Domenic Muccio sits down for a Q&A with dru’s book musings responding to twenty or more questions so that we can learn more about him. Are you ready? Let’s get to know Domenic.
What is your full name?
Domenic Giovanni Muccio.
How old are you?
Sixty-eight. But I’ve been told that I look sixty-seven.
What is your profession?
I’m the proud owner of Muccio’s Mortuary in Colwestern, NY. I’m also a retired railroad worker, an author, blogger, a joker and a smoker. Nah, I’m just kidding about the last one. You’ve got to love the Steve Miller Band.
Do you have a significant other?
Yes.
What is their name and profession?
My wife, Maria. She’s gorgeous and currently developing her own fashion line of mourning wear for the funeral home. If there’s one thing that I did right in this life, it was to marry her.
Do you have any children?
Yep, and I’m really proud of my two daughters. Sally, my eldest, was supposed to be a boy. We’d planned to name her after my father, Salvatore, so the name stuck and now everyone calls her Sal. She owns Sally’s Samples, a bakery in Colwestern. My youngest daughter Gianna is an attorney, and a darn good one.
Do you have any siblings?
I have a sister who lives in Texas, but we haven’t spoken in years. Long story there.
Are your parents nearby?
Unfortunately, they both passed through the pearly gates quite some time ago. But I like to think that they’re nearby.
Who is your best friend?
Maria, of course. We’re quite the team. We even think alike. My daughters say that’s scary.
Do you have any pets?
No, Maria is allergic.
What town do you live in?
Colwestern. It’s in Western New York, the Buffalo area.
Do you live in a small town or a big city?
Colwestern is small town, but it’s big on gossip.
Type of dwelling and do you own or rent?
I own my own home. It’s a spacious raised ranch with four bedrooms upstairs. And there’s even a coffin on display if you feel a sudden urge to nap.
What is your favorite spot in your home?
The dining room because that’s where food is served.
Favorite meal and dessert?
Maria’s mother Rosa lives with us, and we don’t always see eye to eye on everything. I’ll say this for the woman, though. She’s a fantastic cook, so it’s kind of hard for me to narrow my favorites down to one meal and dessert. I really love everything. Braciole, pasta, tiramisu, risotta, lasagna, genettis. . .shall I go on?
Do you have any hobbies?
My daughter Gianna says that my entire life is a hobby. I’m still trying to figure that one out. . .
What is your favorite vacation spot?
Maria and I went to Vegas a couple of years ago. That was a fun time. Sal was there too. Talk about your coincidences. She was trying to track down a killer and of course she needed my help (puffs out chest).
What music do you listen to?
I’ve always been fond of jazz. I like disco, too. I still say it’s going to make a comeback.
Do you have a favorite book?
Am I allowed to say my own? It’s a self-published guide on how to plan your own funeral, and a bargain at $29.95. I’ll even come to your house and autograph it.
What is your idea of a really fun time?
This is a tough question because I think life is all about having a fun time. Even working at a mortuary can be fun. Boy, could I tell you some stories.
If you were to write a memoir, what would you call it?
Funny you should ask, because I’m working on it right now. I just know that one of the Big 5 publishers is going to pick this baby up. I’m thinking about calling it, I Did it My Way. I don’t think Elvis would’ve minded.
Amateur or professional sleuth and whom do you work with?
Well, I think I’m on the professional level, but for some reason, my daughter Sal doesn’t like to have me around when she’s sleuthing. I haven’t been able to figure out why.
In a few sentences, what is a typical day in your life like?
I wake up, shower, have breakfast with my beautiful wife, and then I write my daily post for my blog. I think that I might have as many followers as Dru. Okay, maybe not that many, but close.
Now it’s time to get to work. Since taking over the mortuary, I’ve done some major improvements. Tonight, I expect there will be standing room only. Kelsey Sherman, an old friend of Sal’s, was killed the other night. Ballistics confirmed that she was shot with Officer Brian Jenkins gun. He and Kelsey used to date, or at least that’s what Sal told me. There’s a rumor going around that Brian plans to show up at the wake tonight. Kelsey’s dad said that if he dares to show his face, there’s going to be a murder at Muccio Mortuary. I guess I’d better be prepared because anything goes tonight . .
Knee Deep in Dough, A Cookies & Chance Mystery #10
Genre: Cozy
Release: May 2021
Purchase Link
From USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bruns comes a hilariously homicidal Cookies & Chance mystery!
For once, baker Sally Muccio’s life isn’t a recipe for disaster. She’s happy to be out celebrating her wedding anniversary. . . that is until she spies her friend Officer Brian Jenkins with a gorgeous blonde who is not his newlywed wife. The woman’s name is Kelsey Sherman, and it turns out she once dated Brian. Which doesn’t make Sal feel any better about the situation, but she decides to mind her own business and enjoy her evening.
Only before the night is over Kelsey is dead from a gunshot wound, and Brian is found standing over her body. To make matters worse, the bullet is confirmed to have come from his own gun. Brian swears he had nothing to do with the murder, and Sal believes him, even if the rest of the town’s convinced that he’s a total crumb. With nowhere else to turn, Brian asks for help to prove his innocence. But when the tables turn and someone tries to kill Sal as well, she might come out of this mess battered for life.
Recipes Included!
About the author
Catherine is the USA Today bestselling author of the Cookies & Chance mysteries. She lives in New York with her very patient husband, three sons, and several spoiled pets. She also writes the Italian Chef mysteries, Cindy York real estate and Carrie Jorgenson (Aloha Lagoon) culinary series. Her book, For Sale by Killer, won the 2019 Daphne du Maurier award for Mainstream Mystery/Suspense. Readers are invited to visit her website at catherinebruns.net.
All comments are welcomed.
Thanks Catherine and Domenic for dropping by the blog today.
love this series! his character is one of my favorites…actually mom and dad! this was fun
Domenic is one of my favorite characters, too! You just never know what crazy new idea he’ll come up with and he definitely ramps up the humor in this series!