Public Anchovy #1 by Mindy Quigley ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

While Geneva Bay’s upper crust gets ready to party down at a Prohibition-themed fundraiser, pizza chef Delilah O’Leary is focused on seeing her struggling restaurant through the winter slow season. The temperature outside is plummeting, but Delilah’s love life might finally be heating up, as hunky police detective Calvin Capone seems poised to (finally) make a move. When a man tumbles down the stairs to his death during the fundraiser, Delilah's hopes of a successful catering party take a plummet.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

December 2023; St. Martin's; 978-1250792471
ebook, print (320 pages); cozy mystery

Public Anchovy #1 is the third book in the Deep Dish Mystery series. I haven't read the first two books in the series, but I didn't have any trouble figuring out the characters. There didn't seem to be any references to previous cases either. If I didn't know it was book 3, I would have thought it was book 1.

If you like dark and stormy-set murder mysteries, then you definitely need to read this book. I wasn't sure if this was going to be a locked room mystery as many of the guests leave after the man falls to his death, but a raging storm traps a few of the characters at the isolated mansion where the library fundraiser is being held.

I really enjoyed the mystery. The budding romance between Delilah and Calvin not so much. If I wanted a romance I would read a romance novel, not a cozy mystery. The characters, though, are likable. They are just quirky enough to make the novel fun. 

There is a book mentioned in this story that came up during one of my book club meetings recently. And because I was familiar with the plot, I did figure out portions of the mystery before the characters. But it was still a great read.

If you are looking for a fun mystery, grab a cozy blanket, a warm beverage, and this novel.

Buy Public Anchovy #1 at Amazon

Donna Huber is an avid reader and natural encourager. She is the founder of Girl Who Reads and the author of how-to marketing book Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour.

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