Stefanie sits down for a question-and-answer session with dru’s book musings so that we can get to know her better.
What is your full name?
Stefanie Adams. My parents disagreed on my middle name, so I didn’t get one.
How old are you?
35.
What is your profession?
For 12 years I’ve been a private banker, taking care of Markham-Briggs Bank’s wealthiest customers. But that ended when I was passed over for the promotion to Vice President that Markham had been promising me for three years.
Do you have a significant other?
Yes, but we haven’t put a label on it.
What is their name and profession?
Thomas Burkhardt. He told me he was a printer. What an understatement that was! He’s the son of Petra Konrad, owner of Europe’s largest publishing house.
Do you have any children?
No.
Do you have any siblings?
One sister, Kristin. We don’t see each other much, since I dedicated so many hours to my job, but I can count on her when I need a back up. She sent my ruby bracelet to me in care of the US Embassy in Rome. I’ll need to wear it tonight.
Are your parents nearby?
My mother lives in suburban St. Louis. Dad passed away from lung cancer. He never did get a chance to see the Akrotiri Snake Goddess.
Who is your best friend?
Thomas, but don’t tell him. It would only go to his head.
Do you have cats, dogs, or other pets?
Who has time? When I wasn’t at the bank, I was wining and dining clients and potential clients, convincing them to invest with our bank. But that was before. At the moment, I’ve been traveling around Europe, still not home enough for a pet.
What town do you live in?
St. Louis, Missouri.
What type of dwelling do you own or rent?
I own an apartment condo. Perfect for one. Or two, if you’re not there often. I’ll have to see what Thomas thinks about it.
What is your favorite spot in your home?
There’s an upholstered chair in front of my balcony window. I like to sit there at night after work with a glass of wine and look out at the city lights.
What is your favorite meal and dessert?
I love pasta with tomato sauce, and being in Italy right now, I’m trying all the varieties I can. For dessert, it’s apple pie, preferably with vanilla ice cream.
Do you have any hobbies?
Yes, I collect antique jewelry. It’s a modest collection, but it satisfies the thwarted archaeologist in me. One summer of interning at an archaeological site on Crete was enough to spark my interest, but I wasn’t sure the income was secure enough to make it a career. With antique jewelry, I can wear a piece of history.
What music do you listen to?
A little bit of everything. Boy bands, classic soul, 80’s, 90’s, jazz, blues, classical, even bouzouki. Music is music. If it’s catchy, I’ll sing along. Right now I’m liking Danielle Ponder.
What is your favorite color?
Blue
What is your favorite vacation spot?
It’s so hard to choose between the Greek islands of Santorini and Crete. Thomas and I had romantic encounters on both. I’ll go with Crete. It has everything: sun, beaches, archaeological sites, charming cities with nightlife.
Are you a morning or night person?
Morning. You have to get up early if you want to run 3 miles before work. Although I am missing those runs here in Italy.
What is your idea of a really fun time?
Watching someone get what they deserve. Sorry if that sounds rude. Guess that chip is still on my shoulder after being passed up for that VP position.
If you were to write a memoir, what would you call it?
Embracing Opportunities. I’ve finally started doing that after a lifetime of planning 7 steps ahead.
Amateur or professional sleuth and whom do you work with?
That is a very good question.
What is a typical day in your life like?
Since I’ve resigned from my position at Markham Briggs Bank, I’ve been traveling in Europe. After all, those long hours of working didn’t leave me much time to spend my money, and I’ve built up quite a nest egg. I’m in Milan right now, hoping to catch daVinci’s Last Supper. I’m not sure I’ll have the time. I have to see a lady–a contessa, actually–about a Renaissance pendant known as the Borgia Peacock.
Giveaway: M.A. has generously offered to give away one print copy of Death on the Grand Canal. To enter, please leave a comment below. One entry per person and the giveaway is limited to U.S. residents only. Giveaway ends May 22, 2023. Good luck everyone!
