The coziest of mysteries. Ashes to Ashes, Crust to Crust is exactly what you want from a cozy mystery. It keeps you guessing and sets the mood right from the first page. I am looking forward to more of her releases in years to come.

Delilah is back and determined to keep her new restaurant on track by hoping to win a local contest. She’s going to combine bratwurst and pizza in a dish. However, a man is poisoned in the new juice bar down the street. The bar is owned by the girlfriend of Delilah’s ex. When the next day the girlfriend is also poisoned, the plot really thickens. I love the characters in this series. There’s a lot going on in this book but all things eventually find a good ending.

Ashes To Ashes, Crust To Crust

This novel is the second book in Mindy Quigley’s luscious Deep Dish Mystery series, set in a Wisconsin pizzeria.

The description of the food was great. Very interesting characters. Many twists and turns to solving this mystery. I recommend this book.

Thanks to Net vGalley for sending me an advanced reader’s copy for my review.

I jumped into this series with this book, because a cozy mystery around a deep dish pizza place in Wisconsin sounded fun, and I’m glad I did. The book does a good job of filling in whatever information that’s important from the first book, and I didn’t feel like I missed out on anything.

This was a fun and intriguing mystery with all the right ingredients of coziness. Perfect for cozy mystery fans.

👍
+ This was a fun read with poison, dead bodies (yes, plural), set in a town with a history of gangsters.
+ The mystery was quite intriguing. There were some layers to it so even if you figured out a bit of it, there was more to uncover. I also never felt like the main character was ignoring some obvious clue for the sake of plot, which is a big pet peeve of mine.
+ This might be the first book I read that was set in Wisconsin? It was fun to find out more about the state, especially through food.
+ Other great cozy mystery ingredients: the detective love interest (who’s Al Capone’s great-grandson), the quirky employees and townspeople, curmudgeonly cat, recipes at the end, small town setting.

👎
- There were too many comments about people’s (and one cat’s) weight. Especially for a book being published now.
- I found the main character grating, especially initially. She’s a little too judgmental, abrasive and one-track-minded. Having said that, I also found over time that she grew on me 😀
- This is very specific but, the arguments that people got into were very out of the blue and blown super out of proportion.

Overall rating: 3.5 ⭐

Thank you so much St Martin's Press and NetGalley for the eARC!

This second book in Deep Dish Mysteries has Delilah getting ready to enter a town food contest, while she also deals with finances, her ex-fiancée finding a new girlfriend, cat custody, and (of course) murder. I really like Delilah's friendship with Sophie, her love of Butterball, and her kind but independent personality. The mystery in this book was pretty good - although I figured out some of it, I didn't guess everything.

I'd recommend this to lovers of cozy mysteries - especially if you are hungry :)

I enjoy a good cozy mystery. Ashes to Ashes – Crust to Crust is the second in the Deep Dish Mystery series. Delilah O’Leary owns a pizza restaurant in Geneva Bay Wisconsin. With winter coming on, she is struggling with ideas to keep the restaurant open all winter. Delilah has split from her longtime boyfriend, Sam. Sam has taken up with the owner of the new juice bar in town, Jordan. When Delilah agrees to meet Sam at the juice bar, she witnesses a death – which turns out to be a poisoning. Jordan is also poisoned but her does wasn’t lethal. Delilah “helps” the police detective, Calvin Capone. Capone doesn’t think of it as help. During all of this, Delilah is dealing with employee’s emotions, her failing Aunt Biz, and her cat Butterball. I feel like the characters were fleshed out quite well. I enjoyed learning more about the regulars. My only concern is the emphasis on weight. Delilah’s body size is mentioned several times. Her cat is even on a diet. In today’s society, this seems out of place.

This is a new to me author and I don't really read cozy mysteries normally, but I really enjoyed this book!

Loved the Wisconsin location and felt like I was there. And the food!! Also how could you not love Butterball??!!

I would like to have maybe gotten deeper into the characters.

But it was fun and funny, had a little romance, and I didn't figure out "whodunnit" which is always a plus for me.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Ashes to Ashes, Crust to Crust is a wonderful addition to this series. The characters have developed so much and I have really enjoyed learning about them. The mystery was so good. Lots of twists and turns. The ending sets up a very interesting twist that I am looking forward to seeing how it all plays out!

Thoughts: This is the second book in the Deep Dish Pizza series and is a fun read – and a surprisingly quick read considering the number of pages. In the series, two friends – Delilah and Sonya (Son) – open a pizzeria in a small Wisconsin town. They each bring different aspects to the shop and work well with each other, even given Delilah’s penchant for figuring out who the latest killer is and her definite OCD tendencies.

