The Quandary of Maggie Grady by Ellie Grant

Oct 28, 2014 | A Day In My Life

Treacherous TartIt’s Christmas time at Pie in the Sky pie shop in Durham, North Carolina and I’ve never been so worried in my life. Aunt Clara—my partner in pie—has a new beau, Donald Wickerson. He claims to love her Marvelous Mince pies. But I think he has something else in mind.

My boyfriend Ryan has been writing articles for his newspaper, The Durham Weekly, about this man. He thinks he’s a serial killer. Donald has had several wives in different states who met with unfortunate ‘accidents’ that left him wealthier. Ryan thinks he may be plotting to kill Aunt Clara too.

But what if we’re wrong and we ruin Aunt Clara’s last chance for happiness? Maybe Donald isn’t a killer and Ryan is mistaken. The police haven’t found enough evidence yet to arrest Donald.

Am I willing to take that chance? I’m not sure what to do. I don’t want to alienate my aunt who is more like a mother to me. She and my uncle raised me after my parents died when I was a child. I don’t want to see her hurt, and I don’t want to be the one who hurts her either.

There’s only one thing to do. Ryan and I are going to have to find out for sure about this Donald Wickerson. Is he the killer police are looking for or not? We need hard proof. If he is the killer, I’ll find a way to tell Aunt Clara and hope she’ll understand.

If he’s not the killer—then I guess I’ll keep my mouth shut.

Either way, Aunt Clara has always done her best for me and that’s what I plan to do for her too. I’m not going to let Donald Wickerson or anyone else hurt her or spoil our first Christmas together in years. That’s a promise!

You can read more about Maggie in Treacherous Tart, the second book in the “Pie Shop” mystery series, published by Simon and Schuster. The first book in the series is Plum Deadly.

GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 6 p.m. eastern on October 31 for the chance to win a print copy of both TREACHEROUS TART and PLUM DEADLY. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

About the author
Ellie Grant writes award-winning, bestselling mystery fiction as themselves, J.J. Cook, and Joyce and Jim Lavene. They have written and published more than 70 novels for Harlequin, Penguin, Amazon, and Simon and Schuster along with hundreds of non-fiction articles for national and regional publications. They live in rural North Carolina with their family. Visit them at www.joyceandjimlavene.com.

47 Comments

  1. Bookwoman
    Bookwoman on October 28, 2014 at 1:42 am

    Looks like a great Holiday Cozy.

  2. noraadrienne
    noraadrienne on October 28, 2014 at 1:56 am

    I’m looking forward to reading this book as soon as I get through a bunch of TBR’s already at the top of pile. I received my copy of the book and I love the cover art also.

  3. Lindar
    Lindar on October 28, 2014 at 3:20 am

    I’m a,ways a bit amazed when I read a synopsis of a mystery and then realize the author Ellie Grant is actually Joyce and Jim Lavene. I’ve read several of their series & want to read this series. It would be great to win books. Thanks for the review and giveaway. Fingers crossed and both added to my ever – growing TBR list.

  4. Nancy Funkhouser
    Nancy Funkhouser on October 28, 2014 at 4:13 am

    I love foodie series so would love a copy of this book. Thanks for the offer.

  5. kuzlin
    kuzlin on October 28, 2014 at 6:03 am

    Loved the first book in this series so I can’t wait for this one.

  6. Gram
    Gram on October 28, 2014 at 6:21 am

    I love all of their series…Count me in 🙂

  7. Joyce Lavene
    Joyce Lavene on October 28, 2014 at 6:37 am

    Thanks for having us here, Dru Ann! we love you!

    • Dru
      Dru on October 28, 2014 at 7:48 am

      thanks Joyce and Jim for always being here on my blog. Love you guys as well.

  8. Nancy Roessner
    Nancy Roessner on October 28, 2014 at 6:54 am

    A new book by this very prolific writing team has to be good! Also, pies!

  9. dawn frazier
    dawn frazier on October 28, 2014 at 6:56 am

    Thanks for the chance to win. I’ve been wanting to read these.

  10. Denise Z.
    Denise Z. on October 28, 2014 at 6:58 am

    I read the first of the Sweet Pepper Fire Brigade books and really enjoyed that. Love the cover art on these. Count me in as well.

  11. Saundra M
    Saundra M on October 28, 2014 at 7:15 am

    Can’t wait to read these books!

  12. Debbie Carnes
    Debbie Carnes on October 28, 2014 at 7:22 am

    I have read other books by these authors and loved them all. Look forward to reading this one

  13. Dru
    Dru on October 28, 2014 at 7:48 am

    I’m looking forward to reading this book. I hope we discover what’s up with Donald.

  14. Amy Gill
    Amy Gill on October 28, 2014 at 7:54 am

    I enjoy reading books that take place in NC and all the other books by these delightful authors. I hope i get to read this one soon.

  15. sarah
    sarah on October 28, 2014 at 7:58 am

    I read the 1st one, would love to keep going with this series.

  16. Laura F.
    Laura F. on October 28, 2014 at 8:06 am

    Wow, how have I missed this series? Thanks for adding to my to be read mountain, lol. This sounds really good.

