Franki Amato first appeared in Limoncello Yellow and one of the best ways to learn about a person is by asking questions, so let’s get to know Franki.
What is your name?
Francesca Lucia Amato, but I go by Franki. It’s less complicated.
How old are you?
I’m only thirty, but my Sicilian nonna has been calling me a zitella—Italian for old maid—for almost half my life.
What is your profession?
I used to be a cop, but I didn’t get past the rookie stage. Now I’m a PI at Private Chicks, Inc.
Do you have a significant other? What is his name and profession?
Bradley Hartmann, who is my one true heart man. Bradley is a successful banker, but he’s taking a year off to spend more time with me after his work got in the way of our relationship. How romantic is that?
Any children?
No, but my mom and nonna are working hard to rectify my childless state. First, however, they’re trying to get me married with a variety of tactics, including a Sicilian-American Catholic tradition that involves the Saint Joseph’s Day Table and a lemon.
Do you have any sibling(s)?
Two older brothers, Anthony and Michael. Anthony works in our family deli in Houston but acts like he’s the star of a reality show in New Jersey. Michael is MIA, but not in the literal sense. He’s an accountant, so we never see him.
Do your parents live near you?
No, they live 350 miles away from me, and my nonna lives with them. Don’t let the distance fool you, though. My mom and nonna come to meddle so often that they might as well live with me.
Who is your best friend?
Veronica Maggio, who is also my boss and owner of Private Chicks, Inc. We met as freshmen at the University of Texas, and we’ve been BFFs ever since.
Cats, dogs or other pets?
I’m a dog person. I have a cairn terror (no, that’s not a typo) named Napoleon.
What town do you live in?
New Orleans, a.k.a., The Big Easy. But the nickname is misleading. There is nothing easy about investigating crime in a town known for voodoo and partying.
House or building complex? Own or Rent?
I rent a furnished apartment in a fourplex owned by my sixty-something landlady, Glenda O’Brien. Veronica convinced me to rent the place sight unseen so that we would live in the same building, but she neglected to mention a few things—i.e., my apartment looks like an old French bordello, it’s across the street from a creepy cemetery, and our landlady is an ex-stripper who dresses like she’s still onstage. Fortunately, there’s a bar across the street too, because sometimes the whole situation drives me to drink.
What is your favorite spot in your house?
The kitchen. I love to eat.
Favorite meal? Favorite dessert?
Nutella and Nutella.
Favorite hobby?
Sleeping, because my job has relegated sleep to hobby status.
Favorite color?
Yellow. It reminds me of lemons from the Amalfi Coast and Limoncello, one of my favorite drinks.
Favorite author?
Not Traci Andrighetti. The woman’s always snooping around and spying on me. You’d think she was a PI.
Favorite vacation spot?
Italy. But given the state of my finances, the only vacations I take are staycations.
Favorite sports team?
I’m originally from Texas, so the Longhorns and the Cowboys. But I do like to see those Saints come marching in to the Superdome.
Movies or Broadway?
Definitely movies. I love a good mystery.
Are you a morning or a night person?
I work 24/7, so I don’t know anymore?
Amateur sleuth or professional?
I’m a professional, but I don’t always work in harmony with co-workers, or even clients. Did I mention that investigating crime in The Big Easy is hard?
Whom do you work with when sleuthing?
I investigated my first case for Private Chicks with Veronica because I was new to the profession. Now I go solo, although Veronica occasionally pays a consultant to help me out. When I investigated a homicide at a strip club, for instance, she hired our landlady, Glenda, to work with me. Don’t get me started on her stripper “sleuthing suits.”
In a few sentences, what is a typical day in your life like?
Like I said, I investigate homicides in New Orleans, where there is no such thing as typical.
Traci is giving away two (2) copies of Galliano Gold, either Kindle/Nook (open to everyone) or paperback (U.S. residents only), winner’s choice. Leave a comment below for your chance to win. Contest ends October 9, 2019. Good luck everyone!
You can read more about Franki in Galliano Gold, the fifth book in the “Franki Amato” humorous mystery series, released October 1, 2019.
It’s Mardi Gras season in New Orleans, but PI Franki Amato has too many problems to celebrate. A proven Sicilian lemon tradition hasn’t landed her a proposal, so her nonna has amped up the meddling to get her married, and pronto. Franki’s also under pressure to solve the strange murder of a family friend’s nephew, Nick Pescatore, who was found on a Mississippi River steamboat rumored to be haunted. When the sinister old boat sets sail on an overnight gambling cruise, Franki goes undercover with a motley crew, including a Mark Twainophile captain with a murderous past and a slimy galley chef with a mobster brother, not to mention an ex-stripper landlady with a newfound career as a memoir writer and all-too public speaker. Franki has to figure out what missing Civil War gold, a playing card, and a mysterious woman on roller skates have to do with Nick’s death. If she doesn’t, it’s anchors aweigh for Franki—down to Davy Jones’ locker.
