I don’t know how my granddaughter gets herself into these things. Trouble seems to find her wherever she goes. First, that producer ends up dead in my tomato garden. Then that woman from the country club gets pushed over a seawall. And of course, Victoria can’t help but stick her nose into things.
The first time, I actually wanted her help, God forgive me, because our restaurant, the Casa Lido, was threatened, and I, Guilietta Rienzi, have a reputation to uphold. (Just because a man happens to die after eating at my restaurant doesn’t mean we poisoned him.) But why she has to go around asking questions and driving all over New Jersey for “research,” instead of working in the kitchen where she belongs is beyond me.
It all started when Chickie, that no good buddy of my son Frank–a good boy, even if he does like to play the horses–got involved in some things he shouldn’t have. All because that spoiled daughter of his, Roberta, had to have a fancy wedding at the Belmont Beach Country Club. Then she insisted that we do some of the catering to serve our famous Italian Wedding Soup. (Oh, you should have seen Victoria’s face when she found out she had to make a thousand little meatballs!)
It goes without saying that everyone loved my Wedding Soup. But not everyone loved that snob, Elizabeth Merriman, who was president of the country club–emphasis on the word was. She ran that place with an iron fist, and there were plenty of people who wanted her out of the way, including Chickie. And because Victoria was there, she starts to get ideas in her head about who did it. And she’s stubborn, that one. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t get her to mind her own business when it came to who killed Elizabeth. But there’s another reason I don’t want her digging around too much, and don’t expect me to tell you what it is. I say, let the past stay buried–where it belongs. . .
You can read more about Nonna in The Wedding Soup Murder, the second book in the “Italian Kitchen” mystery series, published by Obsidian. The first book in the series is Murder and Marinara.
The Wedding Soup Murder
When Vic asked her nonna for more responsibility in the kitchen, she didn’t mean making a thousand tiny meatballs by hand for the family’s famous wedding soup. The dish is to be served at the reception for a close family friend at the exclusive Belmont Country Club. And once there Vic has to deal with a demanding bridezilla and clashes in the kitchen—between the staff and servers, between two egocentric head chefs, and between the country club president and…well…everyone.The wedding comes off without a hitch—until the body of the club’s president is found on the beach below a high seawall. Now Vic will need to use her noodle to find out who pushed whom too far…before she’s the one who lands in the soup!
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 6 p.m. eastern on September 10 for the chance to win a print copy of THE WEDDING SOUP MURDER. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.
Meet the author
A Jersey girl born and bred, national bestselling author Rosie Genova left her heart at the shore, which serves as 
the setting for much of her work. Her new series, the Italian Kitchen Mysteries, is informed by her appreciation for good food, her pride in her heritage, and her love of classic mysteries from Nancy Drew to Miss Marple. Her debut novel, Murder and Marinara, was named a 2013 Best Cozy by Suspense Magazine and was a finalist for a 2014 Daphne Award. An English teacher by day and novelist by night, Rosie also writes women’s fiction as Rosemary DiBattista. She still lives in her home state with her husband and the youngest of her three Jersey boys.
Oh, my, this sounds great! I was not aware of this series and I am going in search of Murder and Marinara right now. Thanks for the chance to win!
This is a new series for me. Sounds interesting.
kaye.killgore@comcast.net
I haven’t read anything yet by this author but I would love to read this book—thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!
Hey Dru!
Thanks so much for having Nonna here today–she can be difficult sometimes!
Loved Murder and Marinara and this new book sounds so good. I’d love to win/read this
I loved Rosie’s first book, and can’t wait to read this one!
I love trying out new series! Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
I love wedding soup! Combine this with a cozy and I’m in heaven. 🙂 I think I have the first one on my ever expanding t-b-r list.
thank you for the chance to win this fun book 🙂
Ah, Nonna–a great mix of pride and worry, plus a wonderful sounding soup! Thanks for the chance to win!
It’s on my list – looks fun!
