Lori C. (dollycas) reviewed Ashes to Ashes, Crust to Crust (Deep Dish Mysteries, Bk 2) on + 704 more book reviews
Dollycas's Thoughts
We arrive in Geneva Bay, Wisconsin as Delilah O'Leary is working on her entry for the annual âTaste of Wisconsinâ culinary contest. She is trying to find the perfect recipe for a Deep-Dish Bratwurst Pizza with a pretzel crust. Delilah's ex has moved on with Jordan Watts owner of the local juice bar. Jordan is also working on her entry for the contest.
Delilah shares custody of the large lovable feisty cat Butterball with her ex Sam. Sam has put Butterball on a diet and that makes for a very hungry and unhappy kitty. Delilah agrees to meet Sam at Jordan's juice bar to give him Butterball. While there chaos ensues when a customer is poisoned and dies after drinking a smoothie. Was the victim the real target? How did the poison get in the smoothie? Are other people in danger? Delilah and Detective Calvin Capone are reunited as she finds herself deep in the middle of another murder investigation and on his suspect list.
Then another body is found with a connection to Sonya, Delilah's BFF, sous chef, and namesake âSonâ of Delilah & Son pizza restaurant. The heat gets turned up high. A killer needs to be caught before anyone else gets burned.
I am really enjoying this series set in my home state. Talk of bratwurst and cheese and I am right there. Haven't ever had bratwurst on a pizza but I guess it could easily replace Italian sausage.
Delilah was a little harsh in the first book mostly due to her OCD tendencies but I didn't notice that as much this time, but her Aunt Biz sure is acting strange. Sonya was more of a focus in this story when her past catches up with her. All three of these women are strong with their own struggles. They are all also very stubborn and have a hard time accepting help even from each other. That being said, they are cleverly crafted and I was really drawn into each of their stories. I still am not a fan of Sam but by the end of this story, he earned a few points that may change my opinion in the future. I really love Aunt Biz who knows everyone in town having taught most of them.
Readers are introduced to some new characters too. Harold Heyer, president of the Geneva Bay Convention and Vistors Bureau. With the culinary contest, he seems to pop up everywhere. Molly McClintock aka Mac is Melody's cousin and she is up to something. Jordan Watts, owner of Juice Revolution, and her employee Jarka, who was a doctor in Bulgaria but until her English improves and she can take the necessary tests she can only find work at a smoothie shop. Mac also works at the juice bar. All these characters had a purpose in the story and were fleshed out throughout the story.
Wisconsin has been said to popular with the Chicago mobsters back in the 1920's and the author draws on that history both in Delilah's restaurant and in the mysteries which makes them even more intriguing. With plenty of suspects, twists, and turns I was delightfully entertained. I was able to put some of the clues together before Delilah but not enough to not be surprised at the reveal.
I loved all the descriptions of Wisconsin and that the author takes the time to make her characters sound like Sconies. She also adds humor in all the right places.
Ashes to Ashes, Crust to Crust is a marvelous addition to this series. The characters have grown in ways I like and I am now invested in their lives. The ending sets up a very interesting twist that I am anxious to see play out. The story gets a strong 4 star-fish from me. It was a very enjoyable cozy getaway. I am looking forward to the next book.
We arrive in Geneva Bay, Wisconsin as Delilah O'Leary is working on her entry for the annual âTaste of Wisconsinâ culinary contest. She is trying to find the perfect recipe for a Deep-Dish Bratwurst Pizza with a pretzel crust. Delilah's ex has moved on with Jordan Watts owner of the local juice bar. Jordan is also working on her entry for the contest.
Delilah shares custody of the large lovable feisty cat Butterball with her ex Sam. Sam has put Butterball on a diet and that makes for a very hungry and unhappy kitty. Delilah agrees to meet Sam at Jordan's juice bar to give him Butterball. While there chaos ensues when a customer is poisoned and dies after drinking a smoothie. Was the victim the real target? How did the poison get in the smoothie? Are other people in danger? Delilah and Detective Calvin Capone are reunited as she finds herself deep in the middle of another murder investigation and on his suspect list.
Then another body is found with a connection to Sonya, Delilah's BFF, sous chef, and namesake âSonâ of Delilah & Son pizza restaurant. The heat gets turned up high. A killer needs to be caught before anyone else gets burned.
I am really enjoying this series set in my home state. Talk of bratwurst and cheese and I am right there. Haven't ever had bratwurst on a pizza but I guess it could easily replace Italian sausage.
