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!

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Guest Post

Case of the Bayfront Murder

The Story Behind the Story

On a cool Autumn morning my husband and I rode bicycles along the bayside walk in Mission Beach, San Diego. The tourists were gone, and the walkway was nearly deserted. We waved to a few locals enjoying coffee on their patios, however many of the homes stood unoccupied. At least one-half of the bayfront homes are used for summer rentals.

One vacant house in particular captured my attention. It featured a magnificent glass sloping sunroom with wall to ceiling sliders. I stopped my bike in front to admire the expansive patio. It was the perfect party home. This got me thinking. What if I began my next manuscript at a home just like this one? My murder-writing mind envisioned finding a dead body on the kitchen floor. But who would find it? And why was this person murdered?

As we peddled along, I reflected on the idea I was already developing about a crime-solving caterer. My husband and I were living in Little Italy at the time. The vibrancy of the community made it impossible to ignore. I just knew my next book had to take place in this special setting.

So now I knew where the murder would happen, and the catering company location, but I needed to figure out the main character, and who was murdered, and why? Oh my! Fortunately, a little brain-storming at Buon Appetito, my favorite Little Italy restaurant, ignited several more ideas.

While waiting for our table reservation, my husband and I chatted with Antonino Mastellone, the owner of Buon Appetito. He is a delightful Italian man, and an amazing chef. He asked about our day, and also wanted an update on my latest manuscript. When I told Antonino about my idea for a Little Italy catering business, he suggested I name the company, Macaroni on Wheels. It was perfect! I imagined a noodle logo riding along on skates.

When I described the noodle logo idea to Adam Ramirez, my nephew, he drew it exactly how my mind’s eye pictured. I had it made into a vector, and sent to Mariah Sinclair, my cover designer. What a thrill to see how perfectly Mariah used the logo on the catering van!

Ideas began to pop, and I could not record them fast enough. The main character, Terza Tiepolo, needed to be as vibrant as the community. I decided to make her younger, mid-twenties, and just out of culinary school. Of course her hair would be long, curly, and wild as if flying through the air when skating.

The Buon Appetito restaurant has an adjoining Italian market. It you are ever in the area, be sure and take a peek at The Market at Buon Appetito. The Tiepolo Mercato was created all because of the Buon Appetito market. It is also the place where Terza’s parents work. Then, it made sense to have the Macaroni on Wheels catering company right next door.

I adore the show Blue Bloods, and enjoy watching the family dinners. How perfect for the Tiepolo family to also have Sunday dinners together. Especially in their Italian neighborhood! Time to create the family. Two sisters, with one brother to pick on, just seemed right. And of course they all had to play bocce ball! There are bocce ball courts at Amici Park in Little Italy. Many an evening we would walk to the park carrying our bag of balls. Bocce ball is a fun family game for all ages.

Once I had the main characters in place, I began orchestrating the murder. This took a bit longer, and lots of scribbling on my legal pads. The weapon came first, the murderer second, but I struggled with the motive. Of course, there has to be a motive!

From our biking along the bay, to our time spent at Buon Appetito, the story for Case of the Bayfront Murder finally came together. I hope you enjoy reading it! I also thought you might enjoy seeing a photograph of my favorite Little Italy restaurant. Here is Buon Appetito:

About the Author

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!

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