Who knew a pie contest could turn into someone getting poisoned who wasn’t even advertised as being a judge? Leila and Heather set out to prove the maple farm was innocent of any responsibility in this as well as catch a wily killer. Little Emma’s side story was so super cute and really adorable when it was resolved.

When Leila came into the crosshairs of a crazed killer once more, the most unlikely (but super cute) little team came to the rescue by summoning the authorities. And what an awesome Thanksgiving Leila and her family had. I absolutely loved the ending of this book and can’t wait for more in the series!

Fall has arrived in Sugar Ridge and Leila is hosting a pie contest to get people excited about the holidays. But a poisoned pie changes everything and Lila finds herself trying to save things and solve a murder yet again. can she solve this one, or is it just one time to many for Lila to outwit a killer and service a slice of justice?

I love Vermont and each time I read a book in this series I am transported. I can smell the leaves and maple syrup before I even turn to the first page…and then I am completely in Sugar Ridge for the rest of the book. Following the clues along with Lila always makes me second guess myself and I. Often get that aha moment at the same time she does. can’t wait four book four in this series!

In this 3rd installment of Maple Syrup Mysteries, we will follow Leila Khoury as they host a pie-baking contest. But the meticulously planned day took a dark turn as someone died from sampling a poisoned pie. Not only the perfect day that has been jeopardized, but also Leila's livelihood and her life as someone wants her dead.

I haven't read the first 2 books of this series, but this book can be read as a standalone. Catherine Bruns did a great job in delivering a charming, cozy, and lighthearted mystery. The mystery itself is well-paced. And my hunch was correct as to who's the culprit, but it didn't spoil the book at all.

I'm sure that fans of this series will appreciate the familiar mix of delicious pie recipes and the cozy mystery vibe that the book emanates. It made the book an enjoyable and satisfying read.

Thank you so much, @netgalley and @poisonedpenpress for the ARC. I received an ARC of this book for free, and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.

IN THE BLINK OF A PIE by Catherine Bruns
The Third Maple Syrup Mystery

To prepare for the holiday season manager Leila Khoury decides to try something new to bring more business to her family's maple syrup farm. The inaugural pie baking competition at Sappy Endings turns tragic, however when the curmudgeonly Margaret Middleton dies after helping herself to a piece of pie. But was Margaret the intended victim? She wasn't even supposed to eat the pie. Leila was. As business rapidly declines, Leila decides she can't wait for the police to solve the murder and, with her good friend Heather, starts nosing around. Unfortunately, it soon becomes evident that the killer isn't through and it's more than Sappy Endings' bottom line that's in trouble.

Despite the danger the third Maple Syrup Mystery gives plenty of warm fuzzies. Leila and Noah have a wonderful relationship that's growing stronger every day. The pair compliment each other so well. I also love how Leila and Selma are repairing their relationship, growing closer, despite Jenna's infiltration. Of course Heather is the best bestie and I love Toast most of all. It's this love, familial, romantic, and friendly, that makes you care about Sappy Endings and the people who make it special.

Even though I knew who the killer was halfway though the novel, as well as the motive, it didn't dim my enjoyment in the least. I watched as Leila followed red herring after red herring and wondered when she would finally realize the truth. I also figured out Emma's issue well before Leila or even Noah...and I don't even like kids! As annoying as I found Emma's behavior, I have to commend her actions at the end of the book.

With ratcheting drama IN THE BLINK OF A PIE captures the warmth of family and the delight of good food even as an unknown person threatens everything!

In The Blink of A Pie by Catherine Bruns takes us back to Sugar Ridge, Vermont and to the maple farm, Sappy Endings, which Leila had inherited from her father. She was doing everything she could to make it profitable and was assisted in that effort by her mother, Selma, and her boyfriend, Noah, and his daughter, Emma. Today was the pie contest, a last minute effort which was going well, with pies still coming in. She would make some changes next year but she was happy with what was happening. At the same time she ran down to the cafe to interview a new employee to work with her mom, so she could have some time off now and then. Just as she got back she saw that her mom’s nosy neighbor, Margaret Middleton, had pushed herself into the pie judging and was sampling her first pie. Leila ran to stop that and Emma accidentally knocked the pie onto the ground. As it turned out, that was a good thing, because just moments later Margaret was lying on the ground, writhing in her death throes. She had been poisoned. It was that pumpkin pie that had carried the poison.

