Mobsters, current and past, hilarious and quirky characters, a murder mystery AND CHRISTMAS.... what more can you ask for?!?!?!

I really loved this book in a new to my series and author. I can't wait to read the next one. The characters and location really add to the plot. This book keeps you guessing until the end.

A nice addition to the series which will be enjoyable as a standalone. Mia has enough on her plate managing the family catering hall when her estranged mother turns up. And then there's a murder! It's a good mix of family drama and cozy investigation. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Fun read.

Dollycas's Thoughts

The Christmas season has Mia Carina dashing through the snow to keep up with all the Belle View Banquet Manor events. From a Sweet Sixteen party that really needs to impress the guests to a party for a 1-year-old with a Nativity Theme complete with animals, Mia and Shane accept all the challenges in order to have the over-the-top events go off exactly as planned.

In addition to her job, Mia gets caught up in a lot of family drama. A secret is uncovered about her friend Jamie and the aftermath has Mia right in the middle. Her mother also returns to town surprising everyone and her brother is still in jail and wondering if he will have a place in the family business when he gets out. Plus her grandmother has enlisted everyone she can to help her decorate for the holidays. She plans to win the neighborhood's decorating contest but she has some stiff competition. One display gets a lot of attention though when an actual stiff is found amongst the elves in Santa's workshop.

Mia is familiar with the corpse and knows there are plenty of suspects with means, motive, and opportunity including a few folks she holds near and dear. She will be making her list and checking it twice to wrap up the murder before Christmas dinner is served.

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Maria DiRico has served up quite a mystery in It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Murder.

Mia makes me laugh so much. She has been through a lot with the mobsters in her family especially as they now try to go straight. However, there are a few tough guys still around if she needs them. Her new employee Shane has her motor running along with just about every woman he comes in contact with. Cammie is still working as little as possible while spending as much of her ex, Detective Pete Dianopolis's money as she can while he tries to win her back. Mia's friend Jamie falls apart as he gets some upsetting news. Her grandmother Elisabetta is hilarious and always up to something. All these characters are true to life and are well-developed. The dialogues are full of Italian and New York phases which just makes me enjoy the characters even more.

I really enjoy the way this author twists the mystery elements together with every life's ups and downs. In this installment, that means a lot of Christmas spirit and holiday drama and I loved it! I was completely entertained tagging along with Mia as she sorted through the clues while being there for her friend and staying on top of her grandmother's antics. The ending was exciting but there was a final twist that had me scratching my head just a little bit.

The extravagant Christmas displays and the competition between the blocks were really interesting and I know it would be a lot of fun to view them all in person. No matter where you live people try to outdo their neighbors when it comes to decorations but having so many full blocks full of finery as the author described would be amazing. The donation aspect was nice too.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Murder is a delightful holiday cozy mystery filled to the brim with family drama and murder. I am so happy to get caught up on this series just in time for book #4, Four Parties and a Funeral which will be released on March 28. I am excited to visit these characters again so soon. Stay tuned for my review.

I DNF'es the 2nd book in this series. I was hoping this one would be different, but I don't believe this series is for me. I know others love it and I hope more people find and enjoy it.

Mia just might be my favorite cozy mystery heroine. She has a full schedule of events at the catering hall her family manages. The last thing she wants is for her estranged mother to return, but that is exactly what she gets. Things get crazier when her long time friend Jamie discovers a shocking secret. The only thing missing is a murder which shows up in the form of a dead body in a Christmas display. This book has so much going on, but it all works for the most part. The mystery kept me waffling back and forth. My only annoyance was Jamie's over the top behavior. It was not enough to ruin the book though.

Set in Queens new york this cozy christmas mystery has it all. Food, murder and a holiday.

A fun book for a winter afternoon.

