Member Reviews
Public Anchovy #1 is a satisfying cozy mystery with a delightful cast, a delectable setting, and a sprinkle of romance. Fans of the genre will find plenty to savor, and the inclusion of pizza recipes throughout the book adds a fun touch. If you're looking for a light and entertaining read with a dash of murder, then this book is sure to whet your appetite.
I’ve become quite the lover of cozy mysteries thanks to the Deep Dish Mystery Series and this installment was just as good! I enjoyed the mystery and the twists as well as the banter and characters. Can’t wait for book 4!!
Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy.
Delilah has secured a high-profile catering job that should help her restaurant get through the leaner, non-tourist months in Geneva Bay and she is willing to do just about anything to make an impression—even create a new “free-from” pizza recipe on the fly to accommodate an allergy to gluten, dairy, and nightshade (you know, the main ingredients in a pizza, no big deal). But all her careful planning goes up in smoke when a body (literally) crashes the party and she, her staff, and the hunky police detective she has a crush on end up trapped in an isolated mansion with a handful of party guests—and a potential murderer.
It’s always fun to return to the cozy mystery world of Geneva Bay and see what is going on with the Delilah and Son gang. The found family that Quigley built in the first two books is still going strong, demonstrated by their complete confidence in one another as well as their willingness to immediately jump into the fray to defend each other despite not knowing whether there is any actual danger. We also get more of the tension between Delilah and Capone that continues to tease the shippers—talk about slow burn!
With her signature style, Quigley keeps the reader guessing until the very end, dropping all kinds of hints along the way that seem unrelated but are very obvious once the killer is revealed and all comes together at the end. Despite literally being trapped with a murderer, the story very much feels cozy and low stakes (though there is a surprise moment where I was worried for a member of our found family!) and my anxiety-inclined heart was very grateful to be able to joined in on a murder investigation without all the stress.
Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher for free and have voluntarily written this review.
This is the third book in the Deep dish series. I really enjoy the characters in this series and the setting of the pizza resturaunt is always great. The mystery was good. I didn't guess the killer until the end.
I just really enjoy this series so much! Public Anchovy #1 was such a delightful installment and now I can't wait for the next book.
Delilah and her crew land a gig catering a 'big-wig' charity event for Geneva Bay's library. A cast of colorful characters are invited to enjoy the yummy food and empty their pockets, but when a guest gets killed during the party it puts a bit of a damper on things. There is a big storm brewing and it traps many of the guests, along with Delilah and crew, at the mansion where the party is being held. And never fear if you were hoping for an appearance by Calvin Capone, he is stranded there too.
Delilah of course cannot hold herself back from trying to solve the murder...or should I say murders? And of course chaos and shenanigans ensue.
This truly is my favorite cozy mystery series! I highly highly recommend it!
Thank you to NetGalley and to St. Martin's Press for the advanced reader's copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
“Public Anchovy #1,” the third book in the Deep Dish Mystery series, follows Delilah O’Leary’s culinary adventures from Chicago to Geneva Bay, Wisconsin, where she opens an upscale pizzeria. As a fan of Deep Dish pizza and anything Wisconsin, this series has consistently entertained me. With its enticing blend of descriptive food writing, witty banter, a charmingly mischievous cat, and a 1920s prohibition-themed party turned deadly, it delivers all the ingredients for an enjoyable read.
Despite being the third book, newcomers can easily dive into the series without feeling lost. The author seamlessly reintroduces characters and storylines, ensuring a smooth reading experience for all. If you’re in search of a cozy mystery to curl up with on the couch and maybe eat a slice of pizza, “Public Anchovy #1” comes highly recommended.
Thank you netgalley and stmartinspress for this ARC in exchange for a review 🖊️
I received an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of Public Anchovy #1 from NetGalley for free in exchange for my honest review. Thrilled, excited, and delighted were just a few of the words I can use to describe how I felt when I found out I was approved to receive this advanced copy.
Although the story started off a bit slow, it picked up quickly when the first person dies in the book. I found myself rushing through the story trying to figure out who the culprit was, and I was delightfully surprised. The author had quite a few red herrings and did a fabulous job of throwing me off. Mindy Quigley actually reminded me a bit of a modern day Agatha Christie in her writing of Public Anchovy #1, which made the story even more interesting to me. When the big reveal came about, I thought I should have realized who the killer, or killers, were.
When I requested this book, I didn't realize that it was the third book in a series. Had I known, I would've made sure to read the first two books in the series before reading this installment. It would've helped me understand the backstory a bit more. Don't get me wrong, the author does provide some of the backstory, but I wish there had been a little more of that in the beginning.
All in all, I loved this story and can't wait to read more in the series. In fact, I plan on reading the first two books to tie me over until the author comes out with a fourth installment, which I do see coming because there was a minor cliffhanger . . . don't worry, all the ends were tied up with the mystery. Four out of five stars is what I give Public Anchovy #1 (Deep Dish Mysteries, #3) by Mindy Quigley.
In this delightful culinary mystery, Mindy Quigley serves up a modern whodunit with shades of Agatha Christie.
The story unfolds in Geneva Bay, Wisconsin, where Delilah O’Leary, an upscale pizzeria owner, lands a catering gig. Delilah’s lakefront mansion, shared with her Great-Aunt Biz and the enigmatic cat Butterball, sets the stage for a 1920s-themed fundraiser. Singer Lola Capone, mother of Delilah’s dream man, pianist and detective Calvin Capone, adds spice to the mix.
