I am a huge fan of Ellen’s work and I’m so thrilled to share with you the cover reveal for the next book in Maria DiRico’s mystery series, coming March 2024 and now up for preorder.
Publication Date: March 26, 2024
Publisher: Kensington Books
Format: Print, Digital
Name of Series: Catering Hall
Number in Series: Book #5
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Author Website: ellenbyron.com
Book Synopsis
Mia Carina has steered her Italian-American family’s Astoria, Queens, catering hall, Belle View Banquet Manor, into becoming the borough’s premiere party site, and nothing could make her happier—except her boyfriend proposing. There’s just one presumed-dead obstacle in the way . . .
A strong, independent woman and respected entrepreneur, Mia never imagined she’d pine for a marriage proposal. Yet lately, with her beloved Shane, she’s on tenterhooks. It’s especially surprising, considering Mia’s first husband, Adam, was a philandering grifter, assumed lost-at-sea after a boating disaster. But everyone knows what happens when you assume . . .
While working a huge wedding expo in Manhattan, Mia is shocked to spot the man who nearly destroyed her life. The one who’s supposed to be sleeping with the fishes. But she loses him in the crowd. And when it happens again the next day, it’s time for an emergency meeting with the family—and the Family. Because if Adam is alive, Mia is still married . . .
Everyone wants Adam dead. Everyone except Mia. She’s dealt with enough police for a lifetime. Mia needs to be a divorcée, not a widow. But someone out there disagrees, and if Mia doesn’t discover who, she may never be free to marry Shane—or anyone else . . .
Italian recipes included!
About the author
Maria DiRico is the pseudonym for Ellen Byron, author of the award-winning, USA Today bestselling Cajun Country Mysteries and Vintage Cookbook Mysteries. Born in Queens, New York, she is first-generation Italian-American on her mother’s side and the granddaughter of a low-level Jewish mobster on her father’s side. She grew up visiting the Astoria Manor and Grand Bay Marina catering halls, which were run by her Italian mother’s family in Queens and have become the inspiration for her Catering Hall Mystery Series. DiRico has been a writer-producer for hit television series like Wings and Just Shoot Me, and her first play, Graceland, appears in the Best Short Plays collection. She’s a freelance journalist, with over 200 articles published in national magazines, and previously worked as a cater-waiter for Martha Stewart, a credit she never tires of sharing. A native New Yorker who attended Tulane University, Ellen lives in Los Angeles with her husband, daughter, and two rescue dogs. She can be found online at EllenByron.com and ChicksOnTheCase.com.
All comments are welcomed.
Love the cover!
Isn’t it fun?!
Such a great cover and the title and description have me hooked! Can’t wait to read this one, Ellen!
Kim, thanks! I need to get you a recipe. But we have time!
I love The Catering Hall Mysteries! I am so excited to see this cover reveal for the fifth book in the series. It practically guarantees a wedding! The hard part is waiting until next March before I can read it.
Sue, thank you!! And not giving anything away but… wink, wink!
I love that cover and I love this series! Congratulations.
What a fabulous title and cover to go with a wonderful series!
J.C. thank you!!! xoox
Oh my god, I love this cover and this series. Can’t wait to find out what happens!
Liz, thank you so much!! It’s a really fun book – if I do say so myself!
Love the series!
Yay! Thanks, Mary!
Hilarious title, and terrific cover! Congrats, my dear!!
Thank you, my friend!
It sounds like a really interesting book. Thank you for sharing.
Diana, thanks for checking out the cover. I hope you get to read the book!
Oh my gosh! Love the cover and so excited for this new book. I read the last book and listened to it, this family and their friends are hilarious!
Thank you so much! I”ve really loved writing this family.
I love it!
One of the best covers I’ve seen. Can’t wait to read the book!
Really looking forward to this one!📚
I can’t wait for this…I love5(3 cover and the title!
Christi, thank you!!
Awesome, Ellen! I can’t wait.
Valerie!! Thank you SO much!
Congratulations, Ellen. Love your cover and title, and it sounds like a fun story!
Thanks, Jackie! I had a blast writing it.
I love the title so much, Ellen, and the cover is perfect!
Edith, thanks! The cover cracked me up when I saw it.
I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of the new book.
I really think you’re going to like it, Nora!
I really like your new book cover!
I’m so glad!!
Love this!
The title! Fabulous!
Definitely putting this on my TBR list. Great cover! Cant wait to read!
Sounds great with a great cover!!!