This book had me stumped. Sitting smug and thinking I had it all thought out, the author put me in my place. Finally we have a thriller that will keep you your toes. As with a number of authors I have been reading recently I cannot believe that this is the authors debut novel! I truly enjoyed myself and will be recommending it to anyone I see for the next few months.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I found this book captivating. I mean that in both that it was enthralling, and that it was a trainwreck and I couldn't take my eyes off the carnage. It was weird. Luckily, I like weird. The cavalier attitude to which all who know what she does, was a bit much for me. I know there was that whole, I don't implicitly magicly wish them death, I just wish for it to stop and so they seem to die schtick, but it just didn't feel right to me. Oh well though, right? I'd still like to see this as the beginning of a series!

Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4296272326

Oh, My Pies!
This book is creepy, like not to make you vomit but to make your toes curl in anticipation, and then there is a feeling of bubbles inside your stomach coz this book is hilarious too. I mean what!
Daisy makes pies, delicious pies, and deadly ones too. She kills men, and she is not a serial killer; she makes sure that the pie is delivered only on request. She won't bring a pie not asked for, no matter how much the man deserves it. Nope, that is a line she won't cross. A line that separates her from a serial killer. She does not kill women, no! And then she receives a request, asking her to kill women or else the secret is out. How did they find her address? It's confusing.
I loved reading this one. The writing of this book is exceptionally good. There is so much darkness and yet this seems like sunshine. I am telling you'll read this book and you will understand what I am telling.

Abslutely, grateful to NetGalley for providing the ARC. The opinions about the book, which is indeed a whole 4 star are all my own.

Trust me and read this one.

this was a nice read! very quick and enjoyable.
i think this is the perfect book to kick fall off with. it has the cozy vibes of an essential fall book, as well as the aspects of a mystery. this book was full of action and it always kept you on your toes. i was never bored reading it and this is something that you can def read in one sitting.

This was a wonderfully written rom-com/mystery book I’ve had the pleasure to read in quite some time. Misha Pop was able to make Pie-Girl, Apple Boy and Melly (the main characters) believable and relatable. She also braided in wonderful folks at the diner and her Pies Before Guys group so seamlessly, you feel you know everyone in the story intimately. The book was chock full of events and action, I hated to put it down. If you enjoy a easy paced, page turner with sprinkles of hardships and happiness this is definitely the book for you!

Magic Lies and Deadly Pies by Misha Popp was a confectionery delight! This cozy mystery was full of magic just like Daisy
Ellery’s pies! I loved Daisy as a modern heroine and avenger of women! She was fun and a character I can’t wait to see in the next books!

Super cute! A great read for fans of Witch Please, but a little darker with a less reliable narrator who might be an antihero (?-- I don't do a lot of antihero stories, but it seems to fit).

The pacing is excellent, with details of Daisy's past building up to her first murder pie portioned out just right. Readers who like food descriptions like The Coincidence of Coconut Cake will be delighted.

What fun this book was! I absolutely loved this entire concept. The book was quite darker than I think the cozy mystery label warranted, but I definitely think some readers will be pleasantly surprised by that. My main critique is that I wasn't a particularly huge fan of the writing. While intrigued, I did have to push myself to keep reading a few times, as I just wasn't in the mood for the matter of fact style of writing. Mainly suspense, with some romance sprinkled in, this will be a fun one to bring to the beach next year.

The recipes included in the book were an absolutely delightful surprise!

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!

Daisy bakes pies. A lot of pies, and they’re all delicious! But they’re not your ordinary pies — oh no, each one is laced with a little magic. Life is good until one day, when a mysterious man sticks his head into her business and threatens to reveal her secrets unless she does what he wants.

The first sentence had me hooked. The first chapter had me reeled in. And every chapter after that, I was thoroughly enjoying myself.

The storyline was so fun to follow along with. I loved both Melly and Noel, and I absolutely adored the pie recipes at the end. I don’t bake… but I might just have to try one of the recipes!

I will definitely be purchasing this book when it’s released in May 2022!

This book left me with mixed feelings.
Honestly, I went in expecting a cozy mystery, but what I met was more like cozy suspense (if that's a thing—if not, it should be).
Because of the main character's view on how she murders people I was almost on the side of her pursuers, hoping police were who came after her and would arrest her—it felt like following a sweet and gentle minded serial killer who didn't have any qualms or regrets for ending someone's life, even though the people she offs deserve it. It shouldn't feel that easy.
But then, at about 80% of the book, my mind changed. I won't spoil why, but that's awfully long to wish for the main character to get caught and arrested.
If it wasn't for the no-remorse-for-killing-several part, there wouldn't have been much of a story, but without it, it would have been a cozy read. As I mentioned at the top of the review, it wasn't as much mystery as it was suspense, where the main character gets blackmailed, tries to find out who blackmailed her, and then get revenge, all while baking delicious pies. Even if it took some time to get there.
The relationships in this book are interesting, both the friendly and the partner ones, and I enjoyed that the main character chose between a man and a woman as a partner—I was almost a little disappointed with the end choice, because I wanted to see how the other one would be portrayed.
The ending also tied up nicely.

