#MindyQuigley

[darlenefblog]

Sleep in Heavenly Pizza: A Deep Dish Mystery

by Mindy Quigley

Publisher: ‎ Minotaur Books (October 22, 2024)

Publication date: ‎ October 22, 2024

Print length: ‎ 315 pages

Thank you to NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and Mindy Quigley for providing this advance reader copy (ARC) of the book. I'm leaving my honest review below.

Lots of family drama, an unlikeable female lead, and no dead body until chapter 7. I'm not a fan. The 2 stars is for the plot, which had a lot of promise, and having a fat orange cat. Like a good who-dun-it there were red herrings and enough characters to keep you guessing. The family drama was a lot to deal with, it was like the Christmas we all dread. The lead, Delilah, is such a mess I took an instant dislike to her. She's a perfectionist with no self-esteem who takes every comment the wrong way, actually 5 wrong ways. Don't get me started on her sister and boring relationship with the boyfriend. Her inner monologs were torture. The wrap-up took a long time to happen after the crime being discussed over and over. Tying up loose ends was an epilog without a big arrest scene.

[dollycas]

Cozy Wednesday featuring Public Anchovy #1 (Deep Dish Mysteries) by Mindy Quigley #Review / #Giveaway @MinotaurBooks @StMartinsPress @minty_fresh_books

Welcome to Cozy Wednesday!  I am delighted to feature Public Anchovy #1  by Mindy Quigley today! Public Anchovy #1 will be released on December 26, but you can pre-order it now here.

Public Anchovy #1 (Deep Dish Mysteries) Cozy Mystery 3rd in Series Setting - Wisconsin St. Martin's Paperbacks (December 26, 2023) Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1250792479 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1250792471 Kindle ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0C1X7M6ZS

Public Anchovy #1 is the third book in Mindy Quigley's delectable Deep Dish Mystery series, set in a Wisconsin pizzeria. While Geneva Bay’s upper crust gets ready to party down at a Prohibition-themed fundraiser, pizza chef Delilah O’Leary is focused on seeing her struggling restaurant through the winter slow season. The temperature outside is plummeting, but Delilah’s love life might finally be heating up, as hunky police detective Calvin Capone seems poised to (finally) make a move. But Delilah’s hopes of perfecting a new “free-from” pizza recipe for a charity bash are dashed when a dead body crashes the party. Soon, Capone, Delilah, and her entire staff are trapped in an isolated mansion and embroiled in a dangerous game of cat and mouse. To catch an increasingly-desperate killer, Delilah will have to top all of her previous crime-solving accomplishments, and a few pizzas, too. Dollycas's Thoughts Winter in Wisconsin can be very pretty but it's cold so Delilah has to add catering to her repertoire to keep her restaurant in the black. She and her staff have been hired to cater a Prohibition-themed fundraiser for the library at Bluff Point, one of Geneva Bay, Wisconsin's "most opulent private residences". At the last minute, one of the guests has requested a “free-from” pizza without gluten, dairy, or nightshade plants causing Delilah to send her staff ahead to the venue while she went home to gather everything she needed to fulfill the request. She unknowingly brings back a surprise guest. Before the food is served and after a little entertainment, Edgar Clemmons, former chair of the library board, tumbles down the stairs to his death. Some of the guests leave as the snow continues to fall but before Delilah, her crew, and several other guests can leave they learn that they are trapped until plows can clear up higher-priority roads and highways. It also means EMS can't get there to remove Edgar's body. Was Edgar's death an accident or was he murdered? Are Delilah, Capone, her staff, and others in the company of a killer? When the apparent murder weapon is found in an unusual place and the head librarian is killed Capone and Delilah get in high gear to isolate the killer before anyone else dies. _____ I was so happy to return to Geneva Bay and the great characters Ms. Quigley has created. At the start of the story, Delilah was lamenting mostly in her own head about her relationship with Calvin Capone going nowhere because he never called. Well spending time trapped in a mansion with the killer on the loose sure changed that. Capone's mother was introduced and played a larger role than I had expected. Aunt Biz is dealing with a huge change in her life and not handling it well. Sonya finds herself fainting at one point and in danger at another but she is still there for Delilah as she tries to piece all the clues together. Each of Delilah's staff has their own talents and interesting backstories. We continue to learn more about them in this book. Ms. Quigley's characters are multidimensional and continue to grow as the series continues. The setting at Bluff Point was fantastic. It had so many unique rooms, alcoves, stairways, an observation tower, and a dumb waiter. It was right on the water too with a dock and a good size boat. It was a character all on its own. The author did an excellent job describing everything. I easily visualized all the places and happenings. The mystery was very well-plotted with a plethora of twists and turns. Edgar Clemmons had a mission when he arrived at the party and that got him killed. The fundraiser was for the library so it was apropos that some books provided some major drama and clues. I enjoyed the way Delilah and Capone worked together, not only to solve the murders but to keep everyone safe. Yes, Delilah went a little rogue a couple of times but I would have been disappointed if she hadn't. Her A-ha moment was priceless. But it was an unexpected person that set the showdown in motion and what a showdown it was! I love that this series is set in my home state and while Geneva Bay is fictional I have a very good idea of the city it is based on. There is even a mansion there similar to Bluff Point. Ms. Quigley draws from Wisconsin history, especially regarding the Capones, Calvin's relatives. I find myself looking for little references that give me a warm feeling of home. I also love Chicago Deep Dish Pizza and appreciate the recipes included in the book. This time they include an Italian Beef Crostini and Delilah's Free-from-Pizza Deep Dish Pizza recipe for those looking for vegan, or gluten-free or dairy-free pizza but not one I will be trying. I need my meat and cheese, no anchovies, please. Public Anchovy #1 was A Perfect Escape for me. Engaging characters, a terrific mystery, and a very intriguing setting kept me entertained until the final word. I can't wait until Ms. Quigley serves up another huge slice of the next Deep Dish Mystery.

Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent   About the Author

MINDY QUIGLEY has won a number of awards for her short stories, including the 2013 Bloody Scotland Prize and the 2018 Lightbringer Award. Originally from Chicago, she possesses a naturally sophisticated pizza palate. Her desert island pizza choice would be Lou Malnati’s “Deep Dish Lou” or an Aurelio’s thin crust with spinach, tomatoes, and black olives. She lives in Virginia with her history professor husband, their two children, and their miniature Schnauzer. You can find more info about Mindy Quigley on her website here.

Coming December 26, 2023

Also written by Mindy Quigley

Thanks to the publisher I have 1 copy to give away! The contest is open to anyone over 18 years old with a US mailing address. Duplicate entries will be deleted. Void where prohibited. You do not have to be a follower to enter but I hope you will find something you like here and become a follower. Followers Will Receive 2 Bonus Entries For Each Way They Follow. Plus 2 Bonus Entries For Following My Facebook Fan Page. Add this book to your WANT TO READ shelf on GoodReads for 3 Bonus Entries. Pin this giveaway to Pinterest for 3 Bonus Entries. If you share the giveaway on Twitter or Facebook or anywhere you will receive 5 Bonus Entries For Each Link. The  Contest Will End January 3, 2024, at 11:59 PM CST The Winner Will Be Chosen By Random.org The Winner Will Be Notified By Email and Will Be Posted Here In The Sidebar. Click Here For Entry Form Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” Read the full article

[dollycas]

Ashes to Ashes, Crust to Crust (Deep Dish Mysteries) by Mindy Quigley #Review

Ashes to Ashes, Crust to Crust (Deep Dish Mysteries) Cozy Mystery 2nd in Series Setting - Wisconsin St. Martin's Paperbacks (April 25, 2023) Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1250792452 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1250792457 Kindle ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0B8X3FK6Z

