My full name is Marygrace Ticarelli. Call me Mary. Everyone does. I’m glad you stopped in. My daughter hasn’t been around to see me in two days. And my son? Forget about sons once they get married. They come to Sunday dinner, then you don’t see them for a week. You know what they say, a mother can take care of a dozen kids, but a dozen kids can’t take care of one mother. That’s okay. They’re busy with their families. I’m happy for that.
Did you eat? Have some eggplant parmigiana. I made it this morning. When I owned a restaurant with my late husband, it was the most popular dish on the menu. My neighbor, Quincy Lazzaro, can’t get enough of it.
Quincy’s a good kid. Well, compared to me he’s a kid. He’s thirty-five years old now but sometimes you wouldn’t know it. I try to help him out but I’m not getting any younger waiting for him to “find himself.”
He wants to write a novel. I told him that would be nice if he wanted to starve. So, he decided to go after an investigative reporting job to make ends meet. Instead, he got tricked into writing the “Cooking with Betty” column by an old college friend. Some friend! He promised Quincy an investigative reporting column when Betty arrived to take over.
Quincy jumped at the chance. But he doesn’t know boil from broil when it comes to cooking. He thinks tiramisu made with Twinkies is fine dining. That’s where I come in. I help him out by supplying him with recipes for the column. We both get “Assistant to Betty” bylines. That’s more than many ghostwriters get so I’m fine with that.
By the time he realized Betty didn’t exist, the column was a hit. He had to keep the secret, yet he never did get the promised investigative column.
It reminds me of my cousin Carmella. Her chickens were freeloaders. She fed them all winter and they never laid an egg. But she kept feeding them and one morning she got a whole basketful of eggs. She was so happy she gathered them up and ran to the house to show her husband. But she tripped on the way and every egg broke.
You don’t see the connection? It’s simple. If he’d asked me I would have told him promises are like eggs. They’re easily broken.
I try to look out for him in other ways too. I feed him because otherwise he’d live on peanut butter, chips, and tuna right out of the can. I also give him advice about his on and off relationship with police sergeant Nina Estevez. And you don’t know how many times I’ve patched him up after one mishap or another.
But there’s more to me than cooking and taking care of Quincy. I’m always studying people. I like to watch what they do and how they react to different situations.
So, when Quincy found that self-centered diet doctor, Alan Tolzer, dead, I nudged him to find the killer. He didn’t want my help but I kept pointing out little things that I noticed and, in the end, we solved the case. But don’t tell him I said that. He likes to think he did it on his own.
Care for more eggplant?
Diet of Death, A Reluctant Food Columnist Mystery #1
Genre: Cozy
Release: June 2021
Purchase Link
Betty Ann Green is the Oprah of the cooking world. No wonder cookbook authors, celebrity chefs, and weight-loss experts alike would kill for a mention in the “Cooking with Betty” column in On Topic Magazine. Diet Guru, Dr. Alan Tolzer, is no exception.
He craves the chance for instant success for his latest Westport Diet Book with an interview by the columnist. It’s enough to make him swallow his pride and try to patch up his long-standing feud with the reclusive Betty.
No surprise there.
Everyone sells their soul in one way or another in the cooking industry. But murder is on the menu when Betty’s assistant, Quincy Lazzaro, arrives for the interview. Quincy becomes entangled and his complicated relationships with both Betty and investigating police sergeant Nina Estevez is nothing less than a recipe for disaster. Bringing the murderer to justice without exposing the secret to Betty’s success proves to be more difficult than sticking to a fad diet.
About the author
Ang Pompano’s short stories have appeared in many anthologies, including the Anthony Winning, Malice Domestic: Mystery Most Edible. His first novel When It’s Time for Leaving, was nominated for an Agatha Best First Novel Award. His second novel, Diet of Death was published in June, 2021. A member of Mystery Writers of America, he was awarded a Helen McCloy/MWA scholarship for a novel in progress. He served for many years as a board member of Sisters in Crime New England and has been on the New England Crime Bake Committee for fifteen years. He is the co-founder and editor of Crime Spell Books. He lives in Connecticut with his wife, Annette, and their two rescue dogs.
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Ang has generously offered to give away a copy of Diet of Death, either Kindle (open to everyone) or paperback (U.S. residents only), winner’s choice. To enter, please leave a comment below. Giveaway ends September 3, 2021. Good luck everyone!
All comments are welcomed.
