Gino Donatelli first appeared in Murder in Little Italy and one of the best ways to learn about a person is by asking questions, so let’s get to know Gino.
What is your full name?
Gino Donatelli
How old are you?
23
What is your profession?
Private investigator
Do you have a significant other?
I think I’m in a relationship, but I’m not positive. You’ll have to check with her.
What is their name and profession?
Maeve Smith. She started out as the nanny to my boss’s children, and now she works part time in his detective agency.
Do you have any children?
I’m not even married!
Do you have any siblings?
Yes, five brothers. I had a difficult childhood.
Are your parents nearby?
Actually, I live with them. Italian boys live at home until they marry. It’s a way to encourage us to marry.
Who is your best friend?
Frank Malloy, who is also my boss and my mentor.
Any pets?
No time for pets, although several dogs come and go at my parents’ house.
What town do you live in?
New York City.
Type of dwelling and do you own or rent?
Our family lives in a very crowded house in Little Italy. My parents own the house.
What is your favorite spot in your home?
My favorite spot is not in my home. It is my office, where I can get some peace and quiet.
Favorite meal and dessert?
Anything my mother makes. She makes great cannoli.
Do you have any hobbies?
Tinkering with Mr. Malloy’s new motorcar.
Favorite color?
Never thought about it.
Favorite author?
I don’t read much.
Favorite vacation spot?
What is a vacation?
Favorite sports team? – Remove
I’m not sure what you mean by “sports team.” I enjoy a good game of baseball. Who doesn’t?
Movies or live theater?
What’s a movie? I do enjoy theater, especially since I know several actresses from a case we worked on.
Are you a morning or a night person?
Night. That’s when we do our best investigations.
Amateur or professional sleuth and whom do you work with?
I’m a professional. I started out as a police officer, but when Mr. Malloy opened his detective agency, I went to work for him. He’s a lot more interested in solving crimes than the police are.
In a few sentences, what is a typical day in your life like?
I wish I had a typical day! If we aren’t involved in an investigation, I go to our office first thing in the morning. Then Mr. Malloy and I decide what we should do. After that, anything can happen from sitting around waiting for a client to show up to chasing a killer across the city in the motorcar. I much prefer the motorcar chase.
Giveaway: Leave a comment below for your chance to win one (1) print copy of Murder on Pleasant Avenue, limited to U.S. residents. Giveaway ends April 29, 2020. Good luck everyone!
Murder on Pleasant Avenue is the 23rd book in the “Gaslight” historical mystery series, coming April 28, 2020.
When midwife Sarah and detective Frank Malloy’s friend and new partner Gino Donatelli is accused of murder, he and Sarah must catch the real killer to keep him alive, in this enthralling, new novel in the USA Today bestselling Gaslight Mystery series.
A young woman is missing in the upper Manhattan neighborhood called Italian Harlem and everyone knows who’s responsible—the Black Hand, a notorious group known for terrorizing their own community with violence and kidnappings. Gino and Frank set out to learn more about the disreputable gang and soon find a lead, a saloon-owning gangster named Nunzio Esposito.
Gino hates that a fellow immigrant would stoop so low and decides to confront his wayward countryman. But he quickly discovers the man can’t be reasoned with—because he’s been murdered. The police have only one suspect: Gino Donatelli.
Frank and Sarah know Gino is no killer but someone has pulled out all the stops to make it look like he is guilty. They also must now face the Black Hand, who are honor-bound to avenge the death of one of their own.
With evidence mounting against their friend and a group of bad guys out for blood, Sarah and Frank race to unravel a treacherous plot before Gino’s time runs out. . .
Purchase Link
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About the author
Victoria Thompson is the USA Today bestselling author of the Edgar® and Agatha Award nominated Gaslight Mystery Series and the Sue Grafton Memorial Award nominated Counterfeit Lady Series. Her latest books are Murder on Pleasant Avenue and City of Scoundrels, both from Berkley. She has published 20 historical romances and 26 mysteries, and she currently teaches in the Master’s program for writing popular fiction at Seton Hill University. She lives in Illinois with her husband and a very spoiled little dog. To learn more about Victoria, visit her website at victoriathompson.com.
All comments are welcomed.
Nice cover. I liked the blurb and interview. It sounds like a really interesting book, very intriguing. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks! The cover is based on a photograph of the festival featured in the book.
Can’t wait to read! I’ve missed Sarah, Frank and the gang 💖
Can’t wait to be in the Malloy house again!
Thank you for taking the time, Gino! I look forward to reading this!
Sounds like an interesting story.
Anyone who is a night person and likes baseball isa protagonist for me.
This is already on my TBR list and I’d be thrilled to win a copy.
This is the first series I binge read – discovered it in 2017 at Malice, immediately went and bought the others and read them all, one after the other. Great series and can not wait to read this one! Thanks for the chance!
