LONG ISLAND ICED TINA by Maria DiRico
The Second Catering Hall Mystery

Mia Carina is thrilled when her friend, Nicole, decides to host her baby shower at Belle View. However, there's family drama in the form of Tina, the step mom...or step monster according to Nicole's grandmother. Tina tries to outshine everyone, but when an infamous stolen painting is unwrapped at the shower no one is more shocked than Tina. The next day Mia finds a body floating in the marina behind Belle View. A body with a very recognizable bracelet. Mia will use her own street smarts along with Family connections to look into the murder. But will Mia be able to prove Nicole's family innocent before the baby arrives?

Like its predecessor, the second book in the Catering Hall Mystery series had me laughing out loud. The antics of Mia's nonna, in particular, still have me chuckling. From getting shoes to a dead man to Mia learning to drive to her new employee who is either incredibly inept or a plant from another crime family, LONG ISLAND ICED TINA had me smiling and laughing.

There's more to LONG ISLAND ICED TINA than just comedy. There are heartfelt moments and realizations about family, and relationships, and purpose in life. There's also a finely crafted mystery that kept me puzzling through the clues along with Mia.

LONG ISLAND ICED TINA is a thoroughly enjoyable laugh out loud mystery that kept me engaged from start to finish. I eagerly await the next installment not only to check in on Mia, but see what her nonna gets up to and see what develops with Mia's newest employee.

Long Island Iced Tina is the 2nd book in the Catering Hall Mystery series by Maria DiRico.

It was great to be back in bustling Astoria, Queens, New York City even vicariously, for a few hours, to meet the residents there and solve a perplexing mystery. The mystery is plenty puzzling, and the red herrings it offers up are as tasty as the offerings at the Belle View Banquet Manor.

The primary amateur detective in this one is manager and events organiser Mia Carina. Belle View Banquet Manor is the catering hall that her father has created. Mia's close friend, Nicole plans to hold a baby shower at Belle View but first Nicole must attend a shower that her wicked stepmother, Tina is throwing, held at the ritzy Versailles on the Park and Mia is looking forward to checking out how her competition runs their business. However, at Nicole's own shower a gift is given which turns out to be a valuable, stolen painting. When a fight occurs in the bathroom, between Tina and Nicole's grandmother, Minnie, Mia can't imagine that things could possibly get any worse... until she glimpses a guest's dead body floating in the water. Figuring out exactly who killed Tina – and why – bobs right to the top of Mia’s to-do list.

Mia is determined to leave no stone unturned, and with the help of the family, she uncovers a web of secrets. I was really engaged in the mystery from the start. There is a lot happening and a lot of layers and clues to sift through in order to figure out the identity of the killer.

The unusual thing about Long Island Iced Tina is that it's set in a city rather than a small town, giving a different vibe than the majority of cozies. Maria DiRico's well-formulated and super-packed plot involving Tina becomes surprisingly complex as the story develops. Mia’s father, Ravello, offers his 'expertise' and wisdom to help Mia with the case.

I continued to warm to Mia, finding her ebullience, confidence and intuitiveness very refreshing. I very much appreciated Maria DiRico's superb and varied characterisation, even though some of the characters weren't particularly personable. Apart from Mia herself, my favourite was probably Nonna Elisabetta, a true Italian believing that food can solve any of life's problems. She added another dimension of humour to the story and had me cracking a smile or two.

Maria DiRico writes with such flair and an easy style. There were a plethora of suspects to choose from who might have had the motive to kill and I enjoyed the way in which Mia evaluated the information acquired from her poking around. With some zig-zagging along the way, this was a story that held my attention well and I loved that things came together for a complicated though great, logical resolution. Being a culinary cozy, there are some delicious sounding recipes at the end along with a tip for hosting events yourself. I may well have a go at making the Honey Phyllo Rollups!

The interesting growth for the series regulars cements my enthusiasm in anticipating what Maria DiRico has in store for Mia and her family and acquaintances next. In addition, reading Long Island Iced Tina has tempted me to take a look at the Cajun Country Mystery series which is written by DiRico under the name of Ellen Byron. Book #1 in that series is entitled 'Plantation Shudders.'

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Kensington Books, Great Escapes Book Tours and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this novel at my request. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

This book was super fun to read, like cozy mystery meets The Godfather with a kick butt female protagonist. I am a big fan of Ellen Byron's Cajun Country mysteries (Maria DiRico's alter ego) and this series looks to be as delightful as that one. I look forward to reading the first book.

