Book Review: Pies Before Guys by Kirsten Weiss

A poetry slam at a bakery? Why not! Even though Pie Town proprietor Val Harris would rather be spending time with her newfound half-brother, she knows her employee Abril is beyond excited to be hosting the event. Especially since it stars the apple pie of Abril’s eye, poet and professor Michael Starke. But the evening ends on a sour note when Professor Starke is found murdered mere moments after being accused of plagiarism.

Just like that, Pie Town is at the center of another criminal inquiry. At Abril’s request—and much to Detective Carmichael’s consternation—Val and Charlene decide to investigate Starke’s death. But the case is as tough as an overworked crust and the Baker Street Bakers are only coming up with scraps. If they don’t pinch the cultured killer soon, Pie Town’s reputation could crumble.[summary via Amazon]

Do you know what is even better than pie? A Pie Town mystery! This is exactly what I discovered when I dove head-first in the Pie Town Mysteries!

Pies Before Guys is the fourth book in the Pie Town Mysteries, and sees Pie Town owner, Val Harris, get involved in a murder investigation, when a college professor is found dead after he attends a poetry slam at her bakery. What did Professor Starke do to deserve such an untimely death? Was it the ex-wife? The ex-wife's boyfriend? Or someone else. It's up to the Baker Street Bakers to solve the mystery!

Lately, I've been throwing myself right into cozy mysteries mid-series. I love just diving right into a new cozy town, and cozy towns don't get much better than San Nicholas. San Nicholas is home to Pie Town, and all the quirky and interesting locals that hang out at the bakery! They don't get more quirky than pie-crust maker, Charlene, with her narcoleptic cat, Frederick, who hangs out on her shoulder all day. Charlene is obsessed with creating local and internet sensations with pie-dish UFO's and her adventures with this were absolutely hilarious!!

Kristen Weiss crafts an interesting whodunnit. She creates a tangle of a mystery, with very little suspects. Even given so little "players" in the mystery, I still wasn't able to solve the mystery before Val and Charlene. This is definitely a mystery that kept me on my toes!!

I really loved Pies Before Guys. This is a fun series in the culinary cozies sub-genre. It's full of unique, interesting characters - my favorite being Charlene, of course, because we all need a UFO-obsessed friend in our lives! I highly recommend this series, for both the mystery and colorful characters... and of course the delectable pie recipes too!!