Business at the farm came to a stop. No customers were willing to take a chance. The farm was tainted. Plus, Margaret’s son was threatening to sue. Leila was courageous and strong in the face of adversity, but even now she was doubting herself. She had to find out what was going on and already had a couple of suspects in mind. No one wanted her to investigate; it was too dangerous. But, she couldn’t be stopped, even when another attempt was made to kill her and it became obvious that she had been the target all along. Leila was smart, but it took her a while to figure it out and boy, was it a surprise. What a clever novel: setting is different, characters are fabulous, and the mystery is a good one. Who would have thought? Great read. Good series.

I was invited to read In the Blink of A Pie by Poisoned Pen Press. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #PoisonedPenPress #CatherineBruns #InTheBlinkOfAPie

In a Blink of the Pie is a fantastic cozy mystery. It is fun and entertaining. The characters are wonderful and relatable. The mystery is engaging and has so many twists and turns to keep you guessing. The setting on the maple tree farm is wonderful and I really enjoyed the Fall and Thanksgiving season. I loved this book and highly recommend it.

Catherine Bruns serves up another irresistible mystery in In the Blink of a Pie, the latest installment in the Pie Town Mystery series. As usual, the blend of suspense, humor, and scrumptious pies creates a recipe for a thoroughly enjoyable read.
The story follows Val Harris, a charming and determined pie shop owner, whose talent for baking is matched only by her knack for stumbling into crime scenes. This time, Val's cozy town is shaken by a sudden tragedy that hits too close to home. As she juggles her responsibilities at Pie Town with the urgency to clear her name, the plot thickens with a cast of quirky, endearing characters and twists that kept me guessing until the very end.
In the Blink of a Pie is a delightful treat for fans of cozy mysteries, especially those with a penchant for culinary themes. Bruns has once again whipped up a story that's equal parts delicious and dangerous, and I can’t wait to see what happens next in Pie Town!

In the Blink of a Pie is the third installment in the Maple Syrup Mystery series by Catherine Bruns, and it’s every bit as cozy and delightful as its predecessors. Set against the charming backdrop of Thanksgiving in Sugar Ridge, Vermont, the book once again follows Leila Khoury, the determined manager of Sappy Endings Farm, as she gets swept up in a murder mystery that threatens her livelihood—and perhaps her life.

The story kicks off with a festive pie-baking contest that takes a dark turn when a neighbor dies after eating a poisoned pumpkin pie. What initially seems like a tragic accident quickly spirals into something more sinister when it becomes clear that the intended target might not have been the unfortunate neighbor at all. This adds a thrilling, nail-biting element to the cozy mystery, as the stakes rise dramatically and Leila herself seems to be in the crosshairs of a killer.

One of the highlights of the book is the mystery itself—it’s well-crafted and engaging. From the start, there are clues and red herrings that will have readers speculating about the killer's identity. I had my suspicions, but the story keeps you guessing until the very end, which makes for a satisfying conclusion.

The development of Leila's personal life adds another layer of charm to the series. In many cozy mysteries, the romantic subplots tend to drag on, but Bruns does a fantastic job of moving Leila's relationship with her boyfriend, Noah, forward. Their bond feels natural and heartwarming, offering a nice balance to the suspenseful murder investigation.

What truly sets In the Blink of a Pie apart is its cozy atmosphere. Sugar Ridge is the perfect small-town setting, with its picturesque scenery and warm, tight-knit community. The descriptions of pies and Thanksgiving festivities add to the heartwarming tone of the book, making it a perfect read for the holiday season.

And let’s not forget the covers! The Maple Syrup Mystery series boasts some of the most beautiful and inviting covers in the cozy mystery genre, perfectly capturing the warmth and charm of the stories within.

Overall, In the Blink of a Pie is a delightful, cozy mystery with just the right mix of intrigue, suspense, and heart. Fans of the series and newcomers alike will find plenty to enjoy. Highly recommended for anyone in the mood for a fun, holiday-themed mystery!

