Mindy Quigley dishes up a delectable holiday mystery!
Delilah's holidays are shaping up to have more family drama than anyone could anticipate, as some of her visiting family members become suspects when a suspicious death occurs at an event Delilah "Dee" and her crew did the catering.
I always look forward to a new installment of this fun culinary mystery series. In addition to over-the-top delicious food descriptions, I know I'm in for a well-plotted, fast-paced, and humorous mystery. This one had holiday vibes and a clever crime scene reveal and did not disappoint!
Set in an upscale pizzeria in Wisconsin, I love the regular cast of characters, including Dee's business partner Sonya, the restaurant employees Melody and Daniel, Aunt Biz, and Calvin Capone, Dee's boyfriend. Yes, he is a descendant of the infamous Al Capone, but Calvin is a member of law enforcement. I enjoy catching up with this group every time I read one of these books. Quigley has fleshed out the characters so well that their interactions and lives are as compelling to me as the mystery. And the dialogue is great. Dee cares deeply about her family and friends and has some traits that occasionally show a less-than-perfect side, making her come across as very human, with complexity. Her relationship with Sonya comes across as genuine, too.
The setting is fantastic, and I could feel the frigid cold December everyone contends with while trying to solve this case. The investigation was interesting, especially the revelations about what happened to the victim and how. The mystery was layered and intriguing, with some timely ripped from the headlines threads. I got close but did not guess the culprit. Even though my suspicions shifted several times, I fell for one of the red herrings!
I loved this and cannot wait for the next one! A must-read for cozy mystery fans!
Thank you to St. Martin's Press Minotaur Books for the gifted review copy!
My steep was Creme Brulee Earl Grey by Plum Deluxe
PUBLISHER'S SYNOPSIS:
Pizza chef Delilah O’Leary and her kitty companion, Butterball, get into the holiday spirit as Geneva Bay, Wisconsin hosts the nation’s premier snow sculpting championship. The annual event transforms the charming resort town into a wonderland of snow castles, ice rinks, and cozy cups of cocoa.
On the eve of the festival though, a too-good-to-be-true Chrismukkah catering gig brings some frosty tidings and heralds an unexpected visit from Delilah’s high-intensity older sister. Suddenly it seems that the holidays may not be the hap-happiest season of all. And when one of the town’s snowy sculptures reveals a chilling surprise, murder threatens to put the celebrations―and Delilah’s crew―on ice for good.
Kommentare