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Tritt ein in eine Welt voller Geschichten

Hören und Lesen

C. S. Johnson

The town of Fairmont, Alabama is small, but it's full of secrets ... and some are more bitter than others.

The Fairmont Pie Festival is just starting as a prodigal son returns home to reconcile with his mother. But when she ends up dead in her kitchen, more than one mystery needs to be solved if her killer will be found 

and brought to justice.

Life of Pies is a 12-part short story contemporary mystery series collection from author C. S. Johnson about family life, community lies, & delicious pies. In this coffe-table cookbook edition, you can enjoy all 12 stories along with12 great pie recipes collected from all across the American South!

Jennifer Groberg

William Hoyle

R.E. Harter

Hannah Stone

Suzie Bee

Jimmy Trisler

ALIO Voices

Life of Pies

Sweet and sour, creamy and dreamy ... 

After a lifetime of failure and half-hearted successes, Edith Hennessey is far from content with her life -- but she's still grateful to at least be alive. When her best friend and next-door neighbor, Martha Davidson, is found dead, Edith strives to think of a way to honor her passing. 

But finding a suitable tribute is hard, and it's even harder when her husband is convinced she's only chasing after an elusive pie in the sky ... 

Pie in the Sky is chapter 4 of a 12-part story literary collection from C. S. Johnson about family life, family lies, and family pies.

Pie in the Sky: A Bereaved Neighbor Takes a Risk

Tangy and crusty ...

Orpah Abraham has always been a woman who's had the world against her. After working hard and doing her best to appeal to all the right people, she's learned the full value of persistence and perseverance.

But now that Martha Davidson -- her one true rival for the coveted title of Pie Queen, and the one woman she'd never been able to win over -- is dead, and her friends and family are asking questions, Orpah finds her career and reputation on the line.

For her, it's time to draw a line in the sand -- and cross it herself. It's time for No More Miss Nice Pie.

No More Miss Nice Pie is chapter 5 of a 12-part story literary collection from C. S. Johnson about family life, family lies, and family pies.

No More Miss Nice Pie: An Ambitious Woman Faces Opposition

Plum stuck ...

Garland Morris is an easy-going guy -- eager to please, quick with a smile, and always interested in a good gamble. For years, he's enjoyed his job at the First Bank of Fairmont, especially since it provides him the stability he needs to be a little adventurous when it comes to hedging his bets. 

But when Charles Piper and Orpah Abraham, Fairview's most respected judge and one of Alabama's most prominent media figures, approach him, each asking for a "special request" regarding the bank's financial records, Morris finds himself stuck between a rock and a hard place. 

Either choice will cost him, and Morris knows when he's being forced to bet it all ... 

Will he be able to bear the damages?

Pie Spy

Chilled and crusty ...

Solomon McCain has long been the sheriff around Fairmont, and even though it's a small town, there's always a bit of trouble here and there. And while he's helped put away criminals, both petty and professional, nothing prepares him for the morning of the Fairmont Pie Contest.

What should have been an easy, fun-filled day is suddenly filled with accusations of murder, cheating, assault, and more -- and all from individuals he'd known and worked alongside for years.

Solomon knows there will be hell to pay if he authorizes a formal investigation. The blacklash could be very costly, and not just on a personal level.

But what else can a police officer do? He must uphold his duty ...

Shut Your Pie Hole: A Police Officer Upholds His Duty

Icing on the pie ... 

Pamela Pearson grew up knowing it was best to fend for herself, and meeting Asher Davidson didn't really change that.

After they argue over their future, Pamela wonders if maybe she was wrong, especially as she sees Asher's dedication to his family following his mother's death. 

And when Sama, Asher's sister, reveals a surprising secret, Pamela knows she has a way to make things right with Asher. 

But will it be enough? 

Life of Pies is a small town murder mystery short story collection from C. S. Johnson about family life, family lies, and family pies.

Appley Ever After (Life of Pies, #8): A Broken Heart Seeks to Heal

Indulgence and ingnorance ... 

Dennis "Dezmo" Moreland grew up on the streets of Chicago, and he's had his share of trouble, even if he's learned how to stay out of it.

When he's caught up in a bad investment, and his best friend and business partner owes him the money to get out of it, driving in the car for several hours after a shake-down is worth the trouble. But when he arrives in Fairmont, the last thing he expects is to be caught in the middle of the town pie contest, with its battling egos, family drama, and possible murder. 

He's an outsider, with an up-close and personal look ... and now all he wants to do is look away, and then run away. 

Life of Pies is a 12-part novella series inspired by A Gathering of Old Men, As I Lay Dying, and pie-style murder mysteries from C. S. Johnson.

Pie Guy: An Outsider Gets an Inside Look

Soft and sweet, and rotten to its core ...

Joe Davidson didn't anticipate coming back to Fairmont after his family broke apart. But when the news of Martha's death reaches him, he finds his way home, just as the annual pie contest is getting judged -- and when they need a new judge, he steps up and offers his services, even if he doesn't know why.

But he gets a clue or two as he makes his way through the selections, and he relives the sweetest moments of his life ... back when he had his own peach of the pie ...

Life of Pies is a literary fiction mystery series inspired by A Gathering of Old Men and As I Lay Dying from award-winning, genre-hopping author C. S. Johnson.

My Peach of the Pie: A Stranger Comes Back Home

Nutty and meaty, spicy and sweet ... 

Donnie Hennessy is a man who's dedicated his life to service, and he knows all about the pain it brings -- the pain he feels, and the pain he gives to others. He knows it's best that he contain it as much as possible, before his past ruins everything he has ... 

And when he and Edith head off to the Fairmont Spring Festival, he remembers this well ... until he's prompted to purchase a pie.

 

Life of Pies is a 12-part literary fiction series inspired by As I Lay Dying and A Gathering of Old Men from award-winning, genre-hopping author C. S. Johnson.

Tell No Pies (Life of Pies, #11): A Husband Minces His Words

Perfectly prepared ... 

Sama Davidson always loved being Mama's girl. But now that her mother's gone, she has to find a way to carry on. 

Thankfully, there are plenty of people willing to help her -- and that's just what Sama needs as the day of her mother's funeral arrives. 

But there's still more surprises yet to be discovered ... 

Life of Pies is a literary fiction mystery series about lies, community, and pies from award-winning, genre-hopping author C. S. Johnson.