This is the fourth entry in the Catering Hall Mystery series. I have read the previous 3 and was very happy to delve into this latest in
the series. Mia still runs the family owned
Belle View Banquet Manor and recently has booked a venue there for a reality show's casting call. The pilot to the show is filmed in the banquet ballroom and a murder takes place right there with 1st filming.
I continue to enjoy the Italian mob vibe and the humor and shenanigans that goes with a NY Mob Family.Elisabetta, Mia's Nonna ,has a hilarious new hobby - I love the Nonna character!
It is a well done murder mystery with an interesting twist at the end. As things draw to a close the reader is left with it being a very entertaining read.
I'd like to thank Kensington Publishers, NetGalley and the author for an opportunity to read and review this book. I have given my honest opinion. The book publishes on 3/8/23

Thank you to Kensington and Netgalley for sending me an ARC to review. Another great entry in Maria DiRico's catering hall cozy mysteries. One thing I love about this series is how vibrant and unique all the characters are, and this book was no different. With cozy mysteries, sometimes the characters can feel a little corny or cloying, but in these books they speak and seem like real people. In Four Parties and a Funeral, the catering hall crew has to host and deal with the drama of a reality show cast. Reading about all of the cast's melodrama was very entertaining and helped keep me guessing when it came to the murder mystery, Taking the story to New Orleans also added to the fun, in addition to the usual bustling Astoria setting. If you're looking for a funny, lighthearted mystery, you can't go wrong with this book.

This one seemed to get off to a slow start with me and that, combined with occasionally being confused about who was who, meant I never quite connected with the story. Don't get me wrong. I didn't dislike the book. I just never found the connection to it that makes a book special to me. That said, if you particularly like books with Italian families and have an interest in how reality shows work behind-the-scenes, this might be the book for you. 

 The plot centers around producer Giles St. James doing a pilot show for a possible reality show called "Dons of Ditmars Boulevard". This being the first book I've read of the series, I found myself floundering a bit trying to figure out where all the dons and wannabe dons were coming from. For the record, let's just make it simple and say that while not involved, Mia's family does have mobster, er, don members. She visits a family member in prison and it's telling that he has been in and out of there so frequently that his regular guard in the visitor's complex seems to have become a friend. Mia is also asked to keep an eye on Little D, seemingly the younger son of a local (for real) don, and simply falls into step with the idea. In other words, even though I had no real clue why all this was simply part of life, it's an accepted part. 

So, who killed producer Giles? It'd be too obvious to say, well, one of the don families? Or, hmm, would it? How about one of the members of the reality show cast or crew? They are a rather theatrical bunch, for lack of a better word, and Little D gets entangled with Giles' ex-wife. Maybe one of those rejected when they tried out for a role? Giles was a bit of a flirt and perhaps someone felt they'd been mistreated? As for Mia, what is going on between boyfriend Shane and her? What secrets might Shane be hiding? 

And, oh, never mind. Enough teasers. Even though this one didn't grab my interest, you may enjoy sorting all this and more out yourself. Thanks #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks - #KensingtonCozies for letting me drop in on Mia's confusing to me but intriguing world. I'll definitely give it another chance to grab me. Some of my favorite books have been those I took that second chance on.

I love this series and this latest installment is another winner. Ms. DiRico's skill at crafting a delightful cozy is, once again, evident. Can't wait for the next in this series!

June is usually the time of year when Mia Carina's head is full of weddings, prom nights, and outdoor events in the early New York summer sunshine. Belle View Banquet Manor, the legitimate business she runs with her ex-mobster father, Ravello, is busy but always has room for one more function. This time however, Mia and boyfriend, Shane might have cause to regret their latest booking!

The pilot for new reality show Dons of Ditmars Boulevard needs a base along with an event planner and has Mia’s friends and wanna-be starlets alike crawling out of the woodwork and they aren't quiet about it! With no-one prepared to fade into the background it's no surprise when tempers flare and accusations fly but the discovery of a body puts everyone involved in the production on the NYPD's suspect list. Mia knows she has to intervene before the wrong person is arrested but with everything else going on does she really have enough time to undertake her own investigation?

In book four of Maria DiRico's Catering Hall Mystery Series the main protagonists are all familiar but still have the ability to surprise. From Mia’s grandmother Elizabetta's new hobby, via Mia and Shane's relationship, to Ravello's energy regime, the main storyline is aided and abetted by a great set of secondary issues to make this an entertaining read from start to finish.  There was a bit more of the reality 'star's' dubious behaviour than I wanted but the surprising and satisfying ending was a definite plus. I was nowhere near guessing whodunnit!

