Mindy Quigley serves up a mouthwatering mystery in "Public Anchovy," the third installment of the Deep Dish Mystery series. Set against the cozy backdrop of a Wisconsin pizzeria, this delectable tale combines humor, romance, and a dash of danger that will leave readers hungry for more.

The story kicks off with the upper crust of Geneva Bay gearing up for a Prohibition-themed fundraiser, but pizza chef Delilah O’Leary has more pressing concerns—navigating her restaurant through the winter slow season. As the temperature plummets outside, the romantic heat is turned up inside as the charming police detective, Calvin Capone, hints at making a long-awaited move.

Quigley expertly weaves together the elements of romance and mystery, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. Delilah's character is not just a pizza chef; she's a relatable and lovable amateur sleuth with a knack for finding trouble where she least expects it. The chemistry between Delilah and Calvin adds a delightful layer of tension and charm, making them a dynamic duo in crime-solving.

The plot takes an unexpected twist when a dead body crashes the charity bash, shattering Delilah's hopes of showcasing her new "free-from" pizza recipe. The story then catapults into a thrilling game of cat and mouse as Delilah, Capone, and her entire staff find themselves trapped in an isolated mansion. Quigley's narrative is sharp and engaging, keeping readers guessing until the very end.

One of the standout features of "Public Anchovy" is Quigley's ability to seamlessly blend humor and suspense. The quirky characters and witty dialogue add layers of charm, creating a lighthearted atmosphere even in the midst of danger. The setting in a pizzeria adds a unique culinary flair to the mystery, making it a treat for readers who enjoy a side of humor with their whodunits.

To catch the increasingly-desperate killer, Delilah must not only top her previous crime-solving accomplishments but also whip up a few pizzas. The fusion of culinary creativity and crime-solving prowess adds a delightful twist to the narrative, making it a truly satisfying read.

In conclusion, "Public Anchovy" is a 5-star feast for mystery lovers. Mindy Quigley's writing is a perfect blend of humor, romance, and suspense, making this installment a must-read for anyone craving a delectable slice of cozy mystery goodness.

I wasn't sure about this book when I first started reading it. But, as the book went on and the mystery was revealed, I liked it. The author did a great job of keeping who the murderer was up in the air. I am usually good at figuring things out, and I was surprised at who the killer was and what the motive was behind the killings. I could have done without the romance (it seemed forced).

This is the third book in the Deep Dish mystery series and Ms. Quigley has once again crafted a story that has twists and turns.

Delilah has been hired to cater a fundraiser for the town library at a mansion on the bay. You can almost feel Delilah’s tension as she is tasked at the last minute to create a pizza with a lot of dietary restrictions. She and Jarka go to the mansion via boat to get things set up and discover there is no mixer, but instead a fat cat (Butterball). As she is trying to get things underway, she runs across a man (Edgar Clemmons) who has been ousted as the library board’s chair and he tells her cryptic things about the incoming new chairman of the board, Pam, who is hosting the party.

Before dinner is served, a tragedy strikes in the form of Edgar tumbling down the stairs and dying. Did Butterball cause the accident by scaring or tripping Edgar? Due to the storm that has hit the dinner party, a few of the guests are trapped at the mansion. Are they locked in with a killer? Undoubtedly so. The man Delilah is interested in (Detective Calvin Capone) happens to be at the party with his mother, Lola, who was providing entertainment. Calvin takes charge of the guests and the investigation.

While I felt the killer was really obvious, the method was not and discovering how the death was accomplished was interesting. The investigation by Calvin and Delilah and how they work well as a team, even though she is not with the police, was entertaining. There are plenty of tense moments as they work through the investigation and before help comes to rescue them as there is another death and an attempted murder.

The setting of the story (Geneva Bay, WI) along with the historic background provided makes me want to visit the town because it sounds so pretty. I really like the history she throws into the story about how the town was the playground for the rich and famous (or infamous).

