IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE MURDER, the third book in the Catering Hall Mystery series by Maria DiRico (aka Ellen Byron), has all the ingredients for a laugh-out-loud Christmas cozy mystery! Over-the-top neighbor Christmas decorations feud – check. Mobsters trying to go straight – check. Ridiculously extravagant parties – check. Dead body in Santa’s workshop – check! And so, so much more that it was impossible to put the book down. With her witty humor, Ms. DiRico pens a multi-faceted story with engaging characters. The protagonist, Mia Carina, is a mobster’s daughter trying to keep her dad on the straight and narrow. As if that’s not enough of a plotline, there’s someone claiming to be the mobster’s son’s half-brother; another mobster’s son who’s trying to leave the business and work in Mia’s catering hall; and Mia’s jailbird brother. If it sounds like a lot is going on, there is, yet Ms. DiRico expertly keeps all the plotlines straight (and more importantly entertaining) and not once did I feel like I was lost.

While it might seem that the murder mystery itself could get lost amongst all the subplots, it doesn’t. The author knows how to write a tight and well-paced plot and the seemingly random subplots weave into the murder as the story progresses. There are twists, turns, and laughs galore and instead of playing armchair detective, I sat back and enjoyed the ride. If you’d rather try to spot the killer as you read, there are plenty of clues and suspects to keep you on your toes. With a surprising reveal (or two), the story wraps up with a promise of future happiness for Mia. I, for one, can’t wait to see what’s coming next!

Running a catering hall, there are all sorts of delicious dishes and desserts coming from the Belle View kitchen. Ms. DiRico includes several Italian recipes at the back of the book.

I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Mia Carina is gearing up for a busy holiday season, both at the Belle View Banquet Manor she runs with her dad Ravello, former mob guy gone straight, and at home with her paternal grandmother Elisabetta, who is hellbent on winning the annual block decoration award. At work, at least, she has the help of a mostly excellent staff, including the ridiculously good-looking Shane Gambrazzo, a former male model who desperately wants to downplay his attractiveness but will reluctantly use it in service of their event planning activities. Mia is very attracted to Shane but knows that acting on her feelings would be wildly unprofessional, especially if he doesn’t reciprocate. But it’s another, albeit former, love interest who proves even more disruptive to her peace of mind in the lead up to Christmas.

Jamie Boldano is not only Mia’s ex-boyfriend but also the son of Donny Boldano Sr, the crime boss whose fortunes have always been deeply tied to the Carina’s. When Donny Sr and his wife Aurora invite Mia over for a private talk -- with a warning not to say anything to Jamie -- Mia fears the worst. Jamie is happily involved with the lovely, if non-Italian, Madison, with whom Mia has also struck up a firm friendship. The last thing Mia wants to do is get in the middle of her friends’ relationship.

Fortunately, what Jamie’s parents have to say has nothing to do with Madison. Unfortunately, what they tell Mia is an even bigger family bombshell. Turns out that a guy named Lorenzo Puglia has come around claiming to be Jamie’s long-lost brother. This is obviously a con, but it does bring up family issues that Jamie’s parents never thought they’d have to discuss with their younger son. The older Boldanos want Mia with them when they talk to Jamie about all this, in hopes she can help mediate what’s sure to be a difficult conversation. Alas, things do not go as planned, leading to hysterics, fights, then an unexpected murder, with the corpse ending up practically on Mia’s doorstep.

Now Mia has to get to the bottom of things while dealing with demanding event clientele, difficult family members and unhappy capital-F Family members. The surprise arrival of her estranged mother Gia only adds to the stress. Will Mia’s smarts and goodwill help see her through, and perhaps help her find a little romance in the process?

The Catering Hall Mystery series keeps going from strength to strength as it follows the adventures of our thoroughly modern heroine. Mia’s narrative voice is refreshingly lively and believable as an Astoria girl navigating life in the 21st century. This book has everything I want from a cozy mystery: a satisfying fair-play puzzle, a romance I was rooting for, and loads of humor and charm.

