An amusing look at life behind the scenes at a catering hall. Throw in mafia connections, Queens vs. Manhattan, call girls, bridezillas and you have a party. Forgot to mention an animal or two for additional charm and entertainment are also included. I look forward to reading the next one in this series. Light-hearted reading.

Mia Carina, the daughter of former mobster, Ravello Carina, has moved back home to Queens after her cheating husband disappears in a boating accident. She wants a fresh start and is thrilled to be working at her father's catering hall. Unfortunately, her first event, a bachelor party, turns into a nightmare when a call girl is found dead inside the gigantic cake. When a check written by Mia's dad is found next to the body, he immediately becomes the main suspect. A few days later, another body is found and Ravello is suspected again. Mia is determined to prove her father's innocence and find the real culprit.

Here Comes the Body by Maria DiRico is a fantastic start to a new series. It is an enjoyable and entertaining read, with plenty of laugh out loud moments, fun, engaging characters, and a puzzling murder mystery. Mia is smart, independent and has a good heart. Despite her confidence, she always acted responsibly and never put herself in dangerous situations. I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about the city setting but ended up loving it. Mia's neighbors were a hoot, and I enjoyed reading about the different cultures and food. The catering hall is a great setting for future mysteries and I forward to seeing what's in store for the characters. I will definitely be reading the second book.

I received an ARC from NetGalley through Kensington Books. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book has everything I like about cozy mysteries-interesting likable characters, intriguing cozy mystery,, family (or Family because they are/were part of the mob), and friendship. I don't generally read cozy mob themed books but this is enjoyable . Mia moves back to Queens after her philandering husband disappears and she needs a fresh start. Her father just got an events venue as payment for a gambling debt someone owed him so Mia helps him run it. Their first events are a 50th anniversary party in one ballroom and a bachelor party in another. When a party crasher ends up dead, Mia, friends, and family need to clear the venue's reputation before it goes out of business. I really liked Mia, her ingenuity, independence and resourcefulness. The mystery kept me guessing. Very enjoyable!

Description
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!

My Review
This book - Here Comes the Body by Maria DiRico (Ellen Byron's pen name is great!

It starts off with Mia waking up to the sounds of Frank Sinatra singing one of my favorite songs - "New York, New York."

Between the murder and rumors that her father was a well-known mobster, Mia was happy to leave all that behind and head back to her family. At her grandmother's two-family house she is getting ready for her first day at family owned Belle View Banquet Manor. Her first clients John and Alice are planning their nuptials, and all the bride wants is bigger and better than whatever her sister had for her wedding. All John wants is a great bachelor party.

Of course things go array at the first event, the bachelor party. Someone is found dead and Mia is tasked with solving the mystery soon if she doesn't want her father to take the fall for the murder. Things only get worse from here - will Mia succeed in solving the crime?

Filled with twists and turn, this is a great cozy mystery with excellent well-crafted characters. A Must read.

I give this a 5 star.

Mia Carina, recently widowed, heads back to her family home in Queens to help her mob-connected father start over in a legitimate job. Unfortunately, dead bodies keep showing up.
Mia and her Italian-American family are feisty, fierce, and funny. There's a little romance, lots of intriguing characters, and plenty of fast-paced action. The book is well-written and the characters are likable.
I look forward to more in the series.

To be honest I was a little hesitant to get into this one. When Mia returns to Queens from Florida, she starts working for her dad, who works for the local mobster. A lot of obvious stereotyping of Italians right off the bat, and made me pause. Glad I decided to give it a chance though, and one I found really enjoying. A lot of twists and turns and dead bodies popping up made for a good cozy mystery. Would highly recommend this book and author, and look forward to reading more.

Both Mia and her father are trying for a fresh start. She's moved back to Queens after her husband disappeared, she's living with her donna, and she's working for her father. Was Ravello a member of the Mafia? Whatever, now he owns the Belle View catering hall and everything is looking good until - the body of a young woman is found in- wait for it- a cake. Of course, given his background, he's the number one suspect but readers of this genre know there's more to the story. Mia's a good character- and this is the set up book so know that she'll be able to grow. The mystery isn't too twisty, the characters and the setting are fun, and it's a good read. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Oh - and there are recipes !