What I liked: My favorite character has to be Delilah’s cat Butterball (whom she shares with her ex). Delilah’s aunt Biz is also a favorite. Biz knows almost everyone in town having taught most of them at one time or another. The relationship between Delilah and her ex is… interesting. There’s no animosity and they seem to continue to care for each other even though they are no longer together. Favorite quote: “My perfectionism came with a built-in megaphone and surround sound.” (from Delilah) and it does judging by the way she goes after things. I also loved the conclusion of the little side-mystery of who’s wrecking the kitchen and stealing the bratwurst. So funny! And there are some great recipes included in the back.

What I didn’t like: Very little. This is a good follow-up to the first book and the end was…a surprise, but satisfying.

Recommendation: Recommended (but read the first book first to get an idea of who the characters are. This is a stand-alone, but it will make more sense if you take them in order.)

Disclaimer: Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

This series is lots of fun! Quigley has created a delightful little cast of characters, which continues to grow and develop. In this second installment, change is coming for Delilah and her crew. The murder/crime in this book was really interesting, with lots of compelling complications. I’m excited to read the next book and get to know more of the restaurant staff better.

I am a huge fan of cozy mysteries!

This is the second book in the Deep Dish Mystery series. I haven’t read the first book in the series, but this could definitely be read as a standalone.

This was such a fun and fast paced mystery. I especially enjoyed the friendship between Delilah and Sonya and the interesting situations they get themselves into. The mystery was light and had plenty of twists and turns to keep me entertained.

If you are a cozy mystery lover, check this book out!

Mindy writes such a compelling story with fascinating characters. This one had me stumped for a while, but it was fun to figure it out alongside Delilah.

It’s a very good series so far and I look forward to seeing what’s next for this deep dish crew!

Ashes to Ashes, Crust to Crust by Mindy Quigley

Here we are back 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-boyfriend has a new women named 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 their 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.

In book 2 of the Deep Dish Mysteries, we follow Delilah and Sonya navigating the restaurant business and personal life stuff. Along with them is Delilah's Aunt Biz, Butterball on-a diet cat, ex-boyfriend Sam, new-love-interest detective Cal Capone, and the rest of the staff at Delilah and Son's gourmet deep-dish pizza place.

There are a few new residents of Geneva Bay: Melody's cousin Mac, the owner of the local "juicery" Jordan Watts, an excitable chamber of tourism employee named Harold and a Bulgarian transplant/doctor/waitress/smoothie maker named Jarka.

The mystery was easy to follow along, and it still was enjoyable to read as a fast-paced cozy mystery. It had everything I like in a cozy mystery which is why I recommend this book to all cozy mystery lovers this is a really good series so far. I am looking forward to what happens next in the series.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Paperback for a free copy of Ashes to Ashes, Crust to Crust for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

It’s time to head back to Geneva Bay, Wisconsin where Delilah O’Leary and her BFF and sous chef Sonya are getting ready to find the perfect entry for the Taste of Wisconsin culinary contest. During the experimentation, Delilah also shares cat-custody with her ex-fiancee Sam, who has moved on with another new business owner, Jordan Watts. It is at the custody exchange that Delilah gets pulled into a potential murder investigation when a customer at Jordan’s juice shop appears to have been poisoned. Later, another body turns up, but this one has a connection to Sonya. Delilah and Detective Calvin Capone must find out what is going on before another body can be found.

I still didn’t like Sam! In fact, I disliked him even more in this novel than in the first one. I cannot fathom how Delilah and Sam got together at all, but clearly it moves the story forward. I would like to see much less of Sam in the next novel. At this point I just don’t think he adds anything to the context or progression of any of the characters.

I did, however, like Delilah much better in this one. I could relate to her feelings of potential failure. I could even understand her decisions about Sonya, Aunt Biz, and everything else. Having seen what a custody exchange had done to a dog, I could see Butterball having a hard time.

The mystery was actually two parts that blended (pun intended) very well. The criminal history of Chicago bleeding into Wisconsin gives plenty of suspects and motives. I suspected the murderer from the beginning, however I couldn’t figure out how. I think it might be a matter of needing my ears more and imagination less.

Overall, I rate this novel 4 out of 5 stars.

It was nice to take a trip back to Geneva Bay and to Delilah and Son Pizzeria.

