Public Anchovy #1 (Deep Dish Mysteries, #3) by Mindy Quigley was published on December 26, 2023 and opens with Delilah O'Leary on her way to a library fundraiser where she's providing the catering. Of course, everything that can go wrong does go wrong ... a last minute guest has a special dietary request ... no gluten, no dairy, and no nightshade foods. Upon arriving at the Prohibition themed dinner, one of the guests falls down the stairs and dies. Then, a storm takes out the power, causing most of the guests and staff to be trapped in the remote mansion. Can Delilah use her skills to deduce what happened?
I received an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of Public Anchovy #1 from NetGalley for free in exchange for my honest review. Thrilled, excited, and delighted are just a few of the words that come to mind when I think about how I felt upon learning that I was approved to receive this advanced copy. It’s a unique thrill to be among the first to read a book.
Although the story started off a bit slow, it quickly found its footing once the first death occurred, and from that point on, the pacing picked up, and I found myself racing through the pages, eager to uncover the truth and piece together the clues. The author skillfully weaves in numerous red herrings, and I was repeatedly thrown off the trail, which made the reading experience even better. Mindy Quigley’s writing in Public Anchovy #1 reminded me of a modern day Agatha Christie. That only added to my enjoyment.
When the big reveal finally arrived, it was both shocking and gratifying. In hindsight, all the clues were there, and I couldn’t help thinking that I should have realized who the killer, or killers, were much earlier. That aha moment at the end is exactly what I look for in a great mystery novel, and it left me impressed with how well the story was constructed and how effectively the author kept me guessing until the very end.
When I requested this book, I didn't realize that it was the third book in a series. Had I known, I would've made sure to read the first two books in the series before reading this installment. It would have helped me better understand the backstory and fully connect with the characters early on. Don’t get me wrong, the author does provide some background information as the story unfolds, but I found myself wishing there had been a bit more of that context at the beginning.
All in all, I loved this story and can't wait to read more in the series. In fact, I plan on reading the first two books to tie me over until the author comes out with a fourth installment, which I do see coming because there was a minor cliffhanger . . . don't worry, all the ends were tied up with the mystery. Four out of five stars is what I give Public Anchovy #1 (Deep Dish Mysteries, #3) by Mindy Quigley.
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