I would not recommend jumping into this series at any random point. It has to be read in order for it to make much sense. Our leading lady runs a tight ship as she keeps the fledgling busy afloat. A new character came into the picture towards the end of the last adventure, and I thought that their entry and the relationship that resulted in this one's ending seemed a little forced. A few more of the relationships in this particular instalment seemed a little perfunctory and did not seem to flow like in the previous ones. The hidden humour and feeling of family loyalty were always prevalent, but the other things were not as engaging as the previous times.
On the flip side, the mystery itself was probably a lot more entertaining. We have a man who has made some tall claims. His presence in town is disturbing to several people. This inconvenience is soon removed, and the man is found dead. Now, Mia is left to figure things out before the police decide that the most obvious suspect is the actual culprit.
There are a lot of lists, checking and back and forth before the investigation begins down the right track. Personal Hurdles do not help, and Mia seems to have many of them.
I would still read the next one, but this is not the strongest in the series that I have had the opportunity to read.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

This is another great addition to the Catering Hall series. Mia is such a great character. With all of the quirky characters, the family dynamics, current and former members of the mob, surprise family members showing up, and a murder … you have a great cozy mystery. And when you plug in Mia’s new employee, Shane, you know things are going to heat up. The dialogue is snarky and has you chuckling as you flip through the pages. Just be warned that you may never view Christmas decorations in the same way again.

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

The proofreaders need to do a better job. The changing of characters names is not good when trying to read this story.

This is the 3rd book in the Catering Hall Mystery series and it's a hoot. I really love when a book can make me laugh out loud while I'm reading. Outrageous characters, wonderful writing and a well thought out plot, make this an incredibly enjoyable read. The Sopranos meet the cozy mystery world in this series.

A standard goodreads tag is "funny". Too bad there is not really funny, and side-splitting with laughter funny, because DiRico' s prose found me ranging from chuckles to guffaws. Maria DiRico's Queens is filled with outrageous characters and set ups that are just plain funny. It is one thing to have a loving nonna, it is quite another when said Nonna is in competition for the most extravagantly decorated homes that will even outshine Dyker Heights in Brooklyn. Or a catered First Birthday party where the parents have chosen Nativity as the theme. They will dress as Mary and Joseph, and they want camels. In December, in NYC. Of course they do.

On a more serious note, Mia has been summoned to the mafia dons home. Not business, although the call is being made on a burner phone. Nothing wrong, it is a personal matter, and don't tell Jamie. More serious, is the discovery of a body, tucked among the Christmas lights. Most seriously Nonna is a suspect. To round out our holiday plot, Mia's mom is home for the holidays and looking for reconciliation. I couldn't stop reading and I couldn't stop laughing.

This award winning author is a master of the comic cozy. Doesn't matter what the season is in real time, settle down with "It's Beginning to look a lot like Murder" This without a doubt looks a lot like fun.

Very highly recommended for readers of cozy mysteries. Suitable for YA and adults alike.

Full disclosure: I received this ARC from netgalley.com and Kensington in exchange for an unbiased review. Thank you for this opportunity.

This is the third book in the series but my first to read. I had no issues enjoying this book so you can definitely enjoy it as a stand alone. This is a fun holiday themed cozy. The main character Mia has her hands full catering two over the top birthday parties and an unexpected visit from a family member. With all she has to do she gets herself involved in a murder investigations.

*I received a free copy of this novel from NetGalley and Kensington Books for my honest review.*

Mia has a full schedule with the catering hall and her first holiday season running events. And drama ensues when 2 unexpected guests show up in town.

This series is turning out to be one of my favorite cozy series and I can't wait to read the next one. I'm enjoying the very slow build up from book to book of romantic partners for Mia and the characters can be such a hoot. I really enjoy when the cozy mysteries have real life hijinks instead of a small town, pre-50's ideal with cell phones and laptops. I loved the fighting between the grandma's for the street lighting championship and raising money in the process. And there were great set ups for character interaction for future books.

I definitely recommend this series and this book!

Business at the Belle View catering hall is hopping and Mia Carina has to maintain her juggling act for the holiday season - not just two large events (a Sweet Sixteen party that keeps being changed ever other day and a first birthday Party with a Nativity theme including live animals) - but family obligations are rearing their heads - her estranged mother has returned and her "godfather" wants her help with a family problem. Put this all together and then add murder where it could be a family member as murderer and Mia is served up a smorgasbord of suspects.

This series is so fun! Great characters and amusing well-written mysteries!

