If you can’t stand the heat, get out of Callie’s Kitchen! Greek-American restaurateur Callie Costas faces down another killer in picturesque Crystal Bay, Wisconsin. Recipes included!Summertime in Crystal Bay means tourist season for Calliope “Callie” Costas, owner of Callie’s Kitchen, a Greek-meets-Midwest from-scratch eatery. Business is booming but so is the stress. Callie can barely keep up … barely keep up with the demand for her famous summer fruit pies and savory Greek delicacies, plus she’s agreed to bake dozens of “pitas” for the annual Greek Fest.
When Callie is asked to deliver cast party treats for a Murder Mystery Night at the historic Harris House, it seems like a welcome break from her hot stove. That is, until she finds herself an unwilling player in yet another suspicious death. Worse yet, the victim is a family friend and graduate student working on a project involving Crystal Bay’s colorful past.
Before long, a motley crew of suspects makes things as juicy as the succulent berries strewn around Callie’s Kitchen. And that’s not all Callie’s got on her plate. Add family obligations, a deepening romance with a local detective and unexpected personnel problems to the mix.
One thing’s for sure: Callie’s got the recipe for a long, hot summer!
Turn to the back of the book for delicious Greek and traditional Midwestern recipes!
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I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the first two installments of this series and am eagerly awaiting the next.
Looking forward to reading the other series
I love this book! The recipes are easy and tasty, too.
“Secrets and Pies” earns 5+/5 Greek Delights…and Murderous Fun!
I was lucky to get in on the ground floor of this delightful third book in Jenny Kales’ Callie’s Kitchen Mystery series. Jenny has penned another exciting adventure starting with Callie enjoying her popularity, but she just can’t say no to a request for her delicious Greek treats, especially from her daughter’s teacher who wants to treat the cast of a murder mystery play at The Harris House. She’s invited to stay for the play and enjoys a much needed relaxing time with boyfriend Sands, Grandma Viv, and her BFF Samantha. Then Jenny throws in a big twist to get the adventure started! The next day Callie agrees to meet her ex-husband at an upcoming restoration site to pick up their daughter Olivia. Arriving before him, she can’t contain her curiosity about this once marvelous mansion on the lake and decides to take a personal, albeit unauthorized, tour. The unlocked door provides entrance and curious footprints are seen on the dusty floor, but outside in the garden she imagines how beautiful this estate must have been in its hay day…well, sans the dead body in the weeds.
Whew! I loved it, and couldn’t put it down. Her daughter’s teacher has been strangled, and the rest of the mystery is riddled with more than a few motives, suspects with and without verifiable alibis (some too close to home), and then an additional victim. Of course finding the body is always looked at with suspicion by law enforcement, but Callie just can’t say no to the pleas from her daughter to find the killer of her favorite teacher…enter, boyfriend Detective Ian Sands. It is his job, not Callie’s, but Jenny shows our character has much to offer in strength and intelligence with her witnessing arguments, discovering additional motives, devising possible scenarios, and even falling prey to the killer’s attempt to stay undiscovered. But the mystery is not all that makes this a great story. Jenny provides a myriad of events that enrich, maybe frustrate Callie’s world: exploring the dynamic between her and her father who himself owns a popular restaurant, her friendship with her grandmother Viv, the dilemma her right-hand employee Max is dealing with that might have him leaving her employment to help his father on the family farm, and the frustration and worry as substitutes take over in her kitchen. Jenny brings readers a tangible experience with Callie’s kitchen with recipes several Greek delicacies.
I have enjoyed Jenny Kale’s mysteries, set in Wisconsin, the character’s are real to me and the situations are believable. As a plus, true historical facts are mixed into the story. There are even recipes for the dishes discussed at the back of the book. I am ready for book #4!
Secrets and Pies is the third book in the Callie’s Kitchen Mystery series and features Callie Costa who owns Callie’s Kitchen which offers delicious Greek and American foods. The story is set in the beautiful fictional town of Crystal Bay, Wisconsin. It’s summertime which mean the tourist trade is booming and Callie is busy running her business and catering for a Murder Mystery night at an historic house in town. Unfortunately, while delivering her food she stumbles across a dead body. To make it even worse the victim is a friend. As the suspect list grows, Callie, to the dismay of her boyfriend and family, investigates on her own. Mix in raising her daughter, her relationship with a detective on the local force, and running her business and you have a book that you’ll want to keep reading. Characters are well written and the mystery will keep you guessing. As an added bonus there are some delicious Greek recipes at the end of the book. This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series and I highly recommend this book!
I enjoyed this third in the series, and if you haven’t read the other books I don’t think that you would have a problem reading this as a stand alone. Ms. Kales has developed some strong characters and a strong sense of family, and is easy to get invested in the story.
Callie is providing treats for a murder mystery show, on top of that she is providing food for an upcoming Greek Festival, add food for a music in the park and Callie is cooking nonstop. When she finds the body of a friend she and her daughter are devastated. When suspects start accumulating one being her ex husband, Callie is at wits end.
The mystery was excellent and kept me guessing until the end and tied up nicely. I will continue on with the series.
An added bonus of some wonderful sounding recipes is included in the back.
I love the characters in this series and each has had a fun story and mystery. This one has so much action, you can’t get bored. Love all the cooking/baking details and am anxious to try some of the recipes. Nice to learn more about Max. Can’t wait for the next book.
After her daughter’s teacher is found murdered, Callie Kostas promises her that she will help to find out who killed the woman. Callie is also dealing with an employee issue, providing treats for the Beats on the Bay festival, and providing pies for the Greek festival. She powers through, though, to find the truth. This book was as delightful as the first two. A great storyline, interesting characters, a charming town, and learning about Greek cuisine. I had a hard time putting this book down to get other things done and it left me anticipating more. I am excited to see what’s next for Callie and hope that eventually she and Detective Ian Sands will get married. I would love to see this series continue for a long time to come.
Fun read.
This series has quickly become one of my faves, and I’m sad that I’m all caught up and have to wait for the next release, lol! As usual, author Jenny Kales weaves a very cozy and comforting story and makes me want to move to Wisconsin! Good mystery with a little bit of real history woven in, and I enjoyed the ties to the early 20th century. Well done and highly recommended!!!