The Italian Kitchen Mysteries, Books 1-3

Mystery author Victoria Rienzi goes home to the Jersey Shore to take a break from writing murder mysteries—only to find herself caught in the middle of some real ones…

Book One: Murder and Marinara

Victoria Rienzi heads back to the Jersey shore to explore her family's roots and the specialty Italian cuisine their restaurant, the Casa Lido, is famous for. But she barely hits town before she finds that Oceanside Park is abuzz about a reality show slated to film on its beach. But when the show's brash producer winds up face down in the tomato garden after eating at the restaurant, things look bleak for the Rienzi clan—and Victoria finds herself in some hot pasta water. She served the dead man his last meal, her ex-boyfriend prepared it, and now the Casa Lido is on the verge of closing. That's when her formidable nonna gives her a new job: solve the murder before the summer season starts and save the Casa Lido. With her deadline only days away, this saucy sleuth jumps into action—but can Victoria serve up the culprit before it's too late?

"So good I could taste it." New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Evanovich

Book Two: The Wedding Soup Murder

When Vic's exacting nonna puts her in charge of catering the soup course for a wedding at the exclusive Belmont Country Club, it's not long before trouble is simmering in the kitchen. Three temperamental chefs are butting heads, their sous chefs are throwing punches, and the formidable club president, Elizabeth Merriman, antagonizes everyone around her. Though the wedding goes off without a hitch, by the time the happy couple and their guests depart, Elizabeth Merriman is missing. When her body is found on the beach the next morning, it appears that the country club president slipped from the top of the seawall, but Vic isn't convinced. Did the club president, aka The Iron Lady, finally push someone too far? And did that someone push her back--into the arms of death?

"A tightly plotted whodunit that will have readers guessing right to the end, the book blends mystery with comedy, romance, family drama, a vivid and affectionate portrayal of the Jersey shore and … oh yes, cooking." -New Jersey Monthly

Book Three: A Dish Served Cold

When Victoria and her family host a 75th anniversary celebration at the Casa Lido, the party gets crashed twice—once by down-on-his-luck family friend Pete Petrocelli, and then by a seasonal hurricane, leaving much of Oceanside Park without power. When the lights come back on, a drunken Pete is the only casualty of the storm, found face down in the flooded carousel house on the boardwalk. Though his death appears to be an accident, Victoria remembers Pete saying he "knew things" that would make a good mystery story. As Victoria digs deeper, she uncovers a missing family relative presumed dead in Italy, Atlantic City crime connections, and cold case that gets hotter by the minute. Turns out Pete did have a story to tell—one that nobody ever got to hear. . .

"A perfect storm of great atmosphere, likeable characters, excellent plotting, and nifty transitions between New Jersey's past and present. Highly recommended!"-Suspense Magazine

Each book contains recipes!