Mia Carina is working hard to make Belle View catering hall into a legitimate place for lavish events. When her best friend Nicole's mom and Nonna want to throw her a baby shower, naturally it will be at Belle View. Except Nicole's evil stepmother shows up and a painting that disappeared 20 years before makes its way into the gift pile. When the stepmonster turns up dead and Nicole's family is full of suspects, Mia launches her own investigation to find the real culprit.

This book is sprinkled with Italian phrases, which were fun to read. Mia is an excellent main character with spunk, charisma and a take-charge attitude. I love the inclusion of the family and the Family. I very much enjoyed picking this book up to finish and I hope there will be many more in the series. Gives you a serious craving for some Italian food though.

Mia Carina is what some people call a mob princess. She was born into a mob family and she and her father opened a catering hall, The Bell View, as a legit business. Mia is catering her friend, Nicole's, baby shower. Nicole's stepmother proves to be difficult and has an argument with Nicole's mother and grandmother at the shower. Her stepmother later turns up dead and the police suspect Nicole's mother.. She asks Mia to investigate since Mia's grandmother always brags how Mia solved a murder once before.

This is only the second book in the series, but I absolutely love it. The characters are wonderful. They are engaging and funny. I love how the author brings out the characteristics of an Italian family. I love Mia's Nonna. She is the perfect Italian grandma that you can't help but love. The ties to the mob make for some hilarious scenes. The mystery was good and I enjoyed the art theft angle. This is definitely a series I will be continuing.

New Jersey flair, a father trying his hand at a legit business and a daughter trying to keep him on that path by co-managing with him a once dilapidated event venue. Fireworks erupt between the mother and stepmother at a baby show for Mia's best friend, Nicole, and when the stepmother, Tina, turns up murdered all suspicion falls on Nicole's parents. Mia takes charge looking for clues in the art world as well as the world of the Family. She's an engaging heroine whose primary fault is her inability to learn how to drive a car.

I just love this series, and Mia has to be one of the funniest main characters I've read about. This is another character I can so easily close my eyes and hear Fran Fine the Nanny speaking as Mia. (And somehow, Val's voice was coming from Nicole lol). I enjoy all these key characters so much, even Donny Boldano Senior has some endearing qualities. Donny Junior is just hilarious without meaning to be. And Jamie's just plain adorable, but even though he's taken, he's a really good and faithful friend for Mia aka someone her dad hopes can keep her out of trouble!

At least Mia and her dad weren't being blamed for the latest murder, but they might as well have been, since the body was found in the bay next to their venue. Once more at the showdown, Mia found herself facing down a crazed killer, but she did okay! Seems she's a lot better driving on the water than on land! Just when Jamie appeared to be taken and happy with no one on the horizon for Mia to even be remotely interested in...well, I'm going to leave it at that and let readers find out for themselves what happens. ;)

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

I had so much fun reading this book! The characters are delightful and the story line was engaging. Mia is a wonderful main character and her view of life as a mob princess, an Italian, and an amateur sleuth have you laughing. She is surrounded by quirky family members and complicated relationships. I am anxiously waiting for the next book in this series. I am definitely a fan and look forward to what happens next at the Bell View Banquet Manor.

Kudos to the author for entertaining us with a complicated mystery, edge of your seat drama, and hysterics that will have you chuckling.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing Company for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

We are back with Mia and her Nonna in Queens. This time Mia is working and attending her BFF's baby shower but instead of opening cute little baby rompers her BFF opens a priceless stolen painting. As she unwraps the painting the stepmother of the BFF faints and is later found floating in the marina attached to Belle View. Can Mia find out why the stepmother was killed and the connection to the painting before a new little sleuth joins "the family?"

This series is a fun series to read. I find myself reading with what I envision is an Italian Queens accent. Mia is an amateur sleuth that you feel is your friend. You cannot help but want to rush through the book to find out what is next. Nonna is a dream Italian grandma. No matter what ails you food is the cure! You will laugh your socks off when you get to the part regarding a funeral and shoes. That is all the clue I am going to give. Read the book to find out.

The recipes included are mouthwatering. I really want to try and make the cannoli cake.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Kensington, through NetGalley. Any opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.

Mia Carina is helping her former mobster father go legitimate by helping him run the Belle View Banquet Manor in Queens, New York. One of Mia’s best friends is having a baby and Nicole’s mother and grandmother throw her a baby shower at Belle View. Things are going great until Nicole’s grandmother and her flamboyant stepmother Tina get into a shouting match in the bathroom that Nicole’s mother has to break up. Then Nicole gets a strange shower gift that flusters her usually overconfident stepmom. Things get even worse when soon afterwards Mia discovers Tina’s dead body in the bay in front of Belle View. Mia is determined to prove that nobody in Nicole’s family was responsible for Tina’s death and also keep the Carina name free from another scandal.