Edgar Clemmons, an enigmatic figure, hands Delilah two books and an odd message before meeting an untimely demise. When Butterball is found hiding in a piano, Delilah fears the cat may be connected to Clemmons’ death.
As a storm traps guests in the mansion, secrets emerge, leading to more deaths and murder attempts.
Quigley masterfully weaves a web of intrigue reminiscent of classic mysteries. The prime suspects keep meeting unfortunate ends, leaving readers guessing until the final reveal.
With quirky characters and a cozy setting, this book is a total delight.
At the end of the book, you’ll find some mouthwatering recipes that add an extra layer of enjoyment.
In summary, “Public Anchovy #1” combines culinary flair, quirky characters, and a dash of suspense. If you’re a fan of cozy mysteries, this one is worth savoring!
This is a wonderful third book of the series. The characters have really developed and are less annoying from the first book. I really enjoyed the mystery. I can't wait until the next book! This a new auto-buy author for me.
This was another great book in the Deep Dish mystery series, I would definitely recommend to fans of the previous novels!
I received an e-ARC from the publisher.
When Delilah and her culinary crew cater a 1920's event, they never expect to get involved in a murder scene. Things get even more complicated when a huge storm rolls in and traps the catering crew in the historic mansion along with a group of guests, one of whom is the killer. When the lights go out, things get even more intense, as law enforcement is delayed by the storm and another death occurs. Mix in secret liaisons and thefts, and the classic "country house" mystery takes shape with a several twists. The book contains recipes at the end. It is the third in the Deep Dish Mysteries series, featuring Delilah and her pizza restaurant. Readers of the first two books in the series will enjoy reconnecting with old friends and quirky characters in this novel. (The title is cute but there are no anchovies in the book, and the thin reference to Capone as Public Enemy #1 is not relevant to the story.)
I especially enjoyed the historical aspects of the location near Chicago and the connections to past mobsters. Even though I was able to guess the motives and perpetrators, the crime is wrapped up nicely at the end, with appropriate homage to Dame Agatha.
I received this book from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed her are my own.
If it's even possible, this book was better than the first. The story has so many twists and turns that it leaves you until the last few pages to find out who did. I look forward to the next book in the series
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.
I so enjoyed this story from start to finish. The action and plot was believable. The dialogue was realistic and same for the character development.
A new spin on a "locked room" mystery! When Delilah O'Leary, owner of the upscale "Delilah & Son" pizzeria cater a Prohibition themed party, for the "movers and shakers" of Geneva Bay, Wisconsin little does Delilah and her crew realize they would be in an isolated mansion, locked in with a murderer!
I'm a fan of this type of mystery and the book didn't disappoint. There was so much going on in the story with "red herrings" , that I had no idea "whodunit" until the end. The descriptions of the mansion, Geneva Bay and of course, the food (loved the recipes), were perfect! Butterball was his usual charming, stubborn self and the way he....nope, that's all I'm saying!
Can't wait to see what mystery Delilah and crew get into in the next book!
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Public Anchovy #1 was an okay cozy mystery. I have not read books 1 and 2 in the series, but I probably won’t read book 4. I just didn’t fall in love with the characters.
Pizza chef extraordinaire Delilah O’Leary and her group of friends and colleagues are back at it again…solving a mystery in Geneva Bay, not too far from Chicago.
This time it’s a Prohibition-themed fundraiser for the library at the island mansion of one of the library board members. And being hired to cater the event seems a good off-season money maker for Chef Delilah.
It all a good time until the winter weather traps everyone on the island, cut off from the world, and the murdered body of another board member shows up at the foot of a flight of stairs. And it’s just the first killing…the murderer is determined to escape, no matter who gets in the way.
Delilah and friends, including her love interest, police officer Calvin Capone, are left to figure out who is a killer before their numbers dwindle any more.
Public Anchovy #1 is the third in the Deep Dish Mysteries series and the characters and their relationships are developing more with each story. This author does a great job of creating a good mystery, an intriguing group of personalities and a fun read.
*I received a free copy of this novel from NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and St. Martin's Paperbacks for my honest review.*
A new to me author, Mindy Quigley has written a third book in the Deep Dish Mysteries series. It reads well as a stand alone. Delilah owns a deep dish pizzeria in Wisconsin and is catering a library fundraising event during the off season. Speaking of off season, they are in the midst of a winter storm that strands almost everyone at the historical house where the fundraiser is being held after a body drops down the staircase and emergency crews can't show up to help.
Almost a closed room mystery! Some very interesting characters including a relative of Al Capone as the detective in the small town. With all of the suspects stuck in the house with the body and the detective, it made for many close calls and interesting antics. I enjoyed the banter and the thought process of Delilah as she investigated the murder.
I will definitely be reading more of this series!
I really liked this book! It was giving me all the “And then there were none” by Agatha Christie vibes. Stuck in a place with a big group of people. Storm outside. People slowly being killed off. But this had the added bonus of some good romance and lots of yummy food. I can’t wait to read the next in the series!
A great addition to the series. The mystery was solid with an atmospheric setting. I was happy to follow along on the adventure.
Many thanks to NetGalley and to St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.
A cute mystery novel. It all started with catering a party for the library where one of the guests wound end up dead. The catering team is determined to find out who did it before someone else gets hurt.