It also included seven delicious recipes that I had a hard time deciding between! But since I had a bunch of shrimp left over from cooking last week’s column -- and since I wanted a little vindication in my cooking skills after my so-so efforts last week -- I decided to try yet another seafood pasta:

QUOTE
Shrimp, Crab, And Artichoke Cavatelli

1 lb. cooked crabmeat, picked clean of shell and cartilage
1 cup cooked shrimp, medium in size
4 canned artichokes
Liquid from canned artichokes
1 shallot
2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
½ cup chopped parsley
1 cup chopped fresh basil
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil, plus 1 tsp. separated
Juice of two lemons
⅛ salt; more to taste if necessary
Ground pepper to taste
½ lb. cavatelli (or similar pasta)

Dice shallot. Add the teaspoon of oil to a skillet or sauté pan and sauté the shallot until it is soft. Set aside to cool.

In a medium-sized bowl, gently mix the crab, shrimp, garlic, lemon juice, parsley, cooled shallot, and basil. In a smaller bowl, whisk the olive oil, artichoke liquid, and salt together. Pour the liquid into the shellfish mixture and gently stir to combine. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least an hour but preferably overnight.

When you’re ready to prepare the dish for dinner, removed the shellfish mixture from the refrigerator and bring to room temperature. Follow the directions that accompany your cavatelli or choice of pasta to cook it until it’s al dente. Drain the pasta and toss with the shellfish mixture. Serve immediately. You can put out salt, pepper, and lemon juice for any guest who wants to add a dash to their meal, but no cheese. <i>Niente formaggio sul pesce</i>, as the Italians say. No cheese on fish.

Serves 4-6.
END QUOTE

Oh wow, this is a bit like a ceviche with pasta! While it’s good at room temperature, I actually really enjoyed it cold, as I felt like the acid bite of the lemon and artichoke really came through then to provide the perfect counterpoint to the yummy seafood and pasta. My husband couldn’t find shallots at the store, so we substituted a small sweet onion, and he picked out casarecce instead of cavatelli pasta. It all worked out quite nicely though! I wasn’t sure what kind or volume amount of artichokes I should use, but since I like artichokes, I erred on the larger end of the standard can size, then roughly chopped the quartered artichoke hearts to more evenly distribute them throughout the dish. I also threw in a little extra chopped parsley, just to give it more healthy green goodness.

Next week, we take a break from seafood pastas to make a yummy, easy dessert, while investigating who hated Santa enough to kill him. Do join me!

Oh how I love this series!! I was so hesitant to read this but went with a friends recommendation and here I am, three books later, completely enthralled and missing NYC more than I usually do. This was a really good read - the mystery was very good and for me, it was the utter best because I never knew who did it and/or why. You get a ton of Nonna in this one as well and Mia and the Catering Center group [Cami is a scream, though I am not sure just how she stays employed] and you get to see a side of Terry Fuoquoa [sp] that will not soon leave your imagination. Add in some serious decorating competition, a 16th birthday party that nightmares are made of and of course murder, and you have one crazy and hilarious, and amazing read. I so love it when I read a book and I am not disappointed once nor do I dread picking it up - that was this book from beginning to end.

There are several really great things that happen in this book that I absolutely CANNOT share as they need to be experienced by the reader. Some of it initially made me angry and squirm with embarrassment for the characters, but it all works out in the end and it is just so darn lovely. These little treats will just make this book for you [not that they are totally needed, as this is a great read with or without them], and you will have all the feels at the end. Add in all the amazing recipes at the end [I. WAS. DROOLING.] that is just "icing on the cake" [ba-dam boom. I'll be here all week folks!]. Very well done. I cannot wait for the next one.

Thank you to NetGalley, Maria DiRico, and Kensington Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Maria DiRico has written another cozy gem in her Catering Hall Mystery series. It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Murder finds Mia Carina investigating yet another murder, one with very strong ties to her "family". Add in her formerly MIA mother's return to Queens, Nonna's over-the-top Christmas decorating, and her strong attraction to her employee, Mia's got a lot going on in this one! I couldn't put it down, and devoured the book in one afternoon. A+++ and 5 stars from this cozy lover!