This is the second book in the Catering Hall Mystery series. I loved the first book, but you can enjoy this book even if you haven’t read it. I love all the references to Mia’s father’s former life in the mob and that some of the people Mia deals with still have some underworld connections. The book is populated with colorful characters, both in Mia’s family and in “The Family.” Mia is an engaging character who is trying to make the banquet hall a success and keep her dad out of trouble. She also has an Italian grandmother to keep out of trouble, too, and their relationship is both sweet and funny. Mia also hangs around with Jamie Boldano, who is the son of a mob boss but isn’t in the “business.” There was a lot of chemistry between Mia and Jamie in the first book and in this book, they discuss whether their friendship could be more.

In addition to the interesting characters, I like that this cozy mystery takes place in New York City. It gives a different vibe than the majority of cozies that are set in small towns. The plot involving the “step-monster”, Tina, becomes surprisingly complex as the story continues. I like that Mia’s father, Ravello, is able to use his insights into the criminal mind, to give her important clues that help solve the case. The book is a fun, quick read that is full of humor. The scenes between Mia and her family come across as very authentic. As expected in a cozy set in a catering center, the book ends recipes of a few of the dishes that are mentioned in the story. If I was a better cook, I would love to try making the cannoli cake! A new character is introduced at the very end that could really shake things up in the next book. Fans of Rosie Genova, Victoria Abbott, or The Cajun Country mysteries which are written by DiRico under the name Ellen Byron, will enjoy this book. I am already looking forward to the next one in this great series.

~ Christine

OH MY GOSH I LOVE THESE BOOKS.
THIS is how you write a cozy mystery!!

I waited past the due date so I could listen to the audiobook because I absolutely loved the first one with its awesome narrator. I am telling you, if you are from NYC, have lived any amount of time in NYC, you will want to listen to the audiobook. It makes like "coming home". I am back in the city I love when I listen to these and it is glorious. All I need is a good cup of coffee and some cannolli!!

Mia and Co are doing well in this edition of the series and Bellevue Catering Hall is both holding it's own and even thriving. People have forgotten about the previous murders [or are at least not talking about it anymore every second] and are booking events. So much so, Mia knows that they have to hire some more staff to stay on top of orders and make the events even more special [Ah. Benji. He is something that is best not talked about and experienced first hand. But I may have sprained my eyes when he was on the page], so she starts going to different events at different halls to see what they are offering. Enter stolen art, smuggling and ultimately, a dead body. And Mia is swept up in trying to solve the crime, keep peace within her family and help her grandmother deliver shoes to the afterlife. This was a very good read and I had NO IDEA who the killer was and the reveal was REALLY good. I enjoyed every second of this book and cannot wait for book 3 [there had better be a BOOK 3!!!!]. I highly recommend this one!!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Maria DiRico, and Kensington Books for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Long Island Iced Tina, the second Maria DiRico (Ellen Byron) Catering Hall Mystery, is just as laugh out loud funny as the first cozy mystery in the series! Mia's very pregnant friend, Nicole, is having one of her baby showers at Belle View, and soon after her stepmonster, Tina, is found iced in the water nearby! When first Tina's mom, Linda, and then her dad, Ron, are both suspected of the dastardly deed, Mia investigates and, with a little help from her connections, discovers ties to a long ago art heist. There's a lot going on in this story, and the author does a great job of keeping the reader on the edge of their seat! A+++

Mia Carina is a feisty one, and who wouldn't be if they had family with a little "f" that had to deal with the Family with a big "F". Doing her best to get the new Belle View Banquet Manor Event/Catering venue up and running while keeping her Dad, former Family lieutenant, on the straight and narrow. The plot is excellent and the story/character development keeps you anchored to your seat as if you wearing a pair of concrete galoshes. No one really misses Tina, and the best that can be said about her is that she was a looker. Otherwise she was something else that we cannot repeat, at least not in English. I will forever think of New York Iced Tina when I hear the words pasta puttanesca and I will most likely snicker. I am looking forward to the further driving adventures of Mia and how things work out with her new marketing manager, wink wink!