I love the voice in this writing, and I chuckled and cringed over, “tiramisu made with Twinkies.” Thanks so much for the chance to win this book. I look forward to reading it.
This sounds like a lot of fun. Great concept!
Thank you for the kind words, Alicia. It was fun to write!
Thanks, Leeza. I made up the Twinkie Tiramisu for the book. Later I found that it’s a real thing. Who knew? There are several easy recipes for it on the Internet if you’d care to try it. It’s not bad.
Thanks Ang for introducing us to Mary and donating a copy of book for a giveaway.
And thank you, Dru! It’s always a pleasure to be here.
Sounds like a fun new cozy – thanks for the feature!
Thanks for the kind words, Mary Ellen!
This sounds like a great plot.
Sharon, someone said it sounded like Christmas in Connecticut meets Agatha Christie. I was very flattered. I love to plot. Thanks for your comment!
This sure sounds like an awesome and intriguing mystery…..can’t wait to read it! I love that it is the first of a new series because that means hopefully many more to come. And this is a new author to me so that is always fun! Hooray to the awesome striking cover of the book 📕…. I even saw the cute little kitty which also immediately sold me on this book! Thank you so much dear Dru and Ang for the chance to win! 📕😊📚
I look forward to reading Diet of Death – having a diet guru doctor as a victim brings to mind the infamous Scarsdale Diet doctor’s murder ~
It’s funny that you mentioned the Scarsdale Diet Doctor, Celia. Dr. Herman Tarnower is mentioned in the book. This past weekend I actually met someone who was one of his patients!
That’s so kind of you to say, Beverly. I’m glad you like the kitty. His name is Menu. I liked writing about him so much that I’m keeping him around for the next book.
This sounds like a ‘fun’ cozy. Thank you for the chance to win a print copy.
wfnren at aol dot com
Wendy, I think cozies are a great way to escape for a while. Good luck!
This sounds like a good story
Thanks, Sandy. It was fun to write.
A delightful and intriguing cozy.
Thank you for saying that, Anne! I’m glad you liked it.
Thanks for this entertaining cozy.
Thank you, Ruth! Your comment is much appreciated.
Love the storyline and your voice! Great cover, too.
Thank you, Mary. Mary Ticarelli’s voice is similar to that of so many strong women that I knew growing up with. Sometimes I almost forget that she’s not real. Glad you like the cover. The designer, Dar Albert, is so talented. She knew exactly what was needed.
I love it. Looking forward to either getting it from the library or buying a copy of they can’t be bothered ordering any. I grew up in the Italian section of East NY Brooklyn in the 50’s and 60’s. The smells of dinner being made would waft out the windows on warm evenings. I hope I get lucky tho and win a dead tree copy of the book.
Noraadrienne, thanks for the comments. Brooklyn must have been a special place to grow up in. Good luck!
I’m intrigued. Can Marygrace adopt me next? I would love to be a part of her world.
Ha, Ha, Emily! Mary is funny, a great cook, and very caring, but I’m not sure if you’d want to be adopted by her. Sometimes you can get too much of a good thing!
Sounds interesting!
Thanks, Glen. I’m glad you stopped by.
OMG! Mary sounds like a hoot! She reminds me of some of my own family. I love how she knows she’s pulling the string…or is she?
Rose, I’ll bet every family has a “Mary.” She’s one smart woman and she knows it!
This sounds good. I’m all for people feeding me! Thanks for the chance.
You’re welcome, Sally and thanks. I love when someone makes me good food too!
New author for me, sounds good!
Thanks, Teresa. I love meeting new readers!
Love cozies about food – great cover!
Thanks, Mary. Dar Albert designed the cover. She’s amazing!
Looks good! Thanks for the chance to win it in paperback!
I appreciate your comment, Linda. Good luck!
Thanks Dru for the introduction to Ang Pompano and his book. I’m always ready to find a new author and/or
a new book/series to read. Your blog helps to provide that avenue.
Robeader, I totally agree. Dru is such a champion for readers and writers!
Ang, you know how much I love Mary–hope we get to see a lot more of her! Dru, thanks for hosting one of my favorite authors:)
Thanks for taking time from your busy day to stop by, Lucy. And readers, don’t miss my Lucy Burdette’s A SCONE OF CONTENTION. You’ll love it!
The winner of a copy of Diet of Death is Mary C! Congratulations, Mary. Please email me at angpompano@gmail.com.
Thank you, Dru and everyone who stopped by. I had a great time.
**** WINNER ****
Diet of Death is Mary C.
Congratulations!