I enjoy the Deep Dish mystery series. This newest book is an entertaining addition to the series.

It's the holiday season in Geneva Bay, and the town is hosting its annual ice sculpting championship. The whole town is transformed into a winter wonderland. Delilah O'Leary finds herself busily catering events leading up to the contest.

But as with most holidays, things start to go wrong. An unexpected visitor shows up. A party guest disappears. And then.....a body is discovered. Delilah finds herself navigating drama.....and a murder.

I had the best time reading this newest mystery in this series. It was snowing outside as I read which just gave the perfect atmosphere for enjoying this book.

Ice sculptures are so pretty, and I could just imagine this whole town gearing up for hosting this event. And then to have the festivities put on ice because of a murder. Delilah and her sidekicks had quite the adventure with holiday drama! I had fun reading this story. The mystery moves along at a nice pace. There is plenty of background plot as well, which I also enjoyed. Delilah and her crew do an excellent job of amateur sleuthing. There were plenty of suspects and a few twists and turns I didn't see coming.

All in all, a great addition to this series! I look forward to the next book!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from St Martins Press. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

In the 4th book in the Deep Dish cozy mystery series, Delilah finds her team caught up in a mystery when there is a death at the event they are catering.

This is such a fun cozy mystery series. This particular book felt perfect for this time of year as it was set during the holidays. One of my favorite things about this series is the descriptions of the food that Delilah makes in her restaurant. I always find myself hungry while reading this series. The mystery in this book was solid and kept me guessing. It was just an enjoyable read overall. I also really enjoy the characters - especially Butterball who is Delilah's cat. This series is just a fun one that I definitely recommend.

Readers who enjoy cozy mysteries or mysteries in general should give this series a try. I would recommend reading them in order if possible just for the full experience. The first book is titled Six Feet Deep Dish. Four stars for this book and for this series overall.

Thanks to the publisher for my copy of this book. Honest thoughts are my own.

I have enjoyed all of the books I have read in the Deep Dish series by Mindy Quigley. The characters are well developed and the murder mystery will pull you into the story and keep you invested. There are lots of twists and turns that will keep you guessing who is guilty of murder. I love how the relationship between Delilah and Detective Capone is developing. And how can you not love Delilah’s cat, Butterball?! The story will have you flipping through the pages as quick as possible. I would strongly encourage you to read the first three books in this series before getting lost in the past of Sleep in Heavenly Pizza. It will be worth the time to get background on the primary characters and the setting of Geneva Bay, Wisconsin.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

Christmas
Contemporary
Cozy Mystery
Holiday
Mystery
Mystery Thriller

I definitely love cozy mysteries this one definitely hit the spot. I enjoy just sitting there, trying to solve it with them. I am definitely going to look up more books by this author.

Willa Bauer owns Delilah and Sons pizzaria. She and her crew are set to cater a swanky party but soon find themselves embroiled in a murder mystery. Everyone is a suspect, including Willa's loyal staff, loving brother-in-law, and icy sister. She tries to cooperate with her boyfriend/police officer Capone but keeps running into lies and deceptions. Only the truth will set everyone (except the criminals) free.
Butterball the cat stole the show in this book! He's my favorite character in this book.
I kept guessing until the very end. That's a good mystery, in my opinion!
The occasional sexual innuendo and profanity inferences aren't my preferred content.
I like that Willa is strong, determined and feisty. Her demeanor offers a refreshing break from characters who are subdued.
And this book includes enough psychology to make it interesting and educational but not preachy.
I'm excited to read more books in this series.

I finally finished Sleep in Heavenly Pizza, I received all Four books from NetGalley and I enjoy them all.
Thank NetGalley introduce me a new fav cozy mystery author.

This is book four of the Deep Dish Mystery series that features an amazing chef named Delilah O’Leary and her restaurant family. This time around it is the holiday season and Delilah has taken a catering job for a Chrismakkah party and unbeknownst to Delilah event the guest list includes her brother-in-law who is attending along with Delilah’s niece from California. This is the same family who can never quite make it for a visit yet here they are, in town (AWKWARD). Not as awkward finding a dead/frozen body of a party guest in the ice sculpture area or as awkward as dating the detective in charge of the murder investigation asking for Delilah’s family members and coworkers for their alibis. A few people are not very forth coming including Delilah’s older sister, Piper. They already have a strained relationship based on familial expectations and perceptions. I mean it isn’t like Piper is an intimidating older sister who is a driven rocket scientist who might not think much of a restaurateur…oh wait yes she is.

