Member Reviews
Daisy is back in A Good Day to Pie! And instead of serving up her signature but secret vengeful pies, she's in the reality TV spotlight of Bake My Day, inspired by a certain popular British program... but make it *America.*
Props to the sequel for taking us to an estate aka mansion aka castle for the setting-- it's an ideal murder mystery backdrop, and with secret passages no less. The Great British Bake-Off references are inherently cozy, and the tension of a reality show gives plenty of suspects and motives for a murder swirling around. Put it all together, and readers are in for the perfect cozy mystery ambiance.
I was hype from Daisy's first day on set when she gets to meet another ace. Courchesne's a Black trans woman who specializes in cakes-- an in-joke I was only too happy to be part of. Even though not one but two deaths during the intense filming of the show mean Daisy questions everyone, literally and figuratively, I love how the friendships she forms with her co-competitors are front and center. It left me in a strange position because there were so many people who I didn't want to uncover as a murderer. I also appreciate how little Daisy's ongoing romance influences the plot. It's not because of some lurking trouble (that I know of), the circumstances just call for her to be more focused on friends, old and new, as the plot progresses. Instead of crafting unnecessary drama to keep the romance front and center, the author just lets it be on the back burner, which isn't something we get to see a lot of in fiction.
This is a worthy follow-up in the Pies Before Guys series. While the baking vibes can feel overplayed in some cozies, I found that much like when I'm curled up watching Great British Bakeoff, I was only too eager to hear about the contestants' creative entries in this adventure. The recipes at the end of the book are also especially clever because the author leaves the door open for the reader to experiment with flavor by giving us a few options to try out. It fits with the book's theme and is particularly inviting as a bonus. Daisy continues to be a relatable and intrepid protagonist for the series, and slimy men continue to get their comeuppance, which is more than we can ask for from a lot of books. I can't recommend this series enough, whether you're already a cozy fan or whether you're looking to try one out. Queer readers especially should know this series provides a rare safe space in the genre, so come on in. Thanks to Crooked Lane for my copy to read and review!
Great book. I was able to connect with characters and the plot. I recommend this book……………………………..,,,,.
3 stars. The second book in the Pies Before Guys cozy mystery series and while I read the first book in 2022, I remember it being much more an actual cozy mystery that I had a lot of fun reading. The underlying plot behind these novels is *chefs kiss*. Reading the second book, however...Book 2 had a baking show in the forefront and the mystery in the background. Heavy on the baking show. We see every aspect to I believe every baking challenge, including the judging dialogue. I feel like this book lost the spark the first one had by switching gears and focusing on the show rather than what the book is supposed to be about. When we finally got to the amateur sleuthing, I enjoyed. The ending saved it for me! I love Daisy as a main character.
I really like the cover and would still pick up Book 3!
Big thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley (in 2022).
Baking competition? True crime/whodunnit? Heroine is from Massachusetts? Count me in on this one.
This book was paced perfectly and had plenty of twists for a cozy mystery! I can’t wait to read more about Daisy and her antics within her “pie” business.
The latest entry in one of my favorite series, where you root for a confirmed murderer who is actually ethical and working some deadly magic for a good cause.
This book just wasn’t for me. I know some will love it but I struggled staying interested in the story and got bored.
A huge thank you to the author, Misha Popp, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book! I received a copy of this novel for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily!
This is the second installment of the Pies Before Guys murder mystery series, and I absolutely loved it! This centers around our main character, Daisy, entering a televised baking competition. During her two weeks away to film the show, two murders occur. It is up to Daisy, and magic, to figure out who is responsible.
The thing I loved the most about this book was the baking competition and the similarities it had to ALL the baking shows I’ve ever watched. It reminded me of a cross between The Great British Baking show and any American televised baking competition. I absolutely loved this!
In addition, the mystery and whodunit aspect of the book was… good.. unexpected.. but it wasn’t my favorite part.
As someone who loves murder mysteries and the great British bake off, this book was the absolute perfect read for me! The main character has a side business making murder pies for people, and when she is at a hotel to compete in a baking show, someone on her list turns up dead and was killed by someone else. I finished this book in one sitting and loved every second of it.
"Here's the scoop: this book's a mix of baking brilliance and mystery that's seriously addictive. Popp's got this writing style that's just magic, spinning a tale where baking meets sleuthing. The characters? Oh man, they're so real you'll feel like they're your pals. Daisy and Zoe? Best duo ever. Their bond adds this extra layer of 'aww' to the whole story. You'll be hooked by the writing, the plot's twists, and the way everyone connects. It's like a cozy mystery that's also your best buddy – totally irresistible!
As someone who loves watching holiday cooking competition shows, I LOVED seeing that setting get to be the back drop for A Good Day to Pie. In the first book, we see how Daisy's magic* works through pies to help women in dangerous situations but in this installation it feels like we're really seeing how talented Daisy is as a baker and how dedicated she is to helping others, even without her magic to rely on. Secret pathways, murders, reality TV, and a whole cast of suspects - A Good Day to Pie has it all. I think I somehow managed to love A Good Day to Pie even more than the original and I'm excited to see what comes next for Daisy and her pies.
