This was a super cute audiobook! I really enjoyed it. I loved the characters and the storyline, and I highly recommend!

Magic, Lies, and Deadly Pies is not your typical cozy mystery. Yes, we have an amateur sleuth who is a baker; she has a dog and a couple of potential love interests. But we know who the killer is – Daisy herself. She kills men with magic and pies – but they deserve it. The mystery is who is threatening to expose her.

I liked Daisy – but she does kill people. She’s a fabulous baker and a statewide pie contest has some of her attention during the book. She has an adorable trailer she lives in and she wears vintage dresses. For someone in her line of business, she can be a bit trusting.

We learn about halfway through who the blackmailer is, but by then we’re invested in seeing how Daisy will solve the problem without crossing any of her lines.

The book has the lightheartedness I expect from a cozy, but it does talk about serious issues like abuse, domestic violence, and addiction. I really enjoyed it, but it might not be for everyone.

I listened to the audio and the narrator did a good job. The voices made sense with the characters and she made Daisy seem really charming.

Magic, Lies and Deadly Pies by debut author Misha Popp has all the ingredients to be a successful cozy mystery series. There is delightful heroine, delicious baking and deadly consequences.

Daisy's pies are to die for (couldn't resist) and with a pinch of magic an abusive man might not finish his dessert. Narrator Tanya Eby brought Daisy to life with her light breezy yet compassionate vocals.

Now someone knows her secret and unless she bakes three deadly pies she will be exposed but with her motley crew of supporting characters, very loyal dog Zoe and the sweetest romance, Daisy will provide a fulfilling ending.

I received a free copy of this audiobook from Dreamscape Media via NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

This Review Is For The Audiobook

I listened to “Magic, Lies, and Deadly Pies” by Misha Popp as an audio book narrated by Tanya Eby. My experience with audio books is largely determined by the narrators. I depend on the narrator to set the stage and to demonstrate the emotions, motivation, and interactions of the characters through the narration. I did not find Eby’s narration enjoyable; her voice did not convey to me, as a listener, the feelings, the actions, or the personalities of the characters. Her words were clipped and her vocal tenor made the sentences and thus the book, uninteresting.
I was drawn to “Magic, Lies, and Deadly Pies” by the cover and the description, so I may try to read a print copy. I did not enjoy listening to this version, and I did not finish listening. Audio books demand a time commitment that I was not willing to make in this case. I did not post a review to my blog, reading groups, or bookseller websites.

Daisy Ellery bakes pies with a unique ingredient - vengeance for women who have been wronged by men. Everything appears to be going well for Daisy’s business until she receives an anonymous letter threatening to expose her and her pies!

Quick thoughts:
LIKES - I really enjoyed this quirky (in a good way) mystery! I loved the idea of the magic pies and I enjoyed Daisy as a strong female character. I also appreciated the pace of the book, as it kept me interested the entire time.

DISLIKES - This book did have a darker edge to it as it addressed women being victimized by men. (Check additional TWs for this book.)

Read if you like:
*a strong female character
*a delightful cast of supporting characters
*a small town setting
*found family

I enjoyed this story. It was very well paced and kept me interested throughout. I was expecting more of a cozy mystery but while this didn’t deliver in that aspect, I still found so much I loved about it. Daisy is an interesting character and I liked the premise of sticking up for the abused by taking care of the abuser, although it will definitely make me think twice about accepting pie from anyone. The ending was what I would have hoped for and I did laugh a lot throughout. If this is a series, I’m not sure where else it can go but I am willing to find out.

Murder, baking, and romance. What more could I ask for?

Daisy has made a career for herself by selling pies, but she doesn't only sell regular pies. She also sells murder pies.

This was a cozy mystery that had twists and turns at every corner. The book does not take itself too seriously, which makes it all the more enjoyable. There is a bit of a love triangle, with one of the love interests being extremely likable (and the other not so much imo). If you can get past the premise of the book, which is basically murder for hire, then I truly believe you will enjoy this book. The narrator did a great job keeping me engaged and I am excited to see what Misha Popp does next!

