Really enjoyed this book. Great plot and engaging, believe characters. I was drawn right into the story. Would definitely recommend.

I really loved this book in a new to me author. The characters and location really and to the story. I can't wait to read the next one. This book keeps you guessing until the end.

After trying out Kiersten Weiss’ other series, I was curious about this one. Although I’m not a huge lover of pie, I was intrigued by the writing style and concept of her paranormal Cozy Mystery enough to try this one. The Pie Town series is more of a Contemporary but it does have the similar lighthearted vibe.

PIE HARD is an obvious tribute to the Die Hard movies and in this book, Val is also put in the spotlight. However, she probably isn’t an enthusiastic about the idea as some of the other people in her life. The reality show is supposed to enliven the success of her shop but when a murder occurs, Val isn’t so sure this is the right thing for her.

I enjoyed this book, but probably not as much as I had hoped. Don’t get me wrong. It was a cute concept and definitely had some fun characters, but I guess I was hoping that this series would be something a bit more unique like her other series. Nevertheless, it’s a solid Cozy that I think many food lovers would enjoy. Weiss keeps the writing and tone quite light so I think it would also be suitable for readers who are just getting into the genre.

Business at the bakery may have slowed down, but Val Harris isn’t about to eat humble pie not until a reality cooking show decides to whip the struggling Pie Town into shape. If Val can tolerate criticism from an abrasive pastry chef during filming, the free publicity might turn the unusual opportunity into the sweetest deal she didn’t know she needed.

Except no one in San Nicholas has an appetite for dessert once murder steals the spotlight. When the show’s bossy producer gets pushed to her death, Val and her flaky, septuagenarian pie crust expert, Charlene, follow crumbs in hopes of finding the killer. But with cameras still rolling and the shocking identity of the victim’s replacement a guaranteed recipe for disaster, Val needs to stay cool long enough to solve the crime and keep Pie Town from falling apart or else she just might go up in smoke before she ever graces the small screen.

The author gives us 5 story plots in this book which makes it a little confusing at times to keep all the plots straight, the author does try to tie all the plots together but they don’t seem to gel with each other very well at the end of the book. The characters are the only thing that kept me from giving this book a lower review than I did. The characters are well written while also having their own quirks and flaws that make them relatable to the reader.

I received an arc of this book from Netgalley and Kensington Books for my review.

I really liked the premise of Val being a part of a reality cooking show. Seems like a win-win, they get tips for their store and plenty of exposure. With her friend and fine baker Charlene, the taping begins, but quickly a member of the Pie Hard crew is found dead. The book veered a bit into the unbelievable for me, even for a cozy, but I enjoyed the interactions of the characters, Val's 'houseguests' and hope to read more about the core group.

Val Harris is worried that her bakery, Pietown, may not be getting enough business, but she isn't ready for the surprises that Charlene, her crust maker, has in store for her - a reality TV show to help boost her sales as well as a group of ladies with their own Yirt arriving unexpectedly outside her front door.

When the producer of the TV show turns up dead, Val and Charlene put on ther detecting hasts and set out to solve the murder.

Lots of fun, good characters and yummy sounding goodies!

This was a fun, cute cozy mystery! I love the theme throughout, and I will definitely be continuing with the series.

While business at Pie Town my have slowed Val Harris hasn’t given up on her struggling business. So when her employee Charlene surprised her with a reality show filming their show at Pie Town and giving Val advice to whip the business into shape, Val grudgingly agreed. What other surprises are in store for Val?

This is the third book in the series, but my first. This is a well-written fun cozy mystery. Most of the characters are likable and the setting has that small-town feeling that I enjoy. Since this was my first book I didn’t really have a favorite character but there were a couple that definitely stood out above the rest. The mystery is well-paced with several twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. The secondary story in this book is also interesting. I would like to see how the relationships between Val and her newly found family will develop.

I voluntarily agreed to read a copy of this book supplied by Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own and in no way have been influenced.

The third book in the Pie Town Mystery series by Kirsten Weiss is Pie Hard. Val is surprised when a reality television crew shows up at Pie Town to film and critique her pie shop. When the show's producer falls to her death, Val and her crust maker Charlene find themselves in the middle of another mystery. Soon the killer turns his/her sights on Val. This book has a few surprise twists in the form of sub-plots but keeps the same zany cast of characters.

Story number 2 for Pie Town and Valentine Harris, or Val as she prefers to be called. Many things will be revealed when a reality bakery make over show shows up thanks to Charlene and her internet fueled feud with Marla. In addition to the crew of Pie Hard there is also Val's MIA father who walked out on her and her Mom 20 years ago plus a ninja kid who keeps popping up in unexpected places and then disappearing. The only mystery that becomes less of a mystery is how detective Gordon feels about Val as he makes his intentions definitely known and publicly known ( I do like a good bit of romance with this sweet as pie story line). Through in some Goddess Girls, a Yurt, the fear of UFOs, and a couple of deaths and Val is at it again with the Baker St. Bakers taking on a few new recruits or at least jr. associates. Great story line with some interesting twists and turns with fingers being pointed at each character until the true murder is revealed in a very Agatha Christie sort of way. Looking forward to the next story and some more of those excellent pie recipes!