A plus point goes out for the recipes at the back (which I will try out) but a minus point goes out to all the blatant politics that course through the book. I tend to stay away from political books of all viewpoints because I get enough of that in my day-to-day life and therefore I don't want it in my book.
If I didn't get the explanation about the remorseless pies at 80% I would have given the book a lower rating.

Right now, because of the sometimes slow pace, the heavy politics of the first half of the book, how long it took for me to actually wish the main character well, and it wasn't a cozy mystery as advertised, I've deducted some stars and ended up with a rating of 3.5. If one of the issues above got fixed and it was properly advertised, it would have been a 4 star, maybe a little more.

Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for providing an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! This is definitely the darkest "cozy" I have read. Midway through, I seriously questioned whether this book was actually a cozy mystery or if I had just assumed it was because of the cutesy cover and the punny title. Without giving too much away, let's just say that it does wrap itself up as a cozy eventually, though still a rather dark one.

But what a setup! Our protagonist, Daisy, is a cold-blooded killer? Well, maybe. Maybe magic is more than meets the eye. This is a cozy plot twist I've never seen before. First books in cozy series often see our heroine trying to get out of being accused of murder... not committing it! There are definitely twists to keep you guessing with some romance thrown in. (Nothing too smoochy). The side characters in this book are delightful and really bring a sense of home to the plot and to Daisy's life. Thankfully, the love triangle sorted itself out because I am NOT a fan of love triangles and have stopped reading otherwise entertaining series due to them. It also drove me a little crazy that every time there was a tense situation, Daisy locked up her pitbull, Zoe. If there is something going bump in the night, I am leading with my dog!

The pie theme is super fun and I really want to have a Pie Girl food truck on my street corner now. Thankfully, the author shares some of the recipes from the plot at the end of the book, including her pie crust recipe (which is terrifying enough on its own but she says it's pretty easy to make your own pie crust... we'll see). I loved this baking meets magic cozy mystery. As long as diehard cozy fans go into it knowing it'll seem a little darker than normal, but don't worry... it's still a cozy, they will enjoy this debut.

I loved this book! It was such a fun read. I hope this will be a series. If so, I can't wait to read the next adventure in baking for Daisy.

MAGIC, LIES, AND DEADLY PIES is a quick and very enjoyable cozy read (a little romance and no blood). The characters were well developed and you can envision them as people you would like to meet. Although magic is in the title, I didn't feel like this book was magical as in witches. I'm not really sure how I feel about Daisy's ability to create Pies Before Guys. How does she do it? I have no idea. I do feel her business model is intriguing and has a great purpose. Could it work with simple ingredients found in a kitchen? I don't know, but it could be hazardous to a lot more men if that is the case. (I know there are women who would fall into the same category, however, Daisy has rules set up for her Pies Before Guys business.)

Recipes for some of her creations are included at the end. I'm not a cook, but they sound delicious and I will make sure my son has copies to make for our family.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Magic, Lies, and Deadly Pies.

I was really intrigued by the premise (I also love sweets) so I was pretty excited when my request was approved.

Daisy Ellery is no ordinary woman or baker. She bakes pies infused with magic to right the wrongs men have wrought on innocent women.

When someone threatens her livelihood, her dear dog, Zoe, and the women she's helped, Daisy must launch her own investigation into her past and come to terms with the talents she's been born with.

First, I love the descriptions of the pies Daisy bakes. I was pleased to see recipes were located at the back of the book.

Second, I liked Daisy; she's relatable, resourceful and strong. She's on a mission to save and protect women in the only way she knows how, using her magic for the greater good.

I enjoyed the part where the author explains how Daisy's family magic is passed through the women and it manifests in unique ways in each of them.

Third, naturally, since this is a cozy mystery, there's no violence or blood; there's plenty of cursing but that doesn't bother me. That's realistic.

There's a minor love triangle between Daisy, Melly and Farmboy and I liked the inclusion of both sexes.

I wasn't a fan of the bad guy; I was indifferent to his reasons for targeting Daisy but I love the themes of female empowerment, women protecting each other, working together, finding their voice and taking a stand.

There's a mild suspension of disbelief needed to enjoy the story but it fits the style and tone of the writing and it wasn't difficult for me to suspend disbelief.

I liked the ending and look forward to the next book in the series.

Extra star is for Zoe! I love dogs!!!

Magic, Lies, and Deadly Pies by Misha Popp is a fabulous and unique cozy mystery with a darker edge to it that really kept me coming back for more.

