Erica Donato first appeared in Brooklyn Bones and one of the best ways to learn about a person is by asking questions, so let’s get to know Erica.
What is your name?
Erica Donato
How old are you?
37
What is your profession?
I just became a Ph.D in urban history! I am in my first “real” job, a historian at the renowned Brooklyn Museum. My daughter calls me “Dr. Mom” now. (When she’s teasing me)
Do you have a significant other?
Yes, I do. It’s taken us many years to figure that out and we’re still working on it.
What is his name and profession?
His name is Joe and he is a highly successful home renovation contractor.
Any children?
One daughter. She is 16. I am a single mom.
Do you have any sibling(s)?
No
Do your parents live near you?
My mother died when I was in my 20’s. Dad lives in Brooklyn, as I do, but in another neighborhood. Close enough to be both annoying and helpful.
Who is your best friend?
Melanie, a neighbor, older and way more worldly. She’s a valuable source of advice on parenting, fashion and love life.
Cats, dogs or other pets?
You’re joking, right? A teenager, grad school and many, many part-time jobs has been quite enough responsibility.
What town do you live in?
I’m a real Brooklyn, NY, girl, born and bred. My dissertation was on how Brooklyn neighborhoods change.
House or building complex? Own or Rent?
A rundown old row house in the unrenovated end of a gentrifying neighborhood. Own. My mom’s insurance made that possible. Barely.
What is your favorite spot in your house?
My tiny study, with door closed and only the computer and work for company.
Favorite meal?
Hometown food. Like pizza or chopped liver spread. My daughter is an athlete and disapproves of my eating habits.
Favorite dessert?
Anything available.
Favorite hobby?
Who has time for hobbies? Unless crime solving counts?
Favorite color?
None
Favorite author?
For many years, I only read academic books. I meet a favorite, an aged,angry civic activist, in Brooklyn Legacies.
Favorite vacation spot?
My only vacation is sending Chris to art camp. Works for me.
Favorite sports team?
I leave that to the men in my life. They all seem to bond over whatever game is on. That’s a mystery in itself!
Movies or Broadway?
I love old movies and my parents played Broadway records through my childhood. Not many of my generation know all the words to Guys and Dolls and Rent.
Are you a morning or a night person?
I‘d like to be a night person, but I often have wake up very early to work.
Amateur sleuth or professional?
Amateur. I am a historian, not a PI or cop.
Whom do you work with when sleuthing?
My best source of information is my friend Leary, an elderly, retired, disabled reporter who covered Brooklyn for decades. Anything he doesn’t know about it is not worth knowing. . .and so he has told me many times. (Yes, he’s a grouch too).I learned about another side to him in the events described in Brooklyn Legacies.
Giveaway: Triss is giving away one (1) print copy of Brooklyn Legacies, limited to U.S. residents. Leave a comment below for your chance to win. Contest ends December 8, 2019. Good luck everyone!
You can read more about Erica in Brooklyn Legacies, the fifth book in the “Erica Donato” traditional mystery series, released December 3, 2019.
Murder strikes the neighborhoods of Brooklyn—the hip, the historic, and the hood
The search for a lost portrait of Brooklyn’s own genius Walt Whitman sends urban historian Dr. Erica Donato into Brooklyn Heights, a neighborhood of quaint and charming streets, family names out of history, and spectacular views of the harbor and the world-famous bridge. New York’s first suburb has long weathered political battles about neighborhood preservation and destruction. Is a new one shaping up?
Erica meets an idol, fiery community activist Louisa Gibbs, now locked in a dispute with the Watch Tower Society. One of Brooklyn’s biggest landowners, the Jehovah’s Witnesses are selling off their holdings. Then at a glittering party, Erica meets the threatening Prinzig clan who are trying to buy the Witness’s property adjoining Louisa’s historic home.
The discovery of the Society’s Daniel Towns’ body in the Witnesses’ underground tunnels reignites old conflicts. Erica learns Louisa has made bitter enemies in her time while she becomes steadily better acquainted with a collection of characters young and old, sane and not-so-sane, living and dead. They all carry bitter secrets and old enmities.
The beautiful setting only hides them. Can Erica use her research expertise to expose a killer?
Purchase Link
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About the author
Triss Stein is a small–town girl from New York farm country who has spent most of her adult life in Brooklyn. She writes mysteries about different Brooklyn neighborhoods and their unique histories, in her ever-fascinating, ever-changing, ever-challenging adopted home. In the next book, Brooklyn Legacies, murder gets in the way of heroine Erica Donato’s efforts to understand historic Brooklyn Heights’ clashing cultures and seismic current changes.
To learn more about Triss, visit her website at trissstein.com.
All comments are welcomed.
Sounds like an interesting read. Thanks for the giveaway.
Great setting for a historian to help solve a mystery.
I think historians are detectives in a way.It’s all about the clues, isn’t it?
Good morning, Doward and thanks for dropping in. You are the first commenter today.
Definitely sounds like a book I would love to read and review. Thank you for the chance.
Thank you. Reviews on Amazon, even short ones, are hugely helpful to authors
Sounds like an excellent book!
Sounds like a wonderful mix of characters and action!
This sounds like a great book to read.
Many thanks to Carol, Pat and Brenda for dropping in this morning. Only one person. can win a book but if not you, I hope you will have a chance to read it anyway – if is fun – , and add a short review to Amazon.
This captivating mystery and the locale is unique. Thanks for this wonderful feature and giveaway.
Thanks for the lovely words, April
Yes please Dru, I want in on the giveaway. How many times have I driven over the Brooklyn Bridge and saw the Witness sign at the top of that building.. or driven past it or the dormitory buildings as I try to take the side roads to get home faster.
That Watchtower sign shows up right at the beginning. A landmark for sure.
Fascinating and intriguing mystery with a great setting. Many thanks.
A new to me series–I love the historical angle, and any character who likes pizza and chopped liver spread has to be interesting.
Thanks for your entertaining comment, Rochelle. Erica doesn’t have much time to cook, so it’s eat on the run or order in. Fortunately, Brooklyn offers endless choices.
This sounds interesting
Hi, Sandy. Thanks for leaving a comment
Good morning, everyone. Thank you for dropping in. I’m happy to be here and thanks to DruAnn for inviting me. I’ll throw in some replies when I can. Triss
This is a new author to me. Would really like to read.
Hi, Dianne: I hope you have enjoyed becoming acquainted with Erica. She has 4 other books! Even short reviews on Amazon are always a help in getting the word out. Best, Triss
I wouldn’t mind this one!
I discovered this author last year and devoured all of her books in this series. I have turned several of our customers on to her as well. Thank you for the chance to win this title
Hi, Johnna. Happy to meet you and thanks for your enthusiastic comment. Triss
Sounds intriguing. My degree is in history. I took an urban history course in grad school.
HI, Tricia. thanks for commenting. Looks like we share some interests. sometimes the research is so much fun, I have to be reminded to tell a story!
Love the title and a great read.
**** WINNER ****
Brooklyn Legacies is johnna smith
Congratulations!