Purchase Link
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About the author
Traci Andrighetti is the USA TODAY bestselling author of the Franki Amato Mysteries and the Danger Cove Hair Salon Mysteries. In her previous life, she was an award-winning literary translator and a Lecturer of Italian at the University of Texas at Austin, where she earned a PhD in Applied Linguistics. But then she got wise and ditched that academic stuff for a life of crime–writing, that is. Her latest capers are teaching mystery writing for Savvy Authors and taking aspiring and established authors on intensive writing retreats to Italy with LemonLit.
To learn more about Traci, visit her website at traciandrighetti.com.
All comments are welcomed.
I love limoncello and the Amalfi Coast. Sounds like the author has the background to write some fun, authentic Italian characters. And New Orleans provides a rich setting for a mystery.
Yes, Sharon! I’m a seasoned traveler in Italy thanks to the fact that I have family and friends there. Stay tuned for a series set in Italy. 😀
And NOLA is one of my favorite places in the world. So intriguing…
I’ve really enjoyed this series and following Traci on Facebook. I’m really looking forward to her current release.
Hey, Cynthia! Nice to see you here. Let me know what you think of Galliano Gold. It’s a good one, if I DO say so myself. 😀
Traci this was a fantastic book! So many funny moments interspersed with the mystery. I loved it ❤
Thanks, Barbara! I’m glad you like it, because you inspired some of the plot!!
Would love to read this!!
Thank you for the giveaway…
This is a new to me series and sounds fun. Thank you for the chance!
What a great Italian last name! Makes me think of Sicily, where Franki’s Nonna is from. 😀
I really enjoy this series and of course, the location. Looking forward to reading Galliano Gold. Thankyou for the opportunity!
Hi, Jill! Thanks for stopping by. Let me know what you think. You’ve been reading my books for a long time.
Yes please, I’d love to add a new dead tree story to my collection of the author’s books.
LOL! The “dead tree” sounds so appropriately creepy and mysterious…
Traci, I don’t read e anything because I’ve already had one tablet fall to the floor while I dozed and it broke.
Thank you Dru Ann for the insight into Franki Amato. Traci Andrighetti has created a real interesting character that makes a book fun to read. Thank you for the chance to enter to win a book.
Hi Robin! Franki’s interesting, all right. But so is the city of New Orleans and the “characters” who live there. It’s the most natural setting for a mystery that I can think of.
Thanks for letting us Get To Know Franki Amato. This series is new to me, and it sounds wonderful ~
Thanks, Celia! I really appreciate that.
A delightful and unique series which I enjoy and love.
And I love YOU for saying that, Anne!
Sounds like a great series. Thank you for this chance to win.
Thanks so much, Carolyn! Good luck!
That wacky plot sounds like New Orleans to me!
Haha! I do my best to make the crime fit the city, Pat! Thank you!
This series and the locale is so special. Thanks.
So are you, Laini! What a wonderful thing to say, 😀
Thanks for the giveaway.
Good luck, Doward! Nice to see you here. 😀
Love this series–always well written, interesting, and just plain fun!! I’d love to win a print copy for my keeper shelf–I downloaded the ebook the day it was released. Thanks for this opportunity!
Thanks so much for the support, Linda. I DO have a lot of fun writing them. New Orleans is a character like my characters, LOL.
Traci this is my favorite book in the series so far. It makes you laugh and your on the edge of your seat to . The situations Franki gets into. You have such a great style of writing . I just truly enjoy your books . I can not wait for the next one .
As always, Dru Ann, this “interview” did not disappoint. Love all the short stories I own. Unfortunately, our library only has the first book of the series and I already own that one! I would love to win more! Thank you for the giveaway! Traci Andrighetti is an amazing author and NOLA has a special place in my heart. (I moved to NOLA in 1981 and in 1983 had a semester in UNO. In 2000, I met my future Cajun hubby. I love southern Louisiana!
Thanks, Cheryl, especially for that “amazing author” comment! 😀 I’m sorry that the library only has Limoncello Yellow. Maybe you should give them a nudge? Good luck with giveaway, and if you’re still in NOLA, I’ll be there signing at Boutique du Vampyre on October 19th.
Sounds like a fun book.
Thanks, Alicia! I work hard to make my books entertaining throughout the story. I like to have fun when I write. 😀
Sounds like my kind of book. Would really love to read. Thanks for the chance.
I’m glad to hear it (read it?)l, Dianne! Good luck!
Sounds like a good read
Thanks, Sandy!
Always a pleasure and an honor to be on your blog, Dru Ann. Thanks so much for having me!
my pleasure
This book looks good and I would love to win it!
Thanks, Linda! Best of luck!
Thanks for the entertaining interview, and for the chance to win this book.
I had fun writing it, Leeza. I try to make everything I write fun. Otherwise, what’s the point? 😀
I love a character who can use the term “stripper sleuthing suits”.
That’s bound to be a fun book.
Haha, thank you, Rochelle! I love me some alliteration—and wacky characters.
I love books set in New Orleans and this series is well on its way to becoming my favorite!!
Music to my ears, Johnna—as in New Orleans jazz music. 😀
**** WINNERS ****
Galliano Gold are Cheryl Arcemont, Robin Coxon
Congratulations!
Thank you! I am a very happy reader. What a great birthday (October 10) present for me!