New Review: Cozy Mystery

ASHES TO ASHES, CRUST TO CRUST by Mindy Quigly

Fiction, Cozy Mystery (320 pages)

4****

Blurb: Ashes to Ashes, Crust to Crust is the second book in Mindy Quigley’s delectable Deep Dish Mystery series, set in a Wisconsin pizzeria. Newly single pizzeria owner Delilah O’Leary is determined to keep her restaurant afloat in the picturesque resort town of Geneva Bay, Wisconsin. To boost her bottom line, she sets her sights on winning the hefty cash prize in the town’s annual “Taste of Wisconsin” culinary contest. In her corner, she’s got her strong-willed, “big-boned” cat Butterball, her wisecracking BFF, her cantankerous great-aunt, and a nearly -flawless recipe for Pretzel Crust Deep-Dish Bratwurst Pizza. But while Delilah and her team have been focused on pumping out perfect pizza pies, her ex-fiancé has cozied up to a new squeeze, juice bar owner Jordan Watts―Delilah’s contest rival. When one of Jordan’s juice bar customers is poisoned by a tainted smoothie, Delilah lands deep in the sauce. Accusations fly, suspects abound, and a menacing stranger turns up with a beef over some missing dough. Between kale-juicing hipsters and grudge-bearing celebrity chefs, Delilah must act quickly before another one bites the crust.

Thoughts: This is the second book in the Deep Dish Pizza series and is a fun read – and a surprisingly quick read considering the number of pages. In the series, two friends – Delilah and Sonya (Son) – open a pizzeria in a small Wisconsin town. They each bring different aspects to the shop and work well with each other, even given Delilah’s penchant for figuring out who the latest killer is and her definite OCD tendencies.

What I liked: My favorite character has to be Delilah’s cat Butterball (whom she shares with her ex). Delilah’s aunt Biz is also a favorite. Biz knows almost everyone in town having taught most of them at one time or another. The relationship between Delilah and her ex is… interesting. There’s no animosity and they seem to continue to care for each other even though they are no longer together. Favorite quote: “My perfectionism came with a built-in megaphone and surround sound.” (from Delilah) and it does judging by the way she goes after things. I also loved the conclusion of the little side-mystery of who’s wrecking the kitchen and stealing the bratwurst. So funny! And there are some great recipes included in the back.

What I didn’t like: Very little. This is a good follow-up to the first book and the end was…a surprise, but satisfying.

Recommendation: Recommended (but read the first book first to get an idea of who the characters are. This is a stand-alone, but it will make more sense if you take them in order.)

Disclaimer: Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”