Magic, Lies, and Deadly Pies

Daisy Ellery is a special pie maker. She imbues her pies with magic. Daisy can make a person feel courageous, she can make them tell the truth, or she can kill. She has rules in place regarding her deadly pies. The main rule is that they are only for men who have done terrible deeds. Daisy does not kill women with her pies. It seems that someone is on to her secret, and they intend to blackmail her. The blackmailer wants Daisy to deliver a special pie to three different women in exchange for his silence. Daisy needs to find out who is behind the blackmail and stop them before they share her secret. Magic, Lies, and Deadly Pies by Misha Popp is the debut of A Pies Before Guys Mysteries. I thought the story had an interesting premise (I have a weakness for paranormal cozy mysteries). I was looking forward to reading a fun cozy mystery (based on the blurb). Not long after I began reading, I was disabused of that notion. Daisy is basically a gun for hire. She may not get paid, but she does kill. It is hard to like a character who manages to justify her misdeeds. I felt there should be another way for her to use her gift. Daisy said her magic was different from her ancestors, but she is not sure why it is different. I kept hoping this would be addressed (maybe in future books). I did love the descriptions of Daisy’s dresses made for her by her grandmother. I was shocked at the significant amount of foul language in this book (I find it offensive and off-putting). I like to read cozy mysteries because they do not contain that type of language. I liked Daisy’s dog, Zoe. She is a friendly dog with a sweet temperament. I also liked Daisy’s pink retro trailer, Penny. Magic, Lies, and Deadly Pies does not have the fun cozy adventure that I was hoping for from the blurb. It is a dark story. The story touches upon some serious subjects (domestic violence, addiction, rape). There is no mystery to solve much to my disappointment. Magic, Lies, and Deadly Pies reads more like a romantic suspense novel than a cozy mystery. There is also a pie competition and romance with a man trying to save a family orchard. The story was missing the cozy elements and the lightheartedness. As you can tell, I did not enjoy reading Magic, Lies, and Deadly Pies. While Magic, Lies, and Deadly Pies was not for me, I suggest you try a sample to judge for yourself. Magic, Lies, and Deadly Pies is a dark magical tale with a cute canine, a retro trailer, pie happy people, an outgoing orchard owner, a persuasive speaker, a bullying blackmailer, a pie competition, and a supernatural pie maker.