A perfect Nonna…congrats Rosie…thanks Dru!
Feisty Grandma. Sounds like a fun read. thanks
Sounds like my kind of book.
I love this series ! It’s definately going on my wish list !
Everyone needs an Italian nonna. If not for her we would not be drawn into this book. Congrats, Rosie on another hit.
Looks and sounds like a great cozy mystery.
Sounds like a fun cozy.
Seriously LOVED this book. I love the fact that Nonna likes to make everyone think she’s a tough hard cookie. But I know she’s a softy. My question is….Why didn’t she teach Victoria to cook when she was younger?
(Oh and I’m not entering the contest. I just stopping by.)
I, too, would be quite daunted by the prospect of making that many mini meatballs!
Grandmothers and granddaughters – always a good story. Looking forward to reading it.
@Libby, yes, making 1000 tiny meatballs does sound a little daunting! I am glad Rosie provided the recipe in the back–and that she scaled back the serving sizes a little!
I love wedding soup, I haven’t had any in a long time, now I have a craving for it, I wonder why? LOL. Thanks for the chance to win.
A new series? Great! Looking forward to diving into both Murder and Marinara and eventually, The Wedding Soup Murder. Thanks for the chance to win.
Wow, guys–thanks for all the wonderful responses! And yes, Nonna’s a handful, but has a heart under all that tough skin. (Kim, part of your question is answered in a scene between Victoria and Cal.But also, Vic learned the “front of the house” part of the business when she was younger–setting up the dining room, waiting tables, etc.)
I read that part. I just couldn’t believe that was really it.
My grandmother made the best wedding soup! I would love to read this! Thank you!
Never heard of wedding soup, but now I must try it.
I have never tasted Wedding soup. This series sounds good. I love cozys
Sounds like a great new series. Looking forward to reading this.
Sounds great. Would love the opportunity to win it!
I am getting ready to buy Murder and Marinara. Thank you for a chance to win a copy of The Wedding Soup Murder.
This looks fun!!
I’ve not read this series yet but would love to.
Sounds like a GREAT series! Thanks for the chance to win!
I LOVE cozies that deal with food! This series sounds like something I would like!
Enjoyed the first one. Happy to see a new one.
Thanks
I will definitely want to get this second book in this series as I bought book one and it was fabulous. Had me laughing through the entire book; then I gave it to my Italian friend and she cracked up laughing too. Very good writing. Looking forward to getting it and reading soon.
Cynthia
This sounds like a fun story! While Nonna has a lot of wisdom, the past can’t always stay buried. Sometimes it interrupts the present and influences the future in incalculable ways!
I am always looking for a new mystery series. The teaser makes me want to read more.
Absolutely tasty series…murder Italian style !
another series I need to start!!!
thank you for the giveaway!!!
Food and murder that’s the ticket.
My kind of Nonna plus my kind of grandkid!
Loved reading Murder and Marinara! I’m looking forward to reading The Wedding Soup Murder. It’s been ages since I’ve made Italian Wedding Soup. Guess I’d better dig out the recipe if I’m going to be reading about it. mom made it for special Holiday dinners using italian sausage instead of beef for the meatballs and spinach and broken spaghetti noodles instead of orzo. Adaptions made because of living in a small rural Texas town. Makesme hungry thinking about it.
Sounds like a fun read!
I don’t remember a Wedding Soup growing up but my dad came from the Milan region. But the family stories will be the same. Sounds like I need to buy Book one.
Italian wedding soup + a cozy = a very lovely recipe! Sounds like a great book (and series!). Thanks for the chance to win!
Life would be just perfect if I could be eating some Italian Wedding Soup while reading this book. Thanks for the contest.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
This sounds like a great read as does tje whole series. I love finding new authors on these blogs. I would love to win a copy of this book. Thanks for the giveaway.
Sounds interesting. Will have to put it on my TBR pile.
Looking forward to reading this
contest is closed.