Book Review: Here Comes the Body by Maria DiRico

Catering Hall Mystery Book 1

After her philandering husband’s boat went down, newly single Mia Carina went back to Astoria, the bustling Queens neighborhood of her youth. Living with her nonna and her oversized cat, Doorstop, she’s got a whole new life—including some amateur sleuthing . . . 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 . . . 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 . . . Italian recipes included! “Mamma mia! What a nifty story. This endearing new heroine has a lot on her plate—all of it delicious fun!” —Laura Levine, author of Death of a Gigolo “A catered feast of a mystery.” —Sherry Harris, author of Let’s Fake a Deal

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My Review:

I loved this introduction to Mia and the whole Carina clan. It’s a little bit ‘Married to the Mob’ and a little bit ‘Pink Panther’. One bumbling police detective and one very well-connected Family, with the hint of a goofy romantic comedy hiding in the middle. I loved the diversity of these characters. Each and every one is unique and even when the inspiration was drawn from well-known stereotypes, they still had something special. Heck, the third-string supporting cast still managed to sparkle from the background, that’s how carefully crafted they are. From the very first words, the author was able to hook me, keep me laughing, and keep me guessing. I can’t wait to read more about Mia and the crazy happenings at Belle View.