Newly widowed Mia Carina leaves Florida and returns to Astoria, the bustling Queens neighborhood of her youth. Mia's new job is as an event planner at Belle View, the shabby catering hall that her mob-connected father Ravello obtained to pay a gambling debt. Mia's first gig is a bachelor party for groom-to-be John Grazio. But the party goes awry when the gigantic cake is wheeled in and instead of a stripper popping out, the dead body of call girl Angie is found inside. The NYPD wastes no time in pointing the blame at Ravello. Mia is determined to save her father from going back to prison at Rikers Island.

I wanted to like this debut mystery but it seemed almost like a parody of how Mob bosses, families and neighbors interact.

I received an eARC from Netgalley and Kensington with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review.

This book is charming! There are so many characters and interesting story arcs and fun Italian grandmother shenanigans. It’s an engaging mystery and I can’t wait to read the next one.


I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not paid for this review.

Funny, unexpected, fantastic! The name may be different, the culture may be different, but the outstanding writing, amazing characters and complex mystery are all there! Here Comes the Body, the first book in A Catering Hall Mystery by Maria DiRico, is as captivating as the Cajun Country series she writes as Ellen Byron. I am a huge fan of that series so I requested Here Comes the Body from NetGalley and it was awesome.
Mia Corina is coming home glad to leave the town where her maybe-late husband destroyed her self-confidence and the investigation into his disappearance that destroyed her reputation. Even more, she is thrilled to be heading to a job running an event center in Queens with her father who spent most of her life overseeing casinos for a mafia Family. Now he has been given the chance to take over an event centered the Family accepted as payment of a gambling debt. It has to be a legitimate enterprise for the feds to focus on so it has to make money but it must maintain a clean reputation! Naturally having a dead body turning up isn't exactly what the Family wants connected with the place, and just as naturally, the police are more than glad to have an obvious suspect, one they have long wanted nab. To prevent her father losing his chance at the straight-and-narrow or even going back to prison, Mia feels compelled to find the killer. She sure doesn’t trust the detective on the case.
Add her old friend Jamie and the delightful senior citizens surrounding Mia to the glitz and glam of the wealth, mix a possible connection and in a murder, and you have Here Comes the Body, a great start to what is sure to be a series to be read over and over again.
My thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for a chance for an early read of such a fun book! The opinions expressed are solely mine and are based on my love of the book, Here Comes the Body!
Maria DiRico/Ellen Byron maintains her spot of my top authors list. I can’t wait for the next book!

Here Comes the Body starts a new series with interesting, sometimes quirky, funny, and likable characters, a great setting, and a murder mystery or two to solve. Mia Carina grew up Queens in a mob Family with a capital F. She has moved back home from Palm Beach, Florida to live with her nonna in the old Italian neighborhood and work with her father after her cheating husband has disappeared in a boating accident and assumed dead. Her father, Ravello Carina is making a fresh start from his illegal activities to run a catering and event planning business owned by his old mobster boss. Mia's first event is a bachelor party that goes wrong when the stripper in the cake is missing but a different woman's body is found and her dad is implicated. A couple of days later, another body is discovered and Ravello is suspected again. Mia is determined to find the real killer and her investigation reveals some powerful people may be involved. There are many questions to answer, clues to decipher, and figure out why certain people continue to show up in the midst. Interspersed with lots of food and culture, this is an entertaining read with a mystery to unravel that kept me guessing and finding the solution not what I expected. Mia is rekindling old friendships, including a former boyfriend who would have been a better husband, and putting the past behind her, making a fresh start. Ravello is anxious to be a better person and maybe even finding romance. I am looking forward to more in the series.
I received a complimentary ARC from Kensington Publishing and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions stated are mine only.

4.5 Stars

This is the first book in the A Catering Hall Mystery series by Maria DiRico.

WHAT A GREAT CONCEPT FOR A COZY SERIES! I am hooked!

I have to say right off that this was quite a unique take on a cozy mystery. Mia’s family used to work for the mob. Uh, what?! And I have a feeling these ties will factor into many mystery plots in the future. The field is ripe for a cozy of this type. So refreshing!

