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

Sleep in Heavenly Pizza is the fourth novel in the Deep Dish Pizza cozy mystery series by Mindy Quigly but the first I’ve read. Overall, I found it an enjoyable mystery set during the Christmas season. I did find the main protagonist hard to like but the mystery was interesting and kept me guessing. It took a while to get to the big reveal at the end but, when it came, it wrapped things up nicely. A good cozy for anyone who likes culinary mysteries and with some delicious-sounding recipes at the end.

Thanks to Netgalley and St Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review

Delilah and Son’s is getting ready to celebrate Christmas. The book opens at a Chrismukkah party. I had never heard of this but it mixes Christmas and Hanukkah. Not everyone at the party was having a good time.
This mystery is a complicated mix of family dynamics, how far should friendship extend and illegal activities. It is well done and has an interesting outcome.
I do think the number of characters to keep track of could be challenging if a reader hasn’t read previous books in the series. This is book 4; there is backstory between central characters that is important to be acquainted with.
Delilah was a bit prickly in places but her reaction afterward shows her growth throughout the series.
I recommend getting to know Delilah, Sonya, Capone, Biz and Lake Geneva Wisconsin.
Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this book.

I like cats and I LOVE pizza so ofcourse I had to read this book.
I do admit I haven’t read the previous books in the Deep Dish Mysteries series but now I very much want to.

This is such a good cozy mystery that got me hooked from the very first page.

I do recommend.

Im loving the deep dish cozy mystery series! This was a fun addition to the series! AS always this is how I enjoy experiencing winters...in a book! It's not Christmas time...it's not Hanukkah....it's Chrismukkah in Geneva Bay, Wisconsin. When a guest at the party ends up dead.
Holidays, good pizza, fast paced mystery, and family drama make this a slice above the rest.I would like to thank netgalley, the author MIndy Quigley, and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book!

Sleep in Heavenly Pizza is the fourth in the Deep Dish Mystery series. Set in Geneva Bay, Wisconsin, where the wealthy like the vacation and keep impressive estates, this series revolves around Delilah, a chef who has relocated from Chicago to be near her elderly Aunt Biz and runs a gourmet pizzeria with her best friend Sonya. Delilah also has a knack for falling into murder mysteries and, no matter how much her new boyfriend, Detective Capone, asks her to not investigate, well, she always has a reason why she must. Sleep in Heavenly Pizza offers a delightful cozy mystery set during Christmas/Hanukkah where a murder happens at a catering site and one of the prime suspects is her bartender, and another her brother-in-law.

The holiday season is in full swing and Delilah has been paid an obscene amount of money to cater a Chrismukkah house party at the most expensive property in Geneva Bay’s most luxurious resort, which is the only reason why she took the job after the last catering job got her and her crew stuck in a locked room mystery. Things turn south when the host’s bratty daughter causes a scene involving one of Delilah’s employees, but get worse the next day when Delilah and Capone are strolling in the park where the ice sculptors are getting ready to start their competition and one of them finds a body in their snow. When Daniel, Delilah & Son’s bartender starts looking like the most likely suspect; Rabbit, their recently paroled dishwasher, starts dodging work; and half of Delilah’s sister’s family shows up after refusing to spend the holidays with Delilah and Biz for years, Delilah can’t help but get involved, if only to clear the names of two employees and her brother-in-law.

After feeling a little tepid towards this series in the first book, I’ve started to really enjoy it. I adore Delilah and her crew, and I love how they feel like a little family. I do find the romance a little lacking, and sometimes feel like Delilah and Capone aren’t really taking it seriously, but the mystery in Sleep in Heavenly Pizza kept me riveted. There were times when I did figure things out before they did and it was a little frustrating waiting for them to catch up, but there was a lot going on in this book, and I loved watching Delilah try to juggle it all without losing her mind. Everyone seems to have secrets, and few are willing to be upfront. It made this book fly by, and I was disappointed when it ended, because I think this series is really hitting its stride and I’ve been enjoying each book a little more than the last.

Delilah is a really fun lady to follow around. A perfectionist, she and Aunt Biz can be a bit much, in Delilah’s sister’s words, especially during the holidays. But these two are so much fun, and I love the switch from curmudgeonly old woman to possessed by the Christmas spirit Biz undergoes. Delilah is such a fierce friend and protector, and I feel like I kind of get it after meeting her older sister Shea, who is almost humorless next to Delilah, and yet these sisters have the sweetest heart to heart. Shea and her family are introduced in this book after only being mentioned here and there. It was fantastic to meet them, and I adore Piper, Shea’s college-aged stepdaughter. She’s friends with Hadley, the spoiled daughter of the couple who hired Delilah to cater their party, and her father, Jonathan, has ties to more than a few guests. Where Piper was bright and outgoing, Jonathan was much harder to figure out as he kept things close to his chest. Then there’s Caleb, the little boy Shea and Jonathan adopted who doesn’t get much page time but appears perfectly adorable. The four of them paint a relatively normal and boring mixed family, but there’s drama shaking their roots, and I loved uncovering all of it, all while Biz was decked out like a Christmas tree and insisted different plates were reserved for certain foods.