  17. Sharleen Wells
    Sharleen Wells on October 28, 2014 at 8:13 am

    Can’t wait to read. Sounds delicious.

  18. Andrea (aka Rokinrev)
    Andrea (aka Rokinrev) on October 28, 2014 at 8:40 am

    This delicious book sounds so wonderful…right up my alley. Already have it in my wish list

  19. Lisa Brown
    Lisa Brown on October 28, 2014 at 8:52 am

    Sounds fantastic, hope to get a chance to read them 🙂

  20. Patricia
    Patricia on October 28, 2014 at 10:20 am

    Love the cover and the title…can’t wait to read. Thanks, Dru, Ellie (Joyce/Jim).

  21. sallycootie
    sallycootie on October 28, 2014 at 10:28 am

    Another new series for me. I am always happy to see so many holiday-themed mysteries this time of year. This one sounds pretty exciting – keep Aunt Clara safe!

  22. Rita Wray
    Rita Wray on October 28, 2014 at 10:48 am

    Sounds fabulous, thank you for the chance.

  23. jamlambert
    jamlambert on October 28, 2014 at 10:50 am

    I love Joyce/Jim’s other books, and I’m sure this series is just as good. They’re on my TBR list, and I would love a chance to win! 🙂

  24. Robin Coxon
    Robin Coxon on October 28, 2014 at 11:15 am

    Trying to follow all the series by Joyce and James Lavene, Ellie Grant and J.J. Cook is wonderful. Thanks for the opportunity to try one of their books.

  25. Becky Prazak
    Becky Prazak on October 28, 2014 at 11:27 am

    Haven’t read series yet but look forward to it.

  27. Libby Dodd
    Libby Dodd on October 28, 2014 at 3:15 pm

    Oh, my. That is a hard one to decide.

  28. Dotty Kelley
    Dotty Kelley on October 28, 2014 at 4:07 pm

    Love the Lavene’s other books so am looking forward to reading this new series.

  29. Ronna Lord
    Ronna Lord on October 28, 2014 at 4:11 pm

    Two wins–yeah!! I’ve been wanting to read these books but my TBR list is so long. Seeing that ones of these books is a CHRISTMAS book, I seems like a good time to put these books at the top of my list!! Great prize!!!!

  30. Ann
    Ann on October 28, 2014 at 4:16 pm

    I can really eat up this kind of story!

  31. tlwalcher
    tlwalcher on October 28, 2014 at 4:26 pm

    Thank you for a chance to win copies of Plum Deadly and Treacherous Tart. I have enjoyed books written by Joyce and Jim and would like to try these.

  32. Darlene Peterson
    Darlene Peterson on October 28, 2014 at 4:29 pm

    Is Donald the Killer and will Aunt Clara understand? The foundation for a great mystery. I’d love to read the series. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.

  33. Dina stout
    Dina stout on October 28, 2014 at 5:05 pm

    Thanks for a chance to win. This is a new to me author.

  34. Debbie
    Debbie on October 28, 2014 at 5:35 pm

    I love food cozies, thanks for the chance to win.

  35. cyn209
    cyn209 on October 28, 2014 at 5:39 pm

    Thx for this giveaway!!!

  36. Helga
    Helga on October 28, 2014 at 7:11 pm

    Did not know about this series by Jim and Joyce. I’ve have read their other series! Why did I not know this was them??? It sounds like I would really enjoy this one! My TBR pile just keeps getting taller and taller. LOL Wonder how much room I have on my Kindle?

  37. CarolBEE
    CarolBEE on October 28, 2014 at 7:18 pm

    Ohhh! Sounds like a fun mystery. I hope Aunt Clara finds love. 😀

  38. Barbara Tobey
    Barbara Tobey on October 29, 2014 at 1:29 am

    Sounds as if this is another fun series from a terrific writing duo.

  39. Karen Terry
    Karen Terry on October 29, 2014 at 4:23 pm

    I love good serial killer books.

  40. jagjhd
    jagjhd on October 29, 2014 at 6:09 pm

    Would be great to win books 1 and 2, so I’d be caught up with the series. Cannot wait to find out how Aunt Clara’s love life goes.

  41. Jen Frederick
    Jen Frederick on October 29, 2014 at 7:42 pm

    This sounds like a terrific read and it comes from such a prolific writing team. Thanks for the generous giveaway. It would be wonderful to win the first two novels in this new series.

  42. Linda MH
    Linda MH on October 30, 2014 at 12:12 pm

    Would love to give this series a try. Thanks for the chance to win!

  43. Daniele K
    Daniele K on October 30, 2014 at 9:55 pm

    Thanks for the opportunity to win

  44. Dru
    Dru on October 31, 2014 at 6:42 pm

    The giveaway is closed.

  45. Sandy Hemsher
    Sandy Hemsher on November 1, 2014 at 5:02 pm

    I have just stated this book. So far so good!

  46. Beverly
    Beverly on November 1, 2014 at 7:03 pm

    Sounds like a great new series – must get the first book and start reading!