Patti Benning

It's highly unlikely that anyone that loves pizza and especially pepperoni pizza could pass by this title and to discover it's a series of 48 to date was all the more inviting to quickly begin reading. Eleanora (Ellie) Pacelli and her little dog named Bunny have returned to Kittiport, Maine after a long absence that initially was fueled years ago by Eleanora's parents' divorce. Now Eleanora has left Chicago far behind hoping to help her grandmother by taking over her grandfather's pizzeria show more that was his lifelong joy and in the process Eleanora may heal her wounds of both professional and personal nature.

Eleanora has the mixed anxiety of excitement of an opportunity for a fresh start and continuing her grandfather's legacy and the fear of not wanting to disappoint a beloved grandmother if she fails. Anyone that has had to start over can easily understand the swirl of these feelings particularly when loved ones will be affected by the measure of your success or failure. I was cheering for Eleanora from her first look at her grandfather's finances and her first day of return entering the employee entrance of the pizzeria. I loved the vitality of Eleanora's paternal grandmother, Ann Pacelli (also known as Nonna) and also the surprise resident of a macaw named Marlowe.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novella cozy and look forward to reading more of the series! My only caution would be to advise not to read this cozy when you're hungry as between the menu offerings at the pizzeria and dinners served by Nonna at home it's difficult not to think about mouth-watering, delicious food. show less

This series is so much excitement and intrigue you have to hold on while reading. In this installment of The Darling Deli Series, Moira actually has not one mystery to solve but two. First purebred dogs are going missing and David, her hunky PI is stumped. Then Detective Fitzgerald goes missing just before his retirement party???
After they find that he is actually not missing but dead all the evidence is pointing to David. What in the heck is going on in Maple Creek??? Are these two cases show more connected? Moira has a lot on her mind right now. Uuuggghhhh She maybe expanding her hours, her daughter will be leaving soon, and she is now questioning who she can trust. No spoilers but I Love, Love, Love the ending. Can't wait for book six. show less

Great series that keeps you on your toes. Ellie, owner of Papa Pacellie's is trying to get over the bad employee she had hired a few months ago. Unfortunately the nightmare is still frustrating her . She is now being harassed in her own store by the competition Calzone shop in town. They are trying everything to put her name through the mud. She finally has enough and throws them out of her store. Just when you thought it couldn't get worse, Russell's parents come into town for a surprise show more visit. You would think that this would be great but Russell's mom is not warm and fuzzy but rude! What is going on??? Then a dead body is thrown into the mess and she feels like she is going down a rabbit hole.
Will they find the killer before someone else gets hurt? Will we find out what is going on with Russell's mom???
Loved the cliffhanger. Can't wait for the next book.
I recieved a copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review. show less

I love this series! Each book gives you more insight to the world of Darlings Deli. The characters have become family. Moira and her husband David, as well as Candice and her soon to be hubby just to name a few are great. Even the supporting characters play a huge part in the stories.
In this book wouldn't you know things seem to be going great until a body is discovered in David's brewery. He is the prime suspect! Yikes!!! Things begin to go down hill from there with Moira overthinking and show more questioning herself.
You will love this series as much as I do. Pick it up, you won't be able to put it down.
I recieved this book from the author for an honest review. show less