Case of the Bayfront Murder: A Macaroni on Wheels Mystery
by S.K. Derban
Conner Reeves
Let’s meet Terza before I introduce you to Conner. Terza Tiepolo is the owner of Macaroni on Wheels, a full-service catering company in Little Italy, San Diego. I have included two character cards for readers to enjoy. One features Terza Tiepolo, and the other features Conner Reeves. Of course, they are best friends!
Readers originally met Conner in my second book, Uneven Exchange. He is a Special Agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration. Conner works at the National City headquarters, in the County of San Diego. Uneven Exchange, a stand-alone mystery book, takes place primarily in San Diego and Mexico.
After the title was featured in a BookBub deal-of-the-day, I received numerous requests to write a sequel. Readers wanted to know more about Conner, and how the story ended for one of the main characters named Rico. But since my heart belonged to cozy mysteries, I would have to find another way to finish their story.
I wrote Conner as a single man living in the Mission Valley area of San Diego. He recently purchased his own condominium, and was feeling the desire to settle down and begin a family. Uneven Exchange took place in San Diego, and Case of the Bayfront Murder, my new cozy mystery would also take place in San Diego. The locations created the perfect opportunity to add Conner.
The seed of an idea blossomed, and Conner Reeves would be featured in all three of the Macaroni on Wheels cozy mystery series. Deciding how to include Rico came naturally as Conner and Rico were already friends. Rico is featured in Case of the Curved Staircase, the second cozy in my Macaroni on Wheels series. Just wait until you read what happens. I know readers will smile, and some may also shed a tear!
Conner is a cutie, with blond hair, and gorgeous baby-blue eyes. He is physically fit, and adores surfing. Conner also adores Terza, perhaps more than just a friend. He is very kind, loving, and fits in well with Terza’s family. Conner would make a wonderful husband.
Terza feels conflicted. She enjoys spending time with Conner, and can almost visualize herself in a relationship with him. Almost is the key word. Terza is unsure, and feeling very unlucky in love. There is a definite attraction, but will they, or won’t they?
There is a fun “Lady in Red” scene in Case of the Curved Staircase, and the relationships are tied up with a beautiful bow in Case of the Paella Party. I did not leave my readers hanging, I promise! I wrote the perfect Happily Ever After ending – but who ends up with whom?
I hope you enjoy reading all three of the Macaroni on Wheels cozy mystery series. Have fun with the following Character Cards!
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
ISBN-10 : 1963188020
ISBN-13 : 978-1963188028
Digital ASIN : B0CV5Z5VY2
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!
Great Escapes Praise for Case of the Bayfront Murder: A Macaroni on Wheels Mystery
by S.K. DerbanThis was a fun and funny mystery in a wonderful setting – San Diego’s Little Italy. The writing brought this place to life and I felt like I was on a little vacation as I was reading.
~Sarah Can’t Stop Reading BooksCase of the Bayfront Murder is a nicely paced, cozy mystery with many clues to sift through while enjoying time with family and friends. Sit back with a glass of wine or a cool, refreshing gelato and try to figure out whodunnit!
~Novel’s Alive
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 – Twitter/X – Instagram – Goodreads – BookBub – Website
Purchase Link
Amazon
Also written by S.K. Derban
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Sounds like a great book.
Captivating, intriguing and special locale and story.
This giveaway and book is awesome.
What an intriguing mystery! Terza seems like a very interesting character. A murder mystery book club and a monthly whodunnit contest sound like fun.