One of the best things in this series is the inclusion of recipes. Also, the engaging cast of characters you’d like to be friends with, even the prickly Biz, Delilah’s great-aunt. I look forward to many more books in this series.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This mystery mirrored the noir films Dee’s pal Sonya liked so much and what a better setting too, a spooky old house, a storm—the perfect proverbial “dark and stormy night”. Add in the murders and it was movie-worthy. Oh yeah and various other unsettling things that happened along the way. Pretty sure I would’ve just curled up in a corner and told them to tell me when it was over, lol.

The showdown was pretty awesome and Dee was actually glad her cat ended up there. Who’s a good boy, Butterball? High paw! I really loved the ending and hope there’ll be more books in the series.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book, and my opinions are my own.

Pizza chef Delilah O’Leary is focused on seeing her struggling restaurant through the the winter slow season. As Delilah’s love life is heating up detective Calvin Capone seems poised to finally make a move. As 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 Delilah and her entire staff are trapped in an isolated mansion and caught in a dangerous game of cat and mouse. To catch a desperate killer Delilah will have to top all her crime-solving accomplishments and a few pizzas too. This was a very enjoyable story with fun characters and interactions going on. I recommend it to everyone.

Public Anchovy #1 is the third installment in the Deep Dish Mysteries series by Mindy Quigley. In this book, Delilah is catering the Friends of the Library fundraising gala which gives her a great opportunity to promote the delicious pizzas she creates in her restaurant Delilah & Son. However, a strange exchange is the first clue that things are amiss and this was not going to be an ordinary catering job. Then the party turns deadly.

Delilah is a likable and relatable heroine, who juggles her passion for pizza, her loyalty to her friends, and her attraction to a certain detective. The book is a satisfying and entertaining read for fans of cozy mysteries, especially those who enjoy a touch of romance.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Public Anchovy #1 is the third book in the Deep Dish Mystery series. It was great to get back to the colorful characters that make this series so much fun, particularly Delilah, Sonya, Biz and, yes, Butterball, the cat that is sure to make readers laugh. In Public Anchovy #1, Delilah is hired to cater a fundraiser. The event takes an unexpected turn when someone dies and everyone is trapped in the mansion. Delilah and her love interest, Detective Capone, investigate what is going on. The mystery was interesting and fun to read. Newcomers to the series can jump right in and enjoy the book as well. Well written, with a nice pace, Public Anchovy #1 is a great book for cozy mystery readers!

Always a pleasure to spend time with Delilah and friends! This time, they are catering a gala benefiting the library. At the last minute, there is a request for a "free-from" pizza (absolutely NOTHING that actually belongs on a pizza!) which causes a last minute scramble and puts Delilah behind on her schedule. The local long-winded gadfly tries to tell her something on her way into the mansion where the gala is being held but she puts him off and later regrets it when he is murdered in a spectacular way.
Most of the guests leave, but before Delilah and crew as well as a few guests can leave, a huge storm comes in and a mammoth tree falls across the drive. They settle down for the night, but there is a murder attempt on Sonia, Delilah's sous chef and best friend. Then, Delilah finds the body of Isobel, who hired them for the gala.
It leads to a show down at the top of the mansion and a daring escape attempt by the perpetrators.
Such great characters and wonderful development of their relationships. And a maybe romance for Delilah.
Highly recommend the whole series!

PUBLIC ANCHOVY #1 is the third book in the Deep Dish Mysteries by Mindy Quigley. I hate to admit that this was my first foray into this delightful series, but I was so smitten with the characters that I immediately went back and read the first two books. I easily found that each of them can be read as a standalone. Ms. Quigley has created an eclectic cast of characters whose antics and personalities bring entertainment to the pages. Protagonist Delilah O’Leary is a trained chef and owner of Delilah & Son, an upscale pizzeria in Geneva Bay, Wisconsin. I love how she’s a genuine friend to her staff and does everything she can to make them feel like family and keep them employed and paid, especially during the slow season. I also adored detective Calvin Capone, a descendant of the notorious Al Capone. There’s definitely some chemistry between Delilah and Calvin, which adds to the overall appeal of the story.