If this is your first Deep Dish Mystery, there are a few things you need to know. First off, there will be food mentioned often, delicious sounding food. The detective in charge of this and past investigations is Calvin Capone, yes, he is related to THAT Capone and he is Delilah’s boyfriend (finally). Capone is very good at what he does and he is slowly starting to accept Delilah’s abilities to contribute useful suppositions and knack for information gathering. The evolving relationship of these two adds to the enjoyment of the series and you don’t have to start with the first book to get a good glimpse as to how far they have come in their abilities to work together while also accepting the attraction that they have for each other.

The additional characters are live well blended flavors that enhance the stories. Rabbit represents change and second chances. Melody is the girl next door who is learning to be bold. KDKDK is a man’s man and a bit of charmer but completely loyal and sincere. Sonya is a modern day pin up girl who is a ride or die friend. I could see her being the type of friend who would bail you out or possibly help you hide a body. Last but not least is Aunt Biz who has a tendency to be a little curmudgeonly but during the holiday season she has gone manic in a very happy holiday fashion.

Delilah is going to need a holiday miracle to keep from losing family, friends, or her sanity. There are a good number of suspects, from the well-to-do Hoffman’s, Jonathan, Piper, Rabbit, or an unknown person. Either way Dee would much rather be the one looking into her family than to have Capone thinking that her friends or family could be involved. There is some serious friction and I had to agree Butterball the cat; Capone had a job to do. Butterball adds a bit of comedic relief as well as playing devil’s advocate which is pretty good for a cat. There are plenty of subplots that may or intertwine or they might be a fishy misdirection. This was a thoroughly enjoyable story with such amazing food. Be sure to check out the recipes at the back of the book. In fact start there with the Tear-and-Share Christmas Tree Pizza Bread to snack on while reading. There is a nice selection of yummy recipes that are taken from the Chrismakkah party menu. I am looking forward the next mystery with the Delilah and Son’s gang, although chances are that Biz will be back to her usual snarky self, but we still love her.

Festive light entertainment, a mystery with an outre method of body discovery -- packed into snow for a sculpting competition at a festival -- and a LOT of family drama. But that's part of the holidays, right? Spending time with relatives who may or may not be honest with you, accompanied by delicious (sounding) food. Only this time, someone got killed, which reveals a number of secrets. Memorable.

3.5 stars rounded up. This was a solid cozy mystery with a smattering of festive vibes. It's the fourth in a series and I was able to follow it well enough without having read the first three books. The plot didn't hold my attention as much as I would've liked it to, but I liked the characters, which is really all I want in this kind of book.

I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.

Review: A Festive and Modern Cozy Mystery

The fourth book in this charming series has officially become a new favorite of mine! There’s something magical about mysteries set around the holidays, especially when the series has already developed a cast of beloved characters. This installment centers on a Chrismukkah party that ends in a shocking death, and the author has crafted an intricate, creative mystery with a jaw-dropping method of murder. The twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat, and while the clues were there, I was too engrossed in the story to attempt solving it myself.

Delilah, the main character, remains a unique figure in the cozy mystery world. Her Type-A, black-and-white personality might make her a bit unlikeable for some, but her fierce loyalty and big heart shine through. While I find her intensity a bit overwhelming at times, she’s undeniably compelling—and she’s not the only well-rounded character in the story. This book spends plenty of time with Sonya, Melody, Daniel, Detective Capone, and even Butterball the cat, who I’ve come to adore just as much as the human characters.

The relationships in this book add layers of tension and warmth. Delilah’s struggle to protect her friends, family, and employees—some of whom are suspects—creates friction with her romance with Capone. Their dynamic, with Capone trying to keep Dee safe and out of trouble, is both frustrating and endearing. Plus, the introduction of new family members adds depth to Dee’s world.

Another standout feature of this book is how it brings modern issues into the cozy mystery genre. The plot cleverly touches on themes like embezzlement after Hurricane Maria and the college admissions scandal, giving the story a contemporary and relevant feel without losing its cozy charm.

