So, this month I am adding the first book of Maria DiRico’s Catering Hall Mystery Series, Here Comes the Body to the most popular and recommended Cozy Mystery series list. In the story, Mia Carina returns from Florida having split with her cheating husband to Queens, New York, to work in the event center of her sometimes mob boss father. On her first day working there, a woman appears and publicly accuses Mia’s father of having failed to pay for matchmaking services (Mia’s father denies this allegation). Later, the woman is found in the event center dead in a bachelor party’s cake. As is common in mystery books, a close relative of Mia (in this case, her father) is accused. This leads to Mia’s investigation.
Considering that the characters in the book have connections (“former” or otherwise) with the New York mob, you wouldn’t think that this book is a good fit for the Cozy Mystery genre. However, the “family” is remarkably close-knit. And the event center and Mia’s grandmother’s home provide appropriate places for the “village” setting so often associated with Cozies. And, the story contains a surprising amount of humor.
You might not know that Ellen Byron says in her bio that she “considers her most impressive credit working as a cater-waiter for Martha Stewart.” This experience, of course, gives her credibility when writing her series about event planning and catering.
As with all of the author’s books, this story is very well written and full of unexpected plot twists and fun surprises. The characters are easy to like despite their “connections”. So far there are only three books in the series, but I hope there will be more!
If you’re interested in seeing other most recommended or popular Cozy Mystery authors/series, please visit the Most Popular & Recommended Cozy Mystery Series page on my site.
Teressa says
I love this series!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Teressa, it’s definitely a good one!
Ellen Byron/Maria DiRico says
What a thrill to wake up to! Thanks so much, Danna. I’m so glad you enjoyed the book. It’s inspired by my own life. Mia, my protagonist, lives in my late nonna’s actual Astoria home. Belle View Banquet Manor is one of the two catering halls cousins ran in Astoria. I have a ton of fun writing the series – and just finished a draft of the 4th book, FOUR FUNERALS AND A WEDDING! I’m hoping there are more after that. Fingers crossed!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Ellen, you’re welcome, and thanks for writing Cozies! I hope the next book does well, and that the series can continue as long as possible.
Jane Vandendriesche says
Looking forward to the next book.
Nora-Adrienne says
Love the series and love Ellen. She’s an amazing writer and a good friend.
Funny thing though. My youngest daughter got married at Astoria World Manor which is very much like the hall in the book.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Nora, I love the series as well!
Susy S says
This is a great series! I love Mia and her family.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Susy, they’re definitely great characters.
Diane says
Thanks. I love her books. Look forward to her new series!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Diane, yes, I hope it’s as good as the previous ones.
MJ says
Generally speaking, location doesn’t affect which books I read. BUT, I usually avoid settings in cities like NYC and LA.
So it’s unlikely I would have even started this series if I hadn’t known it was written by Ellen Byron. I’m a huge fan of this author with all her creative talent. Her stories are always well written with humor and wit thrown in – much to the enjoyment of the reader. 🙂
I’ve recommended all three of the books in this series (so far) because they are terrific reads. The characters are unique, diverse, and well developed. Even the ‘mob’ aspect of this series is entertaining. I look forward to the next ‘installment’ of this family’s ‘saga’.
Like others have stated, I, too, am looking forward to her new series.
This is a GREAT example of why a pseudonym should ALWAYS be identified with other ‘names’ written by an author. If we like one series, the reader may very well like others written by the same person.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
MJ, I generally agree with you on settings – it’s certainly harder for something to have a Cozy feeling when it’s set in a big city. Sometimes you can get around this by making it about a relatively closed community, as with the family in this series.
I also agree that keeping pseudonyms grouped can only be a benefit for readers, authors, and publishers, as it can only increase sales by letting old fans know that a new series is coming out… which is why I find it so annoying that the industry is so rife with unnecessary pseudonyms.
Suzanne says
I just read the 1st book in the Series, Here Comes the Body. I loved it! I really really liked the Italian theme especially the neighborhood (similar to the barrios in my hometown of Tucson with all the Nanas and their old houses). The plot was great, the mystery was actually a mystery! I even liked the touch of mayhem towards the end! All in all a great Cozy and I will definitely read the rest of the books in the series. And it’s pretty awesome that the author writes from what she knows!
Brooke says
Oh my goodness! I just read Here Comes the Body based on your recommendation and I loved it! I’m powering through Long Island Iced Tina and it’s equally fantastic. I’ve really enjoyed the Mob and Italian family themes running through the books. Are there any other series that you can recommend that share these themes?
Ellen Byron/Maria DiRico says
OMG, how did I miss these wonderful comments? Thank you all so much.
Here’s hoping you enjoy my new series as much as these. *Crosses fingers, says a prayer.* 😉
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Ellen, I hope we all enjoy it as well!