I am thrilled to share with you the cover for the first book in the NEW “Catering Hall” mystery series from Kensington Books, coming February 25, 2020.
Title: Here Comes the Body
Name of Series: Catering Hall
Number in Series: #1
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Author: Maria DiRico
Author Website: ellenbyron.com/catering-hall-mysteries
Book Synopsis
After her philandering husband’s boat goes down in Florida, newly single Mia Carina returns 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. . .
Her father Ravello, a former capo with the Boldoni crime family, oversees a rundown banquet hall that was surrendered to him by a broke gambler. Mia has always wanted Ravello to go straight and she’s determined to help him run the hall, with its view of Flushing Bay and the LaGuardia Airport runway, as a legitimate business. Soon she’s planning a bachelor party for a less-than-gentlemanly groom. But it goes awry when a gigantic jump-out cake that’s supposed to house the featured entertainment instead reveals a deadly surprise.
The NYPD wastes no time in casting suspicion on Mia’s father—especially considering that he and the victim had a previous encounter. Now, Mia’s going to have to use all her street smarts to keep him out of Rikers Island. Who knew working for a catering hall could be as dangerous as working for the Mob? The Catering Hall Mysteries offers up a mystery series you can’t refuse.
Recipes included.
About the author
Mardi Gras Murder, Ellen Byron’s fourth Cajun Country Mystery, won the 2018 Agatha Award for Best Contemporary Novel. The series has also won multiple Best Humorous Mystery Lefty awards from Left Coast Crime. Writing as Maria DiRico, she’ll debut a second series, The Catering Hall Mysteries, in 2020. TV credits include Wings, Just Shoot Me, and Fairly OddParents. Fun fact: she worked as a cater-waiter for Martha Stewart.
Connect with Ellen on Facebook, on Twitter, on Instagram, on BookBub, or on Goodreads.
All comments are welcomed.
Love the cover!
Thanks so much!
I love it. You already know the story of my daughter’s wedding at Astoria World Manor. I don’t think anyone ever found the missing manager who we dealt with.
I can’t wait to read this and share it with my kids. They’ll all get a kick out of it.
I remember! I hope you really enjoy it. xo
Looks good a sounds great!
Thanks, Barbara!
Cool cover. And the book is set close to where I grew up. Looking forward to it.
Maya, are you a fellow Queens girl? Awesome!
The cover definitely reminds me of what my black cat would do if given the opportunity to explore like that. I am looking forward to reading this book and picking up more information.
Thanks, Robin. So glad you like it. 🙂
I’m looking forward to this new series. Sounds great! Love the cover, too.
Thanks so much, Linda!
I really like Ellen Byron’s work and this series looks like a sure-fire winner! Can’t wait to read and like others, love the cover!
Kimberley, thrilled you like my work. And love the cover, too!
I have some catch up reading to do! I love the cover and I’m sure the book will be amazing💜
Cats and cake!!! Two of my favorite things. I am there!!