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the audio version. It was interesting. I am not really sure if I liked it or not, it was honestly really weird story. The narrator did a good job. The language was really strong.

Daisy Ellery is known as The Pie Girl around town, after settling in and establishing roots in this small college town. She prepares pies for Frank, the local dinner owner, in exchange for parking and electricity for her van she lives in. She sells her hand pies on the college campus and at the weekly farmer’s market. But she has a secret she’s not too willing to share with anyone. She infuses Magic in every pie, from gratitude, strength, and happiness to truth, honesty, and healing. Daisy also runs an online group, Pies Before Guys, which helps women who have been wrong extract revenge on abusive men. When someone blackmails her and threatens to reveal her truth, can she confide in Noel, the local farm boy, or Melly, the feminist activist to help keep her secret?

Magic, Lies, and Deadly Pies is a cute, cozy mystery with quirky characters and a dark, interesting plot. I found myself very entertaining and looked forward to listening to this audiobook! I’m not sure I agree with Daisy’s actions, but fans of Dexter will love this female version!

Magic, Lies, and Deadly Pies
by Misha Popp
Narrated by Tanya Eby

Pub date: May 10, 2022

Mystery & Thrillers | Cozy Mystery

Thank you to @netgalley and @dreamscapemediagroup for this Audiobook in exchange for an honest review!

Thoughts: I liked the magic in this book. I thought it was simple and well explained. She found out she could kill men by infusing magic into her pies. She decides to make that her calling and goes on avenging women who suffered in the hands of evil men.

Synopsis:
The first time Daisy Ellery killed a man with a pie, it was an 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.

She then finds a letter on her door, threatening to reveal her unsavory secret sideline of pie à la murder. She tries to figure out who is blackmailing her. She starts to go through the people she might suspect or one of the abusive men who prefer their pie without a deadly scoop of payback.

The upcoming statewide pie contest could be Daisy’s big chance to help wronged women everywhere…if she doesn’t meet a sticky end first. Because Daisy knows the blackmailer won’t stop until her business is in crumbles.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to listen to Magic, lies, and deadly pies by Misha Popp in exchange for my honest feedback. Never judge a book by its cover right? WRONG! This book is exactly as advertised deadly pies, are they so delicious they’re deadly or are they just overall deadly? It becomes even more interesting when we decide to enter a pie making contest! Very good read 4 stars!

I LOVED this book. Between the magic pies and all the characters it’s just a spellbinding story. I sincerely hope this is just the beginning of a long series we get with all these characters! And if the author includes recipes at the end well that’s just an added bonus!!!!

Awesome narrator!

As usual, it was the cover of Magic, Lies, and Deadly Pies that made me want to read this book and after reading the synopsis, I was hooked. I read this book as an audiobook and it was quite enjoyable.

I found it to be easy to listen to when I wanted to pass the time. It was an easy book to put down and pick back up again, which makes it a convenient listen when you are cleaning or completing everyday chores.

I wouldn’t describe this book as super exciting or very mysterious but it is cozy. It had me wishing it was autumn and that I was visiting a small town. I also have to mention the recipes at the end of the book because it was a very nice touch and unexpected detail.

Grabbed me right away. I was laughing out loud. Then just as quickly the story deflated. I liked the magical pie premise (not spoiling). The story was too long. Really, another baking contest? I expected more overall. I think the author could have done more with the magical pie and less with the typical cozy tropes. This never drew me in as a mystery/thriller.

Narrator Tanya Eby did a good job.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for accepting my request to read and review Magic, Lies, and Deadly Pies.

#NetGalley
#TanyaEby
#DreamscapeMedia
#MagicLiesAndDeadlyPies

This book was a super cute introduction to a new magical cozy mystery series. Combining the subtle elements of magic with solving the mystery of who is trying to cheat the pies before guys system, the intrigue definitely lasts throughout the book!

