Ellen Byron, Mysteries

Happy Book Birthday to THE WITLESS PROTECTION PROGRAM!

Yippee, it’s release day for The Witless Protection Program, the 5th book in “Maria DiRico’s” Catering Hall Mysteries. For readers wondering if Mia Carina’s philandering, presumed dead husband Adam Grosso would ever make an appearance in the series, this is your lucky day. And he couldn’t be showing up at a worse time for Mia!

“An incredible cast of characters, starting with our lead, Mia the Magnificent.” Brian Kenney First Clue

“Excellent mystery. Perfect conclusion. Maria DiRico has created an extraordinary character who holds a piece of my heart.” James J. Cudney, author of the Braxton Campus Mysteries

In the fifth Catering Hall Mystery by Agatha Award-winning author Maria DiRico, series sleuth Mia Carina has finally steered her Italian-American family’s catering hall, Belle View Banquet Manor, into becoming the premiere party site of Astoria, Queens. Now if only her presumed dead ex-husband would get out of the way…

A strong, independent woman and respected entrepreneur, Mia never imagined she’d pine for a marriage proposal. Yet lately, with her beloved Shane, she’s on tenterhooks. It’s especially surprising, considering Mia’s first husband, Adam, was a philandering grifter, assumed lost-at-sea after a boating disaster. But everyone knows what happens when you assume . . .

While working a huge wedding expo in Manhattan, Mia is shocked to spot the man who nearly destroyed her life. The one who’s supposed to be sleeping with the fishes. But she loses him in the crowd. And when it happens again the next day, it’s time for an emergency meeting with the family—and the Family. Because if Adam is alive, Mia is still married . . .

Everyone wants Adam dead. Everyone except Mia. She’s dealt with enough police for a lifetime. Mia needs to be a divorcée, not a widow. But someone out there disagrees, and if Mia doesn’t discover who, she may never be free to marry Shane—or anyone else . . .

BUY LINK

25 thoughts on “Happy Book Birthday to THE WITLESS PROTECTION PROGRAM!”

    1. Thanks so much, Mary. Tomorrow the haulers are coming for the last of Mom’s furniture so today is all about finishing up and “broom clean.” It’s amazing I remembered I have a launch. I actually keep forgetting.

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  8. Well, this may turn up twice, but Happy Launch Day Ellen! I preordered it and B&N says it is on the way! Yay! Can’t wait to read it.

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  9. Happy book birthday!! I just purchased my copy & can’t wait to get started. Sadly I have to say that Queens Library doesn’t have a copy of this book (yet – they do have the first 4), unforgivable since it’s such a Queens book! ❤️

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  10. Fantastic – I just checked it out on “Hoopla” from the Vegas Library. (PSST don’t tell anyone, but I sometimes check out books from the library that I am also purchasing to “encourage” the library to continue purchasing books by the author; then other readers will have the chance to “discover” the great stories I already enjoy.)

    Katie

    ljeto[1]

    3 no 7 presents

    Katie and Barbara

    “Looks at Books”

    https://3no7.wordpress.com

    https://www.facebook.com/KatieandBarbara

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  11. Congratulations Ellen! I am sure this book will be a fitting send off to Mia. This is one of my favorite series and I will miss it. But I look forward to your new one beginning soon.

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  12. Congratulation! I’m reading it now, and it’s so good! What a great wrap to a terrific series! — Barbara

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