Book Review: Never Say Pie

Author: Carol Culver
Title Never Say Pie
Publisher: Midnight Ink
Publish Date: August 8, 2012
Buy: Amazon
Review Copy Provided By: Net Galley
Book Blurb: ook two in the popular (and delicious!) Pie Shop Mystery series

It’s summertime in Crystal Cove, California, and sales are brisk at the outdoor Food Fair. There’s fresh bread, artisan cheese, gourmet cupcakes, plus Hanna’s delicious pies. When despised local food critic Heath Barr is found stabbed to death, no one is sorry to hear the news—except perhaps Hanna, the main suspect. It doesn’t help that Hanna’s high school crush is the police chief. Hanna must track down a killer while up to her elbows in pie dough.

Featuring scrumptious recipes, including Double Chocolate Cream Pie and Butterscotch Pecan Pie

Review: I have to admit, I'm a sucker for cozy mysteries that involve food and this one is full of all kinds of yummy things. The main character and pie shop owner is Hanna who may remind some of you of Hannah Swensen and Sam a little like Mike.

This story is a quick read, as you meet all the people from Crystal Cove's Food Fair. Oh will the descriptions make you hungry! Cheeses! Sausage! Cupcakes! Yum!

When a food critic that was particularly unkind is found murdered, most everyone at the fair is suspect! Since Hanna was a recipient of one of the bad reviews and had tiff with Heath, she's a suspect and is working to clear her name.

Unlike the other "Hannah" The Upper Crust owner is more ditzy, which is why it is easy to understand Sam trying to keep her out of the investigation. I wish there was more of a spark between these two. Sam was Hanna's high school crush and they same to have a past that's more than just a crush. Sam seems clueless to Hanna's feelings. He's got secrets, but why keep them from someone who has been a friend for many years.

I hope things change between them, because Hanna needs someone in her life. This is a fairly new series, so maybe as it goes on, we'll see more friendships, etc, but right now it is just Hanna and her gram, who lives in a retirement village. I like their closeness, but again, Hanna needs to a have a friend to kind of tone her down. Her sleuthing is a bit crazy.

I look forward to seeing where Carol takes this series and I also can't wait to try one of the pie recipes!

Rating:  4 flowers