTW, I read Pie Hard on Pi Day (3.14). I thought that was not only funny but pretty ironic. I was driving home and heard on the radio it was Pi Day 3/14/19. I laughed out loud. The funniest thing was… I hadn’t done that on purpose.
A delicious mystery with a super sweet conclusion. The Baker Street Bakers had done it again
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.
It is 4am and a yurt is being delivered into her front yard. Come to find out, Val rents her tiny home, more like a fancy storage container, from her next door neighbor Charlene. Charlene has invited a group of metaphysical goddess types to hold their annual retreat in her yard and she had forgotten to tell Val about their arrival.
And that wasn’t the only thing Charlene failed to tell Val about. She had gone behind Val’s back and requested that a reality TV show, Pie Hard, use Val’s business, Pie Town, as a guinea pig for their television antics Pie Hard was known for really bashing new businesses and Val’s business had only been open for less than a year. It wasn’t doing great but it wasn’t in dire straights either.
And so starts the roller coaster ride that is Pie Hard. It was truly an excellent cozy mystery that I recommend highly. So many great antics happen in the book that I don’t want to spoil anything for you. Trust me. This is a must read. I am putting Kirsten Weiss on my must read author list for sure. Kensington Books sure has a lot of great authors in their cozy mystery line up. I feel truly blessed to be able to read them and relate these great books to you. Definitely read this one.
BTW, I read Pie Hard on Pi Day (3.14). I thought that was not only funny but pretty ironic. I was driving home and heard on the radio it was Pi Day 3/14/19. I laughed out loud. The funniest thing was… I hadn’t done that on purpose.
A delicious mystery with a super sweet conclusion. The Baker Street Bakers had done it again
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.
January 19, 2019
There is a lot, and I mean A LOT, going on in this book. A reality show being filmed at Pie Town, a coven camping outside Val’s home, a long lost father returning out of the blue, and two murders. Whew, see what I mean? But yet it all seems to gel and is tied together well.
While Pie Town is a struggling new business, It is doing as well as a new business can be expected, even if Val expanded a little too quickly at such an early age. But when her landlady, employee, and friend, Charlene, surprises her with the cast and crew from reality show, Pie Hard, Val eventually gets over the shock and realizes a little inconvenience is a small price to pay if she can get some solid business advice out of the fiasco.
After the first night of filming the producer is pushed off a cliff to her death and things just go down hill from there. Then her long lost father shows up to take over production and she’s not quite sure what to make of him. She angry at him for having walked out on her and her mother all those years ago, but as with any story, there are two sides to it. Will she let him share his and believe him? Can she even trust him? Should she?
As the filming continues, the star pastry chef, Ilsa is murdered and the number of suspects is down by one. Who is targeting the Pie Hard gang and why? Eventually, taking a page out of an Agatha Christie book, Val gets the list of suspects together and the truth comes out. But it’s not over yet…not until the fat lady sings…and she’s not quite ready for her aria.
All in all this was a good story. While it’s the third in the series, it’s the first I have read, though I have read the Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum series by the author. Her wit is quick and full of sarcasm and being a Jersey gal, I enjoy that. This was fine as a standalone. I didn’t miss anything from the first few books in the series that the author didn’t shed some light on where needed. Looking forward to more from Kirsten Weiss.
While Pie Town is a struggling new business, It is doing as well as a new business can be expected, even if Val expanded a little too quickly at such an early age. But when her landlady, employee, and friend, Charlene, surprises her with the cast and crew from reality show, Pie Hard, Val eventually gets over the shock and realizes a little inconvenience is a small price to pay if she can get some solid business advice out of the fiasco.
After the first night of filming the producer is pushed off a cliff to her death and things just go down hill from there. Then her long lost father shows up to take over production and she’s not quite sure what to make of him. She angry at him for having walked out on her and her mother all those years ago, but as with any story, there are two sides to it. Will she let him share his and believe him? Can she even trust him? Should she?
As the filming continues, the star pastry chef, Ilsa is murdered and the number of suspects is down by one. Who is targeting the Pie Hard gang and why? Eventually, taking a page out of an Agatha Christie book, Val gets the list of suspects together and the truth comes out. But it’s not over yet…not until the fat lady sings…and she’s not quite ready for her aria.
All in all this was a good story. While it’s the third in the series, it’s the first I have read, though I have read the Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum series by the author. Her wit is quick and full of sarcasm and being a Jersey gal, I enjoy that. This was fine as a standalone. I didn’t miss anything from the first few books in the series that the author didn’t shed some light on where needed. Looking forward to more from Kirsten Weiss.
February 1, 2019
Title: Pie Hard
Author: Kirsten Weiss
Genre: Murder Mystery, Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Food, TV Reality, Sequel
Plot: Val Harris has her own little cozy pie shop that is doing well. It's not going to make her rich anytime soon but she's not living on the street either and has employees so that's a plus. She lives in a little converted shipping container and her landlady is her friend and employee, Charlene. Together they form Baker Street Bakers and stick their noses into trouble whenever trouble comes around. Detective Grumpy Cop supports her meddling - with the argument that she needs a PI license first.