Hired to cater a Prohibition-themed fundraiser at a swanky lakeside mansion, Delilah and her team are prepared for hard work and a fun party. What they didn’t expect was the murder of the outgoing library board chairman. Ms. Quigley sets the stage for an intriguing “closed room” mystery, with the players trapped at the isolated mansion because of a vicious storm. Despite Detective Capone attending the party with his mother, there are several opportunities for Delilah to help solve the mystery. I appreciated how Det. Capone was happy to have her input and relied on her observation and sleuthing skills. As the clues unfolded, the author kept me on my toes and guessing. With the big reveal, I was on the edge of my seat as I turned the pages and when the last page was done, I couldn’t wait to dive in and start the series from the beginning!

The author has thoughtfully included several recipes at the back of the book for the home cook to try out. I appreciated that there was a pizza recipe for vegan and gluten-free individuals to make. The author also uses her characters’ voices to share the recipes, which I found entertaining.

Set in northern Wisconsin, Delilah is catering a Prohibition themed fundraiser for the library. It’s set in one of the old mansions on the lake which has been rehabbed by an industry ebook technology creator. A fall down the stairs causes the death of one of the guests. Capone who was accompanied his mother on the piano but a cop in real life dismisses the guests. However, a storm shuts down the road and a critical group of guests are forced to spend the night. Things go from bad to worst as no lights and the fall being reclassed as a murder causes a locked home scenario. This is a great mystery – don’t miss it.

Another delicious entry into the Deep Dish Mysteries (starring pizzas how cannot you love this!) set in a resort town in Wisconsin. The citizens are quirky and it turns out that a few are a bit murderous--but there are no cozies without murderous people.

Winter is looming large and the crowds that occupy this resort are largely gone so Delilah is catering a up-scale speakeasy themed party to get through the lean months. But just as things are getting started the party is crashed by a dead body. So one of the classical tropes: stuck in an isolated mansion with a killer on the lose and Delilah will need all her wits about her to find the murderer before someone else has their last meal...

I think the mystery was a step up from the previous ones. I couldn't explain exactly how. I also enjoy the characters. I love quirky characters and the cat is adorable. Delilah has toned down her obsession over every detail which makes me like her more. She still has her moments but I'm working on my tolerance so we are both a work in progress.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

Delilah, Sonya, and the pizza crew are catering a Prohibition-themed fundraiser during the slow season. One of the party guests dies after a fall down the stairs. Is it more than just an accident? What happens when everyone is trapped together in the mansion due to the storm outside? Can everyone survive the night?

This is my favorite book in the series. This can be read as a standalone, but I recommend starting with book 1. It really helps to see how the characters started out and where they are now.

If you are a fan of Detective Capone like me, then this is a must read. You will not be disappointed. This book had so many layers. There were so many things that happened that I was not expecting. Who would have thought that the lure of a cookie is what it takes to bring a killer out in the open? This cozy has everything you want. The ending was perfect!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Public Anchovy #1 is book #3 in the Deep Dish Mysteries series by Mindy Quigley.

This is the first book I’ve read in this series, but it won’t be the last! Delilah O’Leary’s team is an interesting group of characters. They all are different from each other and yet make a good team. And Butterball the cat was something else. The mystery had me holding my breath to see what would happen next. The setting was perfect for the mystery. I plan on reading the earlier books. I recommend this book.

Thank you to the author, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Public Anchovy #1 is the third in the Deep Dish mystery series by Mindy Quigley. In this outing, Delilah and her staff are catering a library fundraiser with a Prohibition theme. After one of the former library board members takes a header down the stairs, a snowstorm blocks the way out for the remaining guests and the catering crew. Have no fear, though, Butterball the cat has stowed away and will help unravel this mystery (and scarf down some pizza).



