**In this cozy mystery, a young woman is framed by her boss for embezzlement and flees to her aunt’s pie shop—but when her ex-boss turns up dead on their doorstep she must start her own investigation to find the killer—before he finds her.**

**CHOCOHOLIC CREAM. BOUNTIFUL BLUEBERRY. LOTSA LEMON MERINGUE. EVEN DANGEROUSLY DAMSON. **

**Who could resist such pies? Who would even want to resist the pie shop that makes them? Certainly not the residents of Durham, North Carolina, and the little bakery and café called Pie in the Sky is one of the most popular meet-up places in town.**

Unjustly accused of cooking the books, Maggie Grady is forced to retreat from her high-flying New York financial career to the town where she grew up. Her aunt Clara greets her with open arms and a job at the family-owned business that has baked the best pies in the South for over forty years. Unfortunately, while Maggie is determined to return to banking, her reputation there seems permanently in the pits. That is, until her old boss, Lou, visits with news that he’s found the real crook. Before he can reveal the details, though, Maggie finds his body right behind the pie shop.

With only her own word that Lou planned to exonerate her, Maggie is in the spotlight. The police seem to suspect that Aunt Clara’s damson pie may not be just dangerously delectable, but downright deadly. Maggie doesn’t just have her own name to clear; she has to make sure that her aunt’s beloved business isn’t harmed, either. Yummy local reporter Ryan Summerour appears eager to help, and Maggie can’t help hoping that it’s not just the police who find her a person of interest—but Ryan, as well. She’d thought it challenging to make the perfect pie crust that Aunt Clara demands, but that turns out to be nothing compared with finding a murderer. . . .

**

### From Booklist

After being fired from her New York banking job for embezzlement, Maggie returns home to Durham, North Carolina, to help with her aunt’s pie shop. Her ex-boss Louis shocks her by coming to the shop and telling her he knows who really stole the money, and he is going to have a press conference to clear her name. Before that can happen, though, Maggie finds his body outside the back door of the shop. Reporter Ryan Summerour helps her learn that Louis was poisoned. After being away for years, Maggie discovers that life in Durham is more appealing than a return to New York, as is time spent with Ryan. Still, there’s the matter of the unsolved murder and the embezzlement charge. After Maggie’s laptop is stolen, it’s clear the killer may be nearby, and she and Ryan work to solve the case. The “pie mystery” is definitely a cozy trend at the moment (watch out, cupcakes!), and readers of Ellery Adams’ series will surely want to add Grant to their reading (and baking) lists. --Amy Alessio

### Review

Poor Maggie Grady, not only has she lost her high powered job and was forced to move back to her hometown in N.C., but her ex-boss ends up dead on the back doorstep of the pie shop she is helping her sweet aunt with. Maggie finds herself in the thick of things and must prove to the police and her hometown that she had nothing to do with his death.
If you are a cozy mystery fan, I think you will enjoy this book. And make sure to check out the books in all of the series that the Lavenes write. ~ Tess Tipton

This is a pretty good mystery and with a bit romance thrown in.  The story flows well and the killer was a surprise to me.  I especially like the last few lines in the book that set up the premise for the next story.  She presents it well and hooks your interest.  I'll be watching for it.
Happy reading. bkfaerie.blogpot.com 

Plum Deadly by Ellie Grant

Maggie Grady goes back home to Durham, North Carolina for the first time in years with her tail tucked between her legs. Now she faces possible murder charges along with embezzlement. Her life is falling apart and she does not know who she can trust. Ryan the hunky town reporter befriends her, but does he have true feelings for her or is he after a story? This book is an outstanding read, full of action and a little romance. You will find this book to be a clean read, action packed mystery and humor. ~ Michelle Prince Morgan

"Grant debut[s] with a cozy that's as sweet and simple as pie." (Kirkus)

“A well-constructed plot and lively dialogue…lift this promising debut…. Fans of Joanne Fluke’s Hannah Swenson series and other culinary cozies will be satisfied.” (Publishers Weekly)

"Cuddle up and lose yourself in the cozy Pie in the Sky Pie Shop with Maggie, Aunt Clara and the rest of the gang. This was a charming little mystery that kept me entertained until the very end." (Rainy Day Ramblings Book Blog)