Ashes to Ashes, Crust to Crust is the second book in Mindy Quigley's delectable Deep Dish Mystery series, set in a Wisconsin pizzeria. Newly single pizzeria owner Delilah O’Leary is determined to keep her restaurant afloat in the picturesque resort town of Geneva Bay, Wisconsin. To boost her bottom line, she sets her sights on winning the hefty cash prize in the town’s annual “Taste of Wisconsin” culinary contest. In her corner, she’s got her strong-willed, “big-boned” cat Butterball, her wisecracking BFF, her cantankerous great-aunt, and a nearly-flawless recipe for Pretzel Crust Deep-Dish Bratwurst Pizza. But while Delilah and her team have been focused on pumping out perfect pizza pies, her ex-fiancé has cozied up to a new squeeze, juice bar owner Jordan Watts—Delilah’s contest rival. When one of Jordan’s juice bar customers is poisoned by a tainted smoothie, Delilah lands deep in the sauce. Accusations fly, suspects abound, and a menacing stranger turns up with a beef over some missing dough. Between kale-juicing hipsters and grudge-bearing celebrity chefs, Delilah must act quickly before another one bites the crust. Dollycas's Thoughts We arrive in Geneva Bay, Wisconsin as Delilah O’Leary is working on her entry for the annual “Taste of Wisconsin” culinary contest. She is trying to find the perfect recipe for a Deep-Dish Bratwurst Pizza with a pretzel crust. Delilah's ex has moved on with Jordan Watts owner of the local juice bar. Jordan is also working on her entry for the contest. Delilah shares custody of the large lovable feisty cat Butterball with her ex Sam. Sam has put Butterball on a diet and that makes for a very hungry and unhappy kitty. Delilah agrees to meet Sam at Jordan's juice bar to give him Butterball. While there chaos ensues when a customer is poisoned and dies after drinking a smoothie. Was the victim the real target? How did the poison get in the smoothie? Are other people in danger? Delilah and Detective Calvin Capone are reunited as she finds herself deep in the middle of another murder investigation and on his suspect list. Then another body is found with a connection to Sonya, Delilah's BFF, sous chef, and namesake "Son" of Delilah & Son pizza restaurant. The heat gets turned up high. A killer needs to be caught before anyone else gets burned. I am really enjoying this series set in my home state. Talk of bratwurst and cheese and I am right there. Haven't ever had bratwurst on a pizza but I guess it could easily replace Italian sausage. Delilah was a little harsh in the first book mostly due to her OCD tendencies but I didn't notice that as much this time, but her Aunt Biz sure is acting strange. Sonya was more of a focus in this story when her past catches up with her. All three of these women are strong with their own struggles. They are all also very stubborn and have a hard time accepting help even from each other.  That being said, they are cleverly crafted and I was really drawn into each of their stories. I still am not a fan of Sam but by the end of this story, he earned a few points that may change my opinion in the future. I really love Aunt Biz who knows everyone in town having taught most of them. Readers are introduced to some new characters too. Harold Heyer, president of the Geneva Bay Convention and Vistors Bureau. With the culinary contest, he seems to pop up everywhere. Molly McClintock aka Mac is Melody's cousin and she is up to something. Jordan Watts, owner of Juice Revolution, and her employee Jarka, who was a doctor in Bulgaria but until her English improves and she can take the necessary tests she can only find work at a smoothie shop. Mac also works at the juice bar. All these characters had a purpose in the story and were fleshed out throughout the story. Wisconsin has been said to popular with the Chicago mobsters back in the 1920's and the author draws on that history both in Delilah's restaurant and in the mysteries which makes them even more intriguing. With plenty of suspects, twists, and turns I was delightfully entertained. I was able to put some of the clues together before Delilah but not enough to not be surprised at the reveal. I loved all the descriptions of Wisconsin and that the author takes the time to make her characters sound like Sconies. She also adds humor in all the right places. Ashes to Ashes, Crust to Crust is a marvelous addition to this series. The characters have grown in ways I like and I am now invested in their lives. The ending sets up a very interesting twist that I am anxious to see play out. The story gets a strong 4 star-fish from me. It was a very enjoyable cozy getaway. I am looking forward to the next book.

Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent About the Author

MINDY QUIGLEY has won a number of awards for her short stories, including the 2013 Bloody Scotland Prize and the 2018 Lightbringer Award. Originally from Chicago, she possesses a naturally sophisticated pizza palate. Her desert island pizza choice would be Lou Malnati’s “Deep Dish Lou” or an Aurelio’s thin crust with spinach, tomatoes, and black olives. She lives in Virginia with her history professor husband, their two children, and their miniature Schnauzer.

Also by Mindy Quigley

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” Read the full article