Delilah has been lamenting that she doesn’t get to spend much time with her love interest, police detective Calvin Capone (yes, related to THAT Capone). Well, she gets more than she asked for when she gets snowbound with not only Calvin, but his mother, who is hiding something that could be related to the death of the former board member. Jarka, who was a doctor in her home country, but now works for Delilah, who may be a former, or a current, lover, and who is acting suspiciously.



This one had a twisty plot and, while you might guess the who, you might not guess the why or the how right away. Delilah uses her resources well, and there’s enough misdirection to keep the plot interesting without frustrating the reader.



Why you should read this book: Well-written, great plot, and manages to make the “dark and stormy night trapped in a country house” fresh. Also, there are recipes, including a gluten-free vegan pizza option (this may or may not be a red herring in the story).



Why you might not want to read this: It is the third book, so you might want to read the others first, although this does work as a standalone.



4 out of 5 stars – recommended.



I received an advance copy from St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Looking for a cuddle up with a cuppa cozy mystery for this Boxing Day? This one, from @minty_fresh_books fits the bill. Read #123 of this year is a fun cozy that checks all the boxes. Interesting, diverse characters who actually think, check; isolated location and a storm, check; a lovable cat, check; slow-burn romance for the main character; great food, check: lots of red herrings, check. I did not figure this one out until close to the end. It is part of a series but stood up just fine as a stand-alone. I really appreciated the relationships between the main character and her cooking crew. This was an entertaining read, and just right for "twixtmas" week. 3.75 stars from me. Thanks to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for the e-arc. #BookBirthday #Bookstagram #AvivaAndFriendsRecos

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie

This series gets better with each mystery! This novel has a different approach, which demonstrates the creativity and writing talent of the author. In some ways it reminded me of the old movies, House on Haunted Hill and Ten Little Indians. The plot is excellent, especially when Delilah, her staff, and Detective Capone were unable to determine who the bad guy is even as a winter storm had trapped them in an estate. The characters come to life and we learn more about the regulars. I have full respect for any chef who can come up with a pizza completely free of food allergens on the spur of the moment.

Tourist season in Geneva Bay, Wisconsin, is over, and to bring income into Delilah & Son through the winter months, they have begun catering. Their first huge job is at the home of Pam Philips, the sponsor and hostess for a fundraiser to benefit the local library, which is housed in an elegant historic building. Delilah’s specialty is Chicago style deep dish pizza with an ever-growing offering of toppings. They also serve appetizers, salads, and desserts.

Pam is the incoming board chairman of the Friends of the Library. A vote was recently taken to replace Edgar, the man who had been chairman for years, and he is very unhappy about it. The older man spoke cryptically to Delilah, giving her two rare books and a message for Sonya, “Son”, her sous chef who watched film noire with him as they both loved it. He also was to meet Pam shortly, and Delilah would let her know Edgar was looking for her.

The event was a costume party that even Delilah and her staff could dress up for, with the theme being the prohibition era. Edgar did not dress any differently than usual. It seemed his primary purpose of being there was related to being dumped by the board. Delilah did not dress up either, wearing her usual chef’s attire.

The entertainment for the evening was Lola Capone, jazz singer and mother of Detective Calvin Capone, who Delilah has had too much of a business relationship with since the first murder to distress her and her staff. She would love to have a different kind of relationship, as there is interest on both sides, but no request had been forthcoming for a date.

Cocktails designed for this event and appetizers were being served. Lola had just finished one of her numbers when something rolled down the stairs from the second floor. Edgar lay lifeless at the foot of the steps. The party was over.

A storm was raging outside. The main street to Pam’s exclusive property had downed trees blocking it, and the city equipment might not be freed up until the next day for a non-emergency situation. Three couples returned to Pam’s home as they did not make it to the main street before a tree blocked the only road in and out of the estate. Each of the three couples had a major beef with someone still at the party. Then the power went out, and the generator did not go on.