4.5 stars

Thank you, NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review

https://www.instagram.com/p/DBYOPmrATZK/

This book is filled with beautiful fall scenery, delicious baking, and a wonderfully cozy atmosphere. Even though I haven’t read the previous books in the series, it didn’t affect my enjoyment of this one at all.

I absolutely loved the characters and the atmospheric town setting. This cozy crime novel was a delight to read, with an intriguing plot that kept me guessing. Solving the mystery alongside the characters was so much fun. The book is packed with great vibes, a warm atmosphere, and all the autumn feels. It’s the perfect easy read for a cozy fall day.

The writing is great, the editing felt spot-on and it is overall a great read. Loved it!

4.5 stars
I think this may be one of the first Thanksgiving themed cozy mysteries I have read. I love it! All the pies and fall weather with maple leaves changing color.
Leila Khoury is holding a pie baking contest at Sappy Endings, her family’s maple farm. An annoying neighbor dies, only it turns out that the neighbor wasn’t the intended target. Leila’s life is the one in jeopardy.
I had a worried feeling in the pit of my stomach for Leila for most of the book. Whoever was behind this had intensely personal reasons for going after Leila. The author did a great job of raising several suspects from Leila’s past that all managed to be in the right place to be plausible.
I love how Leila’s relationships grow in this book. She gets closer to her Mom and Noah and Emma.
To really love this series I think you need to read them in order, but I do think it would be possible to still really enjoy In the Blink of a Pie as a stand-alone.
Thanks to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read this book.

In the Blink of a Pie is book #3 in the Maple Syrup Mysteries series by Catherine Bruns.

Leila Khoury, manager of Sappy Endings Farm, is hosting a pie-baking contest. Despite all the planning to make it a perfect day, the death of a neighbor poisoned by pie puts Leila’s livelihood at risk. This was such a good book. The characters were well-developed and interesting. The mystery was intriguing and I loved the ending. There are also recipes at the end. I hadn’t read any earlier books in this series and I look forward to catching up on them.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

If you want all the autumn feels, this is the book for you! Bruns has created such a perfect cozy setting for her series (a maple syrup farm) & with an entry set at fall, this is ideal for curling up with on a crisp day/night. I really like Leila as a lead, she has flaws & imperfect relationships that, for me, makes her more seem relatable and authentic. The murder itself was quite shocking & really affected the business and lives of our main cast. So solving it is imperative. There’s a very satisfying ending! This is such a strong series & it only seems to be getting better & better each book.

In the Blink of a Pie is the 3rd book in Catherine Bruns' fun Maple Syrup Mysteries. It works well as a standalone book. It is that time of year! Get your blankets, fall scented candles and fuzzy socks on to dive into this book! This is the perfect fall mystery read to get you ready for the season. I thought Leila was a great strong female character and her chemistry with Noah was great. It felt real and was a relationship you could root for. I did figure out the mystery, but I enjoy the journey to the end of the book and love the fall vibes. Who doesn’t love pie! I really liked the Sappy ending tree farm and will be reading more from this author!

Thank you, Net Galley, the author, and the publisher, for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review

This is the third book in the Maple syrup mysteries. Leila manages her family's maple syrup farm and cafe. It's Thanksgiving and the farm is holding a pie contest at the farm. When one of the onlookers takes a bite of a pie meant for the contest and collapses, it becomes a question of who the intended target was.
I really enjoyed this book. It had the perfect fall setting and a great cast of characters. I was shocked by the ending. I can't wait to read more.

It is fall and events are gearing up at the Sappy Endings Farm with a pie contest. Entries must contain maple syrup from the farm to be judged. It was advertised that Leila Khoury, manager of the family farm, would be the judge but with so many entries, her mom Selma and boyfriend Noah are also judging. All is going well until Selma's pushy neighbor insists on judging too and dies after eating a slice of pumpkin pie. It is soon determined that Leilas was the target of the poisoned pie when her life is threatened again. I had suspicions early on, but the author threw out some red herrings that cast some doubt on my thoughts. This is a great mystery to unravel with plenty of action, suspense, and twists. Changes are on the way for Leila and Noah, his daughter Emma, and Selma. This is a fun series, and I look forward to the next book.
I received a copy for the purpose of an honest review. These are my thoughts.