I adore how surprisingly diverse the rest of the cast is, and I love how all of it is on display and celebrated, even. Sonya is Jewish, and her character really embraced it. I loved seeing her beliefs and traditions on display in this novel, and I loved that the characters were eager and happy to take part in celebrating with her as her family is some distance away. But she’s just such a fun character who adores dressing like a pinup girl and shamelessly flirts with any attractive woman despite her terrible track record when it comes to romance. I love her, and she adds so much color. Daniel is Puerto Rican and absolutely charming, but he’s also sweet and devoted to his mother since she’s in town for the holidays. I loved seeing them together, and it was fun to see how his mother’s story tied into the mystery. Rabbit is recently paroled and a little jumpy since he will do anything to be able to keep seeing his young daughter, but things aren’t looking great for him as his past comes back to haunt him thanks to the mystery going on. Melody is a Wisconsin farm girl with a serious crush on Daniel, and has a serious jealous streak, as this book showed. It was almost heartbreaking seeing her next to Piper and Hadley, two well-off girls with the world at their fingertips. But she’s devoted and hardworking, and I love how open and honest she is. Then there’s Jarka, a waitress from Bulgaria, where she’s actually a doctor. She didn’t have a huge role in this one as she and her boyfriend Harold were visiting her family, but she ended up playing a really key role towards the end, and I just really love her character after finding her a bit prickly in the previous book.

Delilah is so protective of all of them, from her employees to her friends and her family, so, when many of them end up on Capone’s radar, she of course has to jump in and try to solve it before him. There were some fun red herrings and delightful family drama that did keep me guessing from time to time. Even though I did figure it out early on, the how eluded me until the story offered some crucial information. There were times when I wanted to grab Capone and shake him because he always seemed to be chasing the wrong leads, so it’s a good thing he has Delilah. The fun part was how Delilah was even suspicious of some of her employees. It hurt a little because they’re like a little family, and yet, at the same time, they weren’t making it easy for her to believe them. There were secrets and avoidances, and some rather strange things that even had me suspicious. So I had fun with this frosty mystery.

Sleep in Heavenly Pizza flew by for me, and I’m a little impressed with how compact and focused this story is. The mystery really shone in this one, with just about everything having to do with it and the deceased. Picking apart all the threads was fun and kept my mind occupied. But it’s more than just a mystery; it’s about family and being there for each other. I loved the family pieces, and I loved even more how they tied into the mystery. It was really a tangled web that went further than Geneva Bay. I really liked how it ended, and I loved how the spirit of the holidays was never forgotten. All the pieces tied together really well, and I found myself enjoying this so much I was disappointed when it ended, but now I have some recipes to try.

Sleep in Heavenly Pizza might be a little light on the pizza, but it’s chock full of the holidays, along with the good and bad that might come with them. This novel is brimming with characters and personalities, and I really enjoyed how frosty it is. Butterball, Delilah’s cat, had a minimal, but still fun role, and he always manages to delight me. I really enjoyed this one, and can’t wait to see what’s in store for them next.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

Welcome back to Geneva Bay, just in time for the holidays and, of course, another murder.

Delilah's about to encounter her toughest mystery yet.  One in which nearly everyone close to her is a suspect.  The way she handles it all was impressive.  I'm not sure I could have remained half as calm or clear-headed as she did, if it were me.  Despite her moments of doubt and fears, she pulls it together and helps Capone find the culprit.  And still manages to make some amazing food while she does it.  She's really come a long way from the first book, where I found her a bit inflexible and annoying.  But the longer she's surrounded by her friends and Auntie Biz, the more she relaxes and mellows.  She'll never be totally mellow, but that's okay, too.

It was also fun to watch her relationship with Capone blossom.  He's awfully hard to resist, and I like learning more about him and his family as we go along.  Same for the others as each book gives more backstory on the employees of Delilah & Son.  Daniel was in the spotlight this time around and getting to meet his mother was a joy.  Not anything like I expected, but perfect all the same.  

The murder had me all out of sorts.  I suspected everyone and had proof for no one.  It was a bit more involved than the previous murders, and I enjoy that, even in a cozy.  As the pieces fell into place, all the little clues made sense.  The reveal did make me sad, and I wanted to rage at everyone but the actual culprit, something that's unusual for me.  

This is truly one of my favorite cozy series these days.  Every character is important, from Delilah's BFF, Son, to Rabbit's daughter, Everleigh.  It's what makes the books so engaging and easy to read.  Plus, I love good, strong friendships and Delilah has them with everyone.  Honestly, I could be happy if she and Capone never got together romantically just as long as we get them bantering and flirting because it's just that much fun.  The only downside is that I wind up craving pizza for the three or four days it takes me to finish a book.  But, in the grand scheme of things, is that really a downside?

Sleep in Heavenly Pizza is book #4 in the Deep Dish Mysteries series by Mindy Quigley.

I like this series and this book is a great addition. I enjoy reading about Wisconsin winters as an escape from the heat. When a body is found in an ice sculpture, Delilah jumps in to investigate. The mystery was interesting with lots of twists to keep you guessing. Holidays, family-drama, good food and a murder. What more could you want?

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.