The character development is excellent! I have seen growth in Delilah since the first novel, and I kind of miss some of that feistiness. She still has some, but it is tempered as befitting a business owner. I have also appreciated seeing how their busboy/ jack of all trades, Rabbit, has changed and grown with his employment and responsibilities. I love how well Delilah and best friend Son get along, and absolutely adore Butterball, the ginger kitty she shares with her ex-fiancé. I feel as if I am coming back to visit old friends with the regular characters, while the others are described as fitting their roles.

This was intricately plotted and executed, especially since there was literally no safe means of escape. All that was around them was the bay, but during the storm, the dock was washed away. There were dense forests, but if anybody braved the storm and attempted to walk to the closest homes, they would find them vacated for the winter. Plot twists cast glaring lights on the people left in Pam’s home, both adding to and taking from the suspect list. The ending was very interesting. I was somewhat surprised at who really killed Edgar, especially why, and what other plans they had. I was very pleased with the end of this mystery! I can’t wait for the next visit to Geneva Bay with Delilah and Butterball and her staff, and highly recommend this mystery and series!

Delilah and her crew are catering a library event at an old Victorian home. When the outgoing board chairman falls down the stairs it turns out to be murder. Luckily Capone is there playing piano while his mother sings. When a storm hits the guests are stranded in the house overnight. Another death and an attempt on Sonia's life, ups the need to find the murderer, who is among those there. A good story and well laid out plot provides suspense as well as lighter moments with Butterball, the cat stowaway. Loved this third book in the series.

I loved this fun locked room mystery. Even though it’s the 3rd in a series, I was easily able to jump in (and there wasn’t any feeling of over exposition to catch up, which happens a lot in cozy series). There’s a solid cast of secondary characters, a charming island mansion setting, and a quirky cat who might be the (accidental) killer - plus, recipes! I also liked that it didn’t feel as saccharine as a lot of cozies - I’ve read so many with a little “romance” that is on its third year but the two have never kissed, or with stilted language to avoid anything close to swearing. This one felt real, without crossing the racy or foul lines. I’ll definitely be picking up the others in this series.

This time of year I always split my time for holiday gatherings between Chicago and Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, so reading the newest Deep Dish Pizza Mystery by Mindy Quigley is basically the perfect way to celebrate the wonderful things about these two places in one book. The series centers around Delilah O’Leary, who worked as a chef in Chicago for years before moving up to Geneva Bay, Wisconsin to open an upscale pizzeria (and help covertly care for her elderly Aunt Biz).

Some cozy mystery series start off with a bang but struggle to keep the same magic as the series progresses. So far I think that Mindy Quigley’s Deep Dish Mysteries are the opposite—a solid launch and follow up, but the third book is the strongest yet! In Public Anchovy #1, Delilah is catering a prohibition-themed party with some unique requests, when a murder and a storm trap everyone at the mansion.

Review | Public Anchovy #1

It would be easy to jump straight into the series on this book, though it is technically the third in a series. I found that characters to be the most settled into their roles and stories in this book, so a new reader will be able to join in without any issues. After the events of the last two books, Delilah is living in the lakeside mansion owned by her former fiancé who has put the estate in a trust owned by their cat, Butterball. This allows Delilah to keep the beloved home as her residence without taking something from her ex directly.

It also allows Delilah’s Aunt Biz to live lakefront, after she lost her longtime cottage in a foreclosure. The trio are joined by Melody, who works as a caregiver for Aunt Biz. As the story kicks off, Biz is in a feud with Kennedy, the wealthy woman who purchased her beloved cottage. Meanwhile Delilah and her best friend and sous chef Sonya are busy catering a prohibition themed party called the Speakeasy Soiree, as part of a benefit to raise money to support the local library. The party is to be hosted at a beautiful, historic mansion and Delilah has everything planned down to the minute.