The only thing lacking for me was a deeper dive into the magical system - it felt like i was reading a book already into the series, not the introductory one. The magical elements weren't really fleshed out to the point of completely understanding how it all worked, but it was a fun addition nonetheless.

I will definitely keep an eye on new titles from the series.

I received the audiobook ALC from @netgalley and @dreamscape_media in exchange for my honest review.

The Story 📚
Daisy uses her magical powers to enhance the pies she sells. Daisy has a secret, though. She also enhances her pies to make them deadly to help avenge women who men have wronged. Things are going okay for Daisy until someone threatens to out her secret. Is the blackmailer someone she knows— a friend, the cute guy at the farmer’s market, or someone else?

The book is described as cozy mystery adjacent, and it’s true. I would even describe it as the cozy mystery version of Dexter, plus magic. In addition to the modern pies, blackmail, and magic, there are also further plot points of a pie-making contest and two potential love interests. The book also has some commentary on the broken justice system for victims of sexual harassment and domestic violence.

The Review✨
The only criticism I have of this book is that there was too much going on. I think something needed to come out. Multiple combinations would’ve still made a good book. The writing was good, and I will read more by this author in the future.

The Narration 🎤
Tanya Eby was fantastic. She did a great job bringing Daisy to life in the audiobook.

Listening speed 🏎:
1.75x

Would I recommend this book?
Overall an enjoyable read. I recommend it to anyone who likes cozy mysteries.


CW: domestic abuse, murder, sexual harassment, SA, addiction, kidnapping, & parental death
*Be sure to check content warnings for other potential triggers.

I really liked the concept of this book. The premise was interesting and I liked the seamless incorporation of LGBTQ+ representation. I can’t wait to read the next in the series!

I tend to be forgiving to the first installment in a series. There is so much world building that needs to happen, so often the mystery is not as good as the next book. This was a good example of that.

I kept forgetting about the lurker and threats until it was all of a sudden the main focus.

I fear that there were too many great pot ideas wasted by combining them all in this one book. 1. Pie contest 2. Long-lost family member 3. Love triangle. A pie contest could have been an entire book filled with more details on the other contestants and judges.

I am not sure how this series will go. Will there be any murders or will it always be a mysterious murder pie request?

The mystery section of this book was clumsy. Too much in a short amount of time. By the time you find out about the brother, I was ready for the book to be over. The ability to have people forget was too easy.

Kill off Melly. She sucks. I love liberal characters and the bisexual storyline was a nice change of pace, but she is annoying af. She is too much of a liability for Daisy to keep around.

3.5 Oh Daisy what can I say about driving miss daisy. Well, for one she makes pies you could DIE for.
Daisy makes pies by day that are savory and sweet, however at night her pies are more sinister. The pies at night kill men who are horrible and do horrible things. However now with the threat of exposing her nightly business Daisy has to chose to make her deadly pies during the day to not be found out.
This audio was fun and thriller all the same
Thank you for allowing me to listen to this book. I would love to see what is next

I've heard about killing them with kindness, but killing them with pies? That's a whole other story!

<b>"I have spent most of my life helping women live better lives by killing the men in their lives."</b>

Daisy Ellery’s have the special ability to do many things, but one of them is deadly. She can bake vengeance into her pies and she and her beloved dog, Zoe, deliver them to men who have done horrible things to women.


One day, Daisy finds a letter outside her van threatening to expose her and her deadly pie making business. What's a girl to do????


This was a fun audiobook and enjoyed the premise. This book had yummy sounding pies (with a recipe at the end of the book), some romance, some drama, and some secrets thrown in.

If you are looking for a book that doesn't take itself too seriously, is fun and entertaining, look no further. But make sure you eat first, as they delicious sounding pies will make your mouth water!

Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.