In the Blink of a Pie : A Maple Syrup Mystery by Catherine Bruns

 

In the Blink of a Pie
A Maple Syrup Mystery
Catherine Bruns
Poisoned Pen Press 

Welcome to Vermont’s own Sappy Endings maple syrup farm, where the syrup is sweet and the pastries are perfect. Well, at least the tasty treats that Leila’s talented cook of a mom, Selma, bakes at the Sappy Hour Café. This is the 3^rd book in the Maple Syrup Mystery series and it has been perfectly named. In the blink of a Pie/eye the well-earned reputation of the Sappy Endings farm goes from great to deadly because of a killer pie baking contest. Leila, manager of her family’s farm was just trying to do a good deed and generate some revenue for the local food bank. No one could have could have foreseen the community backlash due to an unexpected death that turns out to be murder. It does not help that the local paper where her brother Simon is the lead journalist, has printed an article sensationalizing the unfortunate incident. This isn’t Simon’s doing but he cannot stop the rumor mill in this small cozy town. If only gossip was as slow as the molasses in a Shoofly pie. Did they not get the email that this was really an attempt on Leila’s life and not someone out to get Margaret Middleton.  Although, I could see how one could think that Margaret, with her acerbic tongue, could incite negative thoughts or even actions, in others. Someone is out to get Leila.    

 This stand-alone story does a good job of keeping the reader in the loop by giving plenty of backstory to explain how this is not Leila’s first time dealing with a murder. Leila takes on the management of the farm while at the same time getting to know and coming to love farm worker Noah and his daughter Emma.  Leila and her best friend Heather start looking for clues in a variety of places. Suspects include a past high school student who was turned in for cheating. Also on the list, is Leila’s former college roommate who was in trouble for stealing money from Leila to buy drugs. Margaret’s own son Eric, the big city New York attorney is threatening to sue the farm for his mother’s death. Eric may still be upset with Leila for not agreeing to date him in the past. Last but not least is the mysterious pie baker named Sandy Sweets, who could in fact be one of the aforementioned suspects. 

As you can see there are multiple threads for Leila to pull while trying to keep from safe. The story is engaging as well as entertaining. The clues are well placed as are the red herrings. In addition to a happy ending the book also delivers on some sweet and satisfying pie recipes. There are six recipes to choose from and I selected the Pumpkin Spice Maple Pie and can attest that is perfect for pairing with this Thanksgiving themed cozy.

Thank you to the authors, publishers, and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review. The recipe review and food pairing found on my Instagram feed are of my own doing.