But when the organizer reaches out to her with a last minute request for a wealthy doner, Delilah’s plans are thrown into a tizzy. The donor is allergic to wheat, dairy, and nightshades (a family which happens to include tomatoes) and is requesting a custom “free from” pizza—essentially a pizza that can’t include a traditional crust, cheese, or tomato sauce, but is still expected to be a pizza somehow. While Delilah jumps to tackle this challenge with barely any prep time, Sonya is running the show prepping the other food.

Meanwhile the event is beginning, with or without the “free from” pizza. The head librarian, Isabel Barney, is hoping to raise enough money to keep the historic, architectural, lakefront library afloat, and wants to impress the wealthy donors. The party is being held at an historic mansion owned by Pam Philips’ out on Bluff Point. Delilah is taken by boat to she can bring the extra supplied to make the “free from” pizza, but the mixer doesn’t make it onto the boat.

Famed jazz singer (and mother of local detective and Delilah’s crush, Calvin Capone) Lola Capone will be performing. This will be Delilah’s first time meeting her crush’s mother, let alone cooking for her. No pressure! Meanwhile eccentric Library Board Chair Edgar Clemmons hands Delilah two old books to pass to Sonya with a cryptic message. He seems more paranoid than usual, but Delilah can’t worry herself with that.

The food is about ready, and the speeches are kicking off, when a body tumbles down the stairs. Edgar Clemmons has fallen to his death, and soon they deduce he was murdered. While many of the guests make it out of the mansion as the party is cut short, a storm blows in off the lake and traps the remaining staff and guests in the mansion. Thankfully Detective Capone in on site to begin investigating the murder, and Delilah and her team are there to serve food.

Delilah remembers Clemmons cryptic words and passes the books along to Sonya and Capone, while the group discusses what he may have meant. They are all settling in to stay overnight, when it becomes clear some members of the group were drugged. Even worse, another dead body is discovered. Now trapped in the mansion with a killer, Delilah and Capone must solve the case before someone else dies!

This is the first book from the series that really stands above the crowded market of fun but not necessarily memorable cozy mystery series. I think Quigley has found the magic formula with this book, and I noticed a few things that helps. First, the characters are in a good place in terms of the balance of development and tension. Delilah’s business is open, she’s hired her team, and they’ve gotten a chance to breathe a bit. The story was able to focus more on the mystery than the character progression.

Second, the mystery was strong and intricate. It seemed to be a case of figuring who would have motive, means, and opportunity to commit the murders within the locked room format. Additionally, as more people are targeted, it was particularly confusing to figure out what linked them. In addition, the death of Clemmons seemed to be predicted by the victim, and his message through Delilah to Sonya and the two books were a puzzle that was fun to try and piece together.

Finally, the story between Capone and Delilah’s romance has developed organically and at a slower pace. Capone is a more interesting love interest than is typical in cozy mystery series and he won’t jump straight in which is refreshing. Often these series rely too heavily on the romance between the lead and her paramour, and after awhile the relationship becomes boring and drags the plot down. I don’t think that is as likely in this series because Capone is going to be slow to enter a relationship.

The supporting characters continue to add a nice balance. Some are quite mysterious and others are moody which make them add texture to the story, even though minor sub plots. The setting was perfect—an old mansion out on a bluff with nooks and crannies was a perfect place for a murder mystery to occur! The recipes all sound amazing and I loved getting a gluten free recipe this time, even if Delilah bemoaned having to create the strange pizza. I will try it but I think I will still use cheese and tomato sauce in mine.

The best yet from this series and the perfect book to join in with!

This series is tons of fun and this is a delightful entry. I haven’t seen as many cozies go the full isolation route for an entry, which made this book feel a bit unusual. There’s still solid chemistry between the team (as well as between Delilah and Capone, specifically) and the isolated setting brought that out even more as it forced folks together. This might be my favorite entry in the series so far!