Wow, that’s a great story! Thanks for sharing!
I really enjoyed getting to know Gino. Sounds like a great book. Looking forward to reading. Thanks for the chance.
I love this series. I have them all except for the latest, Murder on Pleasant Avenue.
I introduced my nook club to this series.
Gino is a fun character. Thanks for the interview.
Once I started this series, it quickly became my favorite! Hope there are many, many more books to come!
PS …Thank you for all the info on Gino!
I hope so, too!
I enjoy this series. Congratulations on the new book.
I am so glad that I discovered this wonderful series with Sarah and Frank at my public library. I enjoyed Getting to Know Gino and look forward to reading Murder on Pleasant Avenue.
Wonderful and special. Love to read Murder on Pleasant Avenue. Many thanks,
I’ve heard of the Black Hand, but know very little about them–this would be a great read to start learning about them, and Gino sounds interesting.
I love reading this series & look forward to each new book with great anticipation. Maeve is my favorite character, but I do wish she would put Gino out of his misery and tell him, once and for all, how she feels.
I think you’ll be very happy with this book, then!
This is such a great series! This one looks soooo good and I can’t wait to read it. Thanks for the giveaway!
Yes please Dru, I’d love to add this book to my library.. Back in the 60’s I used to love roaming the streets on the Lower East Side and Little Italy .
My friends and I would try a different restaurant or Pizzeria on each visit.
That sounds like so much fun!
I hope so, too!
My favorite series. I am anxiously waiting this next book. I ❤️ Victoria Thompson’s writing!
So excited for the new book to come out!
I absolutely love this series! Cannot get enough. All of the characters are so well thought out and blend perfectly!
I’d love to read more “interviews” like this. This is great!
Each book is wonderfully entertaining. I love the story lines, the bit of romance, history, and of course the mystery!
I am so excited that there’s a new addition to this series; I’ve read every one of them so far and almost hated reading the lasts one because I didn’t have a “next one” to go to when I finished; can’t wait to get my hands on this one; I’ve also read all the new series including the City of Scoundrels and waiting for the next on in that series;
thanks for the updates
Thanks! This is the kind of fanmail I love reading!
I love this series, can’t wait for the next story.
Thanks! This is the kind of fanmail I love reading!
Very clever idea to interview Gino. Looking forward to reading this book while “locked down”.
Sounds like another great book!
One of my all-time favorite series. I miss the gang!
I am so excited for the new book! I love Gino and Maeve, so I’m really glad to see where this book takes them.
Commuting to work, my husband and I enjoyed this series together. He drove, I read. He’s a big fan of “Malloy” and Maeve and their names get dropped frequently like old friends. Now we are retired and look forward to this latest Victoria Thompson adventure. I love all her characters.
I love hearing about couples who read the books together!
A year ago when a pipe burst and flooded my home library destroying most of my books, the Gaslight Mystery series was the first batch of books I replaced. I felt like I had lost my friends and needed them back for comfort. Thank you Victoria for writing such a wonderful, heartwarming series!
So sorry about your flood, but I’m also touched by how much you love the series!
Me! Me!
I’m very much looking forward to reading this. I’ve read all the previous ones and own most of them.
I can’t wait to read this book. I love Donatelli. I found the series after book 22 was published. I zipped through them at lightening speed. I love all the historical facts in each book. I find myself doing Google searches for more information after every book.
In my other life I’m a teacher, so this warms my heart!
New author and series for me, sounds good!
I laughed out loud when I read this question & answer:
Are your parents nearby?
Actually, I live with them. Italian boys live at home until they marry. It’s a way to encourage us to marry.
p.s. I love this series & can’t wait to read this book.
I was hoping to make folks laugh!
Sounds like a great read. Thanks for the giveaway.
I am excited for the next installment of this series. I fell in love with it & can’t wait for new stories.
The cover of this book is gorgeous! I would love to read this book!
I have this book on my wait lost at the library which will be closed until June 29. It would be lovely to win a copy.
I love this series and have this book on my wish list. I still need to get some early books of hers as I discovered her books about half way through this series. Thank you for the chance to win this copy.
I like the Q & A with Gino. Really gives you a chance to know the character.
I was hoping to make folks laugh!
I enjoyed getting to know Gino!
When an interview with a character makes readers laugh and feel good at the same time that is a perfect combination to get to know the author especially now while our lives are so filled with unrest! Thank you, Victoria, for all of that and more in your wonderful books. Congratulations on your two releases. I’d be delighted to be chosen to receive a copy. Thank you so much! Cynthia
This is one of my favorite mystery series! Love Sarah, Frank and all the secondary characters. Love the history, as well. Excellent all the way around!
Love the books and can’t wait to read the newest!
Love this interview with Gino! Funny! Cannot wait to read this one – this is probably my favorite series ever!
Nice interview. I have a bunch of these and two in her new series.