Mia is starting anew after her husband was lost at sea. I am sure this fact will pop up in a different novel. Like I believe he is really dead. You could use all the soap opera tropes in a book like this. Back from the dead would be perfect for a future book theme. She is living with her nonna and being the catering event planner for her Dad’s catering hall venue. I t is no wonder she falls into a murder mystery. The setting of Queens and NYC is so perfect for this series! I am salivating wondering what the future could bring with this whole concept.

Her dad seems like a kind of misunderstood character. People fear him, give him what he wants but he has really gone straight. But you ponder if maybe he is still in “the business” from time to time as you read along. Mia uses this fear of her father’s past to her advantage more than once in this book. The whole thing is just a hoot and a half.

Really enjoyed this and am looking forward for more to come.

If you love a good cozy mystery, you have to check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

First book by this author and I wasn't disappointed. The mob family not involved in a murder... had everything; revenge, family loyalty, love interests and Great recipes!

Here Comes The Body is the 1st book in a new cozy in a series by Maria DiRico. The series is A Catering Hall Mystery and will follow Mia Carina. Mia has just returned to Astoria after her husband's death/disappearance to live with her Grandmother. What sets this series apart is the fact Mia’s father used to be in the mob. How unique is that?

If you like mobster movies you will like this. Think of this book as the friendlier and way less violent version of Goodfellas as a cozy with a strong female lead. Mia is not in the mob but the plot involves the mob which makes it even more interesting and helps the plot move along. I loved this book and loved everything about it.

The protagonist Mia returns home to help her father run Belle View catering hall. His new business since he has gone legit. When someone turns up dead at Belle View, the police suspect Mia’s Dad Ravello Carina. Mia’s determination to clear her father's name and make their new business work is the heart of the story.

Mia the protagonist was smart, fun and caring. She was responsible and never put herself in danger on purpose. Which is what a lot of cozy characters seem to do in every single book.

The supporting characters including the Grandmother and neighbors were enjoyable. The backstory of Mia’s neighborhood was rich with detail. Many families were Greek or Italian and learning more about how the two cultures blended was wonderful. It felt authentic to the area. I loved that the neighbors cared for and looked after one another.

The subplot with the catering hall and its employees enriched the book. Cammie especially she was quite the character. The clients were all entertaining and helped further the plot.

Overall, the book moved along quickly. There was no filler, and the book was a refreshing a delightful change from themed cozies. It could have been just a catering theme but with the mob twist it just sent it over the top. In a good way, the mob aspect added some pizzazz that many cozies seem to lack.

When is the next book coming out? Because I want to read it. I rated Here Comes The Body five stars on Goodreads. Which I rarely do. I loved this fast and fun read and highly recommend you read it too.

Sounds like a rather silly read but it isn't. Everything from the characters to the mysteries are interesting and intelligent. I love the voice of the characters never acting like idiots 'helping ' the police
Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this arc

This book had me chuckling and invested from the first chapter! I love the whole idea of this, daughter back home, dad a mafioso trying to go legit, murder, mystery, and a gaggle of old ladies in a neighborhood. What is not to love with the mix? The story telling was engaging and flowed easy, the characters endearing, and a mystery that kept me guessing. I cannot wait for more in this series.

Mia Carina is working in her father’s catering hall in Queens, and when she discovers a dead body inside a cake during a bachelor party, she has no idea that she's going to become involved in a crazy murder investigation. Her father is a suspect but she refuses to believe he could be guilty of such a crime.

I was hoping for an immediate connection with the main character, but it didn't happen.
The story just didn't appeal to me, but it was extremely well told and well written.
#HereComestheBody #NetGalley

HERE COMES THE BODY, the first book in the brand new Catering Hall Mystery series by Maria DiRico (aka award-winning author Ellen Byron) combines the perfect balance of a clever mystery, zany characters, and witty humor. It captured my imagination and my attention so thoroughly, I didn’t want to put it down until I’d read the very last word. As the daughter of a mobster (who’s trying to go straight), protagonist Mia Carina has developed a very strong personality and has what it takes to meet life head-on and then move on (like being a person of interest in her cheating husband’s disappearance). The smart-alecky responses to situations Mia finds herself in, provides plenty of laugh out loud moments, while heart-felt scenes concerning her missing parakeet brings an emotional depth to the story. I greatly enjoyed that the author embraces the vibes of Queens, New York, instead of focusing on the typical pretentiousness of Manhattan. The way she weaves the comparisons into the story provides another layer of humor.

