Welcome to my stop on the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour for Case of the Bayfront Murder: A Macaroni on Wheels Mystery by S.K. Derban! Today we are featuring a review of this culinary cozy mystery. Stop by each blog on the tour for interviews, guest posts, spotlights, reviews, and more! There is also a Rafflecopter Giveaway for Book Lovers Gift Bag, Barnes and Noble Book Tote, Book journal with colorful “tiny books” cover, Book Scarf, Book marker, Flexilight – Book Light and Book Marker all in one–ENTER HERE!

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

About the Book:

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!

My Review:

This 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. The cover looks like a vacation and the author makes it so in her story! 

I love mysteries featuring best friends – especially best friends like Terza and Moheenie that get into all sorts of situations. Terza’s big family was entertaining as well. I saw one review that said the family dinners reminded them of the dinner scenes on the TV show Blue Bloods and I thought this was a great comparison! 

There’s a hint of romance for Terza sprinkled in and I am hoping that is explored more in future books. 

The mystery was straightforward so the story didn’t feel that action packed, but the characters really stole the show. It was fun to watch them interact and work through the mystery together. I’d love to see the whole gang back together again in future entries to the series!

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!

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

TOUR PARTICIPANTS:

• August 12 – Mystery, Thrillers, and Suspense – SPOTLIGHT  
• August 12 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – RECIPE
• August 13 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – CHARACTER GUEST POST
• August 13 – Lady Hawkeye – SPOTLIGHT
• August 14 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – REVIEW
• August 14 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
• August 15 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT
• August 15 – Novels Alive – REVIEW
• August 16 – Cozy Up With Kathy  REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW
• August 16 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
• August 17 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT, EXCERPT
• August 17 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR GUEST POST
• August 18 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
• August 18 – StoreyBook Reviews – AUTHOR GUEST POST
• August 19 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – REVIEW
• August 19 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT
• August 20 – Elizabeth McKenna – Author – SPOTLIGHT
• August 20 – Eskimo Princess Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
• August 21 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT, EXCERPT

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