Mia Carina has just gone through a horrible ordeal in Florida when her husband's boat was found with his dead mistress aboard, but no husband. After finally being cleared of any wrongdoing, she's found herself back home in Astoria, with her new job as Assistant Manager of Belle View, her father's catering hall. She's also found herself inheriting clients who are constantly arguing, a groom who practically hits on her, and a groom's mother who turns out to be a 'zilla' in her own right.

But Mia's homecoming isn't pleasant when a dead body shows up at the bachelor party, and the dead woman once had an altercation with Mia's father, Ravello. Now, the police are looking at him to be the main suspect, and Mia needs to step up her game to find a killer. Just when she thinks he's in the clear, more trouble arises around the corner, and with the help of her friend Cammie, she's on the right path. But trouble isn't done following her, and it just might be fatal...

This is the first in a new series and I found it completely refreshing. I have to say that I certainly didn't expect this book to be as fun as it was. There was no detective love interest, no love triangle, no evil nemesis, etc. Mia is intelligent, family-oriented, business-savvy, and able to think on her feet. When trouble arises, she can usually think quickly to find a solution.

The mystery was intriguing, and we also had Mia involved in trying to help her nonna solve her own problems with the neighborhood. It shows a love of family. and I do like her nonna, who has her own wits about her. When each thread of the story seems to lead back to a common one, we watch Mia pull them all together and figure it out. The climax is fun indeed, and it leaves us wanting more. I am glad that I finally picked this book up and can't wait to read the next in the series. ( )

Mia's new job as even coordinator starts off with a bang. Well, a stab, really. Her first event is marred by the stabbing death of a stripper who had earlier accused Mia's father of stiffing her on a prostitution payment. Since Dad is in the mob and it's not even a little secret (what ever happened to la cosa nostra?) the cops automatically think he is the culprit so Mia has to investigate herself to keep her dad from going to jail, again.
This was okay. I wouldn't be looking up the rest of the series but that could be because there are so many stereotypes and did I mention dad is a capo in the mob? The author mentions it. A Lot. Give it a go if you are bored but if you want something that's going to require you to think or pay attention, go with something else. This wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. ( )

Mia Carina has returned to her hometown of Queens, New York, and is working with her father Ravello at Belle View Banquet Manor, a catering hall with some scenic views of the Flushing Bay Marina but also in the landing pattern for LaGuardia Airport. It's an opportunity for a fresh start for father and daughter as the father is ready to run a legitimate business and his daughter needs a fresh start too after life in Florida was anything but "happily ever after."

This was a fun opening to the series as there are a wealth of secondary characters that add unique flavor and delights to almost every scene. I can't think of one that I wouldn't enjoy spending more time with as I've no doubt there are more events for Mia's party planning talents and her father's oversight. Plus, there's never a dull moment in the neighborhood at home with Mia's grandmother Elisabetta and her "Army."

I really enjoyed the setting of Queens, New York as most New York City settings take place in the borough of Manhattan. There are some trips into Manhattan as the storyline unfolds but not as the primary setting for the cozy. I also liked the mentions of the different modes of travel Mia used throughout the story as this is a realistic portrayal of the choices and flexibility used when living in New York.

The cozy is written by Maria DiRico (pseudonym of author Ellen Byron) and in reading Ellen's background she may have incorporated a few of her own family and "Family" stories in this series as well. Only the author knows where her creative expression adds or subtracts and from this reader's view that makes it even better. I look forward to reading more of this series! ( )

So much fun!

Coming from an Italian family and having a Nonna nothing like the main character, Mia Carina, I laughed at many of the exploits of her Nonna (grandmother) and the rest of the family (part of the mob). Mia's father, Ravello, is the manager of the Belle View Catering Hall, which he is trying to run as a legitimate business (he wants to stay out of prison). He has Mia return to Astoria to be the event planner and her first one is deadly. A bachelor party with a stripper to pop out of a cake, turns into a murder investigation when no one pops out and instead a stabbed body is found within. Since Ravello had an argument with the victim previously, he's heading the list of suspects. Mia is determined not to need to visit the prison for her father (she already visits her brother - auto theft) and along with her Nonna works to find the killer.

loved it! ( )

I really, really love finding new mystery series! Here Comes the Body is the first in A Catering Hall Mystery series by Maria DiRico aka Ellen Byron. You may be familiar with Ellen Byron’s Cajun Country Mystery series. I’ve read the first two in that series, which takes place in Louisiana, and really enjoyed them.

I enjoyed that Mia is a party planner since that is one of the things I’ve always thought I would enjoy doing. But after DJing for about five years, I realized I don’t want to deal with all the craziness that goes into weddings and other events. I can see a lot of potential for future books when it comes to the shenanigans of people at different parties.

The characters were so much fun. I love grandma and can’t wait to see what future adventures her and her group of neighborhood ladies find themselves in. I also enjoyed meeting the people in the pet support group and the new neighbors that moved in down the road, and I can’t wait to get to know more about them.

And then there’s the whole mafia angle, which is a riot. At first Maria was trying to distance herself from it, but as the book progressed she started to embrace it. I do enjoy books on the mob, so I’m happy to find a cozy series that includes them. Once again there is so much potential for future books in regards to the mafia aspect.

I also really enjoy that the love interest isn’t a cop, lawyer, or some other official that can look the other way when Mia needs some information. Instead he’s a cab driver studying for his psychology degree, oh, and he happens to be the son of the mafia boss. That is such a nice change of pace.

A fun start to a new cozy series, and one that I highly recommend!!! ( )