The author’s descriptive voice makes the setting come alive so I felt like I was visiting the Astoria neighborhood as she captures the flavors of the Italian and Greek residents. And oh what fun those senior neighborhood women are! Heading up the “Army” is Mia’s elderly Italian grandmother, Elisabetta. She and her friends add another dimension of humor to the story. Don’t think for a moment that since the story is filled with humor and entertaining characters, that the mystery has been overlooked. It hasn’t in the least. HERE COMES THE BODY is well-plotted with sub-plots that intertwine with the main murder mystery, and plenty of shady characters to keep the reader guessing. Ms. DiRico touches on crime themes that many cozy mysteries might shy away from. It has a bit of an edgier feel than a typical “English Village” cozy, yet she makes it work beautifully and I am eager to read future books in this new series!

Here Comes the Body by Maria DiRIco is the first book in A Catering Hall Mystery.

Mia Carina, returns to her hometown after her disastrous marriage and starts work for her father's catering service.
Almost immediately body of a young woman is found in a huge cake made for a bachelor party. The problem is that Mia's father has been accused by this woman of hiring her few days before and the signed check in his name is found next to her body.
Her father is an alleged mobster turned good. The leading detective is Mia's acquaintance and not very capable.

This is an unusual book. Not what I expected.
Mob references are very common, jokes in that manner as well as is the question of her father's involvement.
At times it seemed more like a parody than an actual mystery. I liked the characters but sometimes they were parodic and over the top. This is not something that appealed to me.
I really liked her neighborhood and all those funny old ladies. It is a steady paced book and an engaging mystery.
I trust it has an opportunity for further development.

The first in a new series called the Catering Hall mysteries. Mia Carina has returned to New York from Florida where she was a suspect in her husband’s disappearance. His boat was found with the body of his mistress so although he is presumed dead she does not know if she is a widow or not. She returns to make a fresh start but she is living in the apartment of her Grandmother’s house and is going to work for her Father. Her Father Ravello who has been working for the Boldano Family (the mob) and wants to go legit. The Boldano family has taken over the Belle View Catering Hall after the former owner could not pay his gambling debts. Mia’s first day starts with a call girl coming and trying to shake her father down for a “missed” appointment and Cammie a family friend tells her that it is wrong because her dad already has a girlfriend. Mia is shaken that her father may have a girlfriend so she goes to visit her brother in the nearby correctional facility. Mia’s first event night has two parties going on, a wedding anniversary and a bachelor party (which the hall is also hosting the wedding with a bride who only cares about besting her sister and the Mother of the groom only wanting to make it big and blue) ends up with a dead body in the cake who is not the stripper hired but the call girl who was trying to get money out of her Father and a check signed by her Father for a million dollars. The detective that arrives as the scene Pete is the ex-husband of Cammie and automatically assumes Ravello is the guilty party because of his mob connections. Mia can’t drive so she is constantly take a ride share and her driver is none other than Jamie Boldano who is the son of the head of the Boldano family but he is not connected to the mob, he is going back to school and Mia and Jamie have been friends forever but Mia is attracted to Jamie but she finds out he has a girlfriend. Mia begins her investigation and next there is a fire at the catering hall and Giorgio one of the wait staff who was arrested for forging the check is murdered. Ravello is arrested and makes it big news due to his mob connections. Mia works to solve the murder’s and this was a good start to a new series. I love Grandmother Elisabetta and her friends in the neighborhood and I love how Mia is so loyal to her family and her struggle to carve out a new life back in Queens. This looks to be a good new series and hopefully Jamie and Mia can end up together but I am guessing the “missing” husband Adam will end up appearing in the series at some point. The story kept me engaged and I stayed up to finish in one night. Highly recommend.