Strawberry Pie Stabbing
Book Review

In this Strawberry Pie Stabbing book review, I’m sharing my thoughts on the second installment in Diana Dumont’s Drunken Pie Café Cozy Mystery series. Set in a picturesque wine-country town, the story blends dessert-shop charm, wedding drama, and a murder investigation that lands right inside the local pie shop. With a determined amateur sleuth, a loyal Dalmatian companion, and plenty of small-town secrets simmering beneath the surface, this cozy mystery delivers a quick, entertaining read packed with foodie atmosphere and just enough twists to keep things interesting.

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Strawberry Pie Stabbing - Diana Dumont

Series: The Drunken Pie Cafe Cozy Mystery
Vibes: Foodie cozy, wine-country charm, small-town drama, light chaos, hidden secrets

Strawberry Pie Stabbing Book Review

This Strawberry Pie Stabbing book review takes a closer look at Book 2 in The Drunken Pie Café Cozy Mystery series by Diana Dumont. Set in the wine-country town of Sunshine Springs, the story blends boozy desserts, small-town drama, and a wedding turned deadly into a fast-paced cozy mystery. With a pie shop owner turned reluctant sleuth and a loyal Dalmatian by her side, this installment offers a quick and flavorful mystery that leans heavily into foodie charm and chaotic small-town secrets.

I ended up giving this book 4 stars. It’s an easy, steady read that moves along quickly while still delivering enough twists to keep things interesting. While it can work as a standalone, remembering some of the characters and dynamics from the first book definitely helped me settle back into the story. In fact, I think I actually enjoyed this second installment more than the first, which makes it feel like the series is starting to find its rhythm.

The Sleuth:
Nosy, Determined, and Occasionally Sharp-Edged

Izzy James makes for a somewhat unconventional cozy sleuth. She’s nosy, determined, and curious, but she also has a blunt edge that makes her feel a little different from the warm-and-gentle investigators often found in cozy mysteries.

When a bride is murdered inside Izzy’s pie shop, the stakes immediately become personal. The woman accused of the crime specifically asks Izzy for help because she solved a previous murder, which pulls Izzy right back into the role of amateur detective.

Izzy often feels like a reluctant sleuth, but curiosity and circumstance keep pushing her forward. She’s determined to figure out what really happened, especially since the murder occurred in her own shop.

One thing that stood out about Izzy is that she can be a bit rude in her internal thoughts about people. While that adds a dose of realism and personality, it can occasionally make her come across as dismissive. One moment that stood out was when she questioned Jasper — once she realized he likely couldn’t help further, her attitude toward him felt somewhat abrupt and dismissive.

Even with those sharper edges, Izzy remains a compelling lead. Her determination to keep digging for answers and her willingness to get involved in messy situations keeps the story moving forward.

The Setting:
Boozy Pies and Wine Country Charm

Sunshine Springs provides a classic cozy mystery backdrop with a foodie twist. The town itself has the charm you’d expect from a cozy setting, with local businesses and familiar faces forming the heart of the community.

The real centerpiece, though, is Izzy’s pie shop, the Drunken Pie Café. The café serves alcohol-infused pies, which adds a fun and slightly quirky twist to the usual bakery cozy formula.

The shop appears frequently throughout the story and acts as a hub for conversations, clues, and town gossip. Because the murder happens there, it also becomes the center of the investigation.

The wine country setting enhances the atmosphere, giving the town a relaxed but slightly upscale feel. While there aren’t many big town events happening during the story, the businesses and community interactions still bring the setting to life.

And of course, Izzy’s Dalmatian Sprinkles adds an extra layer of cozy charm. Sprinkles appears throughout the story and helps balance some of the chaos surrounding the investigation.

Side Characters:
Drama, Secrets, and a Few Standouts

Like many cozy mysteries, the supporting cast adds plenty of personality to the story.

The characters feel realistic and varied, bringing a mix of warmth, humor, and occasional frustration to the plot. Some add tension and drama, while others help ground the story in the everyday life of Sunshine Springs.

My personal favorite was Molly, who stood out as one of the more enjoyable characters to follow.

On the flip side, a couple of characters definitely fell into the frustrating category — particularly Ella, the bridesmaid, and the groom. Their behavior added drama, but they weren’t exactly the easiest characters to root for.

Overall, the relationships between characters feel believable, and the mix of personalities adds depth to what could otherwise be a straightforward mystery.

The Mystery:
A Quick but Twisty Investigation

The mystery in this installment lands somewhere in the middle of the cozy spectrum. It’s not overly complex, but it still offers enough twists to keep readers guessing.

There are two or three primary suspects, and while the story does introduce a few layers regarding motives and secrets, the shorter length of the book means the mystery isn’t as deeply layered as some longer cozies.

That said, the pacing works well for the story. The investigation moves along at a steady pace, and there’s a moderate level of tension without ever becoming dark or grim.

I found myself guessing about the culprit throughout the story. There were moments where the direction felt clear, but then new information added additional complications.

The ending ultimately resolves the mystery in a satisfying way, even if the reasoning behind the crime falls into that classic cozy category where you might think, “You really killed someone because of this?”

Still, the twists and revelations make for an entertaining ride.

Vibes Check:
Boozy, Cozy, and a Little Chaotic

The overall atmosphere of the book leans heavily into cozy foodie vibes with a splash of small-town drama.

The strongest themes running through the story include:

• Foodie charm
• Chaotic small-town drama
• Hidden secrets
• Light mystery tension

Between the pie shop, the wine country setting, and the colorful cast of characters, the story creates a cozy environment that feels both comforting and a little messy — in a fun way.

If I had to sum up the overall mood in a few words, I’d describe it as:

Boozy, cozy, backstabbing, twisty, and foodie.

And Sprinkles the Dalmatian definitely helps boost the cozy factor.

Who Will Enjoy This Book Most?

This book will likely appeal most to readers who enjoy:

• Foodie cozy mysteries
• Small-town settings with quirky businesses
• Quick and easy mystery reads
• Dog-loving sleuths
• Wine country atmospheres

It’s especially well-suited for readers who want something light and entertaining rather than an intricate, heavily layered mystery.

My Final Thoughts:
Strawberry Pie Stabbing Book Review

Overall, Strawberry Pie Stabbing feels like a strong early entry in a series that’s still finding its footing.

I gave the book 4 stars because it delivers exactly what it promises: a fast, cozy mystery with plenty of foodie charm and just enough twists to keep things interesting.

While it can certainly be read as a standalone, remembering some of the background from the first book made the reading experience smoother and helped reconnect me with the characters. In fact, I ended up enjoying this second installment more than the first, which is always a good sign for a developing series.

That said, this isn’t a series I would necessarily prioritize above others. For me, it feels like the kind of cozy mystery that works best in occasional doses when I’m in the mood for something quick, food-focused, and easy to read.

If you enjoy pie shops, wine country settings, and a touch of chaotic small-town drama, this one might be worth adding to your cozy mystery reading list.

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