Category: 2026 Great Escapes Tours

Case of the Curved Staircase: A Macaroni on Wheels Mystery
by S.K. Derban

It is my pleasure to welcome S.K. Derban to Escape With Dollycas today!

What’s In a Name?
by S.K. Derban

Playbills are one of my favorite places to find character names. I use the first name of a particular patron’s for one of my character’s last name, and often use another patron’s last name for one of my character’s first name. It is fun to mix and match!

When writing my Macaroni on Wheels series, I wanted the main character to be a twenty-something, female, Italian caterer. Now I would need a name. I looked through several Italian language books, and also considered the names of places in Italy such a Siena. While researching, I thought it might be fun to have my main character be the baby of the family, with one older sister and an older brother. I then looked up how to say different variations of the word three in Italian. Alas, the word terza appeared as the meaning of third.

The main character of my Macaroni on Wheels series is the third child. I had my name! Let’s all welcome Miss Terza Tiepolo!

Thank you, Shana, for visiting today!

Keep reading to learn more about S. K. Derban and her new book!

About Case of the Curved Staircase

Case of the Curved Staircase: A Macaroni on Wheels Mystery
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – Little Italy, San Diego and San Diego Bay
Publisher ‏ : ‎ S.K. Derban
Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 27, 2025
Paperback
Print length ‏ : ‎ 302 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 196318811X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1963188110
Digital
Print length ‏ : ‎ 273 pages
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1963188103
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0FHM8HSH4
Audiobook
ASIN B0FW1BJKX1

The Little Italy entertainment continues in this second book of the Macaroni on Wheels series. Case of the Curved Staircase has more twists and turns than Terza can handle. And, Detective Nicholas Garza is not on the case. Say it isn’t so, Nico!

Staircases can be fatal, especially on Halloween. After catering a surprise birthday party on the evening of October 30th, Terza returns to the scene of the celebration on the following morning. Instead of being greeted by the happy, party hosts, Terza discovers a dead body at the bottom of the curved staircase. Not again! And this time, Terza’s amateur detective skills are landing her directly into personal danger. She would rather be using her chef’s knife than having one pointed at her face!

As the feisty Italian caterer continues to fill her free time solving crime, she runs head first into a new detective. Unlike Nicholas Garza, the detective now in charge considers Terza a hinderance instead of a help. Fortunately, Jacob Radovan, the medical examiner, continues to be Terza’s ally.

There is also an unexpected wedding in Case of the Curved Staircase. Readers of Uneven Exchange just might cheer out loud. The almost perfect weather in San Diego allows the bride and groom to take a carriage ride from the wedding venue to the reception ballroom. It’s a fairytale come true.

Fans of cozy mysteries will revel in solving another murder along with Terza, and will continue to appreciate her zest for life. Readers will be spending more time with the animated Tiepolo family, and especially Terza’s father. Ezio’s Halloween costume is a moo-ving choice! The Tiepolo’s celebrate their loving, family bond as they join together each Sunday. Food, family, and fun! Once again, you may 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

Website – The Latest Blog – Facebook – X – Instagram – Pinterest – BookBub –

Purchase Links

TOUR PARTICIPANTS – Please visit all the stops.
January 28 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT
January 28 – Elizabeth McKenna – Author – SPOTLIGHT
January 29 – Books1987 – SPOTLIGHT
January 29 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT
January 30 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – REVIEW
January 30 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST
January 31 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
January 31 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR GUEST POST
February 1 – StoreyBook Reviews – AUTHOR GUEST POST
February 1 – Sarandipity’s – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
February 2 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – SPOTLIGHT
February 2 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
February 3 – Salty Inspirations – RECIPE
February 3 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
February 4 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – CHARACTER GUEST POST
February 5 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT
February 6 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR GUEST POST
February 6 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST

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