This book had a lot going on and as with the first one, my favorite character is Butterball. He truly makes me laugh.

Delilah and her staff are preparing for the “Taste of Wisconsin” contest and Delilah is determined to perfect her entry, to the frustration of many around her. She is after all, a perfectionist.

When a customer ends up dead at the local juice bar, owned by Delilah’s ex-fiancé’s new girlfriend, the first person under suspicion is of course Delilah.

The result is a crazy search for what is really going on by Delilah, mixed with some funny and heart-warming moments.

I really liked the characters in the series. They all complement each other so well and make for interesting stories.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the copy of this book. All views are my honest opinion.

In this second book of the series, Delilah O’Leary, gourmet pizza shop owner, is working on a new recipe for the town’s annual Taste of Wisconsin contest. She’s sidetracked with two murders, Aunt Bizzy acting strangely, Sam’s new girlfriend and poor Butterball who isn’t adjusting to spending time at both her and Sam’s house.

The cast of characters are written so well. The mystery is never cut and dry and makes you keep guessing. I’m really enjoying this series and can’t wait for the next book.

Thank you to Mindy, St. Martin’s, and Netgalley for an advance copy of Ashes to Ashes, Crust to Crust.

This book is the second in the Deep Dish Mysteries series but can be read as a standalone.

Delilah’s pizzeria is fighting for its life, and newly separated from her boyfriend and financial safety net she’s determined to figure out a solution. The Geneva Bay’s festival “Taste of Wisconsin” offers a cash prize which is sure to keep her afloat through the off-season and she’s excited to come up with something that will really blow the judges minds. She doesn’t even care (much) that her ex is now dating Jordan, the owner of the newest hot spot in town - an ultra healthy juice bar. However, when one of Jordan’s customers collapses and dies on the premises, Delilah can’t help but get involved again. As suspects mount, so does the danger, and Delilah will need to pull all of her resources together to get out of this sticky situation in one piece.

I will admit that I did receive an ARC of the first book in this series and never got to it, so when I was sent the second, I knew I could not pass it up. The titles! I am a sucker for good cozy mystery puns, especially where food is involved. Even though I did not read book one (yet) I was able to easily become invested in Delilah and the cast of characters in Geneva Bay.

The story was good, there were a lot of moving parts and some aspects that you don’t typically find in cozy mysteries. It is definitely light in tone and a fun read, but there are some more emotional and heartfelt moments than in your typical cozy as well. I actually really liked these aspects, it made me feel a lot more connected to Delilah and the residents of Geneva Bay, like I was an honorary visitor.

The mystery had a good twist and while I figured it out before it was actually announced on the page, it was still fun to follow along.

This was so much fun. I loved the setting, and the author did a great job of creating the Wisconsin atmosphere with the imagery and dialogue. Our protagonist, Delilah, is a bit rough around the edges, which can make her a hard character to like, but I really enjoyed following her journey to solving the mystery. This did get a bit dark for a cozy, but the other cozy elements made up for it. I'm looking forward to the next book!

I really enjoyed this book!

What I enjoyed:
🍕The Taste of Wisconsin contest
🍕All the pizza
🍕 Great characters and Butterballbtbe cat.
🍕Chicago mob references
🍕Murder victim was her ex fiance Sam’s new love. Gave a good reason to be involved in the investigation.

I really liked this book, better than the first as the main character Delilah softened up a bit. She’s struggling to figure out custody of her cat Butterball with her fiancé and what’s best for the cat. I really like me the final solution but no spoiler here on what it was. 😊 We got to learn more about Wisconsin in this book and it felt like I was there at the summer competition. I would definitely try Delilah’s pretzel crust bratwurst pizza. 😋 As for the murder and investigation I followed right along trying to figure out what happened and why. The mystery was more complex than it first appeared. I really enjoyed the well plotted layers that built up to the conclusion.

Overall I loved this book, the characters, the setting and even butterball. I can’t wait to see what happens in book 3 and hoping it involves more of Detective Capone.

This sequel to Quigley's Six Feet Deep DIsh finds chefs Delilah and Sonya struggling to come up with the perfect dish to represent their pizzeria in the Taste of Wisconsin competition, but it wouldn't be Geneva Bay if Delilah wasn't smack in the middle of not one, but multiple murders.
Ashes to Ashes is a fun, "cozy" mystery with delightful characters and a couple of murder plots well enough conceived to keep you guessing right through until the characters solve them.
I liked this one at least as well as the first novel and I hope there will be many more.