I was unable to finish Pie Hard. It was a cute story to begin with, but I lost interest about 35% through. Maybe because it is from a series I haven't read so I have no connection to the characters. I didn't feel like there was any character development in the book and maybe that is because the characters have been previously established in prior books. I did feel like the book could stand alone, but for me personally it just didn't hold my interest at all.

Pie hard is the third book in the Pie Town Mystery and I am still enjoying this series very much. Val Harris owner of Pie Town, a bakery specializing in pies in San Nicholas California, has more than one surprise in store. First she finds out that a group of "goddesses" are having their yearly retreat in a yurt that has been dropped off on her property, then that her pastry chef, friend and landlord, Charlene has submitted her name to be featured on an episode of Pie Hard. Pie Hard is a reality-based show that promises to turn businesses into instant successes. When the TV producer plunges or is pushed to her death, Val can’t help but suspect foul play. The second mystery is regarding the mystery man, who is now the new producer for the show. There is something about him that Val thinks is familiar, but she can't put her finger on it. When a second murder involving Pie Town occurs, Val knows she needs to get to the bottom of things fast, before it affects her business.

This is a solid cozy mystery with quirky, likable characters and a dash of suspense. I really enjoyed the various mysteries within this story. Val has plenty of clues to sift through along with several suspects. The story is well-plotted with enough twists and clues that I was left guessing right up until the reveal. The family storyline was really interesting and I am curious to see if that will impact future offerings in this series. I would be remiss if I did not mention Charlene. She is not the MC, but I love every appearance of her in the stories. She is quirky, humorous, and jumps right into everything with both feet. Val has no choice but to follow along. I highly recommend this fun, light, entertaining book to cozy mystery fans.

Pie Hard is a delightful cozy mystery. I truly love the characters and the mystery was satisfying. The writing style was funny and interesting. I loved everything about this book and can not wait for the next one!

Absolutely one of my favorite series. It was the first series I’ve read by this author and I’m hooked. The characters are fun. The writing is well done. It was a quick read and I loved it!

A good cozy mystery in the tradition of Joanne Fluke's Hannah Swenson with their own cast of unforgettable characters. Take one struggling pie shop, add in unique characters, a reality show and what do you get? Why a murder of course! As Val and Charlene work hard to save Val's pie business, they must also solve the murder and figure out why these things keep happening to them. I've added Kirsten Weiss"s series to my reading watch list to make sure I don't miss the next episode of life at Pie Town.

A great murder mystery!
Love the dynamics of the main characters and how the plot keeps getting better and better as the story develops.
There are laugh out loud funny moments and unexpected twists.
Definitely recommend it.

Princess Fuzzypants here: No one in their right mind would willingly volunteer to have their business torn to shreds in a reality show. That is where Charlene comes in. Without Val’s knowledge she signed Pie Town up for a makeover and when the crew descends, she is caught off guard. Little does she know this is but the first glimmer of the revelations that are coming her way. But first, she has to figure out who killed the producer of the show the first night they are in town. There is enough chaos for Val to wonder if she might be the target too.
Val has far more patience than I would with Charlene and some of the other characters but the reader cannot help but like her. She has this dream and she is making it happen. So what if she is thrown a series of events that put it all at risk. Val is going to survive.
It will be interesting to see how the new characters both Val and the reader discover during the book will play out in future stories. Four purrs and two paws up.

Val (for Valentine) Harris is the owner of Pie Town, a bakery specializing in pies, both sweet and savory. Like many new businesses getting established and starting to turn a profit are goals, so far, not a reality. Speaking of reality, reality shows, in particular, Pie Town is going to be the featured on one. Unfortunately, murder is on the menu too. Filled with zany characters and a pie safe full of suspects, Pie Hard is another fun read with all sorts of twists to keep you guessing..

Val goes to work one morning and is surprised to find people in Pie Town. Charlene has invited a reality TV show called Pie Hard to film at Pie Town. Val isn’t so sure about this development and then the producer, Regina is murdered.
Chief Shaw takes over the investigation because Gordon is involved with Val. Shaw isn’t really interested in investigation so Val, Charlene and Ray look into what happened. Then another crew member dies.
There are several other strangers in town and Val’s not sure why they are hanging around Pie Town.
Charlene was a bit less annoying in this book than past books.
Gordon finally lets Val know he likes her.
Val has a lot of emotional stuff to deal with in this book. Although it is book 3 in the series, there is enough backstory that this could be read as a standalone.

OK, admittedly I am joining this series late in the game. I saw this book pop up and who could refuse the title “Pie Hard” (especially when you’re an avid Die Hard and pie fan)? I don’t think it was too hard to catch up and join the series already in progress. It could easily be a standalone story.

So what is “Pie Hard”? It’s apparently a reality TV show that goes into failing pastry shops and uses an expert pastry chef and TV personality to make things all better. Val, an owner of one such shop, is surprised to learn that not only did her employee lie to the production company about them being co-owners, but she also signed them up for this! The camera crew surprises Val on an early morning, which just so happens to be the same morning that a crew of goddess worshippers show up on her property for a retreat (involving a yurt).

Val’s life is obviously crazy, but is made even crazier when people involved in “Pie Hard” end up getting murdered. As the resident, un-licensed detective, she feels compelled to help solve this mystery. I was completely sucked in and absolutely did not guess the correct murderer. Maybe I’m a crappy detective, but this made me feel even more involved and gave this story extra credit for stumping me. I really enjoyed the story, the characters, and the overall mystery and would definitely check out other books in the series.