I love this series. I love Mia Carina and Jamie Boldano and the entire extended family.... let's bring the craziness of an Italian mob family with a crazy grandmother into the holidays and the neighborhood holiday contest.and throw in a murder and we have the perfect start to the holiday season.

This was def a book I was waiting to come out and read and I thank NetGalley for allowing me to read it. This is the 3rd book in the series, and can be read as a standalone.

Mia once again comes to the rescue to bring peace to the extended mob family as she solves the murder of someone posing as Jamie's brother. Of course, this throws the whole Boldano clan into a tailspin as Jamie learns hidden family drama. Mia and her father, along with Cami start solving the who dunnit.

I really enjoyed this book and I can't wait till the next one.

Thank you NetGalley

Is there anything better than Christmas in New York? The Boldano family has long held secrets revealed when a scam artist comes looking to take advantage of Jamie. When the scam artist is found dead suspicion is cast upon the Boldano family. Mia does her best to help Jamie and his family overcome the family secrets as well as help find the true killer. Mia works with reporter Teri again and I like how they are slowly becoming friends but won't admit it.

This book has everything I love. Nonna's contest to see who had the best Christmas lights put such a smile on my face. The recipes at the end of the book are always welcome and I can't wait to make a few. I was hoping Nona's pignoli cookie recipe would be included but sadly it wasn't. I love the characters. They feel just like family and are so inviting and warm. Mia's relationship with her family is wonderful. I especially love Nonna. I also loved seeing the progress in Mia and Shane's relationship. The mystery was well done and I was guessing until the end about the killer. This was an excellent addition to the series and I can't wait for more.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Murder by Maria DiRico is the 3rd book in A Catering Hall Mystery series, and another great addition. Mia Carina is working with her father at the catering hall. Mia family is tied to the mob, and she is helping her dad stay straight. It's Christmas time, and Mia is staying very busy with a sweet sixteen birthday party, dealing with her mother who showed up out of the blue, and trying to help her best friend through some shocking news. Mia is also having a hard time concentrating on everything because of her gorgeous employee. When someone gets murdered, Mia begins looking for the truth. Not only does this book have a great mystery, I enjoy the characters. I highly recommend this book and look forward to the next book in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

"It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Murder” the third instalment in the A Catering Hall Mystery series by Maria DiRico.

Astoria, Queens, is decorated within an inch of its life for the Christmas season, and Mia Carina is juggling her job at the Belle View catering hall with a case of murder...

I loved Mia, her Nonna, Cammie, Shane and the rest of the side characters. I am hoping there is romance in Mias future …
The mystery is interesting and well plotted, I found myself guessing and second-guessing myself on whodunnit right to the very end. I couldn’t put the book down, read it in a day .

I highly recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends and I can’t wait for book four!!

I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Kensington Books and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Murder is book 3 in the Catering Hall Mystery series by Maria DiRico.

Mia Carina is the event coordinator at Belle View and has a first birthday and a sweet sixteen party that are stressful. Then there is Family and family drama.

There was a lot going on in this book and I enjoyed it all. The characters were interesting and I don’t think I’ve read a book with so many crimes and criminals. I laughed out loud while reading this. I can’t wait for the next book.

Thank you to the author, Kensington, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Easy afternoon read between unpacking boxes. Nothing overly memorable or offensive so it was fast and easily consumed while exhausted and stressed.

