Publication October 22, 2024
Living in Alaska, I've enjoyed more than a few ice sculpture competitions. After reading this book, though, I'm not quite sure I'll look at them quite the same. I mean, can you imagine sitting down to begin your creation and finding a dead body entombed in the ice block in front of you? That's the murder scenario complicating Delilah O'Leary's romance with Detective Calvin Capone this time. Yes, that Capone family. Only this time, he's one of the good guys. Delilah has learned, however, how quickly he can switch gears from the piano playing, table clearing, and fun guy into the guarded, focused detective. Knowing it and being fully able to accept that aspect are two very different things for Delilah, especially when some of the evidence seems to point directly at a family member.
I'm not even going to attempt to summarize the plot. There's simply too much going on, not all of it really related to the murder. It's almost Christmas and Delilah and Sonya are catering an upscale Chrismukkah, a combo of the two holiday seasons. Definitely money and power on display. Everything seems to be going well until, well, it isn't. Toss in family issues, being low on staff, an anxiety producing relationship with her seemingly too-perfect sister Shea, a fight with her boyfriend Calvin, and Melody's crush on the ever-so-handsome bartender and that's just the surface. Where, oh, where is Rabbit, her until now dependable worker? Will Delilah and Capone ever have a "normal" date? What is sister Shea hiding?
Toss in a steady stream of red herrings as well as not easily answered questions about the murder and, well, Delilah has a lot on her plate and it isn't pizza. I loved how author Quigley handled the plot, keeping it moving along steady while filling us in on backstories and further letting us get to know the supporting cast. You're likely to wind up caring and fretting over each and every one of them, from Melody's sad discouragement over romance to Jarka and Harold's return home with big news. Jarka is one of my favs, so it was good to see her return home just in time to be of great help in more ways than one. Sonya seems to know Delilah better than Delilah knows Delilah and is helping her face some tough truths, too, as she tries to deal with her attitude toward Capone, keep her business going, and sort out her relationship with her sister.....all while involved in figuring out whodunit.
Bottom line, I adore this series. It's character driven, my favorite kind. My review doesn't do it justice but I'm trying not to give away too much. I like Delilah, especially with her caring, less judgemental side coming out, and learning that her sister isn't quite the together soul she appears. All while trying to foster holiday cheer, I might note. The fact the supporting cast is such a huge part of the book and we're getting to know them as genuine people, individuals all, is a real plus. And, oh, my the food talk. Don't read this book on an empty stomach. Delilah's cat Butterball, as always, provides some laughs. Thanks #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress - #MinotaurBooks for allowing me to drop in early on Delilah and the gang. As always, while the murder scene gave me shivers, I enjoyed it and am already looking forward to my next visit.
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