Val has her hands full when Charlene surprises her with a reality TV crew to film their little pie shop for their show, Pie Hard. Uncertain but lured in with the promise of publicity, Val reluctantly goes along with the scheme. When producer Regina turns up dead, Val decides that TV reality might not be so hot for business after all.
Likes/Dislikes: A pie shop isn't something you hear about every day and a murder mystery with a reality tv crew always sounds intriguing. Unfortunately, this mystery never quite gripped me like previous mysteries. I didn't feel connected to or interested in the characters (I don't really know how old they are or what they look like either). And I really would've had Maureen be the killer because it would've stumped my husband. But I liked the pies and the recipes at the back of the book and I liked Grumpy Cop (whose name eludes me because of reasons), and I thought it was a well-constructed mystery that kept me guessing till the end. It just won't top my favorites list.
Rating: PG-14 and up, mainly for content (it's a murder mystery).
Date Review Written: February 1st, 2019
I received a copy of this book courtesy of Netgalley for my honest opinion. I wasn't required to write a positive review and the opinions expressed in the above review are my own.
Author: Kirsten Weiss
Genre: Murder Mystery, Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Food, TV Reality, Sequel
Plot: Val Harris has her own little cozy pie shop that is doing well. It's not going to make her rich anytime soon but she's not living on the street either and has employees so that's a plus. She lives in a little converted shipping container and her landlady is her friend and employee, Charlene. Together they form Baker Street Bakers and stick their noses into trouble whenever trouble comes around. Detective Grumpy Cop supports her meddling - with the argument that she needs a PI license first.
Val has her hands full when Charlene surprises her with a reality TV crew to film their little pie shop for their show, Pie Hard. Uncertain but lured in with the promise of publicity, Val reluctantly goes along with the scheme. When producer Regina turns up dead, Val decides that TV reality might not be so hot for business after all.
Likes/Dislikes: A pie shop isn't something you hear about every day and a murder mystery with a reality tv crew always sounds intriguing. Unfortunately, this mystery never quite gripped me like previous mysteries. I didn't feel connected to or interested in the characters (I don't really know how old they are or what they look like either). And I really would've had Maureen be the killer because it would've stumped my husband. But I liked the pies and the recipes at the back of the book and I liked Grumpy Cop (whose name eludes me because of reasons), and I thought it was a well-constructed mystery that kept me guessing till the end. It just won't top my favorites list.
Rating: PG-14 and up, mainly for content (it's a murder mystery).
Date Review Written: February 1st, 2019
I received a copy of this book courtesy of Netgalley for my honest opinion. I wasn't required to write a positive review and the opinions expressed in the above review are my own.
February 23, 2019
Pie Hard is the third installment in the Pie Town Mystery series featuring Valentine "Val" Harris set in San Nicholas, California. Unbeknownst to Val, her pie crust maker, Charlene submitted an application for Pie Town to appear on the reality show Pie Hard, and now the celebrity cast has descended on their shop to evaluate, critique and film for an upcoming episode.
The Pie Town regulars are excited to have the cameras in their midst including Ray Mactaggart, the head of the gamers group that claims a booth in the pie shop every afternoon. Val is stunned when later that evening she receives a call from Ray stating that he witnessed the show's producer, Regina Katz get pushed to her death over the cliffs surrounding the crew's hotel.
Despite the objections from Detective Gordon Carmichael, Val joins forces with her friends to track down a killer. Tension was running high between the cast of Pie Hard and the suspect pool includes head bakery consultant Nigel Prashad, pastry chef Ilsa Fueder, the two men making up the sound and film crew, a mysterious stranger who arrives to take over for Regina and the furtive, long haired man that seems to be stalking Val.
Readers of this series will not be disappointed with this latest installment. The quirky cast of characters are engaged in their usual madcap adventures right from page one, this time joined not only by the narcoleptic cat, Frederick but a group of yurt dwelling goddesses who have landed in Val's yard. The shocking identity reveal of the two strangers will definitely have you reaching for the next addition to the series -
I received an advanced copy of Pie Hard from Kensington Books via NetGalley. While not required to write a review I am more than happy to offer my honest opinion.
The Pie Town regulars are excited to have the cameras in their midst including Ray Mactaggart, the head of the gamers group that claims a booth in the pie shop every afternoon. Val is stunned when later that evening she receives a call from Ray stating that he witnessed the show's producer, Regina Katz get pushed to her death over the cliffs surrounding the crew's hotel.
Despite the objections from Detective Gordon Carmichael, Val joins forces with her friends to track down a killer. Tension was running high between the cast of Pie Hard and the suspect pool includes head bakery consultant Nigel Prashad, pastry chef Ilsa Fueder, the two men making up the sound and film crew, a mysterious stranger who arrives to take over for Regina and the furtive, long haired man that seems to be stalking Val.
Readers of this series will not be disappointed with this latest installment. The quirky cast of characters are engaged in their usual madcap adventures right from page one, this time joined not only by the narcoleptic cat, Frederick but a group of yurt dwelling goddesses who have landed in Val's yard. The shocking identity reveal of the two strangers will definitely have you reaching for the next addition to the series -
I received an advanced copy of Pie Hard from Kensington Books via NetGalley. While not required to write a review I am more than happy to offer my honest opinion.
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