If you’re a fan of Janet Evanovich’s Grandma Mazur, imagine her times four. The Ferrara family, Italian Americans in New Jersey are “direct, loud, demanding, impatient, and tactless.” The four women love each other, but they yell their love as much as their anger. So, question. Is it a stereotype if the author says he grew up in a family like this? You decide with J.D. Griffo’s Murder at Veronica’s Diner.

Despite a restless night and a feeling of foreboding, Alberta Scaglione meets her sister Helen, her sister-in-law Joyce, and her granddaughter Jinx at Veronica’s Diner for breakfast. Unless it’s at Alberta’s house, there isn’t a much better breakfast in Tranquility, New Jersey. But, breakfast is anything but tranquil. Their favorite waitress, Teri Jo, is frazzled, so busy she drops a box on their table, and asks them to deliver it. Just as the quartet is ready for their check, Teri Jo falls at their feet with a butcher knife in her back. “The Ferrara Family Detective Agency had found its next case.”

Oh, they know Police Chief Vinny D’Angelo well, but he’d asked for their help before. This time, they’re ready to charge in and investigate. Helen, a former nun, had taken Teri Jo under her wing, so she’s determined to find justice. Jinx is a newspaper reporter, and her editor is delighted she was at the scene of the crime. But, the waitress they knew as Teri Jo is connected, to a powerful New Jersey Italian crime family.

If you’re a fan of Stephanie Plum’s adventures, you might want to venture into the story of another New Jersey family. Before they’re through, the Ferraras will hide in alleys and confessionals, meet a hardened criminal at Riker’s Island, and stow away on a private jet. It’s a fast-paced story with a couple murders, but Alberta still has time for self-reflection and confidences with Helen.

I found Murder at Veronica’s Diner to be a little too over-the-top. And, I quickly stopped looking up every Italian phrase that was used as a chapter heading. I’m sure the book might have been even more interesting if I read Italian, but I tired of looking up phrases. I’m sure the cozy is just right for other readers, though.

J.D. Griffo’s website is www.michaelgriffo.com

Murder at Veronica’s Diner by J.D. Griffo. Kensington, 2020. ISBN 9781496730930 (paperback), 304p.


FTC Full Disclosure – I received a .pdf to review for a journal.