Six Feet Deep Dish (Deep Dish Mystery 1), by Mindy Quigley

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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.