Of course, the catering setting means readers are treated to vivid, mouthwatering food descriptions that add a delicious layer to the story. Combined with the fast-paced plot, fully developed characters, and a heartwarming (and humorous!) conclusion, this book has me eagerly awaiting the next installment.

If you love cozy mysteries with a modern twist, holiday cheer, and a cast of dynamic characters, you’re in for a treat. Come for the excellent mystery, savor the food, and stay for the emotional ride!

Thank you Minotaur and NetGalley for the eARC of Sleep in Heavenly Pizza! All opinions in this review are my own.

Sleep in Heavenly Pizza is another solid addition to the Deep Dish Mysteries! The best part of the fourth book in the series, besides Butterball the cat of course, is the twist in this mystery! There are so many valid suspects in this one that the truth is shocking!

Overall, if you are looking for a cozy mystery this holiday season, check out Sleep in Heavenly Pizza!

Mindy Quigley writes wonderful mystery stories while making your mouth water with her food descriptions. I always enjoy my trips back to Geneva Bay, Wisconsin, a lake resort area. Sleep in Heavenly Pizza is the fourth book in her Deep Dish Mysteries series and is set in December. I was delighted to see that both Christmas and Hanukkah are featured in the story.

This time, a death occurs at a Chrismukkah party Delilah and her crew are catering at a local lakeside mansion. In addition to the “whodunit”, we have a lot of family drama, as Delilah’s sister and brother-in-law show up in town, unannounced. I enjoyed meeting Delilah’s step-niece Piper, who wound up pitching in at the restaurant while the restaurant was short-staffed. The winter atmosphere felt real including a couple of heavy snowstorms as well as a snow sculpture contest. Calvin Capone, Dee’s detective boyfriend, has to investigate the suspicious death so cannot leave the area for his family’s Caribbean cruise!

Delilah has a strong personality that might put off some people, but I find her lovable in her own way. She really sticks up for her employees who have become almost family for her. And her partner, Sonya, provides some common sense at different points in the story. Delilah’s aunt Biz is her usual feisty self; however, Biz’s personality transforms a bit with a lot of holiday cheer.

Some yummy recipes are included at the end of the book.

While this could definitely be read as a standalone, you would not fully appreciate all the relationships that you would be privy to if you’ve read earlier books in the series.

Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

🍕📚 Cozy mystery lovers, this one's for you! "Sleep in Heavenly Pizza" by Mindy Quigley is the perfect holiday read, filled with murder, mayhem, and mouth-watering pizza! Set against the charming backdrop of Geneva Bay, Wisconsin, Delilah, our feisty chef-turned-sleuth, finds herself once again tangled in a murder mystery—this time at a holiday catering event. With her best friend Sonya, her quirky cat Butterball, and her new boyfriend Detective Capone all in the mix, Delilah dives headfirst into a case that’s as complicated as her pizza toppings. 🍕

This is the fourth book in the Deep Dish Mystery series, but don’t worry if you’re just jumping in—Mindy Quigley does a fantastic job making this a fun, seamless read for new and returning fans alike. The characters have grown so much, and it's a joy to see them evolve. (But seriously, who can resist Butterball’s antics?) 😻

Warning: reading this while hungry may lead to an uncontrollable craving for pizza. You've been warned. 😉

If you're in the mood for a deliciously fun and festive mystery, grab your copy of Sleep in Heavenly Pizza. You won’t regret it!

Despite Delilah O’Leary’s vow to never again cater an event offsite after a rather traumatizing murder, the money to provide a variety of noshes for Adrian and Daffi Hoffman’s Chrismukkah house party was just too good to resist. So that’s why Delilah & Son pizzeria is at one of the glitziest properties in Geneva Bay’s resort when one of the guests seems to go missing, only to be found later buried in the middle of the town’s snowman building contest. Even before the death Delilah was already feeling a bit bah-humbug, as her sister Shea had once again declined an invitation to visit while their usually cranky aunt revs into over-the-top Wisconsin holiday cheer. Delilah is therefore completely off-guard when she unexpectedly meets her brother-in-law and niece at the Chrismukkah party, and that was even before Jonathan Savage becomes a person-of-interest in the case. Delilah’s boyfriend Calvin Capone being the investigating lead detective only makes things more uncomfortable, especially since she is still disappointed that he hadn’t even asked if she would spend the holidays with his family on a Christmas cruise.

