Secrets and Pies
by Jenny Kales
Series: Callie's Kitchen Mysteries #3
Series Rating:
on September 19, 2021
Setting: Crystal Bay, Wisconsin
Genres: Cozy Culinary Mystery
Pages: 245
Format: Kindle, Paperback
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Get Your Copy at: Amazon
Also in this series: Slayed by Souvlaki , A Stew to a Kill, On the Chopping Block, Spiced and Iced
A summertime cozy mystery with a Greek twist! Recipes included!
Summertime in Crystal Bay means tourist season for Calliope “Callie” Costas, Greek American owner of Callie’s Kitchen. Callie can barely keep up with demand for her summer fruit pies and spanakopita. Plus, she’s agreed to bake dozens of Greek delicacies for the annual Greek Fest, a huge event spearheaded by her loving but over-the-top dad.
When Callie is invited to a 1920s-themed Murder Mystery Night at the landmark Harris House, it seems like a welcome break from her hot stove. That is, until she finds herself an unwilling player in yet another suspicious death. Worse yet, the victim is a family friend and seems to have had a secret that involves Crystal Bay’s colorful history.
A motley crew of suspects makes the investigation as juicy as the succulent summer berries strewn around Callie’s Kitchen. Can Callie help find the culprit – or will the killer crumble her like a pie crust?
Secrets and Pies by Jenny Kales is set during the summertime in Wisconsin. Callie has a lot on her plate and not enough time to juggle.
Will Callie let Sands solve the mystery?
Callie and Sands
Calliope “Callie” Costas is finding it hard to find time to see her boyfriend. Somehow, she is trying to make more time appear on the clock. She may have one too many beach balls up in the air that she is juggling this summer. Not only does she have to spend time with her daughter, run a business, make time for coupley things with Sands, and make a lot of pies for the Greek festival, but she also added to her list to attend a 1920s-themed Murder Mystery Night. Sounds fun, but not when Callie is involved. I love Callie’s work ethic, and we find out just how much work Callie’s Kitchen is when they are busy.
Ian Sands is an awesome guy who puts up a lot with Callie interfering in his case. Or at least finding evidence that he couldn’t necessarily get on his own. When Ian isn’t working, he makes Callie and her daughter Olivia his top priority to make sure that they are okay and if they need anything. Ian is a great guy from his descriptions and how Callie speaks of him. He keeps his attention on her if he isn’t working to let her know he cares about what she has to say.
I think Callie and Ian make a terrific couple, and hopefully, we can see more things with these two.
The Mystery
On her way to pick up Olivia at a Gilded Age Mansion that Hugh will be renovating, Callie stumbles upon the body of the family friend. Callie tries not to investigate and leave that to the professionals, but sometimes she can’t help the information she stumbles upon. This information could be relevant to the investigation. I have to say I got who did it, but not the motive. Ms. Kales got me. I wasn’t expecting why this family friend got murdered.
Five Stars
I am giving Secrets and Pies by Jenny Kales five stars and a recommendation to read it. I loved this series from the first book I picked up to this last one. Don’t forget to check out the book for her author’s note and the yummy recipes! Always read this series with some yummy treats on hand, or you will be craving this food all the time.
The recipes are Greek Chicken and Lemon Soup (Avgolemono), Squash Pie (Kolokethopita), Greek Cheese Honey Pie (Melopita), Callie’s Perfect Pie Crust, Callie’s Sour Cherry Pie, Beats on the Bay Blueberry Pie, and Greek Rice Pudding (Rizo-galo).
Callie’s Kitchen Mysteries
This series is available on Kindle Unlimited.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Secrets and Pies by Jenny Kales.
Until the next time,
Happy Reading!
About Jenny Kales
Jenny Kales is the author of The Callie’s Kitchen Mystery Series, featuring Greek-American Calliope Costas, feisty food business owner and amateur sleuth, who lives in a scenic Wisconsin town with colorful characters — and a high murder rate! Each book contains several delicious recipes, both Greek and American. Callie’s latest adventure, SLAYED BY SOUVLAKI is the 5th Callie’s Kitchen Mystery series and was released in October 2021.
Jenny is an avid reader, cook and baker and she’s addicted to reading and British TV mysteries. She lives just outside of Chicago with her husband and is the mom of two daughters and one cute but demanding Yorkshire terrier. She’s hard at work on additional writing projects including more Callie’s Kitchen Mysteries and a new series releasing in 2022.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 2023 Beachcombers Mystery RC
- 2023 Cloak and Dagger
- 2023 Craving the Cozies
- 2023 Cruisin' thru the Cozies
- 2023 Finishing the Series
- 2023 Goodreads RC
- 2023 Medical Examiner RC
- 2023 Six Shooter
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