This fantastic plot is stuffed full of home, hearth, and family relationships. The Boldano Family is shocked to its core when someone infiltrates their family like a long-lost relative. The answer to that situation comes to a boil very fast, and it’s a huge upset! There is a lot going on in this book, almost too much. In addition to her job, Mia has to juggle developments in her own family as well as help her good friend, Jamie. I kept getting the different suspects mixed up which distracted me from the overall story. Other than that, I really enjoyed the book. The friendship Mia formed with her teenage client was touching. I liked Mia’s estranged mother, Gia, much more than I had expected. I also like the promise of romance between Mia and her employee Shane, who had once modeled in Italy. There are also just enough Italian words and phrases included in the book to give the book authenticity without interrupting the flow of the story. I like the book

It is Christmas in Astoria, Queens, New York and the staff at Belle View Banquet Manor are busy with a strange one year birthday party with a Nativity theme and a sweet sixteen party. Mia Carina and her father Revello, retired "Family Lieutenant," run the catering hall for Revello's old boss, Donny Baldano. Mia and Donny's son Jamie are good friends but things get tense when someone shows up saying he is Jamie's brother. Then Mia's self centered mother Gia and ex-wife of Ravello shows up from Italy. Strange things are happening in the community, especially when said "brother" is found dead in Christmas decorations next door to Mia's and her Nonna's home. I have really enjoyed this series with the funny, expressive Italian characters as well as the employees and competitive octogenarian neighbors of Nonna. This one has a great murder or two to solve and lots of suspects to ponder. Pete, detective, author, and ex of manor employee, Cammie, puts up with Mia's sleuthing but actually benefits by her work as does reporter Teri, who loves to get tips from Mia. Expect some tense, dangerous times along with family squabbles, sprinkled with humor, love, and tied up in a sweet Christmas bow ending. Love the series!
I received a complimentary ARC from Kensington Books and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine only.

I adore Mia and her wild and crazy family, friends, and co-workers. I’m fascinated by the predicaments she gets herself tangled up in. She’s a savvy, street-smart young woman who doesn’t fall in to many of the “too stupid to live” tendencies of so many heroines in this genre. That’s a big part of why I love her so much. I also enjoy the clever mysteries that always keep me guessing and following the wrong red herrings. It doesn’t hurt that the shenanigans of those crazy family, friends, and co-workers keep me delightfully distracted and laughing my butt off. I binge-read this whole series in, largely, a single sitting. And now that I’ve come to the end of what’s currently available, I’m feeling a little bereft that there aren’t more books in it for me to gobble down right away. I’m not sure what’s in store for Mia next, but I can’t wait to read it.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book through NetGalley.

This is the third installment in this wonderful series. I like that it’s set in NYC, Queens to be exact.
Not only does Mia have to deal with running the catering hall, she has the return of her mother (Gia), former crush – Jamie learning of an unknown half-brother, and a death to solve all during the holiday season. I’ll never look at Christmas decorations the same after this book.

I love the humor infused in the book, the mystery was great, and the characters keep growing.

Thank-you Ellen Byron for a wonderful story under your penname.

I was given an Advanced Reader’s Copy by Netgalley and am not required to leave a positive review.

This was the perfect read to get me thinking about Christmas. As the series is one of my favorites, I wanted to savor it. It didn't disappoint. I won't go into great detail because I don't want to spoil the numerous funny moments and surprises in store for Mia and her friends and family. I will say Mia has a challenging holiday to deal with between running the Belle View Banquet Manor and the reappearance of her mother. Dealing with a Nativity themed birthday for a child and another birthday for a sixteen year old diva would send anyone around the twist but Mia is up to the challenges. But that's not the half of it - murder is added to the holiday and the prime suspect is her long time bestie, Jamie.
Mia's family is so entertaining I know there will be lots of laughs. Then there is Shane - be still my heart. Tall, gorgeous male model perfection who wants that put in the rear view mirror as he proves his worth as an employee of Belle View. Well, the mystery is well crafted and the rest of the cast is wonderful, and the talk of food makes me hungry. This book has it all and I read it in one setting staying up late into the night.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

This is the third book in the Catering Hall Mystery series and I always enjoy these shenanigan-rich tales. It was great to be back in bustling Astoria, Queens, New York City for a few hours, to meet the residents there and solve a perplexing mystery.

