ARC Review: Murder in the Upper Crust by Mindy Quigley

Murder in the Upper Crust
Author: Mindy Quigley
Series: Deep Dish Mysteries (Book 6)
Publication: Minotaur (October 27, 2026)

Description: The sixth book in the delectable Deep Dish Mystery series, set in a Wisconsin pizzeria.

Chef Delilah O’Leary is going where no deep dish pizza chef has gone before: a swanky wellness retreat, where she's agreed to cater for a crowd of the who’s who. Instead of cashing a fat check for an easy gig, though, she encounters a diabolical plot with more layers than one of her signature pies.

The exclusive event, hosted by superstar guru Rhiannon Frost, promises inner transformation―but when a spiteful attendee turns up dead during the guided meditation, Delilah smells more than incense in the air. Every guest has a motive…and access to a sinister walled garden brimming with exotic poisonous plants.

With her restaurant short-staffed, and her boyfriend, Detective Calvin Capone, splitting his time between bartender duties and undercover sleuthing, Delilah’s got her hands full. Can she slice through the lies before the killer strikes again? Or will this luxe getaway turn into a one-way trip to the great beyond?

My Thoughts: Chef Delilah O'Leary finds herself at a swank wellness retreat. Her sous chef Sonya's new girlfriend Willow Wilson has a new job working for Rhiannon Frost who has made her name with her philosophy and through her latest best-selling book. Rhiannon is hosting a seminar at Nightshade Garden which is owned by Jay Mazur who was a famous rock star. 

Jay and his daughter SilverMoon who is dating Delilah's ex Sam are working together to turn Nightshade Garden into a profitable event center. SilverMoon has a business dealing aromatherapy, candles and essential oils which she hopes Rhiannon will advertise at her seminars. 

When the caterer for the event backs out, Sonya and Willow beg Delilah to take over. She reluctantly agrees since both she and her boyfriend Capone have the days off and Delilah had other plans for things that they could do together. 

The first thing Delilah notices is the tension at the seminar. Sure, Sonya is worried about introducing Willow to her overwhelming mother Fran, but there is more. One of the attendees spends her time glaring at Rhiannon, SilverMoon and Rhiannon's publisher are holding secret meetings where Delilah overhears the word blackmail, and Rhiannon is driving Willow crazy by asking her to do three people's jobs and being really passive-aggressive to her. 

When the glaring woman is found murdered by the smoke from a poisoned candle, it is up the Capone, Delilah, and the new Chief of Police to solve the crime before all the rich attendees scatter to the ends of the earth. 

This was another excellent episode in this series. I like Delilah's practicality and the way even she gets swept up, at least momentarily, by the dazzling Rhiannon. The new police chief is a hoot with the way she keeps going off on verbal tangents. 

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.