Delilah was a little harsh in the first book mostly due to her OCD tendencies but I didn't notice that as much this time, but her Aunt Biz sure is acting strange. Sonya was more of a focus in this story when her past catches up with her. All three of these women are strong with their own struggles. They are all also very stubborn and have a hard time accepting help even from each other. That being said, they are cleverly crafted and I was really drawn into each of their stories. I still am not a fan of Sam but by the end of this story, he earned a few points that may change my opinion in the future. I really love Aunt Biz who knows everyone in town having taught most of them.
Readers are introduced to some new characters too. Harold Heyer, president of the Geneva Bay Convention and Vistors Bureau. With the culinary contest, he seems to pop up everywhere. Molly McClintock aka Mac is Melody's cousin and she is up to something. Jordan Watts, owner of Juice Revolution, and her employee Jarka, who was a doctor in Bulgaria but until her English improves and she can take the necessary tests she can only find work at a smoothie shop. Mac also works at the juice bar. All these characters had a purpose in the story and were fleshed out throughout the story.
Wisconsin has been said to popular with the Chicago mobsters back in the 1920's and the author draws on that history both in Delilah's restaurant and in the mysteries which makes them even more intriguing. With plenty of suspects, twists, and turns I was delightfully entertained. I was able to put some of the clues together before Delilah but not enough to not be surprised at the reveal.
I loved all the descriptions of Wisconsin and that the author takes the time to make her characters sound like Sconies. She also adds humor in all the right places.
Ashes to Ashes, Crust to Crust is a marvelous addition to this series. The characters have grown in ways I like and I am now invested in their lives. The ending sets up a very interesting twist that I am anxious to see play out. The story gets a strong 4 star-fish from me. It was a very enjoyable cozy getaway. I am looking forward to the next book.
Brenda H. (booksinvt) -
Ashes to Ashes, Crust to Crust is the second installment in the Deep Dish Mysteries series set in Geneva Bay, Wisconsin and featuring pizza restaurant owner Delilah O'Leary. Together with her best friend Sonya Perlman-Dokter, her great aunt, Elizabeth "Biz" O'Leary and employees Melody Schacht, Rabbit and Daniel, Delilah has established Delilah & Son, a terrific deep dish pizzeria.
The annual Taste of Wisconsin contest is approaching and Delilah is busy perfecting a Bratwurst pizza recipe that she hopes will win and bring in the prize money to keep the restaurant afloat through the winter. What she wasn't expecting was that one of the judges would be celebrity chef Graham Ulrich, Sonya's former boss. While working for the chef, Sonya had an affair with Graham's wife, Renee and when the man found out not only did her fire her, but he'd basically blackballed her out of town.
Delilah is also feeling guilty about Butterball, her furry feline. When Delilah and her boyfriend Sam had broken up she'd insisted on joint custody but now the cat seems to be having weight issues and trouble adjusting to being shuttled back and forth between two homes. During one of the drop offs, Delilah learns that Sam is involved with the owner of the new juice restaurant, Jordan Watts.
When a customer of the Juice Revolution drops dead after consuming a smoothie, and then Graham also turns up dead, Delilah is convinced there is a connection between the two deaths. Despite the warnings of Detective Calvin Capone to stay out of the investigation, Delilah must act quickly to draw suspicion away from herself and Sonya.
A mysterious ex con, cryptic threats and vandalism create a fast paced mystery featuring twists and turns, mouthwatering recipes, a delightful cast of characters, a hint of romance and a furry feline.
This series is a must read.
The annual Taste of Wisconsin contest is approaching and Delilah is busy perfecting a Bratwurst pizza recipe that she hopes will win and bring in the prize money to keep the restaurant afloat through the winter. What she wasn't expecting was that one of the judges would be celebrity chef Graham Ulrich, Sonya's former boss. While working for the chef, Sonya had an affair with Graham's wife, Renee and when the man found out not only did her fire her, but he'd basically blackballed her out of town.
Delilah is also feeling guilty about Butterball, her furry feline. When Delilah and her boyfriend Sam had broken up she'd insisted on joint custody but now the cat seems to be having weight issues and trouble adjusting to being shuttled back and forth between two homes. During one of the drop offs, Delilah learns that Sam is involved with the owner of the new juice restaurant, Jordan Watts.
When a customer of the Juice Revolution drops dead after consuming a smoothie, and then Graham also turns up dead, Delilah is convinced there is a connection between the two deaths. Despite the warnings of Detective Calvin Capone to stay out of the investigation, Delilah must act quickly to draw suspicion away from herself and Sonya.
A mysterious ex con, cryptic threats and vandalism create a fast paced mystery featuring twists and turns, mouthwatering recipes, a delightful cast of characters, a hint of romance and a furry feline.
This series is a must read.