Long Island Iced Tina by Maria DiRico is the second in the Catering Hall Mystery series. This is becoming one of my favorite series.
Mia has been hired for a baby shower for her best friend by Nicole's mother, Linda, This is one of two showers taking place. The second has been planned by the step mother and is going to take place at a high end reception hall. Everyone knows it's going to be over the top since Tina is all about show boating.
When Tina is found floating in the marina by Belle View catering hall by Mia, all the evidence points towards Linda. Mia knows Linda couldn't have done it and sets out to find the real killer.
This well written, easy to read Cozy. has plenty of plot twists, likeable characters, humor, and yummy sounding recipes. I didn't want to put it down.
I was given an ARC by Kensington via NetGalley for an honest review.

What a fun story line! Between the mob family and the Italian family, especially Elisabetta, I was totally entertained. Some of the characters in this story are absolute trips. Who wouldn’t want a job like Cammie? Come join Mia and Ravello as they build their honest business, Belle View and help Mia’s best friend Nicole and her family. Awesome story and fun characters. Hope I can hang with them again sometime soon. I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Long Island Iced Tina is the second entry in a series. For readers who have not read the previous book, it can be read as a standalone. In this book, Mia still faces some challenges at the reception hall, including with a new employee. Tina's murder makes matters worse as it occurs next to the reception hall, and an unpleasant journalist keeps giving her a hard time with what she writes. The victim, Tina, is quite unpleasant, and seems to be quite a shady character.

I really enjoyed this book. The storyline is good, and the characters are evolving with this second book. I highly recommend it.

This is the second book in the cozy series "Catering Hall Mystery Series" by cozy author Maria DiRico. I loved the first in series and was pleased to receive this fun next in series for review . Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinion is my own.

In this 2nd in series we return to our savvy protagnist at home in Queens at her parents catering hall hosting a baby shower for one of her best friends. When the Mother in Law of the Mother to be insist on a more exclusive venue for a second shower in Queens Mia attends to gather ideas for her own business and to support her friend . When chaos breaks out and a stolen painting makes a odd appearance and a body if found in the pool the clues Mia gathers are all adding up to a murderer.

I like the setting of Queens in this series and the culture . I enjoy the humor and the smart savvy protagnist. This is a fun cozy series with all the right elements cozy lovers enjoy.

This is the second book in the Catering Hall Mystery series by Maria DiRico, aka Ellen Byron. I enjoy Ms. Byron’s books and am so glad I found this series. I love humor sprinkled in the story, I often received dirty looks whenever I laughed out loud as I was reading this story.

I found the characters well-developed and entertaining. Mia, our protagonist, is the daughter of a recovering mobster. That just is funny in itself.

The author always has interesting premises, situations, and outcomes. Baby showers and death are not a combination I consider when responding to an invite.

I am looking forward to the next installment. And added bonus is the recipes included!

I was given an advanced copy by Netgalley. I am not required to leave a positive review.

Long Island Iced Tina is the second book from the series A Catering Hall Mystery by Maria DiRico.

This book can be read as a stand-alone but you will want to read the first book. You will not be disappointed.

All the characters in this book are so lifelike. If you have Italian friends, you will understand. The Queens setting was likeable.
I found myself guessing and second-guessing throughout the whole book. This was one I didn't want to end.
Once you start reading, you will be introduced to Mia's Nonna. I loved her. What a character and such a hoot!
I found myself not wanting to put this book down and highly recommend this.

I requested and received an advance copy of this book from Kensington Books and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own

Long Island Iced Tina by Maria DiRico is the 2nd book in A Catering Hall Mystery series, and another great addition. Mia had to leave her old job, and she is now helping her father with his catering hall. Mia family is tied to the mob, and she is helping him stay straight. Mia's friend Nicole, is pregnant and she wants to have her baby shower at the catering hall. Unfortunately her wicked step mom insists on having one for her also. When the step-monster is found dead, the mystery begins. I enjoyed this book, and look forward to the next book in the series. I highly recommend this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Mia Carina was born into a New York mob family; however, her father Ravello, has opened Belle View Banquet Manor as a legit business to separate him from mob dealings. Mia’s close friend, Nicole, is pregnant and plans to soon marry the baby’s father, Ian. Nicole’s father, Ron, is divorced from her mother, Linda, and his current wife, Tina, is a terror. Tina gets into a yelling match with Nicole’s beloved grandmother, Minnie, in the bathroom at Belle View which makes Linda furious. A mysterious shower gift adds to the growing tension at the baby shower. Readers will know what direction this altercation is headed for and, sure enough, a body is found floating in the bay soon after.

Great, interesting characters headline this story and they’re pure gold entertainment! I chuckled throughout the story! There are actually several small mysteries besides the main murder—all excellent! The author provides ample suspects and clues to the murder mystery. Recipes included. I loved the story! I highly recommend this cozy series.

I honestly reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. All opinions are my own. Thank you.