I'm pleased to welcome S.K. Derban to Cozy Up With Kathy today. S.K. writes the Macaroni on Wheels Mystery series. CASE OF THE BAYFRONT MURDER is the first book in the series.
Kathy: Little Italy in San Diego has blossomed into a prominent tourist destination. I've visited Little Italy in Toronto, Canada and lived in Little Italy in Cleveland, Ohio. What's your favorite thing about visiting Little Italy?
SKD: You sound like a Little Italy fan just like me! I adore the art, music, culture, and food of Little Italy in San Diego. Of course, the food always beckons me, but the art is my favorite. Each year the community hosts an event featuring chalk artists. It is amazing to watch these magnificent artists recreate masterpiece paintings on the asphalt streets. The winners are then commissioned to paint a replica on a large board. These paintings are displayed on the buildings all around Little Italy. What a treat!
Kathy: In CASE OF THE BAYFRONT MURDER we meet Terza Tiepolo an Italian caterer who owns Macaroni on Wheels. What's your favorite Italian dish? Do you prefer cooking or eating?
SKD: My favorite Italian dish just happens to also be the one Terza likes the best. Imagine that! (Wink, wink.) I adore Risotto Alla Piemontese. As a foodie at heart, I enjoy dining out, but only if the food is well prepared. My husband and I frequently cook so we can save up for a special meal at one of our favorite restaurants.
Kathy: If you were to hire Terza to cater an event what would you want her to cook?
SKD: Most likely the Sartù Di Riso dish she prepared. I have previously tasted the Italian rice dish, but have never attempted to make it.
Kathy: Terza has "vibrant Italian relatives". Do you have a large family? Are they "vibrant"?
SKD: Energetic might be the right word for my family! I have two brothers and one sister. The four of us together have made some very special memories.
Kathy: What first drew you to cozy mysteries?
SKD: Nancy Drew, like so many others. However, the British murder mystery series clinched my desire to write cozy mysteries.
Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?
SKD: My first three books were stand-alone fiction in the genre of suspense mystery. I did not feel at home in my writing career until I finally began writing cozy mysteries.
Kathy: Tell us about your series.
SKD: The entire Macaroni on Wheels series focuses on Terza Tiepolo, an Italian caterer, and her animated family. With mystery solving skills sharper than her chef’s knife, Terza manages to successfully merge catering with crime.
Kathy: Do you have a favorite character? If so, who and why?
SKD: Terza’s father, Ezio, has a special place in my heart. I adore his relationship with all three of the Tiepolo children. He is a loving husband with a strong faith in the Lord.
Kathy: Did you have a specific inspiration for your series?
SKD: Little Italy! Our office was located in the heart of Little Italy, and we spent countless hours enjoying the community. I just knew my next book had to feature this gem of a neighborhood.
Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?
SKD: Stories need to be shared with others. The more I wrote, the more I knew this was a book to be enjoyed by many.
Kathy: If you could have a dinner party and invite 4 authors, living or dead, in any genre, who would you invite?
SKD: Robert Ludlum comes first. He was a master storyteller! Lee Child, as he has an unbelievable way with words. John Grisham because of his kindness. I reached out to him after the publication of my first book. He took the time to hand write a personal letter of congratulations! Paul, the apostle from the Bible who wrote the book of Romans. It is one of the most inspirational letters I have ever read.
Kathy: What are you currently reading?
SKD: ALASKA TWILIGHT by Colleen Coble.
Kathy: Will you share any of your hobbies or interests with us?
SKD: Certainly! I enjoy being outdoors. Fortunately, San Diego has near perfect weather for year-round activities. My favorite sport is tennis, followed by golf, and pickleball. I also have fun SUP boarding along Mission Bay. (The scene of the murder in CASE OF THE BAYFRONT MURDER!)
Kathy: Name 4 items you always have in your fridge or pantry.
SKD: Dark roast whole coffee beans. Half and half to enjoy with the coffee. Fresh fruit. Sourdough bread. I have been watching many Instagrammers bake their own bread. (It’s in the back of my mind, but not yet.)
Kathy: Do you have plans for future books either in your current series or a new series?
SKD: Yes, times two. CASE OF THE CURVED STAIRCASE is the next book in the Macaroni on Wheels series. It will be followed by CASE OF THE PAELLA PARTY.
Kathy: What's your favorite thing about being an author?
SKD: Making readers smile. Many take the time to share their thoughts with me, and I can always feel their joy.