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. I thoroughly enjoyed this installment and happily recommend it.

Nobody does goombahs better than Ellen Byron and the don and donettes in her latest are some of the best. Mia gets conned into allowing a movie pilot called the Dons of Ditmars Boulevard to be filmed in the Belle View ballroom only to have the a body show up in the pool house. This leads Mia and her sweetie Shane on a merry chase through the Italian-American families of Astoria, Queens. Funny as usual.

Four parties and a funeral is the fourth book in the Catering Hall Mystery Series. A reality show films at Belle View Manor, and murder and mayhem soon follow. This book had me hooked from page one! There were lots of suspects, red herrings, a little romance, a solid plot, and many laugh out loud moments. The characters are well fleshed out. I especially enjoyed the antics of Mia's grandma Elisabetta and her knitting projects. I read this book in one sitting. Thank you to kensington books and netgalley for providing me with an advance readers copy.

This is the fourth book in this cozy mystery series that follows Mia in her adventures running a catering hall for her Italian-American family. You don't need to read the earlier books to be able to follow the story, but it may be helpful to get some of the backstory that gets mentioned at times. This one finds Mia dealing with a new reality show that hopes to follow some wanna-be Dons and Donettes who try to seem more important than they are, as a casting call and media company find the catering hall to be the perfect location for shooting. Mia's family finds itself mixed right in as a murder happens during one of the shoots she is catering, and she is forced to step in to protect the family. I found this book to be more cheesy than most cozy series, with a lot of stereotypes being used to create characters who were over the top. I don't think I will pick up more of this series.

Mia Carina and her father Ravello run Belle View, an events center that is run as a legitimate business by the Boldano family. She wants to keep her father from falling back into the mob, so she works hard at it. But there are problems. Donny Baldano's son Jamie is getting married, which makes his elder brother Donny Jr. lamenting his own life. So Sr. asks Mia to give Jr. a job, which she does. He doesn't seem too happy about it until he sets his eyes on Ariadne St. James, ex-wife and partner to Giles St. James. They're filming a reality show, Dons of Ditmars Boulevard, and suddenly Donny brightens up. Now Mia has a request by Donny Sr. to keep his son out of trouble.

Which doesn't help when Mia is drafted into another uncomfortable position, giving her two problems to solve. Or maybe three -- but she's not trying to think about that. With watching over Donny, trying to plan a wedding, and keep everything else running smoothly, she thinks it's going to be fine. Until she finds a dead body that starts the wheels turning, and finding herself in the middle of yet another murder investigation -- one that she'll have to really keep her ears and eyes open if she's going to keep everything smooth sailing...

This is the fourth book in the series and I have read and loved them all. I love all the characters in this series, and would have a hard time choosing a favorite. There are some very funny scenes involving Mia's nonna and bags of yarn that make it hard not to want to give the woman a hug; and Mia's assistant Cammie and her over-the-top latest adventure (she seems to have a different one every book).

The murder however, isn't that easy to solve. With a roomful of wanna-be dons and donettes, it makes for a confusing situation. Not to mention the entire crew who is shooting the show -- everywhere they can. I can say in total honesty that I have never watched a reality show in my life, which makes this all the more interesting to me. My sister, who is a reality show junkie, would love this book just as well.

When Mia does the only thing she can -- ask questions -- she wonders if she's getting closer or if people are just lying. It's enjoyable to try and figure out who is telling the truth and who is not. In between it all, she has to make sure the wedding is going well, even if it kills her. Let's not forget the major surprise that just might turn everything around, and unexpected help that will steer her in the right directions.

It's a fun lark that takes us on an unusual journey in the land of reality shows, offbeat contestants, and Mia's own brand of figuring out who a murderer is. When the ending comes, the motive for the murder is rather strange, but it fits right in with the rest of the book. I loved it and hope that others will also. Highly recommended.

I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher and Net Galley but this in no way influenced my review.

