It’s Christmas time at Pie in the Sky pie shop in Durham, North Carolina and I’ve never been so worried in my life. Aunt Clara—my partner in pie—has a new beau, Donald Wickerson. He claims to love her Marvelous Mince pies. But I think he has something else in mind.
My boyfriend Ryan has been writing articles for his newspaper, The Durham Weekly, about this man. He thinks he’s a serial killer. Donald has had several wives in different states who met with unfortunate ‘accidents’ that left him wealthier. Ryan thinks he may be plotting to kill Aunt Clara too.
But what if we’re wrong and we ruin Aunt Clara’s last chance for happiness? Maybe Donald isn’t a killer and Ryan is mistaken. The police haven’t found enough evidence yet to arrest Donald.
Am I willing to take that chance? I’m not sure what to do. I don’t want to alienate my aunt who is more like a mother to me. She and my uncle raised me after my parents died when I was a child. I don’t want to see her hurt, and I don’t want to be the one who hurts her either.
There’s only one thing to do. Ryan and I are going to have to find out for sure about this Donald Wickerson. Is he the killer police are looking for or not? We need hard proof. If he is the killer, I’ll find a way to tell Aunt Clara and hope she’ll understand.
If he’s not the killer—then I guess I’ll keep my mouth shut.
Either way, Aunt Clara has always done her best for me and that’s what I plan to do for her too. I’m not going to let Donald Wickerson or anyone else hurt her or spoil our first Christmas together in years. That’s a promise!
You can read more about Maggie in Treacherous Tart, the second book in the “Pie Shop” mystery series, published by Simon and Schuster. The first book in the series is Plum Deadly.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 6 p.m. eastern on October 31 for the chance to win a print copy of both TREACHEROUS TART and PLUM DEADLY. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.
About the author
Ellie Grant writes award-winning, bestselling mystery fiction as themselves, J.J. Cook, and Joyce and Jim Lavene. They have written and published more than 70 novels for Harlequin, Penguin, Amazon, and Simon and Schuster along with hundreds of non-fiction articles for national and regional publications. They live in rural North Carolina with their family. Visit them at www.joyceandjimlavene.com.
Looks like a great Holiday Cozy.
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I’m looking forward to reading this book as soon as I get through a bunch of TBR’s already at the top of pile. I received my copy of the book and I love the cover art also.
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I’m a,ways a bit amazed when I read a synopsis of a mystery and then realize the author Ellie Grant is actually Joyce and Jim Lavene. I’ve read several of their series & want to read this series. It would be great to win books. Thanks for the review and giveaway. Fingers crossed and both added to my ever – growing TBR list.
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I love foodie series so would love a copy of this book. Thanks for the offer.
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Loved the first book in this series so I can’t wait for this one.
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I love all of their series…Count me in 🙂
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Thanks for having us here, Dru Ann! we love you!
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thanks Joyce and Jim for always being here on my blog. Love you guys as well.
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A new book by this very prolific writing team has to be good! Also, pies!
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Thanks for the chance to win. I’ve been wanting to read these.
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I read the first of the Sweet Pepper Fire Brigade books and really enjoyed that. Love the cover art on these. Count me in as well.
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Can’t wait to read these books!
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I have read other books by these authors and loved them all. Look forward to reading this one
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I’m looking forward to reading this book. I hope we discover what’s up with Donald.
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I enjoy reading books that take place in NC and all the other books by these delightful authors. I hope i get to read this one soon.
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I read the 1st one, would love to keep going with this series.
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Wow, how have I missed this series? Thanks for adding to my to be read mountain, lol. This sounds really good.
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Can’t wait to read. Sounds delicious.
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This delicious book sounds so wonderful…right up my alley. Already have it in my wish list
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Sounds fantastic, hope to get a chance to read them 🙂
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Love the cover and the title…can’t wait to read. Thanks, Dru, Ellie (Joyce/Jim).
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Another new series for me. I am always happy to see so many holiday-themed mysteries this time of year. This one sounds pretty exciting – keep Aunt Clara safe!
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Sounds fabulous, thank you for the chance.
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I love Joyce/Jim’s other books, and I’m sure this series is just as good. They’re on my TBR list, and I would love a chance to win! 🙂
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Trying to follow all the series by Joyce and James Lavene, Ellie Grant and J.J. Cook is wonderful. Thanks for the opportunity to try one of their books.
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Haven’t read series yet but look forward to it.
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Any series by Joyce and Jim is lots of fun. I’ll look forward to reading this one.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
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Oh, my. That is a hard one to decide.
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Love the Lavene’s other books so am looking forward to reading this new series.
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Two wins–yeah!! I’ve been wanting to read these books but my TBR list is so long. Seeing that ones of these books is a CHRISTMAS book, I seems like a good time to put these books at the top of my list!! Great prize!!!!
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I can really eat up this kind of story!
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Thank you for a chance to win copies of Plum Deadly and Treacherous Tart. I have enjoyed books written by Joyce and Jim and would like to try these.
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Is Donald the Killer and will Aunt Clara understand? The foundation for a great mystery. I’d love to read the series. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
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Thanks for a chance to win. This is a new to me author.
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I love food cozies, thanks for the chance to win.
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Thx for this giveaway!!!
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Did not know about this series by Jim and Joyce. I’ve have read their other series! Why did I not know this was them??? It sounds like I would really enjoy this one! My TBR pile just keeps getting taller and taller. LOL Wonder how much room I have on my Kindle?
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Ohhh! Sounds like a fun mystery. I hope Aunt Clara finds love. 😀
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Sounds as if this is another fun series from a terrific writing duo.
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I love good serial killer books.
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Would be great to win books 1 and 2, so I’d be caught up with the series. Cannot wait to find out how Aunt Clara’s love life goes.
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This sounds like a terrific read and it comes from such a prolific writing team. Thanks for the generous giveaway. It would be wonderful to win the first two novels in this new series.
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Would love to give this series a try. Thanks for the chance to win!
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Thanks for the opportunity to win
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The giveaway is closed.
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I have just stated this book. So far so good!
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Sounds like a great new series – must get the first book and start reading!
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