Death On The Grand Canal, An Intrepid Traveler Mystery Book #2
Genre: Traditional
Release: May 2023
Format: Print, Digital
Purchase Link
Having discovered a knack for investigation, Stefanie joins Thomas Burkhardt in Milan, Italy, on the black market trail of the fabulous sapphire and emerald Borgia Peacock, a Renaissance pendant missing since it was stolen from the Milan International Expo of 1906.
Undercover as a wealthy heiress, Stefanie has no doubt she’ll convince current owner Contessa Giuliana Bergamo to sell to her. But when she shows up at the Contessa’s crumbling Venetian palazzo to clinch the deal, it isn’t only the glittering gemstones that have Stefanie seeing blue. Others are there vying for the Peacock, including Europe’s most notorious jewel fence. In the cut-throat competition, one of the would-be buyers is murdered.
With their cover identities as well as their lives on the line, Stefanie and Thomas dig for the truth while trying to avoid discovery themselves. When Stefanie learns Thomas is keeping secrets of his own, she wonders if the Borgia Peacock affair is one opportunity she shouldn’t have embraced.
About the author
M. A. Monnin’s debut mystery Death in the Aegean has been nominated for an Agatha Best First Novel Award. Her second in the Intrepid Traveler series, Death on the Grand Canal, launched May 18th. Mary also writes short crime fiction, with her latest short story in the SinC Guppy anthology Hook, Line & Sinker. Find her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, as well as her website at mamonnin.com.
All comments are welcomed.
Hi Mary, do you recommend reading book 1 in this series before starting this one?
Hi Lane! Good question. The stories can be read as stand alone mysteries, but I think it would be more enjoyable to read them in order, because you will see Stefanie’s character grow.
This is a new to me author and this sounds like a fun series! Thank you for the giveaway!
Hi Autumn! Glad it sound like a fun series to you. I had fun writing it. Good luck on the giveaway!
This story sounds intriguing. I love international settings.
Congratulations on the release of your new book! The cover is beautiful. I am looking forward to reading it and really enjoyed the first in the series.
Hi Daria! Thank you. Shawn at Level Best Books does a great job with my covers.
What a fun post–love plucky Stefanie Adams! I’m lucky to already have my copy of Death on the Grand Canal. Such a great series–reading these books is like going on a fun international trip–with good friends, sophisticated mysteries, intriguing cultural details, a little romance, and plenty of adventure.
Hi Lisa! I’m so glad you enjoy the series. Coming up with the clues and red herrings is a lot of fun. So is coming up with the artifacts.
A little armchair travel is never a bad idea!
Hi Shelley! I totally agree! I love to read mysteries that take place in other countries.
This sounds great! I love travel and mysteries.
Hi Pat! Glad you like the sound of Death on the Grand Canal. I love mixing travel and mysteries together. Read a mystery when I’m traveling, put a little travel in my mysteries . . . I like doing both.
I just put the first in the series on my library list.
Hi Gram! Thank you for requesting Death in the Aegean from your library! I get most of the books I read from my local library.
Gram, congratulations, you won! Please let me know how to get in touch with you for your address so that I know where to send your signed copy of Death on the Grand Canal!
I will reach out to Gram.
Thank you for introducing me to this author and this book.
Hi Linda! I hope you enjoy Stefanie’s investigations. Where greed leads, murder follows . . .
Just got book 1 for my birthday the other day on the recommendation of a college friend. Love mysteries and archaeology and travel – am SO looking forward to reading it – just in time for book 2!
Happy birthday Linda Marie! Is there anything better than mysteries, archaeology and travel? I don’t thinks so–unless you add in a little romance.
I’m looking forward to reading Death on the Grand Canal. I thought I had Death in the Aegean figured out but I was wrong
Hi Jo! That’s what I strive for! Hope I can do the same with Death on the Grand Canal!
The contest in now officially closed! Thank you all for chatting with me. Let me get another cup of coffee, then I’ll draw the winner’s name from a hat–a straw fedora, of course!
And the winner is: Gram! Congratulations! Please let me know how to get in touch with you so that I can send a signed copy of Death on the Grand Canal your way!