Four Parties and a Funeral is the latest release in the Catering Hall Mysteries written by Maria DiRico, a pseudonym for Ellen Byron whose Cajun Country Mysteries are one of my favorites. This 2023 release focuses on a ~30ish woman in Queens, New York who runs a catering hall for her father, who received it as payment for a debt in the mob he was once associated with. Now, her family is trying to come clean but all the connections make it difficult, especially when a tv show all about the Dons of Ditmar Boulevard will fill at the catering hall. Mia's hunky new boyfriend keeps her sane in this installment, but her close family friends try to get on to the show where a divorced British couple amp up the drama. One of Mia's friends falls for the British woman (a low-ranking royal) and when her ex-husband is found dead, all eyes point on Mia's friend. Then the man's secret new wife shows up and creates tons of hilarity. Enjoyed this release, as DiRico truly knows how to make her readers laugh with all the crazy antics of a NY mob family. Definitely a series to add to your list!

My goodness I love this series! Well, to be honest, I love anything that Ellen Byron/Maria DiRico writes, and Four Parties and a Funeral was another fun cozy that kept me laughing and guessing right up until the very end! I read it in one sitting, and absolutely recommend it - a fun trip to Queens and beyond as Mia takes part in her pal Jamie's wedding prep all while trying to figure out who killed a reality show producer at one of her events. A+++

Four Parties and a Funeral is the fourth installment in the Catering Hall Mystery series set in Queens, New York and featuring Belle View Banquet Manager, Mia Carina. It's June and the catering hall is busy with with brides, graduations and proms but Mia finds herself tasked with the job of watching out for Little Donny Boldano who has joined the cast of the latest reality show - the Dons of Ditmars Boulevard - which follows the lives of wannabe mobsters and their girlfriends.

Little D hooks up with Ariadne St. James, ex wife to Giles St. James, the producer and quickly finds himself the prime suspect when Giles turns up dead. Mia promises Big Donny that she'll clear his sons name and internally hopes that the real culprit might be Little D's cousin Nicky since the two don't get along and tend to fight over the same women.

It was fun to connect with Mia again but this addition to the series fell short for me. There really wasn't much of a mystery/storyline that surrounded the reality show, just a lot of cast and crew who really didn't do much other than despise Giles and each other. A few laugh out loud moments provided by Mia's grandmother, Elisabetta but even those were somewhat overshadowed by Mia's drama with boyfriend Shane, and her concerns about her Dad's health. Things end on a positive note so I'll look forward to the next adventures at Belle View.

I received an advanced copy of Four Parties and a Funeral from NetGalley via Kensington Books. While not required to write a review I am happy to offer my honest opinion.

Mia Carina certainly has her hands full in Four Parties and a Funeral.
I've come to love this series, Mia, Cammie, Pete, Shane, Ravello, and the rest of the family always give me a good laugh.
A new reality show featuring the different family dons is about to turn Mia's world upside-down, and not in a good way.
Something strange is going on with Shane, and Mia finds herself questioning their relationship when she finds out the truth.

I was glued to the pages of this book and read it straight through.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book
#FourPartiesandaFuneral #NetGalley

Things are busy at Belle View and Mia Carina is just hoping to get through all the June wedding, graduations, and proms. With a casting call for a reality show booked at the hall, things suddenly take a shift from the same old routine. Not only does it bring in some colorful characters, it also brings murder to the door of the Belle View.

The fourth entry in this series is another good one. Maria DiRico has yet another hit series on her hands and it’s all thanks to her talented writing and development of a great whodunit with each new book. The characters are well developed and brought to life with each and every word. You can hear the accent and see the hair as you read…it’s like a taste of home for me each and every time.

Loved reading this book and series. If you haven't read it yet I highly recommend her and her books. I suggest reading it in order

This is the fourth adventure in the Catering Hall Mystery Series. The mystery was great in this one that had you guessing for a lot of the book, Mia Carina is an easy to character to like. Overall it was fun, fast paced and well written mystery.
#FourPartiesandaFuneral #NetGalley

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, from Kensington Books and #NetGalley. Thank you to the publishers, NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to preview and review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Quirky characters, fun story and a perfect addition to the well established cozy mystery series.

Fourth in the Catering Hall Mystery series. Mia Carina is running her family's catering business in Astoria, Queens. June is a very busy time with all kinds of parties, graduations and weddings. Then a reality show books and things go awry! You're not going to want to put this one down! Awesome read with great characters, excellent plot, and is very well written. Thanks #netgalley and #Kensington for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.

I mostly enjoyed this book, although I found it to be a bit slow. It felt like the investigation into the murder wasn’t going anywhere. I liked the characters although there is a lot of them and it got a little confusing at times as to who was who. I was definitely surprised by who the killer is. #FourPartiesandaFurneral #NetGalley