I loved this fresh and unique take on the traditional cozy mystery. The elements of character development, dialogue, banter, wit, and positive lessons learned balanced nicely with the darker concepts and plot involving women being victimized and the way in which Daisy Ellerly is able to take matters into her own hands and help avenge the wrongs placed upon those that have been harmed.

Daisy is an excellent and complex main character. She is imperfect and also projects her own sense of justice, however her heart is in the right place and one can’t help but root for her. I enjoyed her progression and the changes that take place within and around her as the story continues.
She is trying to balance all of this with an additional problem of an unknown person presenting themselves as potentially exposing her magical abilities…has her up to her elbows in tasks. Can she unveil the culprit all the while continuing to help those that need a voice?
… I really enjoyed finding out.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Crooked Lane Books for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 5/10/22.

Daisy Ellery adds a little extra "something" in to each of the pies that she bakes. Daisy has the ability to add a little sprinkling of magic to them. Known as the Pie Girl, nobody knows that she also has a secondary business called Pies Before Guys.

Daisy discovered this by accident but now, she bakes special pies for men who have done wrong to women and along with her dog, Zoe, they deliver them all over the town.

Daisy lives in a motor home which is parked behind a diner but before long, Daisy finds a letter taped to the door, telling her that someone out there knows about her "special pies"and is threatening to tell everyone.

I read this book in one day and really enjoyed it. I hope that the author has plans to turn this in to a series.

Magic, Lies and Deadly Pies was such a fun read. The storyline was easy to follow and the well-crafted characters made this cozy a delight.

In the story we find, first time Daisy Ellery has killed a man with a pie by accident. Now, it’s her calling. Daisy bakes sweet vengeance into her pastries, which she and her dog Zoe deliver to the men who’ve done dirty deeds to the town’s women. But if she can’t solve the one crime that’s not of her own baking, she’ll be out of the pie pan and into the oven.

How can you not want to read this cozy - from the synopsis alone you know it's going to be great.

Highly recommend it!!

Daisy Ellery is known as the Pie Girl and people love her pies. Little do they know that she’s also the woman behind Pies Before Guys that helps abused women get out of difficult situations where nothing else works. But it seems someone has found out her secret and they are threatening to expose her if she doesn’t do some dirty work for them. It’s blackmail plain and simple and Daisy isn’t playing int that. But how to avoid being exposed?

Trying to keep her secret, and her life, Daisy has to do her best to identify the blackmailer and defuse the situation before the deadline she’s been given passes, all while trying to win a pie baking contest. She doesn’t user her magic to harm innocents, but justice can only be served up if Daisy can keep her identity under wraps. So who will prevail and be left standing when the deadline passes?

It’s not often you read a synopsis that says the protagonist in the cozy series is a killer. Even crazier? As you read it and get immersed you find that IT WORKS AND YOU LOVE IT! I cannot wait for more in this series!

#MagicLiesandDeadlyPies #NetGalley
Wow, this is a darker style cozy mystery, which really surprised me. Daisy Ellery doesn't just make pies, she makes murder pies under the guise of #piesbeforeguys.
These pies are meant for those who rape, beat, or worse, kill a woman, and within moments of partaking of said pie, they succumb to death.
I was taken by complete surprise, something I'm sure the author was hoping for.
I'm intrigued with this book and I hope the author has plans for more, and I'm sure plenty of cozy mystery fans will feel the same.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.

Fun read with magic incorporated into baking - but unlike most in this genre, the magic isn't from ingredients, it's from the baker's mindset and emotional disposition.

Daisy Ellery is the first in her family to use her magic in a more deadly manner. The magic passed down through the women in her family has historically been used to give confidence, love, gratitude and other happy emotions. Daisy turns this upside-down, channeling her energy into protecting and avenging women who are wronged by men (trigger warning: abuse, domestic violence). Along the way, Daisy finds that sharing more of herself with others and developing true friendships can cause both happiness and a great deal of trouble.

Following Daisy through this story was delightfully entertaining. Not only were there moments of laugh out loud humor, but also moments where your heart breaks for the protagonist and her clients. From the cover, you'd think this was a friendly book about baking pies with a little magic, but really this is about avenging women in a deadly manner - toeing the line between vengeance and outright serial killer style murder. Popp does an excellent job of making each character relatable to most readers.

Bonus: There are recipes for pie crust and filling in the back of the book :)

The cover is a bit deceptive, as the book is about a killer who makes pies. Odd concept, but it does work. Daisy is a likeable character, and she does do the killing of those she feels deserve it. I also hesitated a bit at the political snide comments, but considering the wacky giving them it does seem to make both sides look bad. Still hard to justify vigilante justice, but it does work if you let the author lead you in the story. Would recommend.