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Reviews

Six Feet Deep Dish by Mindy Quigley

lesseraliterary's review against another edition

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review withheld due to st martins press boycott 

graciouswarriorprincess's review

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adventurous medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

theavidreaderandbibliophile's review

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3.0

Delilah O’Leary has moved to Geneva Bay, Wisconsin with her fiancé, Sam. Delilah is excited to be opening her own pizzeria in the town she loved to visit as a child. Her Aunt Biz lives in Geneva Bay. Aunt Biz’s health has taken a decline recently, so Delilah is glad to be nearby to help her. It is the night of the soft opening of the Delilah’s gourmet pizzeria. The day has been less than stellar with a mix-up on the sign plus Delilah got into an argument with Sam which resulted in him packing a bag and departing. The show must go on because her guests are arriving and expecting to see their host (plus eat delectable pizza). Aunt Biz begins to feel unwell and needs some air, so her caregiver takes her outside to stroll on the dock. When Aunt Biz fails to return, Delilah goes looking for her. She finds Aunt Biz standing over her caregiver with a gun in her hand. Detective Calvin Capone (the great-grandson of the legendary Al Capone) is in charge of the case. Delilah must keep her wits about her (and not on the hunky detective) if she is to save her Aunt Biz and her pizzeria.

Six Feet Deep Dish by Mindy Quigley is the debut of the Deep Dish Mysteries. I found Delilah a hard character to like. She has a terrible temper (good thing her sous chef and best friend is on hand to run interference) and expects perfection. I could not imagine working for Delilah who wants things done a certain way and checks (and checks and checks again) to make sure everything is the way she wants it. Butterball, Sam and Delilah’s cat, stole the show. He is a chubby, mischievous fellow. I am not a fan of Sam. He needs to find someone who is as laidback as he is. For those who are body conscious, you will find triggers in this book. Delilah has a more robust figure, and she compares herself to thinner people. There are many references to people’s weight and what they eat. I would have preferred Delilah embrace her figure (body positivity). I like Aunt Biz with her spunky attitude. There is a diverse supporting cast of characters that need fleshing out. The mystery had some interesting components, but it is not challenging (can be solved before the police arrive on the scene). This is Delilah’s first time sleuthing so it is expected that she will not be a pro right out of the gate. Delilah stumbled upon the clues. She was told repeatedly to stay out of the investigation by the handsome detective. The mystery is nicely wrapped up at the end. It seemed that Delilah was ready for another romance the day after Sam took off (I am being generous by saying the next day). The scene with Delilah daydreaming about Detective Capone’s lips was not needed. I could understand Delilah thinking that Capone was handsome, but I felt it was too soon for anything more (let’s not rush it). I did find Six Feet Deep Dish to be a slow starter as we are introduced to all the characters (did we need to meet everyone in the first chapter). The pacing improves later in the book. I found my mouth watering from the description of Delilah’s pizza sauce. It had me hankering for a pizza (recipes at the end of the book). I enjoyed the descriptions of Wisconsin (sounds like a beautiful place to live and vacation). Six Feet Deep Dish is a culinary cozy with delectable deep dish pizza, a chubby cat, a fleeing fiancé, a killed caregiver, an ensnared aunt, a delightful detective, and a determined Delilah.

melmo2610's review

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4.0

Fantastic start to a new cozy series that I will be devouring! Great character group and a solid mystery. Loved it!

meezan's review

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funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

When I first learned about Six Feet Deep Dish, the first installment in Mindy Quigley's Deep Dish cozy mystery series, the cover looked deliciously appealing to me. However, I had heard it had darker elements than cozies I typically enjoy. This made me reluctant to try it. When I found out it was the April pick for The Cozy Mystery Book Club, I knew it was time to dive in. I'm so glad I did.

Delilah O'Leary is preparing to open her new pizza eatery in Geneva Bay, Wisconsin, a charming town with a dark history. Her plans are marred when her fiancé breaks up with her, leaving her with their cat, Butterball. Delilah's problems don't end there. She soon discovers a dead body, and her elderly aunt is the prime suspect. In order to clear her aunt's name and open her pizza shop, Delilah sets out to find out who the real killer is.

There are indeed some darker themes in this book than what I usually prefer reading. However, those darker themes are well-balanced with humor without making light of serious situations. In fact, the darker themes made me even more invested in lives of the characters. 

I enjoyed all of the characters, including the supporting cast. They create a strong sense of community. Capone is one of my favorite detectives I've read in a cozy. He comes across as intelligent and kind-hearted, while still taking his job seriously. All of the characters have their flaws, but that's one aspect I loved. It gives them room to grow. In real life, people aren't perfect. It was good to see that reflected in this book. They are still likeable characters in spite of (or perhaps because of) their flaws.

There is a hint of romance, but it's different than the norm. Breakups in cozies don't usually happen on the page. We just find out that the main character is no longer with their significant other for various reasons. It was a refreshing change to witness how it all happened and Delilah's immediate reaction to her relationship ending. I'm interested in seeing how her character develops in future installments.

The mystery is strong, with lots of twists and turns along the way. There are a handful of suspects to consider. I had a hunch about the whodunnit, but wasn't completely sure until it was revealed. I also appreciated that the mystery began fairly early in the book. It's always tough with a first in series because we are introduced to the town and all new characters. In Six Feet Deep Dish, I never felt like the backstory elements distracted me from the mystery. It was all seamlessly woven together.

I started out reading the e-book for Six Feet Deep Dish, then switched to the audiobook. I wanted to finish it in time for the book club and I knew I'd finish faster listening to it. It thought switching formats one third of the way through the book might take me out of the story, but it didn't. I was in it from beginning to end. Holly Adams does a great job bringing the story to life.

For fans of culinary cozies, you will be delighted to know there are recipes at the end of this book. They are also included in the audiobook. I typically don't make the recipes in culinary cozies. They are sometimes too complicated for me or they include ingredients I don't eat and I don't know how to modify it. I do read them, I just don't always make them. However, in Six Feet Deep Dish I found the tips and recipes informative. I plan to incorporate some of them.

If you haven't started the Deep Dish Mysteries by Mindy Quigley, I highly recommend picking up Six Feet Deep Dish. As delicious as this first installment was, I am definitely planning to continue reading this series. 

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aliseaymcmahon's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

madamryno's review

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funny mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0


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whatkreads's review

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lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

pickpoppies's review

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mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.0

At least there was a puzzle here, some clues and such. The MC wasn’t perfect either which was nice but she is not pleasant so… another meh for me.

PS. Feeding your cat until it’s to fat to jump, that’s animal abuse and I hate i

alise410's review against another edition

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4.0

A little too long. A good start to the series. Couldn't stand Delilah at first but she grew on me