Most likely to be her own worst enemy?
Restaurant owner Delilah O’Leary’s perfectionism and relentless work ethic make her a force in the kitchen, but a bit of a disaster when it comes to her personal life. Oddly enough, getting dragged into murder investigations has been a kind of therapy for her. Her need for control and her obsession with details—while tough on relationships—make her personality perfect for cracking tough cases.
Most likely to be an agent of chaos?
Butterball the cat! This chonky orange mischief-maker is a staple in every book. Whether he’s knocking over crucial evidence in SIX FEET DEEP DISH or unexpectedly leading the way to a clue in ASHES TO ASHES, CRUST TO CRUST, Butterball’s accidental heroism is legendary. Just don’t be fooled—his real priorities are snacks and snuggles, solving murders is just a side gig.
Most likely to find the truth at any cost?
Detective Calvin Capone, Delilah’s complicated love interest. In SLEEP IN HEAVENLY PIZZA, he convinces her to team up with him to uncover the killer, even when it may spell trouble to those nearest and dearest to her. Capone carries the baggage of being a direct descendant of a man whose name is synonymous with crime, and he’ll do whatever it takes to redeem his family’s honor. In PUBLIC ANCHOVY #1, we even see him question his own mother when he realizes she’s hidden an important clue.
Most likely to play matchmaker?
Sonya Perlman-Dokter, Delilah’s BFF and sous chef. Her love life might be a flaming disaster—ASHES TO ASHES, CRUST TO CRUST shows that dumpster fire burning in real time—but that doesn’t quench her romantic spirit. She’s always on the lookout for soulmates in her circle.
Most likely to dress up?
Sonya again! She rocks retro-style hair and makeup every day, even in the chaos and steam of a restaurant kitchen. So when the team gets invited to cater a Prohibition-themed party in PUBLIC ANCHOVY #1, she’s the first one donning a flapper dress and perfecting those finger waves.
Most likely to have hidden talents?
Melody, the perky, low-key host at Delilah & Son. This sweet Wisconsin farm girl shies away from the spotlight, but her unexpected skills have saved the day more than once. Whether she’s fixing equipment, diagnosing livestock ailments, or creating eye-catching graphic designs, Melody is full of surprises.
Most likely to keep secrets?
Tie between Jarka Gagamova and Auntie Biz O’Leary. When we meet Jarka, she’s a bit of an enigma, working low-level jobs that she’s clearly overqualified for. And she only gets more intriguing as the series unfolds. Her backstory plays a big role in PUBLIC ANCHOVY #1, and some knowledge she picked up in her former life helps solve the murder in SLEEP IN HEAVENLY PIZZA.
Meanwhile, Auntie Biz hoards secrets like a bridge troll. In pretty much every book, she’s holding onto some vital piece of information that would’ve made life a lot easier if she’d been willing to spill. While you’ll see Capone, Delilah, and may other characters grow and evolve over the course of the series, don’t expect Biz to change much. She could teach a mule a thing or two about stubbornness.
Deep Dish #4
A Mystery
Sleep in Heavenly Pizza is the fourth book in Mindy Quigley's delectable Deep Dish Mystery series, set in a Wisconsin pizzeria.
Pizza chef Delilah O’Leary and her kitty companion, Butterball, get into the holiday spirit as Geneva Bay, Wisconsin hosts the nation’s premier snow sculpting championship. The annual event transforms the charming resort town into a wonderland of snow castles, ice rinks, and cozy cups of cocoa.
On the eve of the festival though, a too-good-to-be-true Chrismukkah catering gig brings some frosty tidings and heralds an unexpected visit from Delilah’s high-intensity older sister. Suddenly it seems that the holidays may not be the hap-happiest season of all. And when one of the town’s snowy sculptures reveals a chilling surprise, murder threatens to put the celebrations—and Delilah’s crew—on ice for good.
Mystery Cozy | Mystery Culinary | Mystery Amateur Sleuth [Minotaur Books, On Sale: October 22, 2024, Mass Market Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9781250326287 / eISBN: 9781250326294]
Mindy Quigley has won a number of awards for her short stories, including the 2013 Bloody Scotland prize and the 2018 Lightbringer award. Her work as the coordinator of a pastoral services program at the Duke University Medical Center provided the inspiration for her bestselling Reverend Lindsay Harding mystery series. She’s writing a new mystery series for St. Martin’s Press, which will debut in August 2022.
Before she started writing fiction, she worked in project management roles with university research centers, including the Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic and the MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine in Edinburgh, Scotland.
She lives in Virginia with her history professor husband, their two children, and their miniature Schnauzer.
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