Title: Here Comes the Body
Author: Maria DiRico
Series: A Catering Hall Mystery #1
Publisher: Kensington
Release Date: February 25, 2020
Pages: 304
Book Source: NetGalley
“Mia is starting work at Belle View, her father’s catering hall, a popular spot for weddings, office parties, and more—despite the planes that occasionally roar overhead on their way to LaGuardia and rattle the crystal chandelier. Soon she’s planning a bachelor party for a less-than-gentlemanly groom. But it goes awry when the gigantic cake is wheeled in and a deadly surprise is revealed …
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Since some of her family’s associates are on the shady side, the NYPD wastes no time in casting suspicion on Mia’s father. Now, Mia’s going to have to use all her street smarts to keep him out of Rikers Island …” – Amazon
Kim’s Review
I really, really love finding new mystery series! Here Comes the Body is the first in A Catering Hall Mystery series by Maria DiRico aka Ellen Byron. You may be familiar with Ellen Byron’s Cajun Country Mystery series. I’ve read the first two in that series, which takes place in Louisiana, and really enjoyed them.
I enjoyed that Mia is a party planner since that is one of the things I’ve always thought I would enjoy doing. But after DJing for about five years, I realized I don’t want to deal with all the craziness that goes into weddings and other events. I can see a lot of potential for future books when it comes to the shenanigans of people at different parties.
The characters were so much fun. I love grandma and can’t wait to see what future adventures her and her group of neighborhood ladies find themselves in. I also enjoyed meeting the people in the pet support group and the new neighbors that moved in down the road, and I can’t wait to get to know more about them.
And then there’s the whole mafia angle, which is a riot. At first Maria was trying to distance herself from it, but as the book progressed she started to embrace it. I do enjoy books on the mob, so I’m happy to find a cozy series that includes them. Once again there is so much potential for future books in regards to the mafia aspect.
I also really enjoy that the love interest isn’t a cop, lawyer, or some other official that can look the other way when Mia needs some information. Instead he’s a cab driver studying for his psychology degree, oh, and he happens to be the son of the mafia boss. That is such a nice change of pace.
A fun start to a new cozy series, and one that I highly recommend!!!
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