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Review
CASE OF THE BAYFRONT MURDER by S.K. Derban
The First Macaroni on Wheels Mystery
Terza Tiepolo is known for her catering company, Macaroni on
Wheels, her love of family and friends, and her love of mysteries, as
proven by her membership to a mystery book club where she's always on
top of their monthly whodunit competition. Arriving at a client's home
to cater his dinner party she finds his murdered body! Though sad at the
death of her client Terza sees it as an opportunity to really put her
sleuthing skills to the test. With her best friend Moheenie by her side
she'll search for clues as she prepares for the week's catering
events. And if that provides more contact with the tall, dark, and
mysterious Detective Garza, so much the better!
Terza Tiepolo is a delightful protagonist.She's witty, caring, and smart. She is also quite young, so I find it a bit disconcerting that she's lamenting not being married at 23! I appreciate her relationship with both family and friends. It's a joyful celebration as they make it a point to gather together to eat and play on a regular basis.
I liked the mystery and how Terza and Moheenie go about solving it. The mystery was well plotted with an ingenious murder. While Detective Garza is certainly swoon worthy, I really got a kick out of Jacob Radovan, the Medical Examiner.
One thing I could have done with less of was the religiosity. There's a description of Terza reading her bible every morning before calling her mom, although I admit the question and answer section that followed with her dad was cute. However, an entire chapter, albeit a short one, quoting the bible and praising God was a bit much for me. It seems that public praise of God is fundamental to the author's personal life, so this is a natural offshoot for her. I'm grateful that it's not preachy, but I wish she would have been more subtle incorporating her religious praise.
With droolworthy descriptions of Italian delicacies CASE OF THE BAYFRONT MURDER is a lighthearted mystery combining family, friendship, and that delicious food with a puzzling murder. Pass me a slice of that Sartù Di Riso then join me for a rousing game of bocce ball, and don't forget some gelato while I wait for Terza's next mystery.
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Case of the Bayfront Murder: A Macaroni on Wheels Mystery
by S.K. Derban
About Case of the Bayfront Murder
Case of the Bayfront Murder: A Macaroni on Wheels Mystery
Cozy Mystery 1st in Series
Setting - Little Italy, San Diego and San Diego Bay
Publisher: S.K. Derban (March 27, 2024)
Paperback: 278 pages
Little Italy in San Diego, once a thriving fishing community, has blossomed into a prominent tourist destination. Nestled in the heart of this vibrant neighborhood, both travelers and residents find the Tiepolo Mercato a favorite spot to stop and shop. Ezio and Benedette Tiepolo are the proprietors of the Mercato, while their daughter owns Macaroni on Wheels, the catering company located directly next door.
There’s more than pasta cooking in the Macaroni on Wheels kitchen. Meet Terza Tiepolo, a feisty Italian caterer who fills her free time solving crime. She belongs to a local murder mystery book club, and leads the other participants in their monthly whodunnit contest.
Terza also works diligently to grow her catering business. But when a prominent doctor hires Terza’s company to cater a dinner party, she never expects murder to be on the menu. The prestigious bayfront event should enhance the Macaroni on Wheels portfolio, and Terza anticipates meeting many potential new clients. On the day of the party, Terza arrives early to prepare, only to discover her grand expectations are as dead as the body on the kitchen floor.
Fans of cozy mysteries will revel in solving the murder along with Terza, and will appreciate her zest for life. Readers will also treasure the introduction to her vibrant Italian relatives. They will enjoy getting to know the Tiepolo family, and will smile at the special relationship Terza has with her mother and father. The fun never stops when the animated relatives join together each Sunday for dinner. Consider this your personal invitation!
About S.K. Derban
S.K. Derban resides with her husband in Southern California. Although born in the United States she moved to London within the first three months and remained in England until the age of five. Her father, an American citizen, was a decorated veteran of the Second World War. Her British mother was involved with the London Royal Ballet Company and a great fan of the arts. After returning to the United States, Derban’s life remained filled with a love of the theatre and a passion for British murder mysteries.
S.K. Derban’s personal travel and missionary escapades are readily apparent as they shine through into her characters. Readers are often transported virtually across the globe. She has traveled to Hong Kong on five separate occasions to smuggle Bibles into China and has been to Israel on seven missionary trips. Derban’s other adventures include visits to Bangkok, Greece, Egypt, Italy, and the Caribbean.
Beginning with her faith in the Lord, S.K. Derban relies on all aspects of her life when writing. She hopes her books will allow readers to go on holiday without having to pack!
Author Links:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/awriterofmystery/
Twitter/X - https://x.com/skderban
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/s.k.derban/
Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7394015.S_K_Derban
BookBub - https://www.bookbub.com/profile/s-k-derban
Website - https://childofthecarpenter.com/
Purchase Link - Amazon
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