This is book 3 in the Catering Hall mystery series and it can be read as a stand alone but you won't want to miss the first two books. Set during Christmas season, and Mia Carina and her staff are busy with Christmas parties and private events at their catering hall in Queens, NY. With light ties to the NY mob through her father and their friends, a dead body in their lawn display makes for some interesting ideas. Lots of characters to choose from, this might be the last book in the series but I hope not. There are endless possibilities for more mystery. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Some neighborhoods have a friendly rivalry as to whose Christmas decorations are the best. Then there’s Astoria where over the top is just the beginning. Mia’s grandmother is a diehard decorator in competition with other neighborhoods, and she’s determined to win, by whatever means necessary. She’s even converted the new neighbors to her extreme decorating style.

Mia knows there’s no use trying to corral her grandmother. At work at the catering hall, Mia’s got her hands full with a secretary whose goal is to never work but be paid well, a hysterical teenage girl who’s planning her Sweet Sixteen party, and a one year old celebrating his first birthday with the Nativity-themed party his parents have their hearts set on.

Mia’s always been about to count on Jamie’s friendship, based on common interests like keeping their parents out of jail. It’s not just family, it’s Family. Now that Mia’s father has gone straight, she’s determined to keep him legit. In her spare time, she visits her brother in jail. His path has been known to take a wrong turn or two.

Jamie learns his parents have kept a secret from him since he was born. Angry, he spends time with Lorenzo, who claims to be Jaime’s long-lost brother. Lorenzo says he has DNA proof, but Mia thinks his story has more holes than Swiss cheese.

When a body turns up in Santa’s workshop, part of a holiday display in a neighbor’s yard, it spells trouble for all concerned. To keep the peace in the Family, Mia agrees to investigate. Making matters worse, Mia’s mother who she rarely speaks to or sees, drops by for a visit but isn’t in a hurry to leave.

This is the second book in the series. I love Mia. It’s a wonder she keeps a shred of sanity with all that goes on but she manages. All she has to do is solve the murder, reunite Jamie with his parents, rein in her grandmother with the decorations (that’s a losing battle), and keep the catering hall running smoothly even though there are live Nativity animals including one pregnant goat and a herd of ‘I’m so cool, I gotta look bored’ teenagers. Mia is vying for a permanent position on my Best of the Year’s Reviews list. Fire up the Christmas lights, grab a hot drink and some cookies, and try to keep up with Mia and her Family.

Recipes include: three cheese baked rigatoni, shrimp, crab, and artichoke cavatelli, almond Florentine lace cookies, rummy tiramisu, Christmas frittata, mushroom pasta alla carbonara, and Christmas tarrali (filled cookies, in this case, grape jam). There are also event tips so your parties run smoother than some Mia’s hosted.

A scam, a dead body, plenty of suspects, and a sprig of mistletoe. Another adventure with the Family, and that is family with a capital F. Mia is called on by Mr. B to help the Family deal with a secret that is sure to get some halls decked. At the same time, Mia is dealing with teen drama in the way of a sweet 16 party that has to be THE event of the year, with a side of mama drama when her wayward mother makes a most unexpected appearance, and Nonna is treating the annual neighborhood decorating contest like a turf war with the other streets. Every character is a character, Mia is the sort of character who makes you laugh out loud, and don't get me started about her Belle View Banquet Manor coworker Cammie, who has the ultimate work schedule. I really like how this series is developing with the addition of new characters and who wouldn't like a few recipes to try out after reading the book such as Shrimp, Crab, and Artichoke Cavatelle or Almond Florentine Lace Cookies.

It's Beginning to Look; a Lot Like Murder by Maria DiRico is book three in the Catering Hall Mystery series. It can be read as a standalone.
This well written Christmas Cozy will have you in the mood to decorate your yard and wrap presents. It is an easy to read full of suspects and plot twists. All of the main characters are relatable, I love the feisty grandmother! There is humor, family, friendship, and romance. This book is hard to put down.
I was given an ARC by Kensington via NetGalley for an honest review.

This is the third book in the Catering Hall Mystery series and the best book so far, in my opinion.
The holiday themed cozy mystery was hilarious with the Italian characters making it lively, dramatic and festive. The plot was easy to follow and very winter/Christmassy themed. The Italian Grandma, well I loved her.
The characters you're going to want to read about them here and in the other books in this series.
Scrumptious sounding Italian dishes recipes included.

Pub Date: 26 Oct 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.