Thanks to NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books, and Dreamscape Media for the ARC. It hasn't affected the content of my review.
I need to rewind and read the first book, but honestly, this sequel works great as a standalone too. Prepare for a diverse cast and a juicy mystery with lots of mouth-watering food thrown in the mix. Daisy, a murder dealer and magic wielder, is on a mission to figure out what the heck happened, all while keeping the show going (because even death can't stop the capitalist machine).
What sets this book apart is its laser focus on the baking competition. Finally, a Bake-Off inspired TV show that gets it right! While I love other baking books, like Battle Royal, they don't quite hit the sweet spot like this one. You'll feel like you're watching the show yourself with all the baking details packed in. Some may not dig it, but I sure did.
As for the series, I have two hopes. First, more books, but not so many that it overstays its welcome. Second, please shake things up and don't get stuck in a cozy rut. Traditional cozy mysteries can feel too samey to me, but this series manages to be both cozy and progressive. Keep the growth coming, Daisy!
This was fun! British Bakeoff meets cozy mystery. I liked the characters, the premise, and how it all played out. While it was somewhat predictable, it felt good in this book. I could have benefited from reading the first book in the series I think but overall it still worked well as a standalone. I'd recommend as a good vacation read.
𝚊 𝚐𝚘𝚘𝚍 𝚍𝚊𝚢 𝚝𝚘 𝚙𝚒𝚎 🥧 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
This was just the most perfect read for me. I love whodunits. I love baking and the great British bake off. I just loved the entire thing.
"A Good Day to Pie” takes the delightful world of competitive baking and sprinkles in a healthy dose of mystery and mischief. Daisy, the charmingly unconventional protagonist, has a secret recipe for pies that goes beyond flavor - they carry a hint of vengeance. Her mission to serve justice in the form of pies to the town's undesirables sets the stage for a cosy yet edgy tale.
Popp's narrative captivates from the first bite, delivering a rich blend of humor, intrigue, and mouthwatering descriptions of Daisy's delectable creations. As Daisy competes in a televised baking competition, the tension rises when she discovers that one of the judges is her intended victim. The sudden death of the judge before her pie's delivery sets the stage for a thrilling culinary whodunit.
The book's unique premise merges the world of competitive baking with a sprinkle of dark humor, offering readers an enchanting story of suspense and charm. Daisy's determination to solve the murder, even if it means employing a touch of magic, keeps the plot engaging and unpredictable.
For anyone who has ever fancied the drama of a baking competition, or harbored secret fantasies of revenge, "A Good Day to Pie" delivers a delightful and entertaining escape. Popp's witty storytelling takes the concept of 'a dessert to die for' to a whole new level, leaving readers craving not only the next page but also a slice of Daisy's enchantingly dangerous pies.
Also the recipes at the end of the book were an absolutely fantastic touch and I am going to be having a go at one or all of them!!!
I really enjoyed this book! When I first started reading I didn't realise it was a part of a series, however this did not effect the read, it could definitely be read as a stand alone story.
It was a fun, lighthearted, mysterious read! I would definitely recommend it to anyone that enjoys The Great British Bake Off, or murder mystery books.
This was a cute story mashing up a cozy mystery, a cooking show procedural, and a strong feminist bent. The recitation of each baking challenge became a bit tedious as the story went on and I would have liked to see more character development. I had read a synopsis but not the full story from the first book so that might have helped provide more context. Overall a cute and fun story.
Everyone loves a good pie. But how about a pie that’s as deadly as it is delectable?
This started off as a pleasant and fun 3 star read. Stayed this way. Story was enjoyable but wasn't anything special. Cosy and if you're into something fast and easy I recommend this one.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my review from Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books
So if you are looking for a culinary mystery set on a TV baking competition with magical baking, this is the book for you. This was the second in the series and I haven’t read the first, but it was easy to catch up on the basics of the story to follow along. It started a little slow, but by the middle of the book I was really into the mystery of it. I will be grabbing the first book of this series so I can catch up.
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest opinion.
There is just something about cozies that are centered around food/baking that I cannot get enough of. The latest installment of the Pies Before Guys did not disappoint.
I loved the competition angle that Misha gave us in this second book- I'm sure it's difficult to keep things fresh while maintaining a storyline that's following the same pattern, I'm still IN LOVE with these murder pies, I think it's brilliant.
Mixing revenge, baking, & a food competition were the perfect ingredients for the coziest book hug!
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the e-ARC of this novel in exchange for my review.
Entertaining cross between "Knives Out" with "The Great British Bake-Off"... "Pies Out?" I may have enjoyed this book a little bit more if I had known that there was a first book, but this can be read as a standalone without missing anything crucial.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!