What does cooler temperatures call for you ask? A warm cozy blanket, lit fall scented candles, hot cocoa or coffee, a dog or cat in your lap, and a nice cozy mystery that screams fall. This has it all! Of course I was attracted to the cover of this book! Love the cover!
This is the perfect murder mystery involving a pie eating contest gone wrong. There are a few suspects it could be and it will keep the reader guessing. In the end the whodunnit was who I suspected midway in to the book. Quick cozy read. Fans of Joanne Fluke will enjoy this read and yes like Joanne Flukes books it includes recipes for various pies. One of the recipes may be on my Thanksgiving table.

Thank you so much to Catherine Bruns and the publisher Poisioned Pen Press on the advanced reader copy. I hope to read more of your books in the future!

In the Blink of a Pie by Catherine Burns

Rating: 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press, Netgalley, and Catherine Burns for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In the Blink of a Pie (which is book number 3 in the Maple Syrup Mysteries) by Catherine Burns, we encounter the protagonist, Leila Khoury, who manages her family’s maple syrup business, which is aptly named “Sappy Endings Farm.”

It all begins with a fall pie contest leading up to Thanksgiving. While at the contest, an acquaintance of Leila’s ends up eating a poisoned pie intended for her.

This was my very first Catherine Bruns book and I can happily attest that it will not be my last. A mystery on a maple syrup farm is such a wonderfully unique setting and really brought the fall vibes to this book.

Overall, this is a pretty fast paced cozy mystery that is sure to get you in the mood for autumn! Such a delightfully charming cozy mystery with an authentic story and a great plot! Perfect for lovers of cozy mysteries!

4.5★s

Leila Khoury managed Sappy Endings Farm in Sugar Ridge, Vermont, after the unexpected death of her beloved father some months earlier. Her mother Selma was the cook, with everything she produced, delicious! When Leila decided to host a pie making contest at the farm for Thanksgiving, they went all out. There were many entries and Leila & Selma would be the judges. But when Leila became tied up and a friend of Selma's stepped in to help, her first taste of the pumpkin pie saw her convulsing before she died, in front of the horrified crowd. Uncle Pete, Selma's brother and the small town's police officer, was soon on the scene and his investigation turned into a race against time as no one would go near Sappy Endings for fear of being poisoned themselves...

Would the police and Leila, along with her friend Heather, and almost fiance Noah, find who poisoned the pie before someone else died?

In the Blink of a Pie is the 3rd in the Maple Syrup Mysteries series by Catherine Bruns and I loved it. And while I haven't read books #1 and #2, this one can easily standalone. Well fleshed out characters, lots of fun and entertainment, and although I worked out the culprit very early in the piece, it was fun seeing how it all unfolded. I'll be looking for more by this author. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley & Poisoned Pen Press for my digital ARC to read and review.

3 stars
In the Blink of a Pie
by Catherine Bruns
In the Blink of a Pie is a well written, cozy mystery. I loved the setting and the characters, however the mystery was VERY easy to figure out. In fact, it was so obvious from the start who the murderer was, I am surprised that editors didn't make Catherine Bruns tone down the clues.
I will give the book three stars for readability, but I do not believe I will ever read this author again.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley.

This is the third book in the Maple Syrup Mystery series. I have not read the previous two books. Catherine Bruns is a new author to me but I see she has written a very popular series called Cookies and Chance which I will have to try.

In In the Blink of a Pie I met Leila Khoury who manages Sappy Endings Farm where they produce maple syrup. During a pie baking contest someone dies from poisoning and it becomes apparent that Leila was the intended victim. The search is on to discover the murderer before they succeed in killing her.

I did suspect the identity of the killer fairly early on, but this did not spoil the book for me at all. In fact it made me feel smart when I found I was correct! There were plenty of nice characters to enjoy like Leila's boyfriend, Noah, and his cute daughter. I enjoyed the read very much. Four stars.