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mbbb72's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
theavidreaderandbibliophile's review
3.0
The Quiche and the Dead by Kirsten Weiss is the first book in A Pie Town Mystery series. Valentine “Val” Harris opened Pie Town in San Nicholas, California five months prior. She is finally starting to break even and is happy with her choice to settle in San Nicholas. Val made a quiche to welcome Heidi Gladstone and her new business Heidi’s Health and Fitness to the neighborhood. Unfortunately, Heidi is against sugar (and anything with flavor along with Val’s slogan for her business) and shop regular Joe wins the quiche (he made a bet that Heidi would not eat it). Unfortunately, Joe soon clutches his stomach and keels over. Officer Gordon Carmichael responds to the 911 call with Detective Shaw. It is determined the Joe was poisoned and business grinds to a halt at Pie Town. Charlene McCree, pie crust maker extraordinaire, believes she is a prime suspect and ropes Val into doing some snooping. They uncover that Joe liked to investigate local crimes along with his recently deceased friend, Frank Potts. What had Joe uncovered that got him killed? It seems that San Nicholas is not the sleepy little town it appears.
The Quiche and the Dead starts off with a murder in the very first chapter. I liked the method of murder (poisoning) and the pie shop (it sounded cute). The main character, Valentine Harris was not appealing. I found her whiny and unlikeable (her overreaction to each and every encounter with Heidi became annoying). Charlene is supposed to be a secondary character, but she dominates the book. She is over-the-top, quirky and a conspiracy theorist. Charlene goes around town with a lazy cat around her shoulders like it is a fur stole (she states the cat is narcoleptic and would get lonely at home). It sounds humorous, but after numerous mentions of said cat it starts to become tedious and repetitive. The mystery was simple with a small suspect list. The killer’s identity can be distinguished early in the story (the person stands out—no clues needed). The story dragged along towards the end with much speculation and talking (along with more wackiness from Charlene). There is also flirting between Valentine and Officer Carmichael (Val is getting over a broken engagement). I found The Quiche and the Dead reminiscent of Scooby Doo with his sidekick Shaggy (but not as cute and funny). The author failed to adequately set up the backdrop of San Nicholas (we are given scant details). My rating for The Quiche and the Dead is 3 out of 5 stars (it was okay). The Quiche and the Dead did not inspire me to want more A Pie Town Mystery novels.
The Quiche and the Dead starts off with a murder in the very first chapter. I liked the method of murder (poisoning) and the pie shop (it sounded cute). The main character, Valentine Harris was not appealing. I found her whiny and unlikeable (her overreaction to each and every encounter with Heidi became annoying). Charlene is supposed to be a secondary character, but she dominates the book. She is over-the-top, quirky and a conspiracy theorist. Charlene goes around town with a lazy cat around her shoulders like it is a fur stole (she states the cat is narcoleptic and would get lonely at home). It sounds humorous, but after numerous mentions of said cat it starts to become tedious and repetitive. The mystery was simple with a small suspect list. The killer’s identity can be distinguished early in the story (the person stands out—no clues needed). The story dragged along towards the end with much speculation and talking (along with more wackiness from Charlene). There is also flirting between Valentine and Officer Carmichael (Val is getting over a broken engagement). I found The Quiche and the Dead reminiscent of Scooby Doo with his sidekick Shaggy (but not as cute and funny). The author failed to adequately set up the backdrop of San Nicholas (we are given scant details). My rating for The Quiche and the Dead is 3 out of 5 stars (it was okay). The Quiche and the Dead did not inspire me to want more A Pie Town Mystery novels.
thegreatpike27's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
leebeeloves's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
booksy_tx_ana's review
4.0
Such a perfect cozy mystery! I love it, and it definitely made me want some pie! I love how crazy Charlene is and how she’s getting Val to live a little. I think maybe she knew they both kind of needed each other. I can’t wait to see what or if anything builds with Officer Carmichael. I’m also curious to see if she has to continue dealing with that horrible ex and the new gym next door! It was fun and quirky. On to book 2!
Come read with me! https://instagram.com/booksy.tx.ana?igshid=NzZlODBkYWE4Ng%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
Come read with me! https://instagram.com/booksy.tx.ana?igshid=NzZlODBkYWE4Ng%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
git_r_read's review
5.0
I highly enjoy Kirsten Weiss' books. She has many series and I've got a sampling of most of them on my Nook and I've read several books from each and she had me with the very first read, THE PERFECTLY PROPER PARANORMAL MUSEUM. She had me with the title to be 'perfectly' honest [not sorry]. I then read the second rather immediately and started collecting the first few in each of her other series. She writes a it of paranormal, a lot of cozy, some steampunk.
This one is a cozy and a really good one. Characters, setting [small California town], premise [Val makes pies in her small shop Pie Town], and she gets involved in the investigation naturally as the first death occurs in her shop and the cops are not moving fast enough and her business suffering. She has a great friend in her crust-maker, Charlene, a bit of a conspiracy nut and my favorite character.
There's an ex-fiance who shows up from time to time, a cop who might be a flame, plenty of suspects, and already amateur sleuths on some of the cases that cause Val and Charlene to delve in, one enthusiastically, one rather reluctantly.
It's a really fun book, as I expected, and I really look forward to reading the next in series, BLEEDING TARTS [already on the Nook].
I can definitely recommend this book, series and author.
This one is a cozy and a really good one. Characters, setting [small California town], premise [Val makes pies in her small shop Pie Town], and she gets involved in the investigation naturally as the first death occurs in her shop and the cops are not moving fast enough and her business suffering. She has a great friend in her crust-maker, Charlene, a bit of a conspiracy nut and my favorite character.
There's an ex-fiance who shows up from time to time, a cop who might be a flame, plenty of suspects, and already amateur sleuths on some of the cases that cause Val and Charlene to delve in, one enthusiastically, one rather reluctantly.
It's a really fun book, as I expected, and I really look forward to reading the next in series, BLEEDING TARTS [already on the Nook].
I can definitely recommend this book, series and author.
nursemombie's review
5.0
A great cozy mystery that keeps you interested with its wit and colorful characters. Although it is the first book in a series, it can be read as a stand alone. The story is wrapped up but has a Segway to start the next book.
cka1026's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0