The primary amateur detective in this one is manager and events organiser Mia Carina. Belle View Banquet Manor is the catering hall that her father has created. Mia's life is as busy as ever including nativity parties and a sixteenth birthday bash to organise. Mia's former crush, Jamie is in town and so is her mum. Then a possible half-brother of Jamie's rocks up, too...

I was really engaged in the mystery from the start. There is a lot happening and a lot of layers and clues to sift through. The unusual thing about this series is that it's set in a city rather than a small town, giving a different vibe than the majority of cozies. Maria DiRico's well-formulated and super-packed plot becomes surprisingly complex as the story develops. I continued to warm to Mia, finding her ebullience, confidence and intuitiveness very refreshing. I very much appreciated Maria DiRico's superb and varied characterisation, even though some of the characters weren't particularly personable. Apart from Mia herself, my favourite was probably Nonna Elisabetta, who added another dimension of humour to the story and had me cracking a smile or two, as she has in previous instalments.

Maria DiRico writes with such flair and an easy style. There were a plethora of suspects to choose from and with some zig-zagging along the way, this was a story that held my attention well and I loved that things came together for a clear resolution. Being a culinary cozy, there are some delicious sounding culinary treats within. The interesting growth for the series regulars cements my enthusiasm in anticipating what Maria DiRico has in store for Mia and her family and acquaintances next.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my own request from Kensington Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

Maria DiRico’s Catering Hall Mysteries is a cozy series that I always look forward to reading, and It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Murder is the perfect way to start off your Holiday reading!

Besides the well developed characters and fantastic community in this series, the other thing I also know I can count on in lots of action and crazy event situations. Some cozies spend a lot of time having the main character just going to talk to people to find out who the killer is, but DiRico incorporates so many fun and interesting scenarios that at times this series has the fast pace of a thriller. I never find myself skimming her books…. and that is some of the highest praise I can give.

If you haven’t already started this series from the beginning, you should do so with Here Comes the Body. But if you’ve already read the first two in the Catering Hall series then you can look forward to a crazy first birthday, an outrageous sweet sixteen that introduces us to a new character that I look forward to seeing in future books, Nona and her posse dominating the Christmas decorating scene along with a dark horse that helps them become the talk of the town, an estranged mother, and so much more!

A busy holiday catering season, a personal crisis in her best friend Jamie's life, a stubborn camel and even more stubborn and spoiled teenage birthday girl, a handsome new employee, a surprise visit from her estranged mother, Nonna 's slightly crazy competition over decorated front yards and murder have Mia Carina running all over the big Apple!

Mia Carina faces the most chaotic holiday season yet. When a stranger reveals startling information to her friend Jamie, Mia is shocked and suspicious at the same time and when the stranger is found murdered, in a holiday display, and Jamie is a suspect, she adds sleuth to her "to do" list. There is so much going on in this book and I loved it! The reader gains more insight to Mia's past and the story was touching. The mystery was like a big puzzle and all the pieces fell into place at the end of the book. I think that Mia's mob ties, through her now legit father, are fun to read. It adds a unique background to the cozy genre. Add in a handsome new employee, Shane, at the catering company and you have, hopefully, a love interest for Mia!

The book has a wonderfully complicated mystery, holiday joy, family and friends and humor - it's a perfect holiday read!

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This third installment in the Catering Hall Mystery series is a great way to start your Christmas themed reading! This series is filled with wonderful characters on both sides of the law. In the midst of holiday party planning dramas, wrangling goats and a camel, an unexpected reappearance of her estranged mother, neighborhood Christmas lighting competition and Family drama, Mia is drawn into investigating the murder of a man claiming to be Jamie’s biological brother. There are suspects galore, Christmas is almost here and Mia is determined to prove that the guilty party isn’t anyone in the Family.

Once again Maria DiRico makes the reader laugh out loud with the antics of her crazy Italian family and friends. Mix in the handsome new employee at the Belle View Banquet Manor, an unusual confession from a member of the Boldano family, a Christmas decorating contest to end all and, of course, a murder, and you have another day in the life of Mia Carina. A funny series that makes me think of my own crazy family.