It seems that they’re not the only ones overdue for long-overdue discussions though, as everyone seems to be keeping secrets. Delilah overhears Delilah & Son’s back-of-the-house-everything-else employee Rabbit Blakemore having a rather combative conversation with one of the hosts of the Chrismukkah party, while Jonathan also seems to have too close a relationship with Daffi Hoffman. Her daughter Hadley, the sorority big “sister” of Delilah’s niece, is aggressively flirtatious with the pizzeria’s bartender, whom their hostess had been inching toward making a move on for months. There’s not a lot of good cheer going on, which is why Delilah doesn’t hesitate to use her Trojan Horse chicken soup to coax out information from the police department and an assortment of suspects.

This fourth in the series juggles its abundance of characters skillfully, all while keeping the main plot moving forward to a satisfying end. Taking place during the holidays, these Wisconsin characters must deal with family reunions that are often fraught with tensions that should be resolved with mature conversations but rarely ever are. Rest assured that ultimately Delilah and her pizzeria family do resolve their issues as befitting the season, enhanced more than a little by good food and friends. Delilah continues to evolve as a character and much is revealed about her through her interactions with her relatives. This is the perfect read for the holidays, filled with Wisconsin traditions and snowy activities. Those looking for a cozy, food-filled, and very seasonal read will delight in this entertaining, well-written mystery.

A catering gig around the holidays and a snow sculpture contest reveal a murder to Delilah, the main character/amateur detective of the story. Complicating matters even more is her policeman boyfriend working the case, on top of her semi-estranged family unexpectedly arriving in town.

While this is a cozy mystery about a murder (and a chilling one, at that), this is also a story about the holidays and family. There’s a real poignant nostalgia for the days of a big family holiday celebration that Delilah remembers so well. Exploring this, and Delilah’s complicated romance, add real layers to the book. I would recommend this book.

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie

This is one of my favorite series, and I am already looking forward to my next visit with Delilah and her beloved orange, fluffy, feline, Butterball! The author hit a grand slam homer with this mystery, as it was impossible to solve without specialized knowledge. My favorite characters are back, including Deliliah, Butterball, best friend Sonya, and Detective Capone. We also meet Delilah’s sister, Shea, Shea’s husband, Jonathan, and their children. Auntie Biz has a new place in my heart as we see a different side of her.

Delilah and her crew from “Delilah and Son” have quite a following in the Wisconsin tourist town of Geneva Bay. Her restaurant, specializing in deep dish Chicago style pizza and unique, flavorful combinations of pizzas, calzones, and appetizers are a hit! Readers may enjoy this mystery with their favorite pizza or calzone, or even a variety of fried cheeses to keep tummies from noisily interrupting when her tempting foods are described.

“Delilah and Son” catered a Chrismukkah party on the first night of Hanukkah. It is a brittle cold, snowy night. The hosts, Adrian and Daffi Hoffman, own a luxury home at the Grand Bay Resort. After the meal, Rabbit, one of Dee’s staff, began taking some of their things to the catering van. When he didn’t return, Delilah sought him out, and traced footprints to a room upstairs. A young woman is eavesdropping on a room. Displeased with what she heard, she threw a plate against the wall, it smashed, and she left. Delilah began to pick up the mess.

A gorgeous woman, Natasha, left the room to see what the noise was, as did Adrian, the host. Adrian was grumpy when seeing the broken plate and half-eaten food. As Dee walked away, her brother-in-law, Jonathan, was there, as was his daughter, Piper! But her sister had said they weren’t coming to Wisconsin? One of Piper’s sorority sisters invited her there to ski, and Adrian and his wife, Daffi, were Jonathan’s business associates.

The young woman eavesdropping was Adrian and Daffi’s daughter and Piper’s sorority sister, Hadley. Drunk, she was telling the guests strange tales, then argued loudly with her parents. Delilah finally found Rabbit working, and he accidentally dropped a tray of dirty glasses after Hadley bumped into him. Upset with himself, Rabbit slipped away early.

The next day, Delilah was with Capone at the lakeside park. Yes, a great grandson of THAT Capone, but unlike Al, he is a respected police detective. He and Delilah had been dating around their life-consuming jobs. Set up at the park were room sized cubes of snow for the annual snow sculpture contest, and the sculptors were at work. They heard a scream from one of the snow stations. A pair of feet stuck out from about eight feet off the ground, leaving no doubt the person was dead. Capone was immediately back on the job and Delilah left.

The victim was Natasha, from the catered party. The police worked all night. Capone found security footage from the resort, with a somewhat blurred scene of the Hoffmans’ second-floor balcony. Dee recognized the figure as Natasha, due to her height, but nobody could make out the blurry person she talked with. The video showed her being shoved over the balcony. She rolled down into a gully, but her body had been a distance away, where the sculpture snow blocks were taken from. Whoever pushed her had carried her quite a distance. Their suspects had to be limited to party attendees who were fit and large enough to carry the tall woman.

The characters are portrayed with ultimate care, and I learned more of the dynamics, struggles, and coping mechanisms of Delilah’s family. Each quirky personality is very human, including her staff. We see how each person faces crises when at least two of her small staff are nearing the top of the suspect list, and another is devastated at an interesting find in an oversized handbag. Delilah continues to change and grow, and is a different woman than at the start of the series. She still has her moments, and she is still a pretty terrific young woman!

This was a tough crime to solve, yet Capone and his officers gave it their all. Delilah, with Sonya as her sounding board, also gives it every moment possible to keep her staff and family out of orange jumpsuits. The killer was a shock only in the sense that certain assumptions were no longer true, and under the circumstances I hoped for leniency. I also hope we get an invite to the special wedding that Sonya is helping to plan! I highly recommend this cozy mystery, and the rest of the series!

Enjoyed this one very much, another great cozy mystery from author Mindy Quigley. Never disappoints, highly recommend!

Pizza restaurant owner Delilah is relieved that their latest catering gig has gone off without a hitch, and even more excited that her niece and brother-in-law have made a surprise appearance in town... that is, until a dead body is discovered, her older sister unexpectedly shows up, frostier than ever, and everyone in town--including her family and employees--seems to be hiding something. What a way to ring in the holidays!

The pizza shop mysteries are so much fun, and I love seeing the budding romance between Delilah and the detective develop over the course of the series. This mystery brings lots of intrigue, twists, and turns, all amidst some family drama and holiday cheer. A cozy cozy for Christmas!

Thanks to Minotaur for my eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

5 stars - 9/10

I've previously loved the books by this author, but this one I got to some points that just aggravated me.

The first difficulty I had was when one of the character's mother, who was from Queens, was referred to as a "NuYorcan" (spelling unsure). I'm sorry but this was terrible editing. No one who is from New York would ever refer to themselves other than being a New Yorker. It took me a few chapters to move past this annoyance.

The second problem was Delilah's neurotic behavior. I understand setting the stage for the book to somewhat stand alone from the previous three, but you would think at this point she would have gotten better. Instead the story covers this more times than necessary which drags the book down.

Finally was the way the story wrapped up. Out of nowhere the story copies straight from the headlines about the college admission scandal (real life didn't have a murder, thank goodness). But then throws in all of this information from Jarka about hyperthermia but has Hadley, the person who confessed, being in jail for murder. Why waste the time explaining what happens to a person exposed to cold weather. At most Hadley would be jailed for manslaughter as the victim was still alive after the interaction. It seemed a very haphazard way to conclude the story.

Mindy Quigley’s Deep Dish Mystery series is one of my top faves. This fourth installment kept me turning the pages and did not disappoint. As always, it was a joy to be back with familiar and beloved characters. The food descriptions were on point like usual and the mystery set up was extra intriguing with snowy weather as an added hindrance to evidence. Some favorite characters are suspects in Sleep in Heavenly Pizza while others are in very difficult situations with loved ones. Really enjoyed my time reading this book and will continue to read further into the series!

Thank you Netgalley and Minotaur Books for my e-arc. Sleep in Heavenly Pizza is out now but you truly ought to start with book one of the series! #netgalley